Top 5 Greatest Basketball Programs of All-Time

Question

in my opinion:



UCLA
Duke
North Carolina
Indiana
Connecticut

Honorable mention: Kentucky

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by fightcrib.

Answer 1

In my lifetime (the last 26 years), it would be:

Duke
North Carolina
Michigan State
Kansas
Kentucky

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by thepeopleschampion13.

Answer 2

Awww geez, now you've done it...you didn't bow to the Big Blew as the Greatest of all time. We will soon be inundated with that glorious fan base in no time...

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by OriginalVUDores.

Answer 3

Red-friggin Letter Day!!.....somehow, (by lack of concentration, I'm sure) fightcrib placed "Honorable" and "Kentucky" in the same phrase.....

Jumpin' Jehosophat!!! be still my beating heart!

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by IrishPokerDog.

Answer 4

I'll admit it was sort of a lame thread I started. Just got bored at work.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by fightcrib.

Answer 5

1. UCLA - Not even close, though their post-Wooden era has been decidedly average
2. Kansas - Basketball created there, and have been a title contender since they nailed a peach basket to the barn door
3. North Carolina - The standard bearer in marrying talent, academics and coaching in the modern era
4. Duke - Can't list UNC without also including Duke. Probably not another program that benefited more from the ESPN TV era
5. Indiana - Continue to personify what many people believe "is" college basketball, though I would argue they benefited more from the pre-ESPN era of TV coverage than any other program. Waits to be seen whether IU and UCLA will ever return to the level they once were


The next five:
Kentucky - A solid sixth behind the other four. Just can't ignore the down years and probation that none of the first four ever had
St. Johns - For decades they defined college basketball on the coast opposite UCLA
Syracuse - Some of the greatest teams and games in the history of college hoops
UConn - Another program that rode the back of ESPN to greatness, but their legacy is sketchy at best, but you cannot ignore what ESPN made them in the last 20 years
Michigan - The Fab 5 era defined a decade of college basketball, and essentially changed the game itself

I don't see any west coast programs that should be on this list other than UCLA.

The distance between Kansas and Kentucky and the rest of their conference mates is massive.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by Mike Rapp.

Answer 6

Ralph Waldo Emerson: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."

Here are the rankings of three random sport news sources:

ESPN Sagarin:
1. UK, 2. UCLA, 3. Kansas, 4. NC, 5. Indiana
NBC Sports:
1. UK, 2. NC, 3. Kansas, 4. UCLA, 5. Duke
Bleacher Report:
1. UK, 2. UCLA, 3. NC, 4. Duke, 5. Kansas

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by YOUKCATZ.

Answer 7

My Mother: "Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still."

I'm not sure anyone here is going to change their opinion based on the media that is trying to reach largest fan bases.

This post was edited on 2/17 1:24 PM by force10jc

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by force10jc.

Answer 8

Are you accusing those news sources of foolish consistency and little-mindedness?

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by vandystu.

Answer 9

We know what you

Answer 10

LOL! Cat fans have taken their arrogance to an all-time high as they now know what we are thinking.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by force10jc.

Answer 11

Dude, that was a quote from the linked article.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by rqarnold.

Answer 12

...but DUDE, you didn't put it in quotes. Anyway, the point was that yet another Cat Fan has taken the opportunity to educate Vandy fans on a Vandy site. You guys should consider your fandom a religion as well as you spread the good word about your beloved Cats.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by force10jc.

Answer 13

Looks like he hurts some feelings with that list.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by LOSERv...CKS!!!.

Answer 14

Would vandy be in the top 50?

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by btownblue.

Answer 15

This thread is not about Vandy. It's about the top 5 programs of all time. And on that note, it is likewise not about Kentucky.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by fightcrib.

Answer 16

You are waaaaaaaaay too obvious with this one. You may catch a few fish but this was a poor attempt.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by FiveStarCat.

Answer 17

So are you saying vandy isn't in the top 50? 75 then?

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by btownblue.

Answer 18

It's one thing for some random Vandy fan to try and troll UK fans but as a member of the sports media (apparently) aren't you supposed to be at least somewhat knowledgeable and unbiased? Putting Kentucky as 6th just makes you look like a fool, troll or both. Not a good look either way.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by FiveStarCat.

Answer 19

The only ones pointing that out in this thread are biased Cat fans. It might look foolish on Kitty Pause but not here.

This post was edited on 2/19 4:46 PM by force10jc

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by force10jc.

Answer 20

I think Vanderbilt is arguably in the top 400.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by fightcrib.

Answer 21

The question wasn't for you, random Vandy fan, it was for the guy one would assume should have some knowledge on college basketball. If Mike Rapp gave that list to any national sportswriter, they would laugh in his face.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by FiveStarCat.

Answer 22

It seems like Michigan State should be on this list before UConn and Michigan.

I'd put Arizona on the list, too, before Michigan.

UNLV might make an honorable mention, too.

And it we are mentioning St. Johns, CCNY should be mentioned, too!

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by dorepleganger.

Answer 23

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by IrishPokerDog.

Answer 24

Wow , I usually think Mike Rapp has a pretty solid info and opinion but man ya show ya hatred on that one.

"Kentucky - A solid sixth behind the other four. Just can't ignore the down years and probation that none of the first four ever had"

IU hasn't been on probation nor have had any down years?
UCLA: They been average other then the wooden era, and been on probation a few times.
Kansas: were they not barred from the 89 ncaa?

And how far back we going with probation and bad seasons?

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by Xzandernm.

Answer 25

I love it.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by tigahphan.

Answer 26

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by kt4dores.

Answer 27

Laugh in his face? Doubtful unless it's a Kentucky beat writer. I'm sure many would disagree but laugh in his face?

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by force10jc.

Answer 28

well considering he said they were 6th and then said there was 4 ahead of them which is a miscount. Second he claimed UKs Ncaa troubles and down seasons but ignores the other programs ncaa troubles and down years.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by Xzandernm.

Answer 29

What was ESPN smoking that day?

Teams they have ranked behind than UAB...

Vandy, Texas, Arizona, UConn, UNLV, Xavier, Pitt, Memphis, LSU, Florida, Georgia Tech, etc.....

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by the anti-vile.

Answer 30

So? It's a Vandy board. If you don't like the FREE content then stop paying for it. Oh, wait!

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by force10jc.

Answer 31

I guess you get what you pay for.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by Xzandernm.

Answer 32

Haha. Congrats on getting some traffic to your board by mentioning a relevant program.

"Kentucky - A solid sixth behind the other four." I thought Vandy was supposed have superlative academic standards. Maybe squeeze a lesson on the number five into the curriculum.

Also, putting IU in the Top 5 then saying you can't ignore down years and probation is some funny stuff.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by Big Blue Enziguri.

Answer 33

man, been drinking a lot of vinegar over here. yalls tears are precious.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by LordEgg.

Answer 34

The Indiana ranking is hilarious. They have been on probation recently, have recent issues with recruiting violations (Gary Harris stuff, AHOPE and rumors of Mike Adams steering all Indy Elite players to IU), absolutely have sucked the last 4 years and they "personify what college basketball is all about?" LOL.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by MSUCatfan82.

Answer 35

What do you love? That UK fans got trolled hard? The original poster is a random, anonymous fool. I have no problem with his trolling attempt. But isn't Mike Rapp supposed to be a professional? His rankings show he is either a complete idiot or he has lowered himself to the level of your typical message board trashtalker. Either way, he looks unprofessional.

This post was edited on 2/23 7:35 AM by FiveStarCat

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by FiveStarCat.

Answer 36

The down years comment is also hilarious. If IU hasn't been down lately, I'm not sure what is considered "down." Also, didn't UNC have like a 5-20 season within the past 10 years? IIRC, Kentucky has had exactly ONE losing season since the days of Adolph Rupp. That's what makes the Kentucky program historically great - there have been virtually no ridiculously down years.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by FiveStarCat.

Answer 37

Don't you contribute articles to Rivals? I thought someone in that position would be above trolling this blatantly... Since this is obviously a bait, I don't know why I am even responding but I guess I will...

UCLA at #1 - okay... but considering you contradict your argument for them at #1 DIRECTLY with the exact reasons you bumped Kentucky all the way down to #6: i.e. they have numerous mediocre seasons in a row outside of the Wooden era including virtually the entire 1980s other than their VACATED Final Four in 1980. They were irrelevant until Wooden's arrival and other than '95, largely irrelevant after he left.

Kansas at #2: If you thought the SEC was bad, Kansas has been beating up on a conference with 0 teams other than themselves with a NCAA Championship since the Eisenhower administration. They have been consistent underachievers. Their shortest chronological spread between NCAAC is equal to UK's longest drought. They were also barred from participation in the NCAAT the season after winning their 1988 Championship. They also won their 2008 Championship while on probation.

