Ranking 40 years of men’s NCAA Tournament champions, from 2024 UConn to 1985 Villanova

This text is a part of our Rankings & Tiers collection, an analysis throughout sport about the important thing gamers, entrance workplaces, groups, franchises and way more.

What higher strategy to commemorate the 40-year anniversary of the NCAA Match’s growth to 64 groups than to create a flawless, universally beloved rating of each males’s basketball champion in that period?

That’s, in fact, not possible, however I took a stab at it nonetheless. For such a monumental process, I attempted to tether myself to some goal guideposts, making a numerical scoring system as a place to begin. A number of elements went into these scores:

1. Seed – No. 1 seeds obtained essentially the most factors. In the event you’re among the many finest groups ever, you’d seemingly have earned a prime seed in your given 12 months.
2. Common season champions – It appears affordable to say that if a group was one of many all-time greats, it will have been one of the best in its convention and gained the common season title. Half credit score was given for sharing the crown.
3. Convention event champions – Profitable this occasion earned an additional bonus. Groups that didn’t have an opportunity to play a convention event (a number of the older Massive Ten and Pac-10/Pac-12 squads) obtained half credit score.
4. Total win proportion – This one was fairly easy. The less losses, the higher.
5. Problem of NCAA Match path – Groups that confronted a tougher path (primarily based on the sum of seeds performed) got a slight reward.
6. Dominance of NCAA run – I summed every group’s complete margin of victory over six NCAA Match video games to approximate their dominance. The upper the margin, the higher.
7. Expertise – This measure was by far essentially the most subjective. Was this roster loaded with stars and future NBA standouts? Or was it extra of a robust faculty group with out a lot shine past the title run?

Clearly, this whole system could be debated. There are not any changes for the power of a specific convention, so profitable a loaded ACC is handled the identical as profitable a watered-down Massive Ten.

However combining all of these elements led me to what I consider is an inexpensive and defensible record. One of the best of one of the best separated themselves with their season-long dominance and emphatic victories within the NCAA Match, leading to two prime tiers of all-time greats.

A final observe to the entire terrific groups of the 2019-20 season (I’m speaking to you, Kansas and Dayton and San Diego State and Michigan State and Gonzaga and Baylor): It’s possible you’ll insert your self into this record wherever you see match. That’s the great thing about the creativeness.

Tier 5: Proof that March is mad

39. 1985 Villanova

Rollie Massimino’s unbelievable underdog story actually bought the growth period off to a stirring begin. Within the first 12 months with a 64-team area, No. 8 seed Villanova went on an unbelievable run by means of March and April, beating two No. 1 seeds and two No. 2 seeds in some of the unbelievable Cinderella title runs within the occasion’s historical past.

That run culminated in a monumental upset of Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown within the title recreation, throughout which the Wildcats shot an absurd 78.6 p.c from the sector, knocking off the larger-than-life Hoyas with persistence and effectivity.

After all, the 1985 Wildcats are remembered extra for the lengthy odds of their run than for his or her dominance, which is how they ended up final in these rankings. They continue to be the worst seed (No. 8) to win the NCAA title within the 64-team period, and their mixed profitable margin — simply 30 factors in six video games — can be the bottom ever because the growth. Their total profitable proportion (71.4 p.c) is the second-worst ever, narrowly forward of 1988 Kansas (71.1).

So whereas Massimino’s miracle squad might carry up the rear on this specific record, the 1985 Wildcats stay some of the storied examples of the magic of March Insanity.

38. 2014 UConn

Three years after Cardiac Kemba carried UConn to a nationwide title, his previous sidekick Shabazz Napier equally put the group on his again. He actually had some assist — Ryan Boatright and DeAndre Daniels every had some huge moments — however this was Napier’s group, by means of and thru.

The Huskies completed tied for third within the inaugural model of the American Athletic Convention, they usually misplaced within the title recreation of the AAC event. They wanted time beyond regulation simply to flee a gap spherical NCAA Match matchup with Saint Joseph’s. They had been led by Kevin Ollie, nearly inarguably essentially the most stunning NCAA champion coach of the previous 40 years.

They did, nonetheless, face one of many hardest paths to a title ever, partially as a result of they began as a No. 7 seed. En path to a championship, Ollie defeated Corridor of Fame coaches Jay Wright, Tom Izzo, Billy Donovan and John Calipari. This Husky run was actually a lightning-in-a-bottle second.

37. 1988 Kansas

Danny and the Miracles, as 1988 Kansas is now identified, have a number of the strongest branding of any title winner. Danny Manning carried a comparatively nameless supporting solid by means of the postseason, racking up 27.2 factors per recreation within the Jayhawks’ six NCAA Match video games.

Regardless of being an unheralded contender, Kansas stunningly took down two top-five groups, Duke and Oklahoma, on the Ultimate 4. The Jayhawks had gone 0-3 towards these squads throughout the common season.

Although the Jayhawks’ run to a title was undoubtedly one of many extra magical and charming March moments ever, this group was clearly missing relative to different champs. Kansas misplaced 11 video games, completed third within the Massive Eight and misplaced within the semifinals of the Massive Eight Match. It was additionally one of many lowest seeds (No. 6) to ever win all of it.

36. 1997 Arizona

Arizona’s declare to fame (apart from being the final Pac-10/Pac-12 college to win a title) is that it’s the solely group within the 64-team period to beat three completely different No. 1 seeds en path to a championship. Lute Olsen’s Wildcats bled out the game’s bluebloods, knocking off Kansas, UNC and Kentucky on their stunning run.

Clearly, that feat is not possible for No. 1 seeds to perform (they will solely play two others in a single event), however it’s nonetheless spectacular.

