NCAA Basketball: Ranking of 20 best college teams from last 20 years

By Joey Loose | Jun 25, 2022

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) looses control of the ball between Kentucky Wildcats forward Trey Lyles (41) and Karl-Anthony Towns (12) in the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kentucky Wildcats forward Terrence Jones (3) is defended by Ohio State Buckeyes forward Jared Sullinger Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

18. 2011 Ohio State

Under coach Thad Matta, Ohio State had a fair amount of success, making Final Four runs in 2007 and 2012. But today we’re focusing on the year before that second deep run because this might have been the Buckeyes’ most talented team of the century; though one that was befallen by bad luck and running into a hot juggernaut in the Sweet Sixteen.

Led by talented freshman Jared Sullinger (17.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg), the Buckeyes won their first 24 games and took home both the Big Ten regular-season and conference tournament titles. This wasn’t a roster that produced a ton of NBA guys, but there was certainly talent in this rotation. Guards William Buford, Jon Diebler, and David Lighty all averaged at least 12 points per game, and freshman Aaron Craft was a key cog just beginning his college career.

Unfortunately, the Buckeyes saw a potentially magical season ended in the Sweet Sixteen by 4-seed Kentucky, who would eventually make the Final Four themselves. Despite a 21-point, 16-rebound effort from Sullinger, the Buckeyes were upset in their third Tournament game. This heartbreak helped set this team up for their Final Four run the next season, but the analytics argue that this 2011 team was truly the strongest effort from Ohio State.

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