Are perennial powerhouses good or bad for the game? SC, UConn, Stanford have been the big three of late. A few others have had dominant stretches, though perhaps not so sustained. But the number has tended to be small. I wonder if it’s the same in MBB, or in other sports.
I mean if you qualify of "late" as the last 35 or so years, then Yeah.
Tennessee was always a power in back in the AIAW days (pre-1982) and won their 1st NCAA title in 1987. Tara and Stanford won their first title in 1990. And UConn won their first title in 1995.
WCBB has really only been an established sport by schools since 1982 (NCAA 1st title) whereas Men's was established in 1939.
The Wiki pages will show Final Four and team appearances which will give a great overview of programs that have had sustained success during periods of the 42 years. Tennessee, as stated is still relevant, Stanford came onto the scene shortly after Tennessee and then UConn made their first FF in 1991.
I guess with so many new posters, I need to update the Conference and NCAAT history threads I produced a couple of years ago to show the perennial programs.