The Wildcats had been younger however loaded with expertise within the backcourt. Mike Bibby and Jason Terry each developed into lottery picks, Michael Dickerson was additionally a first-round decide, and Miles Simon averaged 18 factors per recreation and gained Most Excellent Participant on the Ultimate 4. Oh, and freshman walk-on/future head coach and ESPN analyst Josh Pastner was on this group, too!

It’s laborious to rank Arizona a lot increased than this, although. The Wildcats completed fifth within the Pac-10 and misplaced 9 video games total.

35. 2011 UConn

Jim Calhoun’s “worst” title group at UConn, the 2011 Huskies had a roller-coaster season. On the coronary heart of all the pieces was Kemba Walker, who went on some of the unbelievable March heaters ever seen. “Cardiac Kemba” and his Huskies went 14-0 in event settings that 12 months: 3-0 on the Maui Invitational, an astonishing 5-0 in 5 days on the Massive East event (that includes an iconic Kemba stepback recreation winner) and, in fact, 6-0 within the NCAA Match.

Regardless of Walker’s brilliance (and a few assist from second-in-command Jeremy Lamb), UConn had some main flaws in its profile. The Huskies went simply 9-9 within the Massive East, shedding seven of their closing 11 common season video games. They had been barely even ranked (No. 21 within the AP Ballot) coming into the Massive East event.

Moreover, 2011 UConn additionally performed arguably the ugliest nationwide championship recreation in historical past, a 53-41 rock battle towards Butler by which the 2 groups mixed to go 10 of 44 (22.7 p.c) from past the arc. That didn’t issue into this rating, however perhaps it ought to have.

34. 1989 Michigan

No champion of the final 40 years had a stranger teaching state of affairs than the 1989 Wolverines. Simply previous to the beginning of the NCAA Match, head coach Invoice Frieder introduced he would take the Arizona State teaching job on the conclusion of the season.

Legendary Michigan soccer coach Bo Shembechler, the athletic director on the time, swiftly dismissed Frieder and declared that “A Michigan man will coach Michigan!” Lead assistant Steve Fisher took over and led the Wolverines on a dramatic run to the nationwide title.

Michigan squeaked by Illinois 83-81 within the nationwide semifinal after which edged Seton Corridor 80-79 in time beyond regulation for the championship. The Wolverines additionally completed simply third within the Massive Ten common season standings; the dominance simply isn’t there to rank extremely on an inventory like this.

The wild teaching storyline overshadowed a proficient roster led by eventual three-time NBA All-Star Glen Rice, who parlayed the nationwide title into the No. 4 decide within the NBA Draft. Three different Wolverine champions had been chosen within the first spherical the next 12 months, although none of that trio made the identical type of skilled affect as Rice.

Tier 4: Memorable, however not elite

33. 2006 Florida

After a disappointing 5-6 stretch in January/February that doomed the Gators to 3rd place within the SEC standings, they went on a tear in each the SEC and NCAA tournaments.

Joakim Noah emerged as a nationwide icon, a boisterous winner who dominated the paint together with frontcourt bash brother Al Horford. Corey Brewer was one other future professional, and the backcourt of Taurean Inexperienced and Lee Humphrey stuffed their roles completely.

Florida’s dealing with of No. 1 seed Villanova within the Elite Eight emphatically introduced the Gators’ arrival on the nationwide stage. They did, nonetheless, profit from attending to play two No. 11 seeds en path to the title, together with Cinderella story George Mason within the Ultimate 4.

Finally, 2006 Florida’s most noteworthy legacy is that it turned 2007 Florida. Each key piece returned, and the 2007 model was clearly a “leveled up” version of the reigning nationwide champs.

32. 2023 UConn

This UConn squad is remembered most for its thorough drubbing of each opponent in its path. In an upset-filled NCAA Match, no opponent got here inside 13 factors of the eventual nationwide champion Huskies.

Their most spectacular efficiency was a 28-point destruction of Drew Timme’s Gonzaga to achieve the Ultimate 4, en path to a mixed margin of victory of 120 over six Match video games, the fifth-highest complete of the final 40 years.

This group was solely a No. 4 seed, although, and the Huskies didn’t win the Massive East common season title nor even make the Massive East event closing. They misplaced six of eight video games in late December/January and had been one among simply 5 champs to win lower than 80 p.c of their video games, and they didn’t beat a No. 1 or No. 2 seed of their path to the championship.

After all, this roster was the breeding floor for 2024’s juggernaut. Donovan Clingan flashed his unbelievable affect as a extremely helpful reserve, and Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban every began 38 of the Huskies’ 39 video games.

31. 2003 Syracuse

Carmelo Anthony’s magical run by means of the 2003 NCAA Match was the primary true “one-and-done” second, two years earlier than the NBA applied the rule stopping gamers from leaping straight from highschool to the professionals.

Anthony’s preternatural scoring abilities had been the story of that Syracuse squad, even moreso than Jim Boeheim capturing his lone nationwide championship. The hyper-talented freshman averaged 20.2 factors per recreation throughout the NCAA Match and racked up double-doubles in every of the Orange’s closing three victories, together with a 33-point, 14-rebound explosion to beat Rick Barnes, TJ Ford and Texas within the Ultimate 4.

As only a No. 3 seed, although, it’s laborious to make the case that this Syracuse group lands among the many all-time greats. The Orange did go 30-5 total and shared the Massive East common season title with Pitt, however they fell to UConn within the Massive East event semifinals.

Plus, the roster past Anthony was largely nondescript. Gerry McNamara (who hit six 3s) and Hakim Warrick (who swatted away a game-tying 3 with seconds to go) starred within the title recreation, however McNamara by no means performed within the NBA, and Warrick by no means rose above a strong position participant.

