The UConn Huskies 2023-2024 NCAA National Champions

The excitement and drama of the 2023-2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball season has come to an end with a stellar Men’s National Championship Game featuring two of the best teams in the game. A season that delivered a lengthy list of talented performances by some of top players in the game as well as by some of the best teams in college basketball. Two of those teams squared off on Monday Night in the National Championship Game with the UConn Huskies picking up the win against the Purdue Boilermakers. The win delivered the Huskies their second straight National Championship while becoming the first team in 17 years to repeat as champions. The strong finish lands the Huskies atop the Top 10 Men’s College Basketball Team Rankings 2023-2024 list.

One of the most polished all-around teams in Men’s College Basketball, the Huskies do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor while playing a solid all-around team game. The ability to play as a team allowed the Huskies to build one of the strongest starting fives in college basketball with each player averaging at least 11.1 points per game this season.

On the opposite end of the floor the Huskies are as good defensively as any team in the country while allowing just 63.4 points per game over 40 games this season. Joining the Huskies among the best teams in Men’s College Basketball includes the Purdue Boilermakers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Houston Cougars, and Illinois Fighting Illini. 

Here is a look at the Top 10 Men’s College Basketball Team Rankings 2023-2024:

Honorable Mention

Creighton Bluejays

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Record: 25-10

Another talented team that just missed the Top 10 Men’s College Basketball Team Rankings 2023-2024 list is the Creighton Bluejays who finished off the season at 25-10.

While the Bluejays lacked the stardom as many of the top teams, the team managed to have three strong scorers all having the ability to take over a game while each posting at least 17 points per game to go along with five rebounds.

On the season the Bluejays posted a 3-3 record against AP Top 25 ranked opponents including one win against the potential NCAA Champions the UConn Huskies.

Arizona Wildcats

Previous Ranking: 7

Record: 27-9

Just missing the Top 10 Men’s College Basketball Team Rankings 2023-2024 list is the Arizona Wildcats who finished the season with the best record within the Pac-12 Conference after posting a 15-5 conference record and a 27-9 overall record.

On the season the Wildcats could do it all posting 87.1 points per game trailing only the Kentucky Wildcats and Alabama Crimson Tide in scoring all season long.

While the success was strong on the offensive end of the floor the team also used their ability to rebound to help limit scoring opportunities on one end of the floor and open up scoring on the opposite end. The Wildcats finished the season ranked second in the country while averaging 42.6 rebounds per game.

Top 10 College Basketball Team Rankings

10. Iowa State Cyclones

Previous Ranking: 6

Record: 29-8

Sliding in at number 10 on the Top 10 Men’s College Basketball Team Rankings 2023-2024 list is the Iowa State Cyclones.

The Cyclones capped off an impressive season posting a 29-8 overall record including picking up back-to-back wins against the Baylor Bears and Houston Cougars to win the Big 12 Tournament.

Overall, during the regular season including those two wins against AP Top 25 ranked opponents, the Cyclones finished with a 7-6 record. The Cyclones used their gritty style of play on both ends of the floor including the defensive side to make a run into the Sweet 16.

On the season the Cyclones ranked fourth in the country allowing just 61.5 points while holding opponents to just 20.8 field goals made per game.

9. NC State Wolfpack

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Record: 26-15

Possibly the most talked about team in the Men’s National Championship as well as during March Madness, the NC State Wolfpack had the will and determination to make a run at the National Championship.

After struggling at times during the regular season including losing four straight games heading into mid-March, the Wolfpack rebounded strongly down the stretch winning five straight ACC Tournament Games to take home the ACC Tournament Championship.

The Wolfpack deep roster that included four top tier players who had the ability to take over games played a key role in their overall success which allowed them to match up against any team in the country.

8. Tennessee Volunteers

Previous Ranking: 8

Record: 27-9

One thing many of these top teams all have in common is the fact each team has a star player that has the ability to take over games while carrying their offense.

The same can be said about the Tennessee Volunteers Dalton Knecht who was a big-time contributor for the team all season long while ranking 14^th in the country averaging 21.7 points per game.

While the team was strong on the glass and on the offensive side of the basketball, the Volunteers defense played a key role in the team’s success all season while allowing opposing teams to shoot just 38.9 percent from the floor all season helping the team take home the SEC regular season title and making a trip to the Elite Eight of the 2023-2024 National Championship.

7. Duke Blue Devils

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Record: 27-9

As all eyes are set on the 2024-2025 Men’s Basketball season with the Duke Blue Devils ranking among the best teams in college basketball, the time now is to reflect on the strong success the Blue Devils had during the current basketball season that just concluded.

