NCAA Basketball Transitive National Champions
Every once in a while I’ll see a post on Reddit asking a data-related question and think: “I bet I could find an answer to that.” This is one of those times. I saw this post on the college basketball subreddit asking how one’s school is the national champion by transitive property. I figured that if you could do that for one school, it isn’t very hard to do that for every school. So I did.
I pulled game data for every college basketball game in the 2025-26 season to find the winner and loser of every matchup. Then, with the fun of directed graphs, I found every team’s shortest path to a national championship by transitive property. Full code is here. As a practical note, I’m including all games when constructing these graphs, including postseason ones. If the game happened between November 11th, 2025 and April 7th, 2026, it got included.
On the men’s side, these are all the schools that can claim a transitive national championship and their shortest path to do so. 370 teams, excluding Michigan, can claim one. North Greenville has the claim on the longest shortest path with seven steps.
As an example for how to interpret the Transitive Champion Path column, “Virginia->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan” means: “Virginia beat Ohio State, who beat Wisconsin, who beat Michigan.” Since there are three steps from Virginia to Michigan in that example, the Path Length is three.
| Team | Transitive Champion Path | Path Length |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin->Michigan | 1 |
| Purdue | Purdue->Michigan | 1 |
| Duke | Duke->Michigan | 1 |
| Arizona | Arizona->Purdue->Michigan | 2 |
| UConn | UConn->Duke->Michigan | 2 |
| BYU | BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| Villanova | Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| UCLA | UCLA->Purdue->Michigan | 2 |
| Iowa State | Iowa State->Purdue->Michigan | 2 |
| Illinois | Illinois->Purdue->Michigan | 2 |
| Michigan State | Michigan State->Purdue->Michigan | 2 |
| UNC | UNC->Duke->Michigan | 2 |
| Ohio State | Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| USC | USC->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| High Point | High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| Nebraska | Nebraska->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| TCU | TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| Texas Tech | Texas Tech->Duke->Michigan | 2 |
| Oregon | Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| Indiana | Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 2 |
| Houston | Houston->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| St. John's (NY) | St. John's (NY)->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Louisville | Louisville->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Arkansas | Arkansas->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Alabama | Alabama->Texas Tech->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Tennessee | Tennessee->Iowa State->Purdue->Michigan | 3 |
| Kansas | Kansas->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Auburn | Auburn->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Gonzaga | Gonzaga->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| UCF | UCF->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Cincinnati | Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Clemson | Clemson->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Pitt | Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| UAB | UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Colorado | Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Utah State | Utah State->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| California | California->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Washington | Washington->USC->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Winthrop | Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Georgetown | Georgetown->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Maryland | Maryland->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Appalachian State | Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| NC State | NC State->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Notre Dame | Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Virginia | Virginia->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| VCU | VCU->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Marquette | Marquette->UConn->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Miami (FL) | Miami (FL)->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Northwestern | Northwestern->USC->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Southern Illinois | Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| SMU | SMU->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| New Orleans | New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Utah | Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Texas | Texas->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| West Virginia | West Virginia->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| San Diego State | San Diego State->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Iowa | Iowa->Nebraska->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Arizona State | Arizona State->Texas Tech->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Stanford | Stanford->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 3 |
| Creighton | Creighton->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Rutgers | Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 3 |
| Florida | Florida->Texas->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Quinnipiac | Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| North Dakota | North Dakota->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Mercer | Mercer->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| James Madison | James Madison->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Hofstra | Hofstra->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Charlotte | Charlotte->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Dayton | Dayton->Georgetown->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Florida Atlantic | Florida Atlantic->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Boston College | Boston College->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| George Mason | George Mason->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech->NC State->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 4 |
| Penn State | Penn State->Minnesota->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Providence | Providence->St. John's (NY)->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Syracuse | Syracuse->Tennessee->Iowa State->Purdue->Michigan | 4 |
| Wake Forest | Wake Forest->West Virginia->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Baylor | Baylor->Washington->USC->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Texas-Rio Grande Valley | Texas-Rio Grande Valley->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Boise State | Boise State->San Diego State->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Colorado State | Colorado State->Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| San Francisco | San Francisco->Minnesota->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Cal Poly | Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Bradley | Bradley->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Drake | Drake->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Southern Miss | Southern Miss->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Eastern Michigan | Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->Iowa State->Purdue->Michigan | 4 |
| Georgia State | Georgia State->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Texas State | Texas State->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Central Connecticut | Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Central Michigan | Central Michigan->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Georgia | Georgia->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Missouri | Missouri->Minnesota->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Troy | Troy->San Diego State->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Longwood | Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Marshall | Marshall->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| McNeese | McNeese->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Miami (OH) | Miami (OH)->SMU->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 4 |
