some final 4s and some years where the team misses the Sweet 16. Having a great team doesn't guarantee success. Here are the most relevant (best western, Big12 and top national teams) comparisons (maybe there are some teams I missed): Kansas only made the Sweet 16 1 of the last 4 tourneys. Gonzaga makes Sweet 16 yearly starting 2015, rarely before 2015. Gonzaga only has 1 Final 4 (finals loss) 2019 to now. Duke missed the Sweet 16 2 of the last 5 tournaments. Only 1 Final 4 2016 to now. Arizona last went to the Final 4 in 2001. Only 2 Sweet 16s 2016 to now. UCLA has missed 4 or 5 tourneys 2010 to now, 1 or 2 first round losses, 1 2nd round loss, 1 Final 4 2009 to now. UConn won the last 2 tournaments, but before that hadn't advanced to the round of 32 since 2017 and advanced to the round of 32 (lost in round of 32) once 2015 to 2022. Missed the tournament once. UNC missed the tournament last year. Lost 1st round 2021. Lost 2nd round 2018. Final 4 (lost championship) once 2018 to now. Kentucky hasn't been to a final 4 2016 to now. Missed the tourney once. Lost 1st Round once. Lost 2nd round twice. Houston missed the tournament or lost 1st round every year 1985 to 2017. Since then lost in round of 32 once. Advanced beyond Sweet 16 twice 1985 to now. These include the best 6-8 performing teams over the last many years, plus a couple of other(s) that are western/ Big 12 teams. Advancing to the Sweet 16 more often than not is what most of these teams did. A final 4 every several years is truly impressive.