Over the last week, ESPN has been counting down the top 50 college baskeball programs of the last 50 years. Using a formula devised by ESPN Stats and Information, each program was assigned a point value. It’s a fairly comprehensive system, taking into account not only the obvious factors like national titles and Final Four appearances, but things like awarding points for 20 win seasons and high NBA draft picks as well as docking teams who receive NCAA sanctions.
The top of the list hold no surprises. The University of North Carolina takes the number one spot. UCLA, Kentucky, Duke and Kansas round out the top 5. Many might take issue with the two all-time winningest programs being leap frogged by the Tarheels, but it’s important to remember that these rankings only take into account the last 50 years. So, much of the work of John Wooden and Adolph Rupp is unaccounted for. Overall, it’s hard to find much wrong with the system. All-time rankings are a dime a dozen and all systems have their flaws. This one, though, is the fairest I’ve seen. Continue reading
Bleeding Orange 