| Old Dominion | Old Dominion->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Murray State | Murray State->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Saint Joseph's | Saint Joseph's->California->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 4 |
| Seton Hall | Seton Hall->NC State->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 4 |
| Stephen F. Austin | Stephen F. Austin->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech->Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Charleston Southern | Charleston Southern->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Coastal Carolina | Coastal Carolina->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Xavier | Xavier->West Virginia->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Belmont | Belmont->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| DePaul | DePaul->Georgetown->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Houston Christian | Houston Christian->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| UIC | UIC->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Ole Miss | Ole Miss->Auburn->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Southeastern Louisiana->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| North Texas | North Texas->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma->Oklahoma State->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Saint Louis | Saint Louis->VCU->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 4 |
| South Florida | South Florida->Utah State->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Texas A&M | Texas A&M->Texas->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Northwestern State | Northwestern State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Tulane | Tulane->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Tulsa | Tulsa->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt->UCF->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Grand Canyon | Grand Canyon->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | Purdue Fort Wayne->Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Northern Colorado | Northern Colorado->Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Oregon State | Oregon State->Arizona State->Texas Tech->Duke->Michigan | 4 |
| North Dakota State | North Dakota State->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Pepperdine | Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Fresno State | Fresno State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Portland | Portland->Gonzaga->UCLA->Purdue->Michigan | 4 |
| Saint Mary's | Saint Mary's->Gonzaga->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Seattle | Seattle->Washington->USC->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Nicholls State | Nicholls State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Florida State | Florida State->Miami (FL)->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 4 |
| Wichita State | Wichita State->Oklahoma State->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| UNC Asheville | UNC Asheville->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Nevada | Nevada->Utah State->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| UNLV | UNLV->Stanford->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 4 |
| Kansas State | Kansas State->California->UCLA->Purdue->Michigan | 4 |
| Valparaiso | Valparaiso->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Santa Clara | Santa Clara->Minnesota->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Elon | Elon->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Middle Tennessee | Middle Tennessee->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| New Mexico | New Mexico->San Diego State->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Butler | Butler->Virginia->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Richmond | Richmond->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| LSU | LSU->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Mississippi State | Mississippi State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Illinois State | Illinois State->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Alabama State | Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Memphis | Memphis->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 4 |
| Lehigh | Lehigh->Texas State->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Oakland | Oakland->Purdue Fort Wayne->Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Eastern Washington | Eastern Washington->Northern Colorado->Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Southern | Southern->Northwestern State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| FDU | FDU->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Jackson State | Jackson State->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Green Bay | Green Bay->Purdue Fort Wayne->Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Texas Southern | Texas Southern->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Akron | Akron->James Madison->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Indiana State | Indiana State->Belmont->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Western Carolina | Western Carolina->UNC Asheville->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Wofford | Wofford->Mercer->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Maryland-Eastern Shore | Maryland-Eastern Shore->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Liberty | Liberty->Florida Atlantic->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| IU Indianapolis | IU Indianapolis->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Fairfield | Fairfield->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Youngstown State | Youngstown State->Purdue Fort Wayne->Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Presbyterian | Presbyterian->Georgia State->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| American | American->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Northern Illinois | Northern Illinois->Central Michigan->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Louisiana-Monroe | Louisiana-Monroe->Old Dominion->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Hawaii Pacific | Hawaii Pacific->Boise State->San Diego State->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Montana State | Montana State->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Incarnate Word | Incarnate Word->McNeese->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Wyoming | Wyoming->Fresno State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | Cal State Bakersfield->Fresno State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Arkansas-Pine Bluff->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| St. Bonaventure | St. Bonaventure->Florida Atlantic->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| East Texas A&M | East Texas A&M->Southeastern Louisiana->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Lamar | Lamar->Northwestern State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Northern Arizona | Northern Arizona->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Stonehill | Stonehill->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Buffalo | Buffalo->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Drexel | Drexel->Old Dominion->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Furman | Furman->Richmond->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Stony Brook | Stony Brook->Hofstra->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Ball State | Ball State->Central Michigan->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana->Southeastern Louisiana->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Bowling Green | Bowling Green->Kansas State->West Virginia->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Delaware | Delaware->Middle Tennessee->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| California Baptist | California Baptist->Oregon State->Arizona State->Texas Tech->Duke->Michigan | 5 |