30. 2017 North Carolina

Somebody needed to be the lowest-ranked No. 1 seed on this record. Three elements held the 2017 Heels again.

First, UNC didn’t win the ACC event and suffered seven losses on the season, a troublesome hit to the general physique of labor. Second, it barely survived on a number of events within the Massive Dance, needing a Luke Maye buzzer beater to down Kentucky within the Elite Eight and barely surviving a troublesome Oregon squad 77-76 within the Ultimate 4. And eventually, the roster lacked high-end expertise relative to its nationwide champion friends.

On the brilliant aspect, UNC performed one of many hardest paths attainable for a No. 1 seed (16-8-4-2-3-1) and gained the ACC common season title outright. The Heels additionally beat one among Mark Few’s finest Gonzaga groups within the nationwide championship.

An intangible plus for Carolina: It misplaced within the 2016 title recreation on Kris Jenkins’ buzzer beater, which suggests this core was oh-so-close to being back-to-back champions.

29. 1987 Indiana

One other group harm barely by not having an opportunity to win a convention event, Bob Knight’s final of three NCAA titles as a coach proved he may nonetheless get it finished within the 64-team growth period.

His 1987 Hoosiers shared the Massive Ten common season crown with archrival Purdue, simply edging out Iowa and Illinois. All 4 colleges completed within the AP ballot’s prime 11, proof of how loaded the convention was.

Though the roster was top-heavy, Indiana did have some strong expertise. Steve Alford is likely one of the finest faculty guards of all time, twice incomes first-team All-America honors whereas racking up practically 2,500 profession factors. Three different Hoosiers noticed transient stints within the NBA, although none caught long-term.

The 1987 Hoosiers’ lasting legacy, although, is Keith Sensible’s recreation winner to beat Syracuse within the nationwide title recreation. A seemingly unorganized closing possession led to Sensible’s pull-up jumper, creating an iconic March second.

28. 1991 Duke

In the end, Mike Krzyzewski captured a nationwide championship. In his eleventh season at Duke, and after 4 earlier Ultimate 4 appearances, his Blue Devils bought over the hump.

That run included a surprising upset of beforehand undefeated UNLV as huge underdogs within the nationwide semifinal, snapping the Runnin’ Rebels’ 45-game profitable streak. The Blue Devils adopted it up with a win over Roy Williams and the Kansas Jayhawks to safe the title.

The Blue Devils’ 1991 run set the stage for among the finest faculty groups ever. All of Duke’s stars — Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill — returned to highschool in 1992 and tore by means of one of the best the nation needed to supply.

This squad was extra of a plucky underdog. Sure, the Blue Devils gained the ACC common season, however in addition they misplaced seven video games, together with a 22-point shellacking by the hands of archrival UNC within the ACC event. This was additionally Coach Ok’s solely nationwide title group that was not a No. 1 seed.

Tier 3: Rock-solid champs

27. 1994 Arkansas

The Razorbacks put collectively a strong case within the common season, profitable the SEC title by two video games. Together with a defeat to Kentucky within the SEC event semifinals, Arkansas misplaced simply three video games all season.

The Hogs suffered on this evaluation as a result of that they had a weaker complete win margin within the NCAA Match (simply plus-67 within the six event video games, a bottom-10 quantity among the many champs) regardless of taking part in by far the weakest run of opponents for a champion within the final 40 years. So as, Arkansas beat seeds numbered 16, 9, 12, 11, 9 and 6 — not a single elite foe amongst them.

After all, Arkansas can do nothing however beat the opponents in entrance of them. Solely Duke within the title recreation truly bought inside seven factors of the Hogs, so maybe their total dominance is being underrated.

Led by Corliss Williamson, the Hogs completely executed head coach Nolan Richardson’s “40 Minutes of Hell” model, with a number of unheralded guards serving to Arkansas rank third nationally in steals.

26. 2013 Louisville

Sure, people — the 2013 title goes to Louisville in our evaluation. We’re not within the enterprise of vacating championships.

Rick Pitino’s Cardinals simply gained the Massive East event after sharing the common season title. And they might have gained it outright if not for an epic five-overtime loss at Notre Dame in early February.

Louisville then confronted a comparatively mushy string of foes within the Massive Dance, most notably attending to deal with No. 9 seed Wichita State within the Ultimate 4. The nationwide title recreation was one to recollect, although: Michigan’s Spike Albrecht was a flamethrower within the first half, however Louisville gunner Luke Hancock answered again with a barrage of his personal and ended up profitable the Ultimate 4’s Most Excellent Participant award.

The Cardinals additionally bought dinged by my subjective expertise rating: No Cardinal, not even the electrifying Russ Smith (aka Russdiculous), made any affect within the NBA. This squad completely embodied Pitino’s imaginative and prescient of a terrifying defensive group the place the entire was higher than the sum of the components.

25. 2004 UConn

5 years after his first title, Jim Calhoun returned to the game’s apex. And as soon as once more, the Huskies squeaked previous a loaded Duke group to get there, this time within the nationwide semifinals.

For a No. 2 seed, UConn had great faculty expertise. Emeka Okafor fueled what was simply the nation’s finest two-point proportion protection, and Ben Gordon was a deadly long-range shooter who went No. 3 within the NBA Draft after Okafor went second.

The Huskies had 4 extra gamers who would finally get drafted within the first spherical. The 2004 event’s younger position gamers would turn into a terrorizing unit of their very own in 2006.

All that reward apart, UConn didn’t even win the Massive East in 2004, touchdown a recreation behind Pitt. The Huskies bought the final snigger over the Panthers, although, knocking them off within the Massive East event championship.

