Bored... Doing rankings today. Ranking Champions 2000-2022

[ThePhog08]

Better play along

Ranking all 23 champions (including 2020 helms champion)

#23. 2000 Michigan state spartans
#22. 2014 UConn Huskies
#21. 2011 Uconn Huskies
#20. 2019 Virginia Cavaliers
#19. 2022 Kansas Jayhawks
#18. 2010 Duke Bluedevils
#17. 2006 Florida Gators
#16. 2013 Louisville Cardinals
#15. 2015 Duke Bluedevils
#14. 2017 UNC Tarheels
#13. 2016 Villanova Wildcats
#12. 2003 Syracuse Orangemen
#11. 2020 Helms champs Kansas Jayhawks
#10. 2004 Uconn Huskies
#9. 2007 Florida
#8. 2002 Maryland Terrapins
#7. 2005 UNC Tarheels
#6. 2021 Baylor Bears
#5. 2009 UNC Tarheels
#4. 2012 UK Wildcats
#3. 2018 Villanova Wildcats
#2. 2008 Kansas Jayhawks
#1. 2001 Duke Bluedevils

 

[MGC_07]

MSU blew out Florida in the title game. I disagree.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

I am admittedly biased since they beat possibly the best Illini team ever in the title game, but I think 2005 UNC should be a tad higher. They were stacked.

 

[jhmossy]

Too much emphasis on performance in NCAAs imo.

UVA went 35-3 and 16-2 vs. the ACC, a conference that earned 3 #1 seeds that year.

People let 3 close games in NCAA tourney have too much sway over how good that team was.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Too much emphasis on performance in NCAAs imo.

UVA went 35-3 and 16-2 vs. the ACC, a conference that earned 3 #1 seeds that year.

People let 3 close games in NCAA tourney have too much sway over how good that team was.

Fans just don't like the UVA style so that's gonna influence them.

Duke and UNC were pretty good that year. I can't remember it for sure, but Zion/RJ/Reddish was a strong team. I think UNC had Coby White maybe Cam Johnson.

Another feather in your cap, the talent was up that year. It was a good draft if I recall, even if Zion is kinda iffy @ that #1. There are guys late in the draft doing real well from college teams.

 

[ThePhog08]

Too much emphasis on performance in NCAAs imo.

UVA went 35-3 and 16-2 vs. the ACC, a conference that earned 3 #1 seeds that year.

People let 3 close games in NCAA tourney have too much sway over how good that team was.

UVA had to win on last second possessions multiple times and at points looked equal to Purdue, Auburn and Tech

 

[jhmossy]

UVA had to win on last second possessions multiple times and at points looked equal to Purdue, Auburn and Tech

Hence my comment about too much emphasis on NCAA tourney performance. If you’re talking about best teams, you gotta focus on entire season. UVA actually played pretty poorly in the tourney and still won it all.

If this is about ranking each team’s tourney run, then you might have an argument. We did not have a dominant tourney run, although it might have been the most spectacular.

If this is about who the better team is, there’s no way 2022 KU beats 2019 UVA lol

 

[FaithPlusOne]

Too much emphasis on performance in NCAAs imo.

UVA went 35-3 and 16-2 vs. the ACC, a conference that earned 3 #1 seeds that year.

People let 3 close games in NCAA tourney have too much sway over how good that team was.

Do you want to know what I call the worst champion of the century?

A champion.

But I do agree with your overall point on that UVA team. They were tough.

 

[Noahtogo24]

Better play along

Ranking all 23 champions (including 2020 helms champion)

#23. 2000 Michigan state spartans
#22. 2014 UConn Huskies
#21. 2011 Uconn Huskies
#20. 2019 Virginia Cavaliers
#19. 2022 Kansas Jayhawks
#18. 2010 Duke Bluedevils
#17. 2006 Florida Gators
#16. 2013 Louisville Cardinals
#15. 2015 Duke Bluedevils
#14. 2017 UNC Tarheels
#13. 2016 Villanova Wildcats
#12. 2003 Syracuse Orangemen
#11. 2020 Helms champs Kansas Jayhawks
#10. 2004 Uconn Huskies
#9. 2007 Florida
#8. 2002 Maryland Terrapins
#7. 2005 UNC Tarheels
#6. 2021 Baylor Bears
#5. 2009 UNC Tarheels
#4. UK Wildcats
#3. 2018 Villanova Wildcats
#2. 2008 Kansas Jayhawks
#1. Duke Bluedevils

I will do a full list later, but my top six:

1. 01 Duke
2. 12 Kentucky
3. 09 UNC
4. 18 Nova
5. 07 Florida
6. 08 Kansas & 02 MD tie

 

[KisteK]

I enjoyed, but could also be "suffering" from a real case of recency bias, ..

