Editor’s note: The following item is republished with permission of Realtor.com. See the original article: March Madness Homes: Salute to NCAA Tournament Champions. (All images courtesy of Realtor.com.)
For many, the March basketball foray that is March Madness is the equivalent of (sports) heaven on earth. In a salute to college basketball’s annual extravaganza, the field of 64, powerhouse programs and collegiate hoop legends both past and present, Realtor.com brings you a tournament tribute to the championship teams who have "cut the net" over the last decade.
2011 National Champions — Connecticut Huskies
If they had a March Madness for architects, this exemplary Greenwich, Conn., design by Paul Rudolph would most certainly be a high tournament seed, much like the Kemba Walker-led Connecticut team was when the Huskies ran the table to capture a National Championship in 2011.
Similar to Coach Jim Calhoun’s penchant for producing winners, Rudolph, whose home is currently listed for $12.49 million, has also influenced his fair share of star architects over the years, including Norman Foster and Richard Rogers.
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2010 National Champions — Duke Blue Devils
The Duke basketball program has never been short on star power, but the Blue Devils needed everything in the tank to hold off a feisty Butler Bulldogs, who were inches away on a half-court shot by Gordon Hayward from completing the ultimate upset special in 2010.
Representing "Coach K’s" most recent National Championship team is a Durham, N.C., home with its own star power: a 12,350-square-foot mansion owned by none other than NFL superstar Mario Williams, who is a state legend in his own right.
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2009 National Champions — North Carolina Tar Heels
Architects Bobby McAlpine and Chris Tippett, along with all-star landscape designer Mike Kaiser, teamed up to create this manse mecca in the heart of Chapel Hill, N.C., which is similar to the story of Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, whose combined efforts propelled the Tar Heels to a National Championship in 2009.
An exquisite blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, the $7.5 million property is exactly the type of place one would expect living coaching legend Roy Williams to retire to when he hangs his whistle up for good.
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2008 National Champions — Kansas Jayhawks
A layered, multidimensional roster that included a total of six future NBA players — Cole Aldrich, Darrell Arthur, Mario Chalmers, Sherron Collins, Darnell Jackson and Brandon Rush — formed the foundation for the Kansas Jayhawks 2008 title run, which culminated with a victory over the Derrick Rose-led Memphis Tigers in the championship game.
Five tiers of brick, wood and steel form the core of this architectural landmark found in Old Mission Hills, Kansas, which come together to create a contemporary, 9,172-square-foot masterpiece worthy of its $1.85 million price tag.
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2007 National Champions — Florida Gators
Representing the 2007 National Champions is former Florida Gators wing Mike Miller, who enjoyed his own dramatic run during March Madness as a sophomore in 2000. Miller, who currently suits up alongside LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh for the Miami Heat, has done quite well for himself over the years, as evidenced by his Palm Beach, Fla., oceanfront mansion that listed last year for $8.99 million.
While Miller never quite won it all — the Gators fell short in the 2000 championship against Michigan State — he was avenged (by his school) a few years later when Florida racked up back-to-back championships.
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2006 National Champions — Florida Gators
During the 2006 March Madness festivities, a young coach by the name of Billy Donovan piloted an even younger group of Florida players to an unprecedented National Championship run. It was a team headlined by the talented sophomore core of Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, Al Horford and Joakim Noah.
Much like the Gators’ first-ever championship team, this newly built Palm Beach, Fla., mansion boasts some serious star power. Currently the priciest digs on the market in the Sunshine State, listed for a cool $74 million, the property is the epitome of an oceanfront champ.
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2005 National Champions — North Carolina Tar Heels
If there is another property worthy of being tagged alongside one of Chapel Hill, N.C.‘s finest basketball squads, it’s this award-winning contemporary residence designed by the architectural firm of Meyer-Greeson-Paullin. The $4.3 million estate, complete with a private tennis court, in-ground swimming pool and a sizable cabana, exudes luxury much like the way Roy Williams’ 2005 North Carolina roster exuded talent.
Led by a world-class collection of McDonald’s All-Americans, Mr. Basketball’s and other blossoming young basketball talents, the Tar Heels bested a talented Illinois team, which boasted now-perennial NBA all-star Deron Williams, to cut the nets at the Edward Jones Dome when it was all said and done.
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2004 National Champions — Connecticut Huskies
The 2004 University of Connecticut Huskies squad had a little of everything when it came to star power: a bevy of sharpshooters along the wing, an All-American big man and a stalwart of a head coach who has vaulted himself into the upper echelon of collegiate leaders by fielding perennial contenders.
Those attributes make that particular Connecticut National Championship team a perfect match for this private island home that can be found offshore Stamford, Conn. Set on a 3.5-acre islet, the classic home, built in 1906 and listed for $15.4 million, offers a little of everything, including an 11-bedroom main residence, guest cottage, greenhouse and other various amenities.
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2003 National Champions — Syracuse Orange
Sure, Syracuse is located in upstate New York, but I can’t think of a better place for the prodigal Brooklyn son, Carmelo Anthony, and his Orange teammates to celebrate winning out in March Madness than this epic, $19 million clocktower penthouse found in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Anthony, flanked by Hakim Warrick and Gerry McNamera, were able to hold off a Kirk Hinrich-led Kansas team 81-78 in the 2003 National Championship game that is considered one of the best ever played.
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2002 National Champions — Maryland Terrapins
Oh, what a difference a decade makes. It has been nearly 10 years since Maryland and Indiana clashed in college basketball’s decisive game. In fact, it’s been quite a while since either program fielded a championship-caliber team. But in a salute to the Terrapins, who fended off the Hoosiers 64-52 to earn the NCAA’s championship crown in 2002, we turn to Annapolis, Md., where an Old World estate befitting a champion lies on an outcrop in Fishing Creek Farm.
Sources: Realtor.com
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