| USC Upstate | USC Upstate->Fresno State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Chattanooga | Chattanooga->Mercer->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| College of Charleston | College of Charleston->Hofstra->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Davidson | Davidson->Boston College->Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Duquesne | Duquesne->Richmond->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Niagara | Niagara->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Florida International | Florida International->Middle Tennessee->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Bellarmine | Bellarmine->Houston Christian->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Grambling | Grambling->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Jacksonville State | Jacksonville State->Middle Tennessee->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Kennesaw State | Kennesaw State->Georgia State->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Kent State | Kent State->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UMass | UMass->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Omaha | Omaha->North Dakota->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UNC Wilmington | UNC Wilmington->Southeastern Louisiana->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Northeastern | Northeastern->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Northern Kentucky | Northern Kentucky->Purdue Fort Wayne->Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| LIU | LIU->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Arkansas State | Arkansas State->Troy->San Diego State->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Ohio | Ohio->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Radford | Radford->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Western Illinois | Western Illinois->North Dakota->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island->Dayton->Georgetown->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Sam Houston | Sam Houston->Oregon State->Arizona State->Texas Tech->Duke->Michigan | 5 |
| Saint Peter's | Saint Peter's->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Siena | Siena->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| South Alabama | South Alabama->Central Michigan->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Toledo | Toledo->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Vermont | Vermont->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Wagner | Wagner->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky->Wichita State->Oklahoma State->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Western Michigan | Western Michigan->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| William & Mary | William & Mary->Hofstra->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Wright State | Wright State->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Marist | Marist->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Alabama A&M | Alabama A&M->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Air Force | Air Force->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UC Davis | UC Davis->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Chicago State | Chicago State->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| George Washington | George Washington->South Florida->Utah State->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Loyola (IL) | Loyola (IL)->Santa Clara->Minnesota->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Milwaukee | Milwaukee->Purdue Fort Wayne->Notre Dame->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Hampton | Hampton->Elon->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| West Georgia | West Georgia->Troy->San Diego State->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Mercyhurst | Mercyhurst->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Southeast Missouri State | Southeast Missouri State->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Florida A&M | Florida A&M->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Tarleton State | Tarleton State->Texas A&M-Corpus Christi->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Tennessee State | Tennessee State->UNLV->Utah State->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UT Arlington | UT Arlington->Stephen F. Austin->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Samford | Samford->Georgia State->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Lipscomb | Lipscomb->Marshall->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Abilene Christian | Abilene Christian->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Towson | Towson->Elon->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| South Dakota State | South Dakota State->Georgia State->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Merrimack | Merrimack->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Montana | Montana->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UTEP | UTEP->Middle Tennessee->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| San Jose State | San Jose State->Nevada->Utah State->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Idaho | Idaho->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Washington State | Washington State->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Weber State | Weber State->Northern Colorado->Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Cal State Fullerton | Cal State Fullerton->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Cal State Northridge | Cal State Northridge->Fresno State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UC Irvine | UC Irvine->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UC Riverside | UC Riverside->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UC San Diego | UC San Diego->Houston Christian->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Loyola Marymount | Loyola Marymount->San Francisco->Minnesota->Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| St. Thomas | St. Thomas->Northern Colorado->Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Denver | Denver->Colorado State->Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Evansville | Evansville->Illinois State->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Lindenwood | Lindenwood->Charleston Southern->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| ETSU | ETSU->Mercer->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Alcorn State | Alcorn State->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| SIU-Edwardsville | SIU-Edwardsville->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Louisiana Tech | Louisiana Tech->Middle Tennessee->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UT-Martin | UT-Martin->UNLV->Utah State->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii->North Dakota->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Long Beach State | Long Beach State->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| East Carolina | East Carolina->Memphis->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Georgia Southern | Georgia Southern->Houston Christian->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Fordham | Fordham->Saint Joseph's->California->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 5 |
