The 2023-24 UConn Huskies officially received the top spot, earning 17% of the votes from nearly 100 Division I coaches as the best college basketball team of the 21st century. This isn’t some casual fan poll. We’re talking about college basketball insiders, the very coaches who face these squads, weighing in on one of those debates that gets everyone fired up.
The Candid Coaches series, run by college basketball insiders Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander, tapped into nearly a hundred men’s Division I coaches in July and August. They asked the tough questions, promising anonymity for honesty, and this specific question, “Who’s the best college basketball team of the 21st century?”, brought out some serious passion.
The Huskies’ Undeniable Dominance
What made the 2023-24 UConn squad stand out? Coaches couldn’t stop raving. One insider called them “insanely dominant,” pointing out they had “five NBA players in the starting lineup” and the “best coach in the sport on the sidelines.” Another coach remembered their NCAA Tournament run, stating they weren’t sure we’d “see as dominant a performance during the NCAA tourney again,” noting it “felt like they beat everyone by 30.”
The praise didn’t stop there. One coach was torn between 2009 North Carolina and 2024 UConn, but ultimately gave the nod to the Huskies for two critical reasons: they “beat Purdue in the national championship game easily,” and that Purdue team “was really damn good.” Plus, 2009 UNC didn’t even win their ACC tournament. Statistically, the 2023-24 UConn team boasted the No. 1 offense and No. 4 defense at KenPom. They didn’t lose a game from mid-February on, playing “big, skilled, disciplined, deep,” and, of course, coached by one of the sport’s best with that year’s best players.
A Battle of Legends: Who Else Made the Cut?
While UConn took the top spot, the race was incredibly tight, proving just how many iconic squads we’ve seen since 2000. Right behind UConn, the 2000-01 Duke team (35-4) and the 2025-26 Michigan Wolverines (37-3) both pulled in 14% of the votes. The 2017-18 Villanova Wildcats (36-4) got 12%, while the 2006-07 Florida Gators (35-5) grabbed 11%. Even Kentucky had two teams getting serious love, with the 2011-12 squad (38-2) earning 10% and the 2014-15 team (38-1) getting 7%.
It’s a stacked list, highlighting that being a national champion isn’t the only metric. Some of the best statistical teams didn’t win it all, and coaches remember that. Other teams that received multiple votes include the 2004-05 North Carolina Tar Heels (33-4) and the 2008-09 North Carolina Tar Heels (34-4). Even more teams, like 2004-05 Illinois (37-2), 2007-08 Kansas (37-3), and 2020-21 Baylor (28-2), got single votes, showing the sheer depth of talent and achievement in this century.
So, what’s next for this debate? This poll is a definitive spark, but it doesn’t close the book. The legacies of these incredible teams will continue to be debated for generations. Which squad do you think truly stands tallest?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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