24. 2019 Virginia

A 12 months after turning into the primary No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed within the opening spherical, the Cavaliers wrote the NCAA Match’s final redemption story.

A proficient nucleus of Ty Jerome, Kyle Man and DeAndre Hunter led the cost, all desirous to wipe away the reminiscence of that notorious 2018 upset by the hands of UMBC (which Hunter missed with an damage). The 2019 season had a number of actually nice groups, however after a wild postseason, Tony Bennett’s group was the final one standing.

Virginia’s total resume is harm by solely sharing the ACC common season title (with Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Duke) and shedding within the ACC event semifinals. Plus, the Hoos’ NCAA Match run was the alternative of dominant. Their closing three victories got here in dramatic (some would even say fortunate) style.

Towards Purdue within the Elite Eight — an all-time show of shot-making by each groups — level guard Kihei Clark tracked down a protracted tap-out rebound off a missed free throw and hit Mamadi Diakite for a buzzer-beating jumper to ship that recreation to time beyond regulation. Within the Ultimate 4, UVA survived a 14-0 Auburn run within the closing 5 minutes because of a foul on a nook bounce shot, after which Kyle Man coolly buried three straight free throws to win. And within the nationwide title recreation, Virginia once more wanted a game-tying shot, this time a nook three from DeAndre Hunter, to pressure time beyond regulation.

The banner hangs without end, in fact, however repeatedly needing that stage of late heroics is a limiting issue when evaluating the Cavaliers side-by-side to different champions.

23. 2000 Michigan State

This 12 months marks a quarter-century since a Massive Ten college final gained a males’s faculty hoops title, a surprising drought made all of the extra complicated by the quantity of groups the league has despatched to the Ultimate 4 in that span (15).

Thus, the legacy of the “Flintstones” lives on — that being the nickname given to Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Charlie Bell, who hailed from Flint, Mich., performed collectively since grade college and reached the head of school basketball collectively, incomes Tom Izzo what stays his solely nationwide championship.

Michigan State had some sturdy accolades, sharing the Massive Ten title with Ohio State (ignoring a few vacated OSU wins) and profitable the Massive Ten event. The Spartans did drop seven video games throughout the season, although, together with one of many worst losses you’ll ever see for a No. 1 seed: a 53-49 defeat in an odd highway recreation at Wright State, which completed 11-17 on the season.

22. 1993 North Carolina

A 12 months after Duke wrapped up back-to-back championships with among the finest faculty groups ever, legendary coach Dean Smith captured his second nationwide title in Chapel Hill.

These Heels used the robust, bodily duo of heart Eric Montross and energy ahead George Lynch to batter foes into submission within the paint. They put collectively a robust common season, wresting the ACC title from Duke, and solely misplaced 4 video games all 12 months. Frustratingly, a kind of was within the ACC event closing to Georgia Tech. Nonetheless, UNC navigated a particularly tough NCAA Match path, knocking off two No. 2 seeds and exacting revenge on No. 1 Michigan within the title recreation (UNC had misplaced to Michigan in Honolulu in late December).

UNC’s rating on this train took a success on the premise of expertise. After Montross and Lynch, the Heels lacked true high-end items, and not one of the guards had been in a position to stick within the skilled ranks.

21. 1986 Louisville

Denny Crum’s second nationwide title group is one among our highest-rated No. 2 seeds on the record, largely as a consequence of its outright common season and convention event titles. It’s attainable the Cardinals bought barely overrated right here, as their dominance of the Metro Convention doesn’t regulate for the caliber of the league, which despatched solely two different groups to the NCAA Match.

Notable Cardinals embrace Billy Thompson, an honorable point out All-American; senior guard Milt Wagner; and “By no means Nervous” Pervis Ellison, a real freshman starter who finally blossomed into an All-American and No. 1 total decide within the 1989 NBA Draft. And who can overlook Kenny Payne, whose taking part in profession far outshined his teaching tenure with the Cardinals.

Louisville’s NCAA Match run had some ups and downs, together with a considerably simpler path within the Elite Eight (the place it beat No. 8 seed Auburn) and Ultimate 4 (the place it beat No. 11 seed LSU). The Cardinals then thwarted Coach Ok, Jay Bilas and Duke in a unbelievable title recreation that noticed Louisville narrowly prevail 72-69.

20. 2022 Kansas

Even Kansas followers would seemingly agree this was not one among Invoice Self’s apex Jayhawk squads, however in terms of the fickle, single-elimination NCAA Match, you by no means know who will truly attain the mountaintop.

After all, this group was no slouch. The 2022 Jayhawks gained the Massive 12 event after sharing the common season crown, incomes a No. 1 seed within the Massive Dance. Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun and Jalen Wilson have all carved out roles as NBA wings early on of their careers.

The Jayhawks’ path was not overly difficult, although, beating No. 10 seed Miami to go to the Ultimate 4 and No. 8 seed UNC within the nationwide title recreation. Plus, these Heels led by 15 at halftime. Thankfully, Remy Martin caught fireplace within the second half, burying a number of essential triples within the beautiful comeback.

Had Martin been wholesome all season, KU may need averted a few of its 5 Massive 12 losses and gained the convention outright. An damage asterisk is sensible right here, contemplating how impactful Martin was at full power.

19. 2015 Duke

This rating could possibly be controversial. In an epic faculty basketball season that featured Kentucky going 34-0 earlier than the NCAA Match, an all-time nice Wisconsin offense, plus terrific variations of Arizona, Villanova, Virginia and others, Duke rose to the highest. The freshman trio of Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow, together with savvy veterans Quinn Prepare dinner, Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones, outlasted everybody else.

