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Collegiate men’s basketball dates back to 1896 when the University of Chicago and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Chicago won that barnburner of a game 15-12 and the rest, as they say, is history. In the 128 years since, there have been some incredible teams spanning all corners of the country. The list below represents the best college basketball teams of all-time, starting with a program that has seen its share of success in the past decade.

30 Best College Basketball Teams of All Time

30) Villanova Wildcats, 2017-18

Coached by Jay Wright, Villanova claimed its second championship in three seasons with a 36-4 record. The Wildcats had a magical March Madness, setting the NCAA record for most three-pointers made in a single tourney.  Villanova beat Michigan 79-62 in the championship game, as Donte DiVincenzo came off the bench to score 31 points.

29) Michigan State Spartans, 1999-2000

Tom Izzo’s Spartans – nicknamed “The Flintstones” due to the number of players from Flint, Michigan – secured the national championship with a 32-7 record.  MSU was dominant in the NCAA tournament, defeating each opponent by double-digits including Florida in the championship game. Led by senior point guard Mateen Cleaves and forward Morris Peterson, Michigan State’s defense and rebounding were key aspects of the team’s success.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

28) Louisville Cardinals, 1979-80

Louisville won its first national championship after finishing with a 33-3 record. The Cardinals were led by Darrell Griffith, known as “Dr. Dunkenstein,” who earned Most Outstanding Player honors after scoring 23 points in a championship win over UCLA. Louisville’s up-tempo play and high-flying dunks epitomized coach Denny Crum’s coaching style and helped create the passionate fan base that exists today.

27) UNC Tar Heels, 1956-57

Coached by Frank McGuire, the Tar Heels completed a perfect 32-0 season, winning the national championship in a triple-overtime thriller against Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain. Forward Lennie Rosenbluth scored 20 points in a game that is still considered one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

26) University of Connecticut Huskies, 2003-04

Jim Calhoun’s team, led by Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon, finished 33-6 and won the national championship by overpowering Georgia Tech in the final. Okafor’s inside presence and Gordon’s scoring ability were complemented by excellent perimeter defense.

25) Michigan State Spartans, 1978-79

The Spartans were led by Magic Johnson, whose matchup against Larry Bird’s Indiana State team in the championship game drew unprecedented attention. Michigan State’s 75-64 victory over Indiana State cemented Johnson’s place as one of college basketball’s all-time greats as well as ushered in the modern era of March Madness as a must-see event.

24) Ohio State Buckeyes, 1959-60

Coached by Fred Taylor, this Buckeye team beat its four opponents in the NCAA tournament by nearly 20 points. Ohio State featured future Hall of Famers Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek. They also had a reserve guard and future Hall of Fame coach in Bobby Knight. Ohio State went 25-3 and captured the NCAA title with a lopsided win over California.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

23) UCLA Bruins, 1967-68

After a regular-season loss to Houston, the Bruins, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and coach John Wooden, avenged their defeat in the NCAA semifinals and went on to win the national title. Wooden won a total of 10 national championships with the Bruins and the ‘68 season was his fifth. This victory also marked the fourth of UCLA’s eventual seven consecutive titles.

22) UNC Tar Heels, 2004-05

This Tar Heels squad was loaded with talent and they helped coach Roy Williams win his first national championship. UNC featured Marvin Williams, Raymond Felton, Sean May and Rashad McCants – players who were all drafted in the top 14 of the 2005 NBA Draft. May dominated in the title game against Illinois with 26 points and 10 rebounds, earning Most Outstanding Player honors.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

21) UCLA Bruins, 1972-73

The Bruins completed another undefeated season at 30-0, winning their seventh consecutive national title. Bill Walton’s 44-point championship game against Memphis State remains one of the greatest performances in NCAA history.

20) Arkansas Razorbacks, 1993-94

Coached by Nolan Richardson, Arkansas’ “40 Minutes of Hell” defensive scheme wore down opponents throughout the season, culminating in a national title win over Duke. Corliss Williamson, nicknamed “Big Nasty,” was the team’s star, scoring 23 points in the championship.

19) Kansas Jayhawks, 2007-08

Bill Self’s Jayhawks won the national title in dramatic fashion, defeating Memphis in overtime thanks to Mario Chalmers’ buzzer-beating three-pointer that tied the game. The 37-3 Kansas team, led by Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur, and Chalmers, was known for its depth as seven players wound up on NBA rosters.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

18) Michigan Wolverines, 1992-93

The “Fab Five” of Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson made their second straight appearance in the title game. Though they lost to North Carolina after Webber’s infamous timeout, their swagger, style, and talent changed college basketball’s impact on popular culture.

17) Kentucky Wildcats, 1995-96

Rick Pitino’s talented squad went 34-2 en route to a national title, utilizing a deep rotation that included Antoine Walker, Tony Delk, Ron Mercer, and Derek Anderson.  Matter of fact, nine players on this team ended up in the NBA. Their relentless full-court press and three-point shooting overwhelmed opponents, making them one of the most dominant teams of the decade. Delk scored 24 points in the championship game against Syracuse to solidify the win.

16) Florida Gators, 2006-07

The Gators won their second consecutive national title with a starting lineup that featured future NBA players Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Corey Brewer. Their 35-5 season culminated in a victory over Ohio State to become the first team since Duke’s 1991-92 season to repeat as champions. Interestingly, the Florida Gators’ football team also defeated the Buckeyes to earn a National Championship that year!

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

15) Houston Cougars, 1982-83

Nicknamed “Phi Slama Jama,” this team was known for a fast-paced offense and high-flying dunks. Led by future NBA legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, Houston reached the championship game but suffered a stunning upset by Jimmy V’s North Carolina State Wolfpack.