| Manhattan | Manhattan->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Monmouth | Monmouth->Elon->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| South Carolina | South Carolina->Oklahoma->Oklahoma State->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| North Carolina A&T | North Carolina A&T->Hofstra->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Robert Morris | Robert Morris->Drake->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Missouri State | Missouri State->Texas-Rio Grande Valley->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Rice | Rice->Wichita State->Oklahoma State->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Eastern Illinois | Eastern Illinois->Nicholls State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UC Santa Barbara | UC Santa Barbara->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| New Mexico State | New Mexico State->New Mexico->San Diego State->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| San Diego | San Diego->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Sacramento State | Sacramento State->Northern Colorado->Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Portland State | Portland State->Northern Colorado->Colorado->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Temple | Temple->South Florida->Utah State->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Delaware State | Delaware State->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| La Salle | La Salle->Dayton->Georgetown->Villanova->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Southern Indiana | Southern Indiana->Valparaiso->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| UTSA | UTSA->Charlotte->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| North Alabama | North Alabama->Northwestern State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Pacific | Pacific->Nicholls State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa->UIC->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Columbia | Columbia->Hofstra->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Iona | Iona->Hofstra->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| Penn | Penn->Saint Joseph's->California->UNC->Duke->Michigan | 5 |
| Yale | Yale->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 5 |
| New Haven | New Haven->Delaware State->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| South Carolina State | South Carolina State->Delaware State->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Colgate | Colgate->Drexel->Elon->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Campbell | Campbell->Western Michigan->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Central Arkansas | Central Arkansas->Bellarmine->Houston Christian->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire->Stonehill->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Canisius | Canisius->Fairfield->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Navy | Navy->Air Force->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Holy Cross | Holy Cross->Northeastern->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Binghamton | Binghamton->Lehigh->Texas State->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Mississippi Valley State | Mississippi Valley State->Texas Southern->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Austin Peay | Austin Peay->Bellarmine->Houston Christian->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Queens (NC) | Queens (NC)->Bellarmine->Houston Christian->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Prairie View A&M | Prairie View A&M->Southern->Northwestern State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Morgan State | Morgan State->Niagara->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Coppin State | Coppin State->Delaware State->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| VMI | VMI->Southern Indiana->Valparaiso->Southern Illinois->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Bucknell | Bucknell->Delaware->Middle Tennessee->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| The Citadel | The Citadel->Western Carolina->UNC Asheville->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Florida Gulf Coast | Florida Gulf Coast->Rice->Wichita State->Oklahoma State->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Howard | Howard->UNC Wilmington->Southeastern Louisiana->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Le Moyne | Le Moyne->Niagara->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| UMass-Lowell | UMass-Lowell->Stonehill->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Morehead State | Morehead State->Louisiana-Monroe->Old Dominion->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Norfolk State | Norfolk State->Jackson State->Alabama State->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| North Carolina Central | North Carolina Central->Maryland-Eastern Shore->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Boston University | Boston University->Northeastern->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Stetson | Stetson->North Alabama->Northwestern State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Lafayette | Lafayette->Mercyhurst->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Bryant | Bryant->Stonehill->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Rider | Rider->Iona->Hofstra->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Tennessee Tech | Tennessee Tech->USC Upstate->Fresno State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Army | Army->Manhattan->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Maine | Maine->Vermont->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Detroit Mercy | Detroit Mercy->IU Indianapolis->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Cleveland State | Cleveland State->Radford->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Albany (NY) | Albany (NY)->Stony Brook->Central Michigan->Appalachian State->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Jacksonville | Jacksonville->North Alabama->Northwestern State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Gardner-Webb | Gardner-Webb->USC Upstate->Fresno State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Kansas City | Kansas City->Omaha->North Dakota->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA)->FDU->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Utah Tech | Utah Tech->Abilene Christian->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| South Dakota | South Dakota->Western Michigan->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Loyola (MD) | Loyola (MD)->Stonehill->Central Connecticut->Rutgers->Oregon->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Mount St. Mary's | Mount St. Mary's->Saint Peter's->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| UMBC | UMBC->Vermont->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| NJIT | NJIT->Vermont->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Little Rock | Little Rock->Eastern Illinois->Nicholls State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| UNC Greensboro | UNC Greensboro->East Carolina->Memphis->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Oral Roberts | Oral Roberts->Montana State->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Utah Valley | Utah Valley->Bowling Green->Kansas State->West Virginia->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Southern Utah | Southern Utah->Abilene Christian->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Idaho State | Idaho State->San Diego->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| North Florida | North Florida->North Alabama->Northwestern State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Eastern Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky->Bellarmine->Houston Christian->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Northwood | Northwood->Western Michigan->Eastern Michigan->Cincinnati->BYU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Wilmington (DE) | Wilmington (DE)->Delaware->Middle Tennessee->UAB->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Harvard | Harvard->Marist->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Brown | Brown->Columbia->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Cornell | Cornell->Yale->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Princeton | Princeton->Vermont->Pepperdine->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Dartmouth | Dartmouth->Saint Peter's->Quinnipiac->Pitt->Ohio State->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Virginia State | Virginia State->Delaware State->Longwood->Winthrop->High Point->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| Montana Tech | Montana Tech->Montana->Cal Poly->Utah->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 6 |
| North Greenville | North Greenville->Gardner-Webb->USC Upstate->Fresno State->New Orleans->TCU->Wisconsin->Michigan | 7 |
On the women’s side, these are all of the transitive champions and their paths. Only 369 teams, excluding UCLA, can claim a national championship. There are eight teams that are tied for having the longest shortest path to a national championship with nine steps.