5. 2007 Florida
4. 2019 Virginia
3. 2012 Kentucky
2. 2021 Baylor
1. 2016 Villanova

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Vagina should be in everyone's top5

 

[Villian07]

I dont get the huge gap between the florida championship teams when they basically had the same roster 2 years in a row. Idk how one could be #9 and one #16 when we are basically talking about the same team imo.

 

[dukedevilz]

I dont get the huge gap between the florida championship teams when they basically had the same roster 2 years in a row. Idk how one could be #9 and one #16 when we are basically talking about the same team imo.

Players can certainly improve, and I believe Horford may have gained the most between the 06 and 07 season.

But yes, overall, those teams are very similar. Biggest difference I can see is the offensive went from good/great to elite. The 2pt percentage went from 55.9% to 58.7%, 3-pt percentage went from 39.2% to 40.9%, KenPom AdjO from 117.9 point per 100 possessions, to 122.9. And the rebounding margin went from +3.6 (good) to +8. 5 (elite). Rebounding rate went from 52.7% (50th in the nation) to 55.9% (3rd in the nation).

Feel like the '07 team was better - a little more experienced and skilled. But there probably shouldn't be a huge gap between the two teams.

 

[ExitFlagger]

I dont get the huge gap between the florida championship teams when they basically had the same roster 2 years in a row. Idk how one could be #9 and one #16 when we are basically talking about the same team imo.

They were a young team in 06 and in 07 they were juniors and seniors. Weren't they a 3 seed in 06 and the overall #1 in 07?

Look at the difference between this year's KU team and last year's. They just swapped Marcus Garrett for Remy Martin. Martin definitely made a difference in the tourney, but they were still a 1 seed despite getting nothing from him during conference season.

 

[dukedevilz]

All I know is, the 2014 UConn team is undoubtedly the worst title team this century.

1. 2001 Duke
2. 2008 Kansas
3. 2012 Kentucky
4. 2009 North Carolina
5. 2018 Villanova
6. 2021 Baylor
7. 2004 UConn
8. 2007 Florida
9. 2005 North Carolina
10. 2019 Virginia
11. 2013 Louisville
12. 2002 Maryland
13. 2015 Duke
14. 2006 Florida
15. 2000 Michigan State
16. 2017 North Carolina
17. 2010 Duke
18. 2016 Villanova
19. 2022 Kansas
20. 2003 Syracuse
21. 2011 UConn
22. 2014 UConn

 

[TheDude1]

I enjoyed, but could also be "suffering" from a real case of recency bias, ..

5. 2007 Florida
4. 2019 Virginia
3. 2012 Kentucky
2. 2021 Baylor
1. 2016 Villanova

I have a hard time imaging Shane Battier, Jason Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mike Dunleavy in their college prime losing to several of those teams

 

[CB3UK]

You too good to type out the 2012 and Kentucky for us OP?

That's ****ed up man.

 

[KisteK]

I have a hard time imaging Shane Battier, Jason Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mike Dunleavy in their college prime losing to several of those teams

I'm just going to assume that's '01 Duke.?. Listen, I was 20.. in college and not exactly paying any attention to any team outside Kansas. 🤣

My list was pretty simple
I'm just ranking the title runs I enjoyed
(Outside Kansas')

07 Florida had every bullseye, all season
Virginia's redemption run was battle tested
Kentucky was loaded
Baylor was a season-long ride
And Nova gave us The Shot

Entertain me, that's why I watch.

 

[TheDude1]

I'm just going to assume that's '01 Duke.?. Listen, I was 20.. in college and not exactly paying any attention to any team outside Kansas. 🤣

My list was pretty simple
I'm just ranking the title runs I enjoyed
(Outside Kansas')

07 Florida had every bullseye, all season
Virginia's redemption run was battle tested
Kentucky was loaded
Baylor was a season-long ride
And Nova gave us The Shot

Entertain me, that's why I watch.