Nevertheless, as nice as this Duke group was — and as superior as 2015 was as a 12 months in faculty basketball — the Blue Devils’ resume falls a bit in need of the all-time greats.

Duke didn’t win the ACC common season title, ending a recreation again of Virginia. Duke didn’t win the ACC event, both; in actual fact, it misplaced to eventual champ Notre Dame within the semifinals. It’s laborious to stack these Blue Devils up with different legendary champions if they might not show themselves to be one of the best group in their very own convention.

After all, the roster was fairly loaded for a school group. Okafor, although he didn’t find yourself an NBA star as anticipated, was an All-American inside pressure in faculty, and Winslow was drafted within the lottery for a purpose. Jones stays a strong level guard possibility within the NBA, and Prepare dinner earned some skilled minutes as nicely. Grayson Allen — a little-used position participant who was arguably the MVP of the nationwide title win over the Badgers — has additionally developed right into a key piece within the execs.

18. 2010 Duke

Inserting 2010 Duke forward of 2015 Duke will seemingly shock many Blue Devils followers. Nevertheless, earlier than surviving some of the well-known near-misses in NCAA Match historical past, this Duke squad was impressively dominant.

The Blue Devils convincingly ran by means of the primary 5 rounds of the NCAA Match, with solely Baylor within the Elite Eight coming inside single digits. They dismantled a formidable West Virginia squad (together with present Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla) 78-57 within the nationwide semifinal. And earlier than the Massive Dance, they shared the ACC common season title and gained the ACC event.

This roster was not loaded with staggering skilled expertise or depth, but it surely match collectively completely. Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith dealt with the scoring; that trio hardly ever left the ground and accounted for 68.0 p.c of the Blue Devils’ factors. In the meantime, the frontcourt group of Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and Miles Plumlee dealt with the soiled work, dominating the offensive glass and offering excellent inside protection.

Gordon Hayward’s shot might have been essentially the most memorable second of the 2010 postseason, however Duke finally reigned supreme, capturing Coach Ok’s fourth of 5 titles.

17. 2002 Maryland

When gamers return to school citing “unfinished enterprise,” 2002 Maryland must be one of many shining examples for the way that mission can go proper. In 2001, the Terrapins made the Ultimate 4 however fell to bitter ACC rival Duke within the nationwide semifinal. Beginning ahead Terence Morris graduated, however 4 starters — together with celebrity guard Juan Dixon — and three reserves got here again for one more go-round.

That returning nucleus actually completed its enterprise. The 2002 Terrapins went 15-1 within the ACC, with the one loss coming at a mega-talented Duke group, and completed 32-4 total. They gained all six NCAA Match video games by no less than eight factors, together with a rousing semifinal matchup with a stacked Kansas squad.

Maryland did come up brief within the ACC event, falling within the semifinals to No. 4 seed NC State. Plus, its total expertise stage doesn’t fairly measure as much as a number of the elite champions; not even the good Dixon ended up as a constant starter within the NBA (shout out to Steve Blake’s gritty 13-year profession as a task participant, nonetheless).

Finally, this Maryland group was extra in regards to the cohesion of a bunch that performed a ton of video games collectively. Thus, although they went on a extremely spectacular run, these Terrapins land close to the center of the pack.

16. 1998 Kentucky

Rick Pitino jumped to the Boston Celtics in 1997, leaving faculty for an opportunity to construct a legacy within the skilled ranks. He left lots within the cabinet, although, and Tubby Smith — employed away from SEC rival Georgia in Might of ‘97 — was in a position to keep on Pitino’s main momentum in Lexington.

A dominant frontcourt led by Nazr Mohammed, Scott Padgett and Jamaal Magloire buried groups within the paint, and Kentucky led the nation in each block fee and two-point proportion protection, per KenPom. That inside dominance helped Kentucky win the convention common season and event titles.

Surprisingly given these crowns, Kentucky solely obtained a No. 2 seed within the NCAA Match. That placement was a slight (and maybe unfair) knock on this evaluation.

One issue on which I had a tough time deciding: Ought to I low cost this Wildcats group for being coached by Smith, who was way more of a journeyman than Corridor of Famers Rick Pitino and John Calipari? I didn’t embrace coach mystique in my rubric, but it surely does considerably affect how I view this Kentucky group.

15. 2005 North Carolina

One key merchandise not factored right into a broad “Did this group win its convention title?” standards: the power of that convention. If I had been adjusting for that, 2005 UNC would get a large bump for profitable an outright ACC title in a league that additionally included Duke (No. 1 seed within the NCAA Match) and Wake Forest (No. 2 seed).

The 2005 Tar Heels additionally beat a unbelievable Illinois group within the nationwide championship recreation, they usually had been overflowing with expertise: their sixth man, Marvin Williams, was drafted No. 2 total.

Sean Might, Rashad McCants and Raymond Felton fashioned an impressive trio of juniors that arrived as a heralded recruiting class again in 2002. Roy Williams didn’t usher in that group — shout out to Matt Doherty — however in his second season in Chapel Hill, Williams led it to a championship.

The knocks on these Heels: They didn’t win the ACC Match (and their loss was to Georgia Tech, not Duke or Wake), they usually had a few shut calls within the NCAA Match regardless of a path that didn’t function a top-four seed till the title recreation.

14. 2016 Villanova

Kris Jenkins’ title-winning buzzer beater is likely one of the most memorable photographs in NCAA Match historical past, and Jay Wright’s refined “bang” to himself because the shot went in was a traditionally cool transfer.

The very best-rated champion of any non-No. 1 seed, these Wildcats obtained a substantial bump for an enormous 124-point cumulative win margin within the NCAA Match, all whereas dealing with the hardest path (by far) for a No. 1 seed or a No. 2 seed champion. In addition they gained the Massive East common season title, although they misplaced by a basket to Seton Corridor within the convention event closing.