14) Duke Blue Devils, 1998-99

Despite losing to UConn in the NCAA championship, this Blue Devils team was an absolute powerhouse throughout the entire season. Posting an undefeated record in ACC play and easily winning the ACC tournament, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski’s team featured Elton Brand, Trajan Langdon, and Corey Maggette. They finished the season with a record of 37-2 and will go down as one of the strongest teams of the ‘90s.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

13) Texas Western Miners, 1965-66

Under hall of fame coach Don Haskins, Texas Western (now UTEP) made history by starting the first-ever all-Black lineup in an NCAA title game. The Miners defeated an all-white Kentucky team, 72-65 to win the championship. With a 28-1 record, their season sent a powerful message about racial integration and changed the landscape of college basketball. Key players included guard Bobby Joe Hill and forward David “Big Daddy” Lattin.

12) Georgetown Hoyas, 1984-85

Georgetown’s main strength was the dominant play of Patrick Ewing, who averaged 14.5 points and nine rebounds and would go on to have a NBA Hall of Fame career. The Hoyas reached the championship game but were upset by Villanova in one of the greatest NCAA finals ever. Georgetown ultimately finished the season with a record of 35-3, and Ewing’s impact helped redefine college basketball’s big-man role.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

11) San Francisco Dons, 1955-56

The Dons, who were led by future Hall of Famer Bill Russell, completed a perfect 29-0 season to become the first-ever undefeated NCAA champion. Russell’s rebounding and shot-blocking set new defensive standards, and San Francisco held opponents to a staggering 31.8 field goal percentage. This team is also credited with helping to popularize the fast-break offense.

10) UConn Huskies, 1998-99

Jim Calhoun’s Huskies captured the school’s first NCAA championship with a 34-2 record, defeating heavily favored Duke in the final. UConn was led by college basketball greats Rip Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin. Hamilton led the team in scoring and earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the championship game. This squad laid the foundation for what would become one of college basketball’s most successful programs over the ensuing decades.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

9) UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, 1990-91

Coached by Jerry Tarkanian, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels were a powerhouse that were expected to repeat as NCAA champions. Led by Larry Johnson, Stacey “Plastic Man” Augmon, and Greg Anthony, the team looked unbeatable until their shocking loss to Duke in the Final Four. Despite falling short of back-to-back titles, the Runnin’ Rebels finished 34-1, and their style of play left a lasting impact on college basketball.

8) Duke Blue Devils, 2000-01

Duke won the NCAA title with a 35-4 record, thanks to the leadership of senior Shane Battier and the scoring prowess of sophomore Jason “Jay” Williams. The Blue Devils overcame a 22-point deficit against Maryland in the Final Four. Battier’s clutch performances earned him the Naismith College Player of the Year award. This was Coach K’s third national championship, which, at the time, tied him with coach Bob Knight.

7) UCLA Bruins, 1966-67

John Wooden’s Bruins, featuring Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), went 30-0 and captured the first of seven straight national titles. Abdul-Jabbar averaged 29 points and 15.5 rebounds per game, and his unmatched combination of height, agility, and scoring made UCLA nearly invincible. This team set the stage for an era of unprecedented college basketball dominance.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

6) NC State Wolfpack, 1973-74

NC State’s most memorable victory this season wasn’t the national championship game, rather, it was a Final Four upset win that ended UCLA’s seven-year championship reign. Led by David Thompson, one of the greatest college players of all time, and center Tom Burleson, the Wolfpack defeated Marquette in the title game and finished the season 30-1.

5) UNC Tar Heels, 1981-82

Under the legendary Dean Smith, the Tar Heels secured a national title with a 32-2 record, propelled by future NBA stars Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and Sam Perkins. Jordan’s game-winning shot against Georgetown in the final marked the beginning of his storied career, while Worthy earned Most Outstanding Player honors.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

4) Duke Blue Devils, 1991-92

Duke became the first repeat NCAA champions since UCLA’s epic run 20 years prior. With star players Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, and Grant Hill, Duke finished 34-2 and routed Michigan’s “Fab Five” in the title game. Laettner – who was a polarizing figure in college basketball – hit an iconic shot to beat Kentucky in the Elite Eight and the rest was history.

3) Kentucky Wildcats, 2011-12

John Calipari’s Wildcats went 38-2 and won the NCAA title with a roster featuring Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Marquis Teague. Davis, the consensus National Player of the Year, was a defensive powerhouse who was the clear number one draft pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Wildcats’ blend of future NBA talent and defensive efficiency made them Calipari’s greatest team. They were also his only NCAA championship squad.

Best College Basketball Teams of All-Time (Continued)

2) Indiana Hoosiers, 1975-76

At 32-0, Bob Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers remain the last Division I men’s team to finish a season undefeated. Forward Scott May averaged nearly 24 points per game while Kent Benson added 17 points and nine rebounds. Indiana outmatched Michigan in the championship game, 86-68. Knight’s innovative motion offense is still widely emulated.

1) UCLA Bruins, 1971-72

UCLA completed a 30-0 season to win their sixth consecutive NCAA championship. The Bruins were led by NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton and featured Henry Bibby and four-time NBA champion Jamaal Wilkes. The Bruins were so dominant that they defeated opponents by an average of 30 points per game!  Even among the great UCLA teams of the ‘60s and ‘70s, this one stands above the rest.

Best Basketball Team of All-Time – Additional Resources

Lastly, we wanted to share these additional resources that may be of interest:

• 30 Highest Paid WNBA Players