Ranking the top 10 all time best college basketball teams

Ranking the top 10 all time best college basketball teams

Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:23 PM

Basketball is one of the most famous sports worldwide and has amassed huge fan bases and fortune. The United States of America has seen some of the best college basketball teams of all time governed by collegiate athletic bodies.

Best college basketball team seasons of all-time
Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins fires a cross court pass during a game against Rutgers Scarlet Knights on 19 January 2023 in East Lansing, MI. Photo: Adam Ruff
Source: Getty Images

These collegiate athletic bodies are responsible for deciding the number and level of scholarships awarded to different basketball players. Additionally, they have greatly invested in NCAA basketball since its inception.

The top 10 best college basketball teams of all time

Most NBA players are selected from these college basketball teams at a young age to further their careers. According to stats in 2023, these are the best college basketball teams and seasons of all time:

10. Villanova Wildcats

Best college basketball team
Villanova Wildcats forward Brandon Slater during the Never Forget Tribute Classic men's college basketball game against Boston College on 10 December 2022 in Newark, NJ. Photo: John Jones
Source: Getty Images

Villanova Wildcats are among the best college teams in the college basketball arena and have won two national championships, in 2016 and 2018, with Jay Wright. Even though their recognition increased after winning two times in three years, they were always a top-notch team with good coaching and culture even before that. In the 60s, John Kraff made the Wildcats winners, and later Massimino made sure they stayed at the top and won the 1985 National Championship.

Team

Villanova Wildcats

University

Villanova University

Nickname

Wildcats

Conference

Big East

NCAA

Division I, FCS

Athletic director

Mark Jackson

Location

Villanova, Pennsylvania

Varsity teams

24

Arena

William B Finneran Pavilion

Skits colours

Navy blue and white

9. Louisville Cardinals

The Cardinals are a top-notch team that has made ten Final Four appearances and has won three National Championships. They joined the Big East in 2005, and that's when their recognition began.

Best college basketball teams of all-time
Louisville Cardinals forward JJ Traynor drives past Pittsburgh Panthers guard Nelly Cummings during a college basketball game on 18 January 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Joe Robbins
Source: Getty Images

Louisville Cardinals had only two coaches from 1971 to 2017, Denny Crum and Rick Pinito, and thus they maintained a consistency that saw the team take home trophies.

Team

Louisville Cardinals

Nickname

Cardinals

University

University of Louisville

Conference

ACC

NCAA

Division I, FBS

Athletic director

Josh Heird

Location

Louisville, Kentucky

Varsity teams

21

Arena

KFC Yum! Center

Skits colours

Red and black

8. Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans are among the best college basketball teams in history. They won the 1979 National Championship and have been an icon for the NCAA.

Best college basketball team seasons of all-time
Jaxon Kohler and Tyson Walker of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate late in the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on 19 January 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. Photo: Rey Del Rio
Source: Getty Images

In the 90s, Jud Heathcote made an impressive turnover to propel the Spartans to their glory and, in so doing, set the pace for Tom Izzo, who made them one of the greatest squads ever.

Team

Michigan State Spartans

Nickname

Spartans

University

Michigan State University

Conference

Big Ten

NCAA

Division I, FBS

Athletic director

Alan Haller

Location

East Lansing, Michigan

Varsity teams

23

Arena

Breslin Student Events Center

Skits colours

Green and white

7. Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana is one of the greatest college basketball teams of all time. Being coached by Bobby Knight, they won three national championships and almost a dozen Big Ten championships. On the other hand, Branch McCracken, in 1930, led the Hoosiers to their first ever two championships.

Best teams in college basketball history
Malik Reneau of the Indiana Hoosiers puts up a shot in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on 19 January 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. Photo: Michael Hickey
Source: Getty Images

Although they have struggled in the past decades, Indiana has always been in the rankings of the top 10 college basketball teams.

Team

Indiana Hoosiers

Nickname

Hoosiers

University

Indiana University Bloomington

Conference

Big Ten

NCAA

Division I

Athletic director

Scott Dolson

Head coach

Mike Woodson

Location

Bloomington, Indiana

Arena

Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

Skits colours

Crimson and cream

6. Syracuse Orange

In 2003, the Orange won the National Championship, which was only the start. The team has the longest active streak for consecutive winning seasons under Jim Boeheim, their head coach, for over 40 years.

Best college basketball team
Syracuse forward Maliq Brown reacts during a college basketball game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on 21 January 2023 at Hank McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA. Photo: Rich von Biberstein
Source: Getty Images

Nevertheless, the Orange's have always reached the Final Four in the last fifty years, and they are almost at the top all-time list regarding NCAA appearances and tournament victories.

