For Pac-12 Friday today, we look at the history of the Stanford Indians/Cardinal in basketball—which includes the 1942 national champions (not on this list, sabermetrically). As the Conference of (real NCAA) Champions comes to an end, it’s interesting to note just how many conference programs (5) have won an NCAA title in this sport. But we digress: these are the best hoops teams that Stanford has had to offer us!

5. 1997

One of 4 conference teams to reach the Sweet 16, this was the start of a period of sustained success for the program under Head Coach Mike Montgomery. Stanford finished 22-8 overall, including 12-6 in league (second place). The Cardinal finished No. 9 in the SRS and No. 21 in the Associated Press poll, with the No. 14 offensive ranking, too. The team lost to No. 2-ranked Utah in the Sweet 16, by 5 points in overtime.

4. 1989

After losing to top-ranked Arizona in the conference tournament final, Stanford got bounced in a first-round NCAA Tournament upset by Siena. But the Cardinal finished 26-7 overall, 15-3 in league play (second place), to end up No. 13 in the final AP poll—and No. 12 in the overall SRS rankings. The team went 1-3 overall against ranked teams, including two losses to the Wildcats, but Stanford beat Arizona once, too.

3. 1999

This time out, a 15-3 league record was good enough to win the conference crown, as the Cardinal posted a 26-7 overall record (No. 7 in AP poll, No. 8 in SRS). As the No. 2 seed in the West Regional, however, Stanford was bounced by Gonzaga, becoming one of the first “victims” of the small-school, mid-major underdog almost everyone seems to love. With the No. 15 defense nationally, this was a tough loss for them.

2. 2000

The Cardinal ended up No. 3 in the AP poll and No. 1 in the SRS—but once again, Stanford was upset before the Sweet 16, losing to eventual Final Four team North Carolina (cheaters). The team finished 27-4, which included a 15-3 record in conference for another league title. The Cardinal had the No. 9 defense and the No. 19 offense in the nation; however, the team went just 3-2 against ranked teams, with the No. 47 SOS overall.

1. 2001

A third-straight conference title crowns the best team in school history: 31-3 overall, 16-2 in league play, No. 1 seed in the West Regional, No. 2 in the AP poll, and No. 3 in the overall SRS rankings. A 5-2 record against ranked teams showed the strength of the team against top competition, as Stanford reached the Elite 8 before losing to No. 11 Maryland and missing out on the Final Four: a lot of missed chances here.