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.

43. NC State (194 points)

Positives: Won two national titles; six conference tournament titles; five consensus All-Americans; six top-10 picks; 22nd most points through 1989.

Negatives: Lost 13 points due to sanctions and vacated wins; no ACC title of any kind since 1989; missed 10 consecutive NCAA tournaments from 1992 to 2001 (received minus-12 points in those seasons in this study).

Fun fact: Mark Gottfried became the second coach in school history to lead the Wolfpack to the NCAA tournament in his first season as head coach.

Rank by the decade
1962-69: 6 (T-83rd)
1970-79: 80 (13th)
1980-89: 79 (T-23rd)
1990-99: -2 (T-175th)
2000-present: 31 (T-82nd)

50 in 50 starting five (1962-present)
G – Sidney Lowe (1979-83)
G – Rodney Monroe (1987-91)
F – David Thompson (1972-75)
F – Kenny Carr (1974-77)
C – Tommy Burleson (1971-74)

Top options off the bench
Thurl Bailey (1979-83)
Julius Hodge (2001-05)
Chris Corchiani (1987-91)

50 in 50 coach: Everett Case (1946-64)

Best teams (1962-present)
1972-73 (27-0)
1973-74 (30-1, NCAA national champs)
1982-83 (26-10, NCAA national champs)

--Harold Shelton and Brett Edgerton contributed to this post.