You would undoubtedly argue that the Cats’ 44-point shellacking of Oklahoma within the Ultimate 4 is skewing their complete margin of victory. However that recreation additionally exhibited the terrifying ceiling of this squad, and it avenged a 23-point loss to the Sooners on Dec. 7, 2015, in Honolulu.

That Ultimate 4 victory even foreshadowed the dominance of the 2018 group, which was led by this squad’s position gamers (Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Phil Sales space, even the redshirting Donte DiVincenzo and Eric Paschall).

Tier 2: Undoubtedly dominant

13. 1999 UConn

Duke’s 1999 squad is the one group within the KenPom period to clear the Everest-esque peak of plus-40 in Internet Ranking, and the Blue Devils had been the heavy, heavy favourite to win the title.

The ‘99 Huskies had been no slouch both, although. Led by future NBA champion taking pictures guard Rip Hamilton and bowling ball level guard Khalid El-Amin, the Huskies gained the Massive East common season and event titles. Their 34-2 total file is eye-popping, and their profitable proportion of 94.4 is tied for the second-best mark for a champion within the 64-team period.

It speaks to how spectacular that Duke group was that regardless of these extremely spectacular accolades, the Huskies had been nonetheless 9.5-point underdogs within the championship recreation.

Earlier than that recreation, UConn’s path was not overly imposing; the Huskies beat No. 10 seed Gonzaga (the primary ever Zags group to make a run) within the Elite Eight after which bought No. 4 seed Ohio State within the Ultimate 4. However the Massive East dominance locations these Huskies on the perimeter of the highest 10.

12. 1990 UNLV

Jerry Tarkanian’s run within the desert set the bar extraordinarily excessive for all future UNLV coaches. The 1990 title group might have been barely inferior to the 1991 model that began 34-0 earlier than shedding within the Ultimate 4, however these Runnin’ Rebels had been full of NBA expertise and confirmed it on the largest stage.

UNLV survived a scare within the Candy Sixteen, barely edging plucky No. 12 seed Ball State 69-67. The Rebels hit the gasoline pedal after that, although, blitzing Duke within the nationwide championship 103-73. That 30-point margin stays, by far, the largest title recreation blowout within the 64-team event period.

The Rebels’ total grade on this evaluation was harm a bit by two issues. First, they confronted one of many weakest paths to a title ever, dealing with three double-digit seeds whereas not taking part in a single No. 1 or No. 2 seed. Second, they shared the Massive West common season title with New Mexico State (outright titles got a lift).

The expertise on this squad — all of which returned for that 1990-91 marketing campaign — was staggering. Larry Johnson was the No. 1 decide within the 1991 NBA Draft, whereas Stacey Augmon (No. 9) and Greg Anthony (No. 12) weren’t far behind. All three had lengthy, profitable NBA careers.

Remarkably, none of that trio earned the 1990 event’s Most Excellent Participant award; that really went to protect Anderson Hunt, who erupted for 49 factors over the 2 Ultimate 4 video games in Denver, Colo.

11. 2021 Baylor

If there was any group I needed to bump up on circumstantial grounds, it was this Baylor group. For the whole 2020-21 season, it was clear these Bears had been one of many two finest groups within the nation. They bought off to a 17-0 begin, with simply two opponents even getting inside single-digits. They appeared destined to satisfy fellow juggernaut Gonzaga in some of the extremely anticipated championship video games in historical past.

However the 2020-21 season was removed from regular, and a COVID-19-related shutdown for many of February threw off Baylor’s rhythm. The Bears didn’t look the identical popping out of that stoppage, barely edging an Iowa State group that went winless in Massive 12 play earlier than taking their first loss at Kansas. Baylor additionally fell within the Massive 12 event semifinals to Cade Cunningham-led Oklahoma State.

However then the NCAA Match began, and Baylor rediscovered its elite id on each ends of the court docket. The Bears led by double-digits for primarily the whole 80 minutes of the Ultimate 4, blasting Houston and dominating that long-awaited showdown with Gonzaga.

Regardless of being arguably one of the best taking pictures group to win a title (they shot 41.3 p.c from past the arc as a group to steer Division I), the Bears’ calling card was their suffocating protection. Guard Davion “Off Evening” Mitchell and ahead/linebacker Mark Very important fueled a relentless unit. Had well being and security protocols not thrown a wrench into Baylor’s season, these Bears may have been the primary undefeated champion since 1976 Indiana.

10. 1995 UCLA

Earlier than his trailblazing lawsuit towards the NCAA, Ed O’Bannon was a terror on the court docket, racking up 20.4 factors and eight.3 rebounds per recreation for the nationwide champion Bruins. He and youthful brother Charles O’Bannon fashioned a dynamic duo on the wing, and senior ground normal Tyus Edney managed the sport as an extension of coach Jim Harrick. Massive man George Zidek additionally turned a first-round draft decide following the Bruins’ championship run.

Per official NCAA information, UCLA went 32-1, however the Bruins truly misplaced two video games; a house loss to Cal was later deemed a Golden Bears forfeit as a consequence of NCAA infractions. Nevertheless, the sport occurred, so it counts as a loss on this evaluation.

UCLA is the highest-ranked group on this record to get the considerably unfair penalty of not profitable a nonexistent convention event. Had the Bruins gained a hypothetical Pac-12 event, they’d have flirted with Tier 1.