| Team | Transitive Champion Path | Path Length |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Texas->UCLA | 1 |
| South Carolina | South Carolina->Texas->UCLA | 2 |
| Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 2 |
| LSU | LSU->Texas->UCLA | 2 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma->South Carolina->Texas->UCLA | 3 |
| Duke | Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 3 |
| Ole Miss | Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 3 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 3 |
| Georgia | Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 3 |
| Notre Dame | Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 3 |
| Baylor | Baylor->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Maryland | Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| UNC | UNC->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| California | California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Florida | Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Mississippi State | Mississippi State->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Clemson | Clemson->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Alabama | Alabama->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| South Florida | South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Kansas State | Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| West Virginia | West Virginia->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| UConn | UConn->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Louisville | Louisville->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Tennessee | Tennessee->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Michigan | Michigan->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Michigan State | Michigan State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Virginia | Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Texas A&M | Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 4 |
| San Diego State | San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Iowa State | Iowa State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Iowa | Iowa->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Temple | Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Wake Forest | Wake Forest->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Missouri | Missouri->Mississippi State->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Utah | Utah->West Virginia->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Oregon | Oregon->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Stanford | Stanford->Clemson->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Washington | Washington->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| McNeese | McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Nebraska | Nebraska->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| St. John's (NY) | St. John's (NY)->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Auburn | Auburn->Alabama->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Miami (FL) | Miami (FL)->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| East Carolina | East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Jacksonville | Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| UMBC | UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| South Dakota | South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| South Dakota State | South Dakota State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Green Bay | Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Texas Tech | Texas Tech->Mississippi State->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Villanova | Villanova->West Virginia->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| NC State | NC State->Tennessee->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| USC | USC->Clemson->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Illinois | Illinois->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech->Clemson->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Florida Atlantic | Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| UT Arlington | UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Syracuse | Syracuse->Clemson->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin->Michigan State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Kansas | Kansas->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Tulsa | Tulsa->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Fairfield | Fairfield->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| TCU | TCU->Baylor->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Arizona | Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| UTSA | UTSA->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Colorado | Colorado->Baylor->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Navy | Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Columbia | Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Rice | Rice->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Ohio State | Ohio State->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Princeton | Princeton->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 5 |
| Grand Canyon | Grand Canyon->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Loyola (MD) | Loyola (MD)->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Southern | Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State->Texas Tech->Mississippi State->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Florida State | Florida State->Miami (FL)->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Marshall | Marshall->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Penn State | Penn State->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Purdue | Purdue->Wisconsin->Michigan State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Radford | Radford->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Illinois State | Illinois State->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Dayton | Dayton->Kansas->Minnesota->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Missouri State | Missouri State->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Troy | Troy->Missouri->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Arizona State | Arizona State->Colorado->Baylor->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Eastern Washington | Eastern Washington->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| West Georgia | West Georgia->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Iona | Iona->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Marquette | Marquette->Wisconsin->Michigan State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Memphis | Memphis->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Oral Roberts | Oral Roberts->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Stephen F. Austin | Stephen F. Austin->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| UAB | UAB->UTSA->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Northwestern State | Northwestern State->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Duquesne | Duquesne->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Stetson | Stetson->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Binghamton | Binghamton->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Charlotte | Charlotte->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Tulane | Tulane->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Austin Peay | Austin Peay->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Holy Cross | Holy Cross->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Quinnipiac | Quinnipiac->Fairfield->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| UCF | UCF->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Miami (OH) | Miami (OH)->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| James Madison | James Madison->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Kent State | Kent State->Tulsa->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| North Texas | North Texas->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| UMass | UMass->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Old Dominion | Old Dominion->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Florida International | Florida International->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Abilene Christian | Abilene Christian->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Cleveland State | Cleveland State->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Creighton | Creighton->St. John's (NY)->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Eastern Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| High Point | High Point->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island->NC State->Tennessee->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| North Alabama | North Alabama->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| North Dakota State | North Dakota State->South Dakota State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| NJIT | NJIT->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | Purdue Fort Wayne->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Wichita State | Wichita State->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| California Baptist | California Baptist->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Air Force | Air Force->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| South Alabama | South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Southern Utah | Southern Utah->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Tarleton State | Tarleton State->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Utah Valley | Utah Valley->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| New Mexico | New Mexico->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Santa Clara | Santa Clara->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Richmond | Richmond->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Albany (NY) | Albany (NY)->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Indiana | Indiana->Wisconsin->Michigan State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Arkansas | Arkansas->Auburn->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Lehigh | Lehigh->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Cincinnati | Cincinnati->Iowa State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Drexel | Drexel->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Vermont | Vermont->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Towson | Towson->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Bradley | Bradley->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| DePaul | DePaul->St. John's (NY)->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Houston | Houston->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Liberty | Liberty->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Howard | Howard->Fairfield->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Saint Joseph's | Saint Joseph's->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Seton Hall | Seton Hall->Auburn->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Wyoming | Wyoming->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Montana State | Montana State->Colorado->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Pepperdine | Pepperdine->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Maryland-Eastern Shore | Maryland-Eastern Shore->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Northwestern | Northwestern->Wisconsin->Michigan State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| BYU | BYU->Texas Tech->Mississippi State->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| UNLV | UNLV->UTSA->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Northern Kentucky | Northern Kentucky->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| William & Mary | William & Mary->Wake Forest->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Georgetown | Georgetown->Wake Forest->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Oregon State | Oregon State->Illinois->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Penn | Penn->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Cornell | Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Brown | Brown->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Maine | Maine->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Harvard | Harvard->St. John's (NY)->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Lamar | Lamar->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Utah Tech | Utah Tech->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| American | American->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Florida Gulf Coast | Florida Gulf Coast->Stanford->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 6 |
| Incarnate Word | Incarnate Word->Northwestern State->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Belmont | Belmont->Bradley->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| North Carolina Central | North Carolina Central->Maryland-Eastern Shore->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Norfolk State | Norfolk State->Maryland-Eastern Shore->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| St. Thomas | St. Thomas->Oral Roberts->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Morehead State | Morehead State->Marshall->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| College of Charleston | College of Charleston->Quinnipiac->Fairfield->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Delaware | Delaware->Florida International->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Florida A&M | Florida A&M->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| North Florida | North Florida->Austin Peay->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| IU Indianapolis | IU Indianapolis->Bradley->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Bucknell | Bucknell->Lehigh->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| FDU | FDU->NJIT->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| George Mason | George Mason->Richmond->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Robert Morris | Robert Morris->Northern Kentucky->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| UIC | UIC->Illinois State->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Loyola (IL) | Loyola (IL)->Florida Gulf Coast->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Milwaukee | Milwaukee->Cleveland State->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Davidson | Davidson->Florida Gulf Coast->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Saint Louis | Saint Louis->Dayton->Kansas->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Central Arkansas | Central Arkansas->Eastern Kentucky->Utah->West Virginia->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| SIU-Edwardsville | SIU-Edwardsville->Eastern Kentucky->Utah->West Virginia->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Toledo | Toledo->UMass->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Nevada | Nevada->Wyoming->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Idaho | Idaho->Montana State->Colorado->Baylor->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Washington State | Washington State->Pepperdine->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Butler | Butler->Seton Hall->Auburn->Alabama->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Wright State | Wright State->Purdue Fort Wayne->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| USC Upstate | USC Upstate->High Point->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Middle Tennessee | Middle Tennessee->Memphis->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Tennessee State | Tennessee State->North Alabama->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Oakland | Oakland->Miami (OH)->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Youngstown State | Youngstown State->UMass->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Chattanooga | Chattanooga->Northern Kentucky->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Jacksonville State | Jacksonville State->Florida International->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Arkansas-Pine Bluff->Memphis->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| West Alabama | West Alabama->UAB->UTSA->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Drake | Drake->Illinois State->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Boise State | Boise State->Tulane->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| East Texas A&M | East Texas A&M->Stephen F. Austin->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| UMass-Lowell | UMass-Lowell->Albany (NY)->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| LIU | LIU->American->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Army | Army->Howard->Fairfield->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| George Washington | George Washington->Richmond->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Alabama