25 Best College Basketball Teams Of All Time
College basketball is one of the most exciting sports in the world, and it has given us some of the most amazing teams in history. From powerhouse programs like Kentucky and Duke to legendary teams like the UCLA Bruins, college basketball has produced some of the greatest moments in sports history. In this article, we will take a look at the top 25 best college basketball teams of all time.
1. 1972 UCLA Bruins
The 1972 UCLA Bruins are widely regarded as the greatest college basketball team of all time. Coached by the legendary John Wooden, the team won their seventh consecutive NCAA championship and finished the season with a perfect 30-0 record. With stars like Bill Walton and Keith Wilkes, the 1972 Bruins were unstoppable on both ends of the court.
2. 1992 Duke Blue Devils
The 1992 Duke Blue Devils are another team that is often considered one of the best of all time. Coached by Mike Krzyzewski, the team featured stars like Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and Bobby Hurley. The Blue Devils won their second consecutive NCAA championship that year, and they did it in dominant fashion, winning by an average of 20.2 points per game in the tournament.
3. 1967 UCLA Bruins
The 1967 UCLA Bruins were the first of John Wooden's championship teams, and they set the tone for the dynasty that was to come. With future NBA stars like Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Lucius Allen, the Bruins won the first of their seven consecutive championships. The team finished the season with a 30-0 record.
4. 1982 North Carolina Tar Heels
The 1982 North Carolina Tar Heels are one of the most iconic teams in college basketball history. Coached by Dean Smith, the team featured stars like Michael Jordan and James Worthy. The Tar Heels won the NCAA championship that year, and Jordan hit the game-winning shot in the title game against Georgetown.
5. 1973 UCLA Bruins
The 1973 UCLA Bruins were the last team in John Wooden's championship dynasty, and they were just as dominant as their predecessors. With stars like Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes, and Greg Lee, the Bruins won their tenth championship in twelve years. The team finished the season with a 30-0 record.
6. 1956 San Francisco Dons
The 1956 San Francisco Dons were one of the most dominant teams of their era, and they are still regarded as one of the greatest teams in college basketball history. Coached by Phil Woolpert and led by future NBA star Bill Russell, the Dons won their second consecutive NCAA championship that year.
7. 1984 Georgetown Hoyas
The 1984 Georgetown Hoyas were one of the most dominant defensive teams in college basketball history. Coached by John Thompson, the team featured stars like Patrick Ewing and Michael Jackson. The Hoyas reached the NCAA championship game that year, but they were upset by the underdog Villanova Wildcats.
8. 2001 Duke Blue Devils
The 2001 Duke Blue Devils were one of the most talented teams in college basketball history. Coached by Mike Krzyzewski, the team featured stars like Shane Battier, Jay Williams, and Mike Dunleavy Jr. The Blue Devils won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it in dramatic fashion, beating Arizona in the title game.
9. 1996 Kentucky Wildcats
The 1996 Kentucky Wildcats are one of the most talented teams in college basketball history. Coached by Rick Pitino, the team featured stars like Antoine Walker, Tony Delk, and Ron Mercer. The Wildcats won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it by beating Syracuse in the title game.
10. 1985 Villanova Wildcats
The 1985 Villanova Wildcats are one of the greatest underdog stories in college basketball history. Coached by Rollie Massimino, the team upset heavily favored Georgetown in the NCAA championship game. The Wildcats were led by stars like Ed Pinckney and Dwayne McClain, and they played one of the most perfect games in NCAA tournament history.
11. 1964 UCLA Bruins
The 1964 UCLA Bruins were the first team in John Wooden's championship dynasty, and they set the tone for the decade to come. Led by future NBA star Gail Goodrich, the Bruins won the NCAA championship that year. The team finished the season with a 30-0 record.
12. 1990 UNLV Runnin' Rebels
The 1990 UNLV Runnin' Rebels were one of the most exciting teams in college basketball history. Coached by Jerry Tarkanian, the team featured stars like Larry Johnson and Stacey Augmon. The Runnin' Rebels won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it in dominant fashion, beating Duke in the title game by a score of 103-73.