9. 2018 Villanova

A part of me anticipated the 2018 Wildcats to rank increased on this train. They had been, in spite of everything, some of the dominant NCAA Match groups ever, blitzing a robust assortment of foes by a mixed 106 factors. No opponent bought nearer than 12 factors, and Villanova’s demolition of fellow No. 1 seed Kansas within the nationwide semifinal (by which it jumped out to a 22-4 lead) was beautiful to behold.

Nevertheless, the Wildcats didn’t even win the Massive East that season, ending up a recreation again of champion Xavier. A midseason damage to beginning guard Phil Sales space is partially guilty, and connoisseurs of context would possibly push this group up increased consequently; I might don’t have any problem with that adjustment.

This Villanova group was, in spite of everything, loaded with expertise. Jalen Brunson was the Nationwide Participant of the 12 months and is now an NBA All-Star, and Mikal Bridges was additionally an All-American through a number of publications. Donte DiVincenzo was a laughably overqualified sixth man in hindsight, as was seventh man Collin Gillespie, a future Massive East Participant of the 12 months. Omari Spellman and Eric Paschall each noticed time within the NBA.

The Wildcats are remembered as one of many elite early adopters of a five-out offense. Everybody may bury a 3 at any second, and it’s no shock that they rank among the many best offensive assaults within the historical past of Ken Pomeroy’s faculty basketball rankings.

8. 2008 Kansas

Profitable a title is, in itself, an unbelievable accomplishment. However doing so the best way Kansas did — in time beyond regulation, after an outrageously clutch game-tying three-pointer from Mario Chalmers — may need been just a bit sweeter. That shot prevented John Calipari from profitable a title at Memphis; he left for Kentucky only one 12 months later.

The 2008 Ultimate 4 can be notable for being the primary to function all 4 No. 1 seeds. In a mini-tournament of the true elites of that season, Kansas emerged victorious, and its obliteration of UNC within the nationwide semifinal fueled the Tar Heels’ pursuit of their very own title in 2009.

However earlier than that loaded Ultimate 4, Kansas truly confronted one of many best area paths ever — no less than by seed. The Jayhawks beat No. 12 seed Villanova within the Candy 16 and No. 10 seed Davidson within the Elite Eight, although it feels silly to label any postseason run that includes a conflict with Steph Curry as “simple”. Kansas barely survived that brush with all-time greatness, edging Davidson 59-57.

The Jayhawks bought a slight knock within the nebulous “expertise” ranking portion of this evaluation. Although seven gamers from the roster did play within the NBA, none developed right into a star.

7. 2007 Florida

The third back-to-back title winner on this record is greater than deserving of the highest 10. Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer fashioned the nucleus of Billy Donovan’s juggernaut, however the Gators additionally returned Taurean Inexperienced and Lee Humphrey, giving them the uncommon distinction of bringing again all 5 starters from a nationwide championship squad.

The preseason No. 1 group within the nation, Florida began considerably slowly, shedding twice within the first month of the season, together with at unranked Florida State. The Gators additionally ended slowly, shedding three of their closing 5 regular-season contests, all to unranked groups. However when it bought all the way down to enterprise, the Gators reminded everybody of their dominance.

They steamrolled by means of the SEC event, profitable three video games by a mixed 59 factors, then enduring some spirited challenges within the NCAA Match however gained each recreation by no less than seven factors. That included topping Greg Oden, Mike Conley and a wildly proficient Ohio State group within the championship recreation.

6. 2001 Duke

A classic Coach Ok Duke squad, these Blue Devils mixed a senior star (ahead Shane Battier) with an elite underclassman (Jay Williams) and stuffed within the gaps round these two with extra future NBA gamers plus a veteran chief or two.

The roster is likely one of the most proficient of any on this record. Williams and Battier had been a devastating duo, and each turned top-six picks within the NBA Draft (though Williams caught round one other season). Mike Dunleavy Jr., himself a top-three decide in 2002, and Carlos Boozer, a future two-time NBA All-Star, constituted the supporting solid. Chris Duhon, a freshman starter at level guard, additionally performed within the NBA for a decade.

Essentially the most iconic ‘01 Duke second truly got here in January. Trailing 90-80 at Maryland late, Williams led The Miracle Minute because the Blue Devils stunningly pressured OT and escaped with a 98-96 win.

The 2001 Blue Devils obtained small knocks for profitable only a hair below 90 p.c of their video games (4 complete losses) and sharing the ACC common season title with North Carolina. Thankfully, Duke bought the final snigger towards these Heels by trouncing them within the ACC event closing 79-53.

5. 2012 Kentucky

John Calipari’s lone champion in Lexington, this loaded squad had a comparatively comfy run by means of the 2012 NCAA Match. No opponent — together with archrival Louisville within the Ultimate 4 — got here nearer than eight factors. Calipari’s Cats additionally posted the best total profitable proportion (95.0) of any title winner up to now 40 years.

As in 1996, Kentucky bulldozed by means of the SEC with a spotless 16-0 mark and didn’t publish a shedding file towards any group. It swept two regular-season conferences with Vanderbilt earlier than falling to the Commodores within the SEC event closing, and it avenged an early-season loss at Indiana (the Wat Shot) by sending the Hoosiers packing within the Candy 16.

The Wildcats had a staggering six gamers chosen within the 2012 NBA Draft, together with the unequalled feat of getting the No. 1 decide (Anthony Davis) and the No. 2 decide (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist). That helped Kentucky tie for the best expertise ranking I assigned to any champion.

This group fell simply in need of the elite tier by lacking out on the SEC event crown and exhibiting barely lesser dominance within the Massive Dance. Though nobody bought significantly shut, Kentucky didn’t win a single recreation by greater than 16 factors, and its mixed profitable margin of 71 was a pedestrian quantity in comparison with many different champions.

