Programs #7-8

8. Michigan State 423

Three names that you need to know when talking about the Michigan State Spartans Jud Heathcote, Ervin "Magic" Johnson, and Tom Izzo. These are the three guys who have spurred this program into greatness. Heathcote started it and he tutored Izzo. Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has obviously been the program's best player even though guys such as Steve Smith, Eric Snow, and Morris Peterson have been good NBA players. The Magic vs. Bird 1979 championship game put college basketball on the national map. Tom Izzo has taken it to the next level. Izzo has been to six of the program's eight final four appearances and have appeared in all six of them since the 1999 season. Do you realize that is as many as programs such as Arkansas, Cincinnati, and Oklahoma State have been to in program history? Also, more than Arizona, Florida, and Syracuse have ever been to. To top it off they were in the national championship game in 2009 and are in the final four this season. If they go on to win the national championship this season they will get a few more points but won't jump the next team just yet. The Spartans have won national championships in 1979 and 2000 and as long as Izzo is there they will always be in the hunt. The Spartans are creeping up on a future top 10 member to be the greatest program in Big 10 history.

7. Louisville 495

It seems to make this list you have to have had at least two great coaches and the Cardinals have had two of them. Denny Crum brought the schools only two national championships 1980 and 1986, but Rick Pitino has gotten the program out of the small lull they had at the end of the Denny Crum era. Louisville was the overall number seed in the NCAA tournament in 2009 and went to the final four in 2005. As Louisville looks to move out of Freedom Hall into their new stadium the Cardinals will be in the hunt for national championships as long as Pitino is on the sideline. Louisville gets credit for 64 NBA draft picks which really put them over the top in the all-time programs list. Also, they got 144 points for tournament appearances so Louisville has had sustained greatness for a long period of time, which is important for being an all-time great program.