State | Alabama State->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Hofstra | Hofstra->Drexel->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Campbell | Campbell->Drexel->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Appalachian State | Appalachian State->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Western Michigan | Western Michigan->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Boston University | Boston University->Lehigh->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Bryant | Bryant->Maine->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Coastal Carolina | Coastal Carolina->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Georgia Southern | Georgia Southern->Troy->Missouri->Mississippi State->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Central Michigan | Central Michigan->Purdue->Washington->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Georgia State | Georgia State->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Charleston Southern | Charleston Southern->Radford->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire->Albany (NY)->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Mercer | Mercer->Tulane->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| St. Bonaventure | St. Bonaventure->Drexel->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Elon | Elon->Towson->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| ETSU | ETSU->Charlotte->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Omaha | Omaha->Oral Roberts->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Bowling Green | Bowling Green->Purdue Fort Wayne->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Louisiana | Louisiana->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Louisiana-Monroe | Louisiana-Monroe->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Eastern Michigan | Eastern Michigan->Duquesne->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Monmouth | Monmouth->Drexel->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Alcorn State | Alcorn State->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Northern Iowa | Northern Iowa->Illinois State->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Queens (NC) | Queens (NC)->West Georgia->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Rutgers | Rutgers->Rhode Island->NC State->Tennessee->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Wagner | Wagner->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart->Iona->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Sam Houston | Sam Houston->Liberty->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Southern Miss | Southern Miss->Troy->Missouri->Mississippi State->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Texas-Rio Grande Valley | Texas-Rio Grande Valley->Lamar->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Lafayette | Lafayette->Lehigh->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Ball State | Ball State->Troy->Missouri->Mississippi State->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Arkansas State | Arkansas State->Tarleton State->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Denver | Denver->Oral Roberts->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Fresno State | Fresno State->Wyoming->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Ohio | Ohio->Miami (OH)->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Texas State | Texas State->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | Cal State Bakersfield->Wichita State->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| UC Santa Barbara | UC Santa Barbara->Eastern Washington->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Pacific | Pacific->Santa Clara->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| UC San Diego | UC San Diego->Air Force->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Sacramento State | Sacramento State->Eastern Washington->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| San Diego | San Diego->Pepperdine->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| New Mexico State | New Mexico State->Utah Tech->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Mount St. Mary's | Mount St. Mary's->Lehigh->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Marist | Marist->Holy Cross->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Lipscomb | Lipscomb->Florida Gulf Coast->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Kennesaw State | Kennesaw State->Liberty->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Louisiana Tech | Louisiana Tech->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | Southeast Missouri State->Wichita State->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Southern Illinois | Southern Illinois->Illinois State->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| SMU | SMU->Arkansas->Auburn->Alabama->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Pitt | Pitt->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Colgate | Colgate->Lehigh->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Siena | Siena->Iona->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Xavier | Xavier->Purdue Fort Wayne->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Idaho State | Idaho State->Montana State->Colorado->Baylor->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Merrimack | Merrimack->Iona->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Providence | Providence->Creighton->Tulsa->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Saint Peter's | Saint Peter's->Iona->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Stony Brook | Stony Brook->Drexel->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Colorado State | Colorado State->Oregon State->Illinois->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Weber State | Weber State->Eastern Washington->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| North Dakota | North Dakota->Wyoming->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Northern Colorado | Northern Colorado->Eastern Washington->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Western Illinois | Western Illinois->Bradley->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Saint Mary's | Saint Mary's->Wyoming->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Montana | Montana->Tarleton State->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Portland | Portland->Oregon State->Illinois->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Hampton | Hampton->William & Mary->Wake Forest->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii->Liberty->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Alabama A&M | Alabama A&M->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky->Wichita State->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| San Francisco | San Francisco->Pepperdine->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Lindenwood | Lindenwood->Oral Roberts->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| UC Irvine | UC Irvine->Wichita State->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| VCU | VCU->Howard->Fairfield->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Longwood | Longwood->High Point->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| South Carolina State | South Carolina State->West Georgia->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Loyola Marymount | Loyola Marymount->Oregon State->Illinois->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Evansville | Evansville->Illinois State->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| La Salle | La Salle->Rhode Island->NC State->Tennessee->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Utah State | Utah State->Air Force->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Dartmouth | Dartmouth->Iona->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Murray State | Murray State->Memphis->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Yale | Yale->American->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Gonzaga | Gonzaga->Oregon State->Illinois->Maryland->Kentucky->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| Detroit Mercy | Detroit Mercy->Cleveland State->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 7 |