Okay, Commodus

 

[KStateFootball82]

Teams like 2018 Nova or 2021 Baylor that just blew teams out through the tourney need and extra premium imo.

 

[dukedevilz]

The only two P6 teams this century to have a 20+ ppg scoring margin:

2001 Duke, 20.2
2015 Kentucky, 20.1

The 2001 Duke team had the #6 SOS in the country pre-tournament, per the RPI. Kentucky had the #26 SOS in the country post-tournament. More than likely Duke would finished with the #1 SOS with 6 tournament games.

Could be wrong, but I feel like the 2001 Duke team would be the highest rated KenPom team of all-time.

 

[JimboBBN]

Hard to have anyone but 01 Duke at the top spot. I may be biased, but I have 12 Kentucky after them

3. 08 Kansas
4. 09 UNC
5. 18 Nova

That rounds out my top 5

 

[ThePhog08]

Hard to have anyone but 01 Duke at the top spot. I may be biased, but I have 12 Kentucky after them

3. 08 Kansas
4. 09 UNC
5. 18 Nova

That rounds out my top 5

No doubt the top 5.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I am admittedly biased since they beat possibly the best Illini team ever in the title game, but I think 2005 UNC should be a tad higher. They were stacked.

7 is too high IMO. Upsets happen....

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Teams like 2018 Nova or 2021 Baylor that just blew teams out through the tourney need and extra premium imo.

Good teams that won in chaotic years for the tournament. No consistently great teams for these teams to beat en route to titles, especially with Baylor. Gonzaga choked massively in the Finals, and outside of that, Baylor feasted on good but not great teams. This was a flawed Baylor team entering the tournament, but their NBA talent rose to the occasion when the time came.

Good for the cheating Scott Drew. He got his title and no governing body can take away the memories of winning that title..............

 

[FiscalKliff]

Too much emphasis on performance in NCAAs imo.

UVA went 35-3 and 16-2 vs. the ACC, a conference that earned 3 #1 seeds that year.

People let 3 close games in NCAA tourney have too much sway over how good that team was.

It's because the refs literally gifted them their last two wins.

 

[bignish]

1. 2001 Duke
2. 2008 Kansas
3. 2009 UNC
4. 2005 UNC
5. 2018 Nova
6. 2010 Duke
7. 2015 Duke
8. 2009 UVA
9. 2012 UK
10. 2021 Baylor

The 2 UConn teams (2011 and 2014) and the 2003 Syracuse title teams are easily the weakest champions this century and its not even close.

 

[bignish]

All I know is, the 2014 UConn team is undoubtedly the worst title team this century.

1. 2001 Duke
2. 2008 Kansas
3. 2012 Kentucky
4. 2009 North Carolina
5. 2018 Villanova
6. 2021 Baylor
7. 2004 UConn
8. 2007 Florida
9. 2005 North Carolina
10. 2019 Virginia
11. 2013 Louisville
12. 2002 Maryland
13. 2015 Duke
14. 2006 Florida
15. 2000 Michigan State
16. 2017 North Carolina
17. 2010 Duke
18. 2016 Villanova
19. 2022 Kansas
20. 2003 Syracuse
21. 2011 UConn
22. 2014 UConn

I'm the Duke homer on this board but I'm curious why you have out 2010 and 2015 teams well out of the top 10.

2010 Duke had 3 All-American level players on the roster and an experienced frontcourt in Lance Thomas and Zoubek. We were top 5 in KenPom on both offense and defense as well as being top 10 in the KenPom database.

2015 Duke had 4 NBA players on its roster and went 35-4 in a very competitive ACC and college basketball year at large. The team won a title in a field with undefeated Kentucky, Wisconsin's historically good offense and an Arizona team that year that all the advanced analytics loved.

 

[Villian07]

We will never grade out well bc of the lack of nba stars, but the homer in me thinks 2013 Louisville would have beaten alot of teams ranked above them. Mainly bc our defensewas downright nasty in Pitinos matchup zone.

 

[bignish]

We will never grade out well bc of the lack of nba stars, but the homer in me thinks 2013 Louisville would have beaten alot of teams ranked above them. Mainly bc our defensewas downright nasty in Pitinos matchup zone.