North Carolina at #3: I would actually have them at #2 or #1. I see you've managed to drag 2 programs down a couple of rungs with your ridiculous assertions. They did have an 8-20 in the last 10 years, though.... which I would certainly qualify as "down". UK's down years consisted of what? 22 and 21 wins and only 1 missed NCAAT?

Duke at #4: One of the most consistently good and clean programs... of the last 30 years, only. When your record outside of 1 coach includes only 8 NCAAT berths, you are not a great "program". You have a great coach.

IU at #5: only 1 Sweet 16 since '94, 4 losing seasons in the past 10 years and currently coming off of probation. No other explanation needed.

This post was edited on 2/23 8:02 AM by One4Wall

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by One4Wall.

Answer 38

Based on the curriculum that you said you used to figure your rankings how does UK not come out on top? Explain that one for me. Not a UK fan here losing my mind because you didn't rank us first but just wanna know the science behind your numbers that spit out the rankings. UK: most wins all time, highest all time winning %, 2nd most titles, most tournament wins, etc...the list literally goes on and on. So go ahead explain numbers and facts spit those rankings out and I'll buy into it.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by willymakit63.

Answer 39

Stuff like this is why you're a Vandy Sports Publisher

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by Dallas-Wild.

Answer 40

Arguably would be the key word in that statement.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by Lumpy 2.

Answer 41

Now wait a minute...sucked the last 4 years? We were a top 10 team in 2007 - 2008 (until the Sampson mess hit the fan), and we seemed to beat some team that was ranked #1 this past December (the name escapes me).

I love your comment about issues with recruiting violations...if those three non-stories are the best you can dredge up after the Sampson phone call stuff, that's pretty weak. Touting an administrative mistake (reported and taken care of the same day) and two stories that SI tried like mad to make go somewhere but which didn't have any legs makes you look petty.

Maybe we should talk about paying players, vacated final fours...

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by MyWifeRocks.

Answer 42

You've lost credibility; not because you failed to mention UK as a top 5 program, but you've contradicted yourself and your information is inaccurate. Your statement, "Just can't ignore the down years and probation that none of the first four ever had." is false.

First you state, "Just can't ignore the down years...that none of the first four ever had." That includes UCLA, but yet you said that it "waits to be seen whether IU and UCLA will ever return to the level they once were." Why would UCLA have to return to that level if they never had a down year? Moreover, UNC had a losing record under Matt Doherty...is that not a down year? In that same timeframe, UK never had a down year. UNC went to the NIT two years ago. Duke had a losing record the year Coach K underwent back surgery and took a leave of absence? Is that a down year? UK had hadn't had a losing record since that time either.

As far as probation; UCLA was placed on probation and had to vacate their runner-up status from their 1980 NCAA championship game against UL. Kansas was placed on probation in 1989 and was not permitted to play in the NCAA tournament. Roy Williams left the Kansas program on probation due to recruiting violations when he left for the UNC job.

As an administrator, I would have expected, at the least, factual information. If you are going to offer opinions, that's finene, leave it at that. But, if you're going to attempt to support your opinion with alleged facts, at least put forth the effort to make certain your information is accurate. The information you used to support your opinion is, quite frankly, wrong.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by jfinman.

Answer 43

now that Wooden is gone the NCAA is heavily looking into the Sam Gilbert paying UCLA players allegations in the 70's... they might lose all of those championships... if you don't believe me save this and then refer to it in 12-15 months

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by wldctky.

Answer 44

jfinman... you do realize they say this stuff to get a reaction out of the Big Blue Nation.... Jealousy breeds contempt!!

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by wldctky.

Answer 45

Hook, line, and sinker.

Thanks for the clicks!

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by rEvUrB.

Answer 46

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by BCG=Good4me.

Answer 47

No, but your coach has had two of them vacated...I wonder what the Vegas odds are on an eventual third?

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by MyWifeRocks.

Answer 48

There's some butthurt people in this thread, lol!

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by UKEE.

Answer 49

Yeah, all the Kentucky fans that seem to actually care about where a Vandy publisher believes their program sits in history. Wow! UK fans disagree. Color me shocked.

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by force10jc.

Answer 50

HEY!!! First two-pager on the B-ball board since a year ago last March! And that one, for some reason, was about UK too ~ you're welcome for the traffic hits! . Fightcrib should get a free subscript for the traffic generated with his version of fly-paper

....I won't ever forget that he ACTUALLY posted Kentucky and honorable in the same phrase.....that really might mean that 2012 is the end of days

Originally posted on Men's Basketball Board by IrishPokerDog.