Team

Syracuse Orange

Nickname

Orange

University

Syracuse University

Conference

ACC

NCAA

Division I, FBS

Athletic director

John Wildhack

Location

Syracuse, New York

Varsity teams

20

Arena

JMA Wireless Dome

Skits colours

Orange

5. Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks, one of the best college basketball teams in the NCAA, have won straight regular-season conference titles. They achieved what most squads only dream of by making a record of 30 straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Best college basketball team seasons of all-time
Joseph Yesufu of the Kansas Jayhawks drives to the basket in the second half on 17 January 2023 in Manhattan, Kansas. Photo: Peter G Aiken
Source: Getty Images

The college basketball team has been dominating the NCAA since the 20s under coach Phog Allen and currently under Bill Self. The teams have been around for a century.

Team

Kansas Jayhawks

Nickname

Jayhawks

University

The University of Kansas

Conference

Big 12

NCAA

Division I, FBS

Athletic director

Travis Goff

Location

Lawrence, Kansas

Varsity teams

16

Arena

Allen Fieldhouse

Skits colours

Crimson and blue

4. Duke Blue Devils

Duke has been a powerhouse in the ACC producing formidable players with great skills that ended up playing for top NBA squads. They are among the best college basketball teams of all time. Their success is not only owed to Mike Krzyzewski but also to Bill Foster, who helped in the rise to the Final Four in 1978.

Best college basketball teams of all-time
Duke Blue Devils head speaks with his team during a timeout during the college basketball game against Boston College Eagles on 7 January 2023 in Chestnut Hill, MA. Photo: M Anthony Nesmith
Source: Getty Images

Mike took over the team in 1980 and won numerous titles, including the final Fours and five National championships.

Team

Duke Blue Devils

Nickname

Blue Devils

University

The Duke University

Conference

Atlantic Coast Conference

NCAA

Division I, FBS

Athletic director

Nina King

Location

Durham, North Carolina

Varsity teams

27

Arena

Cameron Indoor Stadium

Skits colours

Duke blue and white

3. North Carolina Tar Heels

The Tar Heels have been on the polls for more weeks than any other college basketball squad and have made 20 Final Four appearances. Additionally, they have won six National Championships.

Best teams in college basketball history
North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jalen Washington during a college basketball game against the Louisville Cardinals on 14 January 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Joe Robbins
Source: Getty Images

North Carolina's Tar Heels started their winning spree in the 20s in the Southern Conference Championship and won titles every other decade. They have two of the best college basketball coaches of all time, Dean Smith and Roy Williams and are one of the best college teams in history.

Team

North Carolina Tar Heels

Nickname

Tar Heels

University

The University of North Carolina

Conference

ACC

NCAA

Division I, FBS

Athletic director

Bubba Cunningham

Location

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Varsity teams

27

Arena

Dean E Smith Student Activities Center

Skits colours

Carolina blue and white

2. Kentucky Wildcats

Although the Wildcats have fewer Final Four appearances, they always come out strong on every record contested. They have always taken the lead in the NCAA Tournament, Sweet 16 and Elite Eight appearances and won eight National Championships.

Best college basketball team seasons of all-time
CJ Fredrick of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates their win over the Tennessee Volunteers as he walks off the court after the game on 14 January 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo: Eakin Howard
Source: Getty Images

Since 1921 after winning the first conference championship, they have had five coaches who contributed to the eight National championships titles.

Team

Kentucky Wildcats

Nickname

Wildcats

University

University of Kentucky

NCAA

Division I, FBS

Athletic director

Mitch Barnhart

Location

Lexington, Kentucky

Varsity teams

19

Basketball arena

Rupp Arena

Conference

SEC

Skits colours

Blue and white

1. UCLA Bruins

UCLA Bruins is the greatest college basketball team of all time. They had one of the best coaches in the game's history, John Wooden, who led them to win the NCAA title in 1971-1972 and ranked fifth in scoring.

Best college basketball team of all-time
Adem Bona of the UCLA Bruins and Oumar Ballo of the Arizona Wildcats jump for the opening tip during the first half of the NCAA game on 21 January 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: Christian Petersen
Source: Getty Images

He also propelled the Bruins to win seven consecutive national titles and ten championships in twelve years. No squad has ever come close to what they have achieved, and probably none could ever have a legacy like that. Additionally, the Bruins have dominated since the 1920s and have continued to do so till now.

Team

UCLA Bruins

Nickname

Bruins

Conference

Pac-12, Big Ten

NCAA

Division I, FBS

Athletic director

Martin Jarmond

Location

Los Angeles, California

Varsity teams

25

Basketball arena

Pauley Pavilion

University

University of California, Los Angeles

Skits colours

Blue and gold

Thanks to their coaches and cultures, the best college basketball teams of all time have dominated over the years. As always, the players come and go, but coaching stability and a strong culture are needed to develop the best squads and players that make the NCAA. Most NBA players started as youngsters in college basketball before continuing their careers in the major league.

READ ALSO: Who are the 10 best women track stars in the globe currently?

Sportsbrief published an article about the 10 best women track stars in the globe. The sporting industry has seen female track stars rise and take top positions in several tournaments and competitions. Several track stars are setting and breaking records. Check out the link above for their stats and much more.

Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.