That team was straight up nasty. Siva and Smith were absolute hounds defensively and Hancock was a great stretch big. Gorgui was a force down low too.

I remember that Duke-Louisville Elite 8 game and after that awful Ware injury, I told my friend Louisville is either going to collapse or blow us out of the building. The latter happened. I wish we could replay that game without that gruesome injury which is still the most disturbing injury I've ever seen on live television.

 

[Villian07]

That team was straight up nasty. Siva and Smith were absolute hounds defensively and Hancock was a great stretch big. Gorgui was a force down low too.

I remember that Duke-Louisville Elite 8 game and after that awful Ware injury, I told my friend Louisville is either going to collapse or blow us out of the building. The latter happened. I wish we could replay that game without that gruesome injury which is still the most disturbing injury I've ever seen on live television.

Yea bc of that injury, that was easily one of the more memorable games. That team wasnt great on O by any means but could seemingly string together stops and get multiple 10-0 runs a games, if not bigger.

We had a few clunkers during the season, but found a way. But yea only a few cup of tean nba guys sans gorgiu and a frosh trez.

 

[RR30]

1. 2001 Duke
2. 2008 Kansas
3. 2009 UNC
4. 2005 UNC
5. 2018 Nova
6. 2010 Duke
7. 2015 Duke
8. 2009 UVA
9. 2012 UK
10. 2021 Baylor

The 2 UConn teams (2011 and 2014) and the 2003 Syracuse title teams are easily the weakest champions this century and its not even close.

LMAO at this list. You're a homer but good lord that's nuts

 

[ExitFlagger]

1. 2001 Duke
2. 2008 Kansas
3. 2009 UNC
4. 2005 UNC
5. 2018 Nova
6. 2010 Duke
7. 2015 Duke
8. 2009 UVA
9. 2012 UK
10. 2021 Baylor

The 2 UConn teams (2011 and 2014) and the 2003 Syracuse title teams are easily the weakest champions this century and its not even close.

2010 Duke #6? 🤣

 

[ThePhog08]

2010 Duke #6? 🤣

Dude who can hold a candle athletically to

Brian Zoubek
Lance Thomas
Kyle Singler
Jon Scheyer
Nolan Smith

They were like the 27 Yankees

 

[duckboy33]

Too much emphasis on performance in NCAAs imo.

UVA went 35-3 and 16-2 vs. the ACC, a conference that earned 3 #1 seeds that year.

People let 3 close games in NCAA tourney have too much sway over how good that team was.

Highest rated NCAA Champion on KenPom since 2008. 2nd highest champion since 2002 (as far back as KenPom goes on his website.

 

[bignish]

Dude who can hold a candle athletically to

Brian Zoubek
Lance Thomas
Kyle Singler
Jon Scheyer
Nolan Smith

They were like the 27 Yankees

Not sure I understand your point, they were good at the game of basketball. #1 KenPom team that year and top 5 in both offense and defense.

They had 3 guys who were all All-ACC 1st team at some point and all of them were All-ACC that year. Thomas and Zoubek were great defensively too so the team fit together well.

You ranking them and UVA 2019 close to the bottom is far more egregious.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

It was a down year people like Malcolm Delaney and Jordan Williams were also 1st team ACC. Butler reached the finals. UK choked in E8. KU choked 2ndR.

 

[BasketBallJunkie-UK]

The only two P6 teams this century to have a 20+ ppg scoring margin:

2001 Duke, 20.2
2015 Kentucky, 20.1

The 2001 Duke team had the #6 SOS in the country pre-tournament, per the RPI. Kentucky had the #26 SOS in the country post-tournament. More than likely Duke would finished with the #1 SOS with 6 tournament games.

Could be wrong, but I feel like the 2001 Duke team would be the highest rated KenPom team of all-time.

96 UK team had a 22 point winning margin... Just go back another 4 years lol

 

[dukedevilz]

96 UK team had a 22 point winning margin... Just go back another 4 years lol

Well as long as we're one-upping each other, '99 Duke had an average margin of victory of 24.6 ppg.

 

[bignish]

Well as long as we're one-upping each other, '99 Duke had an average margin of victory of 24.6 ppg.

I wasn't watching college hoops back then but its just nuts that team didn't win the title. They just steamrolled through the ACC.