The All Time College Hoops Power Rankings

Basketball, Sports

The 10 greatest college basketball programs of all time, ranked by historical success and continued relevance across generations.

 

1)  UCLA– Established: 1920–11 championships (10 in 12 years) and 18 Final Four appearances
Wins: 1,873 (8th)
Winning Percentage: .690
Last Championship: 1995
Defining Coach: John Wooden
Illustrious alumni:

  1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  2. Bill Walton
  3. Reggie Miller
  4. Gail Goodrich
  5. Russell Westbrook
  6. Jamaal Wilkes
  7. Kevin Love
  8. Marques Johnson
  9. Baron Davis
  10. Sidney Wicks

2)  Kentucky– Established: 1903–8 championships and 17 Final Four appearances
Wins: 2,265 (1st)
Winning Percentage: .764
Last Championship: 2012
Defining Coach: Adolph Rupp
Illustrious alumni: 

  1. Dan Issel
  2. Cliff Hagan
  3. Frank Ramsey
  4. Anthony Davis
  5. Antoine Walker
  6. John Wall
  7. Rajon Rondo
  8. DeMarcus Cousins
  9. Jamal Mashburn
  10. Karl Anthony-Towns
  11. Louie Dampier

*also Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley

3)  UNC– Established: 1911–6 championships and 20 Final Four appearances
Wins: 2,232 (3rd)
Winning Percentage: .738
Last Championship: 2017
Defining Coach: Dean Smith
Illustrious alumni:

  1. Michael Jordan
  2. Bob McAdoo
  3. James Worthy
  4. Larry Brown
  5. Billy Cunningham
  6. Vince Carter
  7. Rasheed Wallace
  8. Walter Davis
  9. Jerry Stackhouse
  10. Sam Perkins/Antawn Jamison/Brad Daugherty

4)  Duke– Established: 1906–5 championships and 16 Final Four appearances
Wins: 2,144 (4th)
Winning Percentage: .707
Last Championship: 2015
Defining Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Illustrious alumni: 

  1. Grant Hill
  2. Elton Brand
  3. Jeff Mullins
  4. Carlos Boozer
  5. Shane Battier
  6. Kyrie Irving
  7. Corey Maggette
  8. Luol Deng
  9. Mike Gminski
  10. Mike Dunleavy

5)  Indiana– Established: 1901–5 championships and 8 Final Four appearances
Wins: 1,814 (11th)
Winning Percentage: .636
Last Championship: 1987
Defining Coach: Bob Knight
Illustrious alumni:

  1. Isiah Thomas
  2. Walt Bellamy
  3. George McGinnis
  4. Dick Van Ardsdale
  5. Tom Van Ardsdale

6)  Kansas– Established: 1899–3 championships and 15 Final Four appearances.
Wins: 2,247 (2nd)
Winning Percentage: .726
Last Championship: 2008
Defining Coach: Phog Allen 
Illustrious alumni:

  1. Wilt Chamberlain
  2. Clyde Lovellette
  3. Paul Pierce
  4. Danny Manning
  5. Jojo White
  6. Andrew Wiggins

7)  Louisville- Established: 1912–3 championships and 10 Final Four appearances
Wins: 1,825 (10th)
Winning Percentage: .666
Last Championship: 2013
Defining Coach: Rick Pitino
Illustrious alumni:

  1. Wes Unseld
  2. Junior Bridgeman
  3. Jack Coleman
  4. Rodney McCray
  5. Butch Beard

8)  Connecticut- Established: 1901—4 championships and 5 Final Four appearances 
Wins: 1,640 (36th)
Winning Percentage: .636
Last Championship: 2014
Defining Coach: Jim Calhoun
Illustrious alumni:

  1. Ray Allen
  2. Richard Hamilton
  3. Clifford Robinson
  4. Caron Butler
  5. Rudy Gay
  6. Andre Drummond
  7. Kemba Walker

9) Villanova– Established: 1920  –3 championships and 6 Final Four appearances
Wins: 1750 (23)
Winning Percentage: .654
Last Championship: 2016
Defining Coach: Rollie Massimino, Jay Wright
Illustrious Alumni:

  1. Paul Azrin
  2. Kyle Lowery
  3. Tim Thomas
  4. Randy Foye
  5. Chris Ford
  6. Kerry Kittles
  7. Ed Pinckney

10)  Michigan St– Established: 1899–2 championships and 9 Final Four appearances
Wins: 1,685 (28th)
Winning Percentage: .608
Last Championship: 2000
Defining Coach: Tom Izzo
Illustrious alumni:

  1. Magic Johnson
  2. Kevin Willis
  3. Zach Randolph
  4. Jason Richardson
  5. Draymond Green
  6. Steve Smith

 

Honorable Mentions: Arizona, Florida, Syracuse, Michigan, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Georgetown

*The tournament to determine a national champion began with 8 teams in 1939, expanded to 16 in 1951, 32 in 1975, and 64 in 1985.

* Alumni are ranked according to eventual success on the professional level.