[Top 10 List] Greatest Men's College Basketball Schools of All-Time

Greatest Men's College Basketball Schools of All-Time

THE MADNESS HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED!

It's a high number of sports fans favorite sporting event of the year.

March Madness.

Everyone loves it.

Even people who don't follow sports that much know about March Madness. Why? Because every single person who works for a living likely has an "office bracket pool" that features everyone in the office filling out a bracket in an effort to win a nice little pot of cash.

Every year, there are 64 new teams that enter the NCAA Tournament with a chance to achieve their "one shining moment" and bring an NCAA men's basketball championship back to their school.

But, before you fill out your bracket....there's a question that you need the answer to.

Which school is the greatest of all-time in college basketball history?

Glad you asked.

Honorable Mentions:

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Cincinnati Bearcats

And now, the TOP 10!......

10. Florida Gators

Historically the Florida Gators aren't a great team. However, those back-to-back championship teams in 2006 and 2007 were among the best that college basketball has ever seen. It's extremely rare for a men's college basketball team to repeat and win the NCAA tournament in back-to-back years, but Billy Donovan's team was able to achieve that and they definitely go down in history as one of the best teams ever.

9. Michigan State Spartans

The number of schools that have won multiple NCAA men's basketball championships is extremely small (it's 14 to be exact). The Michigan State Spartans are one of those teams on that list and also happen to be ranked in the top 30 of the most successful programs ever. Tom Izzo and the Spartans are one of few teams that it doesn't matter where they are ranked when the brackets are announced on Selection Sunday, there's a good chance you're going to ride them far in the tournament based on their past success. Now that's respect and the Spartans definitely deserve it.

8. Louisville Cardinals

The Louisville Cardinals have 3 National Championships under their belt. They are one win away from being ranked in the top 10 in all-time wins in college basketball history. Sure, things got a little squirrely this year with a scandal involving hookers and players which resulted in Louisville having to miss the tournament, but you can't deny the success that this school has had historically. They may not be as successful as that other basketball school in their state, but you bet your ass that the Cardinals have a good argument for being ranked as one of the most successful men's basketball programs of all-time. 

7. Kansas Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks should be higher on this list. Historically speaking, they have the second most wins in college basketball history. That alone should put the Jayhawks near the top of this list. Unfortunately, they haven't had the most success in March and Kansas fans likely don't need to be reminded of that. Sure, they have had their moments. They have 3 National Championships under their belt (1952, 1988, 2008), but honestly.....a team that is as successful as Kansas is in the regular season, should have a TON more titles. Jayhawks fans will be disappointed with this ranking, but when are Kansas fans NOT disappointed? 

6. Connecticut Huskies

Four National Championships since 1999. FOUR! No other team in college basketball has been that successful in that period of time. UConn isn't historically a "power house" program, but these last twenty years have pushed the Huskies into that category. The most impressive part of UConn's success is that it seems they always win the title in a year when people don't expect them to. I have nothing but mad respect for this team and what they've been able to accomplish recently.

5. Indiana Hoosiers

It's been a long time since the Indiana Hoosiers have been a "power house" in college basketball. However, you can't deny their history. A lot of people still think "Hoosiers" when they think of college basketball. That's the kind of legacy that Indiana basketball has engraved in our society since the sport started. With 5 National Titles and a top 10 ranking in all-time wins on their resume, I would be a fool to leave Indiana off this list, regardless of how the team has fared recently.  

4. Duke Blue Devils

If you aren't a Duke fan, there's a good chance you hate them. You want to know the reason you probably hate them? THEY ARE ALWAYS GOOD! With 5 National Titles under their belts. The 4th most wins in college basketball history. And the fact that they always seem like a favorite to do damage in the NCAA tournament come March, the hatred for these guys is strong. However, you can't deny the job that Mike Krzyzewski has done since taking over as head coach. He not only turned them into a college basketball power house, but he turned them into one of the greatest dynasties that sports has ever seen. 

3. North Carolina Tar Heels

The Michael Jordan thing alone makes them one of the greatest college basketball schools of all-time, but that aside....North Carolina has the resume to be in the top 3. They have 5 National Championships. They are third all-time in most wins by any men's college basketball team. And of course....DEAN SMITH! Not to mention, they have ridiculously cool school colors. That has to count for something, right? 

2. Kentucky Wildcats

8 National Championships. Not only that, but they've arguably been the best college basketball team since John Calipari arrived in town a few years back. In college basketball, few things are guaranteed. It's always a guarantee that the March Madness tournament is going to be awesome. It's always a guarantee that people are going to hate Duke. It's always a guarantee that no one is going to care about the sport until March. And it's always a guarantee that Kentucky is going to be good. When you continuously get the best recruits available though....isn't that what's supposed to happen? 

1. UCLA Bruins

11 National Championships! 

11! 

This wasn't even close.