A recent poll conducted by CBS Sports, which surveyed 100 college basketball coaches, has stirred debate regarding the best college basketball teams of the 21st century. Surprisingly, the 2011-2012 Kentucky Wildcats, who boasted a stellar season with only two losses and a national championship title, were ranked sixth, failing to secure a spot in the top five.
The 2011-2012 Wildcats, featuring standout players such as Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, achieved a remarkable record of 38-2. Their only defeats came from a buzzer-beater loss to Indiana and a setback against Vanderbilt during the SEC Tournament. Despite this impressive performance, they were outpaced in the rankings by teams that included the 2000-01 Duke squad and the 2006-07 Florida team.
The top five teams, as determined by the coaches, are as follows: the 23-24 UConn team received 17% of the votes, followed by the 2000-01 Duke team with 14%, the 25-26 Michigan team also with 14%, the 17-18 Villanova team at 12%, and the 06-07 Florida team at 11%. The 2011-2012 Kentucky team’s placement at sixth, alongside the 2014-2015 Wildcats at seventh, has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
One coach commented on the 2011-2012 team, highlighting their impressive tournament run and championship game performance: "They had only two losses, right? One was at the buzzer at Indiana. They had the first and second picks in that draft. You look at their tournament run, their championship game — they dominated another really good team." This statement underscores the talent and capability of the Wildcats during that season.
In contrast, the 2014-2015 Wildcats, despite their undefeated regular season, fell short in the NCAA Tournament, which likely influenced their lower ranking. Coaches praised the 2014-2015 team, with one stating, "2014-15 Kentucky to me was the most dominant team of the last 25 years. As we know they didn’t win the national championship but they were incredible all year!" Another coach noted, "I think it’s 2015 Kentucky. They were two wins away from immortality. They had KAT. I mean, look at the guys that didn’t start." This reflects the depth of talent on that roster, which included future NBA stars like Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker.
The frustration surrounding the 2011-2012 team’s exclusion from the top five is palpable. Not only did they feature one of the best college freshmen in history, Anthony Davis, but they also had Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who was the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. Other notable players included Doron Lamb, a prolific shooter, and Terrence Jones and Marquis Teague, both first-round draft selections. Darius Miller, another key contributor, also had a successful NBA career spanning six seasons.
The debate over these rankings raises questions about how teams are evaluated in historical contexts. While the 2011-2012 Wildcats achieved the ultimate goal by winning the national championship, their ranking reflects a broader discussion on what constitutes greatness in college basketball. As fans and analysts reflect on these rankings, it remains to be seen how future generations will perceive the legacy of these Wildcats teams.
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