5 most-watched college basketball games from 2000s ft. Duke vs. Wisconsin

College basketball has always been a beloved sport, captivating audiences with its intense rivalries and unforgettable moments. However, compared to the 20th century, there has been a concerning trend of decline in viewership and fan engagement.

The 1979 championship game between Michigan State and Indiana State remains the most watched college basketball game in history, drawing over 35.11 million viewers. In contrast, the recent NCAA championship matchup between UConn and Purdue only attracted 14.8 million eyes.

Here are the 5 most-watched college basketball games of the 21st century:

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Five most-watched college basketball games from 2000

#5 Maryland vs. Indiana, 2002 NCAA Championship, 23.69 million

Maryland Terrapins claimed their first ever national championship after defeating the Indiana Hoosiers 64-52 in a thrilling contest.

Played at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Maryland was in control for most of the game, except for a moment when Indiana took a 44-42 lead with 9:50 left. However, the Terrapins responded quickly and finished strong, securing their first-ever championship title.

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#4 UNC vs. Illinois, 2005 NCAA Championship, 23.86 million

The 2005 national championship game at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, drew 23.86 million viewers as UNC secured their fourth national title.

Roy William's North Carolina defeated the Illini 75-70 in a close-fought contest. The Tar Heels were 40-27 ahead at half time and though Illinois mounted a comeback in the second half, it was not enough. This was the only time Illinois ever played in the national championship game.

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#3 Duke vs. Butler, 2010 NCAA Championship - 23.95 million

Duke Blue Devils has the capacity to pull a large number of viewers when they compete in NCAA games. The 2010 final in Indianapolis drew 23.95 million as Duke narrowly defeated Butler.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski led the Blue Devils to their fourth national title with a 61-59 victory. Duke's Kyle Singler was named the MVP for contributing 19 points to the game.

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#2 Duke vs. Arizona, 2001 NCAA Championship - 23.97 million

The 2001 national championship game was another record breaker as almost 24 million viewers tuned in to CBS Sports.

Duke edged out Arizona 82-72 to capture their third title under Coach K. More than 45,900 fans attended the game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis.

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#1 Duke vs. Wisconsin, 2015 NCAA Championship - 28.26 million

The distinction for the most-watched game of college basketball this century belongs to the 2015 NCAA championship game between Duke Blue Devils and Wisconsin Badgers.

Duke's thrilling 68-63 victory over Bo Ryan's men drew a massive audience of 28.26 million viewers, the largest since the 1997 Arizona–Kentucky championship game.