Top 6 College Basketball Teams in 2023
The first instances of college basketball in the US can be traced back to 1893 when Vanderbilt University fielded a team against the local Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Nashville. Since then, college basketball has grown into one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.
The 1979 Championship game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Indiana State Sycamores was watched by over 40 million people worldwide. Every year, 363 college basketball teams from around the country compete all year round for a chance to be crowned champions of the NCAA men’s college basketball championships.
The 2022-2023 season started on the 7th of November, 2022, and so far, we’ve witnessed amazing team and player performances. Some teams have stood out more than others, and here, we’ll look at the six best college basketball teams in 2023. If you’re looking to bet on college basketball or merely scouting your future favorites in fantasy NBA leagues, you’ll find this helpful.
The Best 6 College Basketball Teams in 2023
Here are the six college basketball teams that are tearing up the leagues in 2023.
1. Houston Cougars
The Cougars look unstoppable at the moment and are comfortably topping the American Athletic Conference League. So far, they have won 17 of their 18 league games, with their only loss coming against the Alabama Crimson Tide in early December.
Everything is set for the Kelvin Sampson-led team to be crowned conference champions, and if their performances are anything to go by, they might be going farther than the Elite Eight and are real contenders for the NCAA men’s college basketball championship.
The Houston Cougars are currently ranked number one on the NCAA AP poll, and this is the highest they have been in over three decades. Convincing wins over the Cincinnati Bearcats, Norfolk State, and Northern Colorado Bears have solidified their status as one of the best college basketball teams in the world currently.
2. Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks have maintained an impressive run since last season and are currently ranked second on both coach and AP rankings. The current NCAA champions have managed a nearly perfect season, with their only loss coming against the very eager Tennessee Volunteers.
The team is currently on a 10-game unbeaten run and will look forward to their next challenge. With the likes of Jalen Wilson, Dajuan Harris, and Kevin McCullar on their roster, the Kansas Jayhawks might just be the first college basketball team since Florida in 2007 to win back-to-back championships. Hall of Famer and Kansas coach Bill Self has expressed his intentions to retain the NCAA title, and unless they hit an unexpected bump, it doesn’t look like anything is stopping the Jayhawks.
3. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue fans have been frustrated for the past few seasons, and rightfully so. Despite multiple impressive performances and a well-rounded team, the Boilermakers only made it to the Sweet 16 last year and have failed to go past the final four since their last appearance in 1980.
The Boilermakers came into the season without key players like Eric Hunter, Isaiah Thompson, and Jaden Ivey and were expected to struggle for form. However, they have been very impressive this season and have only recorded one loss. A game in which they lost to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights by a single point. They are currently ranked third on the NCAA rankings, and their recent victory over Nebraska might be a message that this is their year.
4. UConn
The Connecticut Huskies started the season perfectly, going thirteen games unbeaten and winning every game by double digits. However, 2023 has started rather roughly for the Huskies, and they have lost three of their last four games.
Nevertheless, with the highly experienced Dan Hurley at the helm, there’s no doubt that the No.6 ranked team will hit a comeback and get back to their winning ways. They also have a team filled with exciting talents and are at least contenders for the Final Four.
5. UCLA Bruins
Fueled by a painful Sweet Sixteen exit last season, the Bruins came into the 2022/2023 season with guns blazing and are currently unbeaten in their last thirteen games. The Bruins’ impressive season is all thanks to the return of Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez, plus amazing performances from freshmen Adem Bona and Amari Bailey. UCLA Bruins will be looking to make at least the Sweet Sixteen again for the third year running.
6. Tennessee Volunteers
The addition of Julian Phillips to The Vols roster this season has proven pivotal to the team’s success. So far, they have only lost two games this season and have managed to defeat last year’s champions Kansas Jayhawks.
The Vols still have a lot of work to do if they plan on beating last season’s record and going past the second round, but if there’s anything Rick Barnes has shown this season, it’d be the fact that they are ready to go all the way.
The Bottom Line
College basketball is one of the most exciting basketball events in the world. You get to witness gems in their rawest form and see talents that might turn into future legends. Every year, over 300 college teams from around the country compete, and only one gets to be crowned NCAA champions. Here, we looked at the six best college basketball teams in 2023, as we expect to see them in the NCAA March Madness tournament.