| New Orleans | New Orleans->Incarnate Word->Northwestern State->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Indiana State | Indiana State->Western Kentucky->Wichita State->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Buffalo | Buffalo->Toledo->Kent State->Tulsa->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Coppin State | Coppin State->Sacred Heart->Iona->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| UNC Greensboro | UNC Greensboro->Mercer->Tulane->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Seattle | Seattle->San Diego->Pepperdine->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Winthrop | Winthrop->Queens (NC)->West Georgia->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Samford | Samford->Stony Brook->Drexel->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Eastern Illinois | Eastern Illinois->Tennessee State->North Alabama->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA)->Wagner->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Le Moyne | Le Moyne->Lafayette->Lehigh->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| UTEP | UTEP->Delaware->Florida International->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Northeastern | Northeastern->Yale->American->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Bellarmine | Bellarmine->Wright State->Purdue Fort Wayne->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Boston College | Boston College->New Hampshire->Albany (NY)->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman->Florida A&M->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| UNC Wilmington | UNC Wilmington->North Carolina Central->Maryland-Eastern Shore->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Fordham | Fordham->Stony Brook->Drexel->Temple->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| UNC Asheville | UNC Asheville->South Carolina State->West Georgia->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi->Incarnate Word->Northwestern State->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Chicago State | Chicago State->Wagner->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Furman | Furman->Georgia State->James Madison->Virginia Tech->Clemson->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Jackson State | Jackson State->Alabama State->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Manhattan | Manhattan->Saint Peter's->Iona->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Nicholls State | Nicholls State->Alcorn State->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| UT-Martin | UT-Martin->Lipscomb->Stetson->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Gardner-Webb | Gardner-Webb->Hampton->William & Mary->Wake Forest->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Southeastern Louisiana->East Texas A&M->Stephen F. Austin->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Southern Indiana | Southern Indiana->SIU-Edwardsville->Eastern Kentucky->Utah->West Virginia->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Northern Illinois | Northern Illinois->SIU-Edwardsville->Eastern Kentucky->Utah->West Virginia->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Stonehill | Stonehill->Wagner->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Tennessee Tech | Tennessee Tech->Lipscomb->Florida Gulf Coast->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| North Carolina A&T | North Carolina A&T->North Carolina Central->Maryland-Eastern Shore->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Wofford | Wofford->Charleston Southern->Radford->Navy->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Little Rock | Little Rock->Central Arkansas->Eastern Kentucky->Utah->West Virginia->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| UC Riverside | UC Riverside->Hawaii->Liberty->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Akron | Akron->Toledo->Kent State->Tulsa->Florida->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Cal Poly | Cal Poly->Cal State Bakersfield->Wichita State->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Northern Arizona | Northern Arizona->UC San Diego->Air Force->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| UC Davis | UC Davis->Idaho->Montana State->Colorado->Baylor->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Houston Christian | Houston Christian->East Texas A&M->Stephen F. Austin->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Canisius | Canisius->Wright State->Purdue Fort Wayne->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Mercyhurst | Mercyhurst->LIU->American->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Grambling | Grambling->Arkansas-Pine Bluff->Memphis->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Morgan State | Morgan State->North Carolina Central->Maryland-Eastern Shore->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Cal State Northridge | Cal State Northridge->San Diego->Pepperdine->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | Cal State Fullerton->Pacific->Santa Clara->San Diego State->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Portland State | Portland State->Weber State->Utah Tech->UT Arlington->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Delaware State | Delaware State->North Carolina Central->Maryland-Eastern Shore->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Kansas City | Kansas City->Omaha->Oral Roberts->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Texas Southern | Texas Southern->Arkansas-Pine Bluff->Memphis->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Mississippi Valley State | Mississippi Valley State->Lipscomb->Stetson->Jacksonville->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Rider | Rider->Lafayette->Loyola (MD)->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Delta State | Delta State->Louisiana->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Long Beach State | Long Beach State->Cal State Bakersfield->Wichita State->East Carolina->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| San Jose State | San Jose State->Sacramento State->Eastern Washington->South Dakota->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Scranton | Scranton->Pitt->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Faulkner University | Faulkner University->Alabama State->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Roosevelt | Roosevelt->Western Michigan->South Alabama->Florida Atlantic->South Florida->Duke->LSU->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Rochester Christian | Rochester Christian->Detroit Mercy->Cleveland State->Green Bay->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 8 |
| Presbyterian | Presbyterian->Gardner-Webb->Hampton->William & Mary->Wake Forest->Georgia Tech->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 9 |
| Central Connecticut | Central Connecticut->Chicago State->Wagner->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 9 |
| New Haven | New Haven->Stonehill->Wagner->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 9 |
| Niagara | Niagara->Rider->Lafayette->Loyola (MD)->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 9 |
| Carnegie Mellon | Carnegie Mellon->Saint Francis (PA)->Wagner->Cornell->Columbia->California->Notre Dame->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 9 |
| Johns Hopkins | Johns Hopkins->Morgan State->North Carolina Central->Maryland-Eastern Shore->UMBC->Virginia->Georgia->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 9 |
| Loyola (LA) | Loyola (LA)->New Orleans->Incarnate Word->Northwestern State->McNeese->Texas A&M->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 9 |
| Edward Waters | Edward Waters->Bethune-Cookman->Florida A&M->Southern->Arizona->Kansas State->Ole Miss->Vanderbilt->Texas->UCLA | 9 |
Since I used network to find these paths, it’s relatively straightforward to visualize all of the transitive champions as graphs. On the men’s side the graph gets pretty out of hand after three steps, so here are all of the champions with a path of three or fewer steps, colored by their distance to Michigan.
Colors: reddish orange=nation champion, pale orange=one step removed, greenish beige=two steps, foam green=three steps. As a side note for anyone that wants to fall down this rabbit hole, this is some more information on where those color names came from.
. The top teams tend to lose fewer games on the women’s side, so you can get to four steps before things get messy. Here’s what the graph looks like for teams that have four or fewer steps to a win over UCLA, colored by distance.
Colors: reddish orange=nation champion, pastel orange=one step removed, sand=two steps, pistachio=three steps, foam green=four steps.
Conveniently, the threshold for both the men’s and the women’s graph is right where Virginia enters the picture (literally). How nice.