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Coach James Young is the Lead Basketball Analyst at SportsGrid, and he has taken a moment to make his picks for the 5 greatest College Basketball National Championship winning teams of the last 25 years. The Coach has had over 20 years of experience in coaching the game, and his unique and insightful analysis is always worth paying attention to.
So without further let’s hand it over to Coach Young:
The 2018 Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball team, led by head coach Jay Wright, won the NCAA Championship with a dominant 79-62 victory over Michigan in the title game. The team was powered by a high-octane offense and a deep roster, with Donte DiVincenzo earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors after scoring 31 points in the championship game. Villanova finished the season 36-4, winning both the Big East regular-season and tournament titles. Other key players included Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Omari Spellman, who contributed to one of the most efficient offensive teams in NCAA history. The championship marked Villanova’s second title in three years, cementing the program’s dominance under Wright.
The 2012 Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team, led by head coach John Calipari, won the NCAA Championship with a 67-59 victory over Kansas in the title game. The team was headlined by freshman Anthony Davis, who won Final Four Most Outstanding Player and dominated defensively. Kentucky finished the season 38-2, setting a school record for wins in a single season. Other key contributors included Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb, and Terrence Jones, all of whom played crucial roles in the Wildcats’ dominant run. The championship solidified Kentucky’s reputation as a powerhouse program and showcased Calipari’s success with one-and-done talent.
The 2006 and 2007 Florida Gators men’s basketball teams, led by head coach Billy Donovan, won back-to-back NCAA Championships, defeating UCLA 73-57 in 2006 and Ohio State 84-75 in 2007. The team was anchored by a core of returning starters, including Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, and Lee Humphrey, who played key roles in both title runs. Noah was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2006, while Brewer earned the honor in 2007. Florida became the first team since Duke in 1991-92 to repeat as champions, showcasing elite teamwork, defense, and unselfish play to establish themselves as one of college basketball’s greatest dynasties.
“Why? Because they repeated! What a great team Billy Donovan had.”
The 2023 UConn Huskies men’s basketball team, led by head coach Dan Hurley, won the NCAA Championship with a 76-59 victory over San Diego State in the title game. The team dominated the tournament, winning all six games by double digits. Adama Sanogo, who was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player, anchored the team with his strong inside presence. Other key contributors included Jordan Hawkins, Tristen Newton, and Andre Jackson Jr., who played pivotal roles in UConn’s balanced attack. The Huskies finished the season 31-8, capturing their fifth national title and reaffirming their status as one of college basketball’s elite programs.
“I’d take this over ’24 because of Newton, Spencer, Jackson, Caravan, Sanogo, and you bring Clayton off the bench.”
The 2001 Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team, led by head coach Mike Krzyzewski, captured the NCAA Championship with a dominant 82-72 victory over Arizona in the title game. Featuring stars like Shane Battier, who won Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and Jay Williams, the team was known for its high-powered offense and defensive intensity. Duke finished the season 35-4, winning the ACC regular-season and tournament titles. Their deep roster also included Carlos Boozer, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Chris Duhon, who played crucial roles in their championship run, cementing Duke’s status as a powerhouse in college basketball.
Ross has been writing about sports for over a decade, spcecializing in the NFL, soccer and boxing. His written work has appeared on a number of online publications over that time.