4. 2009 North Carolina

The 2009 Tar Heels get some credit score for profitable an impressive ACC, separating from a pack that included sturdy variations of Duke, Wake Forest and Florida State, amongst others. North Carolina additionally warrants reward for rolling to Roy Williams’ second of three titles in Chapel Hill after being the primary unanimous preseason No. 1 within the historical past of each the AP ballot and the Coaches Ballot.

The Heels gained each NCAA Match recreation by no less than 12 factors en path to the fourth-highest complete postseason margin of victory within the 39-champ pattern. That was regardless of dealing with one of many hardest paths for a No. 1 seed in historical past. Even placing seeds apart, UNC’s final 4 opponents within the NCAA Match had been all within the KenPom prime 13; the Heels gained these video games by a median of 16 factors.

This UNC group was led by Tyler Hansbrough, among the finest faculty gamers ever. Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Inexperienced all carved out lengthy NBA careers, and reserve huge males Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller each developed into first-rounders down the road, as nicely.

Tier 1: The G.O.A.T. debate

3. 1996 Kentucky

The Wildcats make three appearances on this record, and whereas the 2012 group was dominant as nicely, the 1996 model was Kentucky’s finest to win a title. (And oh, what may have been in 2015.)

UK ran by means of the SEC, going 16-0 and profitable only one convention recreation by fewer than 13 factors. A hiccup towards Mississippi State within the SEC event closing knocked them a tiny bit in my analysis, however the Cats responded by torching their 4 foes within the Midwest area of the NCAA Match by a median of 28.3 factors.

This roster was loaded, with 4 picks within the 1996 draft who went on to lengthy NBA careers. Star ahead Antoine Walker went sixth total, whereas first-team All-American Tony Delk and Swiss Military knife Walter McCarty had been taken sixteenth and nineteenth, respectively. Present Wildcats head coach Mark Pope was a second-rounder. As if that was not sufficient, three future first-rounders (Derek Anderson, Ron Mercer, Nazr Mohammed) made up the supporting solid.

One other differentiator about these Wildcats: No group has true bragging rights towards them. They solely misplaced two video games all season (to UMass in Detroit and to Mississippi State within the SEC event), they usually beat each these squads in separate conferences. They waxed the Bulldogs in Starkville in early January, they usually bought revenge towards John Calipari, Marcus Camby and the Minutemen within the nationwide semifinals.

2. 1992 Duke

I strongly thought-about bumping these Blue Devils to the highest total spot, and they’ll certainly have an ardent military of supporters. They went 38-2 and gained each the ACC common season and event titles. They usually by no means bought blown out: The Blue Devils’ solely two losses all season had been by margins of 4 and two factors.

Finally, 2024 UConn’s utter dominance towards all comers within the postseason — together with one other No. 1 seed, Purdue, within the nationwide title recreation — simply barely elevated the Huskies to No. 1. In distinction, ’92 Duke wanted some of the iconic performs in males’s basketball historical past — Grant Hill’s full-court go and Christian Laettner’s picturesque pirouette jumper — to even attain the Ultimate 4. After that 104-103 time beyond regulation thriller towards Kentucky, the Blue Devils barely escaped one other No. 2 seed within the nationwide semifinals, beating Indiana 81-78.

That epic Elite Eight showdown with the Wildcats could possibly be a divisive merchandise. Ought to producing an iconic March second with such a memorable play truly make the case for Duke as the best champ of the previous 4 many years, fairly than towards it? Clearly, my opinion shades in direction of the latter, however that Laettner jumper was an all-timer.

These tiny, tiny blemishes apart, this Blue Devils group was loaded. It had the Nationwide Participant of the 12 months in Laettner, a future No. 3 decide in Hill and among the finest faculty level guards ever in Bobby Hurley. Having Mike Krzyzewski, a five-time champ and arguably one of the best coach in NCAA historical past, on the sideline is solely one other cherry on prime.

1. 2024 UConn

What are the possibilities one of the best champion of the previous 40 years was truly final 12 months’s? Remarkably, it’d truly be the case.

The Huskies verify each field you possibly can ask for in a dominant group. They gained the Massive East common season title by 4 video games in a convention that featured a No. 2 seed (Marquette) and a No. 3 seed (Creighton). In addition they gained the convention event at Madison Sq. Backyard. They went 37-3 total, and towards a decent run of opponents within the Massive Dance (i.e., no upstart Cinderellas), they gained each recreation by 14 or extra factors. The Huskies amassed the most important complete margin of victory (plus-140 factors in six NCAA Match video games) for any of the 39 champions ranked on this train. In UConn’s closing 13 video games, solely two opponents even got here inside single digits. That’s dominance on full show.

UConn misplaced solely as soon as all season at full power. One NBA lottery decide, Stephon Fortress, missed the Huskies’ loss at Kansas, and fellow top-10 choice Donovan Clingan managed simply 14 minutes earlier than sitting out the rest of a loss at Seton Corridor.

From a expertise perspective, UConn is true up there with any champion. Clingan, aka “Kling Cong,” is arguably among the finest faculty rim protectors ever, and Fortress was a simple one-and-done NBA prospect. Level guard Tristen Newton, the Huskies’ third NBA Draft alternative on the roster, was a consensus first-team All-American and a returning starter from the 2023 UConn title group. Ahead Alex Karaban was additionally a key starter on that 2023 group, and taking pictures guard Cam Spencer posted the best particular person offensive ranking within the nation (per KenPom).

Just like the squad that got here in as first runner-up, this Huskies group was a back-to-back title winner — solely the third such squad to perform that feat on this 40-year span. Whether or not which means something towards the seek for the “finest” champion is debatable, but it surely actually didn’t harm.

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