The Best College Basketball Teams in the US

In the US, college-level sports are given almost the same amount of attention and hype as national sports. For die-hard fans, it’s no surprise to hear that these games attract thousands of viewers and generate massive revenues, with more than $15.9 billion earned in 2019 alone.

Basketball is the most popular collegiate sport after football. With more than 360 college teams, many of the most talented outfits compete in NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) events and tournaments. In this article, we reveal eight of the best college basketball teams.

Arizona Wildcats

As the 2022-2023 season leaders, the Arizona Wildcats represent the University of Arizona and are based in Tucson. The basketball program that led to the team’s foundation began in 1983 under coach Lute Olson.

At the time of formation, the Wildcats program was among the most elite within the college basketball sphere. From 1985, the team reached the Division I tournament of the NCAA for a consecutive 25 years—the second highest number of any team.

The team can also be proud of its record of winning 18 conference games in a single season. This was achieved in 2022 and has never been beaten by any other team.

Kansas Jayhawks

Representing the University of Kansas, the Jayhawks are regulars in NCAA Division I tournaments. The team has existed since 1898 and was founded by the inventor of basketball himself, James Naismith.

The team has a strong record of proven skill. The Kansas Jayhawks have won four NCAA Tournament National Championships and two Helms National Championships. They also hold a win record of more than 87% during the last 67 years that they’ve competed.

Houston Cougars

Playing their first season in 1945, the Huston Cougars have made six appearances in the NCAA Division I Final Four Tournament. Representing the University of Houston, the team began with a solid winning streak, making them a formidable force.

Joining the AAC (American Athletic Conference) in 2013, the team was going through a rough patch and was struggling to claim wins. However, with renewed vigor, the team has been on a war path since 2015 and has made a resurgence, winning the AAC conference tournament in the 2021-2022 season.

Purdue Boilermakers

With one of the oldest collegiate basketball programs, Purdue University in Indiana has been home to the Purdue Boilermakers since 1896. The team has a strong history of exemplary players, with more than 30 going on to the NBA—including Brad Miller and Glenn Robinson.

Despite reaching the NCAA Tournament Final Fours twice, the team has yet to win a championship. However, the Boilermakers are still rated as one of the best in the country, and they recently won the Big 10 Tournament Championship in the 2022-2023 season.

UConn Huskies

The Huskies have been the stars of the men’s basketball program at the University of Connecticut since 1901. They are tied for the fourth-most wins of the NCAA Tournament Championships in history, having won in 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, and 2023.

The team is one of the primary feeders to the NBA, with 41 of its players being drafted to the NBA after graduating. Among these are Jordan Hawkins and Jeremey Lamb. During the 2006-2007 NBA season, 14 former Huskies players were selected for active rosters.

Baylor Bears

Representing Baylor University in Waco, the Bears have competed since 1906. Soon after the team’s formation, one of the worst moments in college sports happened when a bus with the team riding in it was struck by a train, killing ten students. This tragedy had a prolonged effect on the team and the country.

Despite its complicated past, the team is celebrated for making it to the NCAA Tournament 15 times. The Bears also won the NCAA National Championship in the 2020-2021 season. Since then, it has been a formidable opponent and actively competes in the Big 12 Conference.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Churning out 15 players that have received West Coast Conference (WCC) Player of the Year awards, the Bulldogs have a strong reputation for training incredible basketball stars. The team was founded in 1907 and represents Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

In addition to its star players, the team has been home to some of the best coaches. This includes Mark Few, who was ranked National Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2021. The team actively engages in NCAA tournaments when not competing in WCC Division I.

Marquette Golden Eagles

As the home basketball team of Marquette University in Wisconsin, the Marquette Golden Eagles began playing as the Hilltoppers in 1916. After changing their name to the Warriors, the team finally settled on the Golden Eagles.

The team regularly plays in the Big East Conference and NCAA Division I. It has also been responsible for 39 players that have gone on to play for the NBA. In the 2022-2023 season, the team did better than they had done in a decade, winning a game in the NCAA tournament.

Conclusion

As evidenced by the incredible performances of the top eight teams outlined above, college basketball has earned its legions of fans fair and square. With this much attention to the high-octane sport, betting on college games has grown rapidly.

You don’t always need to put money down when betting on sports online. With the right code, even paying no deposit allows players to check out the offer and place a sure bet on their favorite team.