Despite not having the roster of McDonald’s All-Americans the team has had in the past, the Blue Devils were a loaded roster led by future first round pick Kyle Filipowski.

With Filipowski leading the way, five different Blue Devils averaged at least 10.5 points per game while six total players averaged at least 25.4 minutes per game. The strong bench and talent guided the Blue Devils to their 24^th Elite Eight appearance.

6. North Carolina Tar Heels

Previous Ranking: 4

Record: 29-8

One of the most talented teams in the country entering the Men’s College Basketball season during Fall of 2023 was the North Carolina Tar Heels.

A Tar Heels team that featured the likes of RJ Davis and Armando Bacot as well as junior transfer Harrison Ingram who transferred into the program from the Stanford Cardinal.

The trio of stars combined to average 47.9 points per game to go along with 22.7 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.1 blocked shots per game.

In addition, the Tar Heels were as aggressive as any team on the glass and finished ranked seventh in Men’s College Basketball while posting 41.1 rebounds per game. Through this aggressive style of play and attacking the glass led them to a 29-8 overall record and a trip to the Sweet 16.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Record: 25-12

Rounding out the Top 5 Top 10 Men’s College Basketball Team Rankings 2023-2024 list is the Alabama Crimson Tide. Despite losing star forward Brandon Miller to the NBA after his freshman season the success continued during the season into March Madness.

Led by senior guard Marcus Sears who finished the season averaging 21.5 points, the Crimson Tide finished the season ranked first in scoring while being the only team in DI Men’s College Basketball to average at least 90 points per game (90.1).

To go along with Sears the Tide had three additional players average at least 11 points per game helping the team reach the NCAA Men’s Final Four before losing to the UConn Huskies.

4. Illinois Fighting Illini

Previous Ranking: Unranked

Record: 29-9

Possibly one of the most under radar top ranked teams in the country all season was the talented Illinois Fighting Illini.

The Fighting Illini had their ups and downs all season long while rolling to an 29-9 record overall including getting hot down the stretch winning four straight games to round out the regular season and take home the Big Ten Tournament Championship.

Leading the Fighting Illini success this season was senior guard Terrence Shannon Jr who finished off the season ranked third in the nation while averaging 23 points per game. Shannon Jr’s strong play at the guard position guided the Fighting Illini to the Elite 8 before losing to the UConn Huskies to cap off a strong season.

3. Houston Cougars

Previous Ranking: 1

Record: 32-5

Another top Men’s College Basketball program that put together a stellar 2023-2024 Men’s Basketball season is the Houston Cougars. The Cougars were as fundamentally ready as any team in the country including on the defensive end of the floor.

Led by a trio of talented guards including L.J. Cryer, Jamal Shead, and Emanuel Sharp, the Cougars allowed the fewest number of points per game (57.6) to their opponents over the course of the season.

Much of their success was on the defensive end of the floor including holding their opponents to just a 37.9 field goal percentage. On the season the Cougars posted an impressive 17-0 home record to go along with an 6-3 record against AP Top 25 ranked opponents and a 32-5 overall record.

2. Purdue Boilermakers

Previous Ranking: 3

Record: 34-5

The opportunity for the Purdue Boilermakers to win the National Championship was there with just one more win needed to win their first National Championship.

Led by the best player in Men’s College Basketball Zach Edey, the Boilermakers dominated the Big Ten conference all season posting a 17-3 overall record within the conference en route to a 34-5 overall record.

To go with that success the Boilermakers were also dominant against AP Top 25 ranked opponents winning 10 of 11 games with their only loss coming at the hands of the UConn Huskies during March Madness.

1. UConn Huskies

Previous Ranking: 2

Record: 37-3

It is impossible to write off this talented UConn Huskies team who are looking to repeat as National Champions. Entering the final few days of February, the Huskies currently sit in a three-way tie with the Purdue Boilermakers and Houston Cougars after all three teams have posted a 24-3 or 25-3 record to start the season.

Led by one of the deepest starting rosters within the college basketball landscape that features all five players averaging at least 10.9 points per game, the Huskies have dominated to start the season while taking home the Big East Conference lead.

Despite dropping a difficult matchup to the Creighton Bluejays back on February 20^th, the Huskies bounced back with a key win over the Villanova Wildcats in their last contest. The Huskies have been as hot as any team in the country winning fifteen of their last sixteen overall games including fourteen straight before the disappointing loss to the Bluejays.

How would you rank these college basketball teams so far in the 2023-2024 season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings.

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