10 Best College Basketball Teams of All Time
Throughout the history of college basketball, there are certain teams that come along and capture the imaginations of fans. They made their mark on the sport and their excellence on the court will be remembered for years to come.
Here are the ten of the best college basketball teams of all time. Read below about how these great teams made history and became legends.
10. Georgetown Hoyas(1984-1985)
The 1984-85 Georgetown Hoyas starts off our list of the best college basketball teams at #10. This Georgetown team coached by the legendary John Thompson were one of the great teams of the 1980s.
Led by future hall of famer, Patrick Ewing, the Hoyas dominated college basketball during this season. They put together an impressive 35-3 record on the year with Ewing winning that year’s MVP honors.
This Georgetown team almost reached legendary status by almost repeating as champions this year, but lost a thriller to Villanova.
9. UNLV Runnin Rebels(1990-1991)
When you bring up the best college basketball teams of all time, the 1990/91 UNLV Runnin Rebels always come up. The great Jerry Tarkanian put together quite possibly the best squad of his career in 1990.
This UNLV team was full of athletes with big attitudes and always put on a show. The starters included future NBA stars Larry Johnson, Stacey Augman, and Greg Anthony.
During this season, UNLV destroyed everyone, but fell short in the semifinals against Duke.
8. Kentucky Wildcats(2011-2012)
This won’t be the first time we mention the Kentucky Wildcats on our list of the best college basketball teams of all time. Kentucky has made it to the promised land many times, but the 2011 season was a special one.
Head coach John Calipari put together one of the great teams of the last 25 years. This team was loaded with talent, which included: Anthony Davis, Michael-Kidd Gilcrist, Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb, and Terrence Jones.
After losing just one game all year, Kentucky rolled through the NCAA tournament to the finals against Kansas. They dominated defensively to win 67-59 to win Kentucky’s 8th national title.
7. San Francisco Dons(1955-1956)
In 1995, USF seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the best college basketball teams of all time. Well of course, this team had a secret weapon in future basketball icon Bill Russell.
Along with Russell, USF also had a star point guard in KC Jones who was ahead of his time. With Jones and Russell, the University of San Francisco was unstoppable this year.
Russell averaged over 20 points and 20 rebounds on the year as he led USF to their first championship. This was the first time in college basketball history that a team ended the season undefeated.
6. Kentucky Wildcats(1995-1996)
Back once again on the best college basketball teams of all time is another Kentucky Wildcat team. This squad led by the great Rick Pitino will forever be known as “The Untouchables.”
The Untouchables were one of the deepest rosters of the era filled with talented players. Pitino’s team included 9(yes 9) future NBA players, who were the most-watched team that season.
They went on to beat Syracuse in the finals to win the title and cap off the year with a record of 34-2.
5. Texas Western Miners (1965-1966)
The 1965-1966 Texas Western team isn’t just one of the best college basketball teams of all time. They are one of the most important teams in college basketball history, who symbolized a change in society.
Coach Don Haskins put together the first ever all black starting five in college basketball. This move completely changed the game of basketball as we know it and was a huge win for civil rights.
Texas Western went on to take out two legendary teams in UCLA and Kentucky enroute to winning the national title. More importantly than winning the title, Texas Western ushered in a new era of basketball, which became the norm.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels(1981-1982)
At #4 on the list of the best college basketball teams of all time is the iconic 1981-1982 North Carolina Tar Heels. Led by the great Dean Smith put together one of the greatest teams in college basketball history.
This Tar Heel squad featured Sam Perkins, James Worthy, and of course, the greatest ever in Michael Jordan. Smith’s team of future legends were dominant throughout the year and were part of many phenomenal games.
They saved the best for last in the Final Four finals against Georgetown. Jordan hit the game-winning buzzer beater to beat Georgetown and make this team iconic.
3. Duke Blue Devils(1991-1992)
During the late 1980s/early 1990s, the Duke Blue Devils were on the rise as one of the elite college teams. The great Coach K built an incredible team, which included Christian Laetner, Grant Hill, and Bobby Hurley.
In the previous year, Duke won their first national title and this year, they were the villains of college basketball. This was a role that team captain Christian Laetner loved and embraced.
The Duke Blue Devils were no doubt the best that year as they beat Indiana and Michigan’s Fab-Five to win the tournament.
2. Indiana Hoosiers(1975-1976)
The best college basketball teams of all time were always chasing perfection and that’s what the 1975 Indiana Hoosiers accomplished. All-time great coach Bob Knight put together one of the greatest college basketball teams ever that year.
They beat everyone from St. John, Alabama, Marquette, and UCLA to reach the finals to face Michigan. After being down at halftime, the Hoosiers came to win the title and achieve perfection. A perfect 32-0 season.
1. UCLA Bruins (1967-1973)
For #1 on the list of the best college basketball teams of all time, we couldn’t choose just one team. The UCLA Bruins teams from 1967 to 1973 define greatness.
During this stretch, John Wooden’s squads won seven straight NCAA titles. Icons like Kareem and Walton led the teams during this year and achieved greatness.
This includes the 1972 team, who went undefeated and won the national title. These teams defined greatness and are the best college basketball teams of all time.