13. 1971 UCLA Bruins
The 1971 UCLA Bruins were the second team in John Wooden's championship dynasty, and they established the Bruins as the most dominant program in college basketball. Led by future NBA stars Sidney Wicks and Curtis Rowe, the Bruins won the NCAA championship that year.
14. 1986 Louisville Cardinals
The 1986 Louisville Cardinals were one of the most talented teams in college basketball history. Coached by Denny Crum, the team featured stars like Pervis Ellison and Billy Thompson. The Cardinals won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it by beating Duke in the title game.
15. 2012 Kentucky Wildcats
The 2012 Kentucky Wildcats were one of the most dominant teams in recent college basketball history. Coached by John Calipari, the team featured stars like Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Terrence Jones. The Wildcats won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it by beating Kansas in the title game.
16. 1966 Texas Western Miners
The 1966 Texas Western Miners were one of the most important teams in college basketball history. Coached by Don Haskins, the team featured an all-black starting lineup, and they upset heavily favored Kentucky in the NCAA championship game. The Miners were led by stars like Bobby Joe Hill and David Lattin.
17. 1976 Indiana Hoosiers
The 1976 Indiana Hoosiers are one of the most legendary teams in college basketball history. Coached by Bob Knight, the team featured stars like Scott May and Quinn Buckner. The Hoosiers won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it by finishing the season with a perfect 32-0 record.
18. 1957 North Carolina Tar Heels
The 1957 North Carolina Tar Heels are one of the greatest teams in college basketball history. Coached by Frank McGuire, the team featured stars like Lennie Rosenbluth and Pete Brennan. The Tar Heels won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it by beating the heavily favored Kansas Jayhawks in triple overtime in the championship game.
19. 1963 Loyola Ramblers
The 1963 Loyola Ramblers are one of the most significant teams in college basketball history. Coached by George Ireland, the team featured a racially integrated starting lineup, and they won the NCAA championship that year. The Ramblers were led by stars like Jerry Harkness and Vic Rouse.
20. 1989 Michigan Wolverines
The 1989 Michigan Wolverines were one of the most talented teams in college basketball history. Coached by Steve Fisher, the team featured future NBA stars like Glen Rice and Rumeal Robinson. The Wolverines won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it by beating Seton Hall in the title game.
21. 1991 UNLV Runnin' Rebels
The 1991 UNLV Runnin' Rebels were one of the most dominant teams in college basketball history. Coached by Jerry Tarkanian, the team featured stars like Larry Johnson and Greg Anthony. The Runnin' Rebels reached the NCAA championship game that year, but they were upset by the Duke Blue Devils.
22. 1968 UCLA Bruins
The 1968 UCLA Bruins were one of the most talented teams in college basketball history. Coached by John Wooden, the team featured future NBA stars like Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Lucius Allen. The Bruins won the NCAA championship that year, and Alcindor was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
23. 2004 Connecticut Huskies
The 2004 Connecticut Huskies were one of the most dominant teams in college basketball history. Coached by Jim Calhoun, the team featured stars like Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon. The Huskies won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it by beating Georgia Tech in the title game.
24. 1959 California Golden Bears
The 1959 California Golden Bears are one of the greatest teams in college basketball history. Coached by Pete Newell, the team featured stars like Darrall Imhoff and Earl Robinson. The Golden Bears won the NCAA championship that year, and they did it by beating the West Virginia Mountaineers in the championship game.
25. 1983 NC State Wolfpack
The 1983 NC State Wolfpack are one of the most memorable teams in college basketball history. Coached by Jim Valvano, the team pulled off a series of upsets to win the NCAA championship that year. The championship game against the heavily favored Houston Cougars is still regarded as one of the greatest moments in college basketball history.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many amazing college basketball teams that have graced the court over the years. From dominant dynasties to underdog stories, college basketball has given us some of the most exciting moments in sports history. Whether you are a diehard fan or a casual observer, these teams are sure to inspire and amaze you.
