Editor's note: Using a point system devised by the ESPN Stats & Information department, ESPN.com is counting down the 50 most successful programs of the past 50 years. A running list of the top 50 can be found here. For an explanation of the scoring system, read our intro.
29. Notre Dame (237 points)
Positives: Made Final Four in 1978; 10 top-15 finishes in a dozen seasons from 1970-81; 16 consensus All-Americans; five top-10 picks.
Negatives: No conference titles of any kind since joining Big East for 1995-96 season; haven't advanced past Sweet 16 since 1979; six losing seasons from 1991-99.
Fun fact: In our ranking system, Notre Dame was tied for the 16th-best program when Digger Phelps was head coach from 1972-91 (20 seasons).
Rank by the decade
1962-69: 11 (70th)
1970-79: 117 (7th)
1980-89: 60 (32nd)
1990-99: -6 (T-207th)
2000-present: 55 (T-48th)
50 in 50 starting five (1962-present)
G – David Rivers (1984-88)
G – Austin Carr (1968-71)
F – Adrian Dantley (1973-76)
F – Troy Murphy (1998-2001)
F/C – John Shumate (1972-74)
Top options off the bench
Luke Harangody (2006-10)
LaPhonso Ellis (1988-92)
Pat Garrity (1994-98)
50 in 50 coach: Digger Phelps
Best teams (1962-present)
1973-74 (26-3, NCAA Sweet 16)
1977-78 (23-8, NCAA national semifinals)
1978-79 (24-6, NCAA Elite Eight)
--Harold Shelton and Brett Edgerton contributed to this post.