For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

“Swagger” may be an overused term, but there isn’t a more perfect way to describe the style of play that encapsulated the 2018-19 Murray State Racers. Mid-major program? Who gave a damn. 

Led by head honcho Matt McMahon, the leaders of the Ohio Valley Conference sent a message to America with every dub: “we’ll see y’all in March.” 

A big reason why was because of a tatted standout with freeform dreads, a taper fade and had an unrelenting athletic ability. Ja Morant was simply “The One” down in Calloway County. As a sophomore, he had one of the greatest individual seasons in program history. But it was the national stage where Morant’s legend grew. 

He was the first player to average 20 points and 10 assists in the modern era, dropping 24.5 points and 10 dimes a night. He racked up the sixth-most assists in NCAA history for a single season. He recorded the ninth-ever triple-double in NCAA Tournament history. He had 14 contests with 20 and 10, with a career-high 18 dots in a win over UT Martin. The man was straight filthy–Xxplosive like Dr. Dre’s cut off The Chronic. 

Behind the back snatch then reassess. In-and-out cross into a hanging lay while drawing the contact. And-one. Cradle the baby. Flying to the rim as fast as he flew off of it. Hard to predict, nearly impossible to contain. Lobs came from anywhere and everywhere; halfcourt, baseline out of bounds, in the fastbreak. Backscratchers, reverse alleys and tomahawk posters galore, with air guitar cellys following suit. Opponents spent more time looking up at the rafters than they did tracking the midsection of their opponents’ threads. 

But then came Morant’s single-handed demolition of UT Martin. After hitting a back-door cut from the baseline, Morant received the ball, and without taking a dribble, immediately rose up over a defender—who attempted a wildly ill-advised charge on the bounciest player in the world—and slammed it home while nearly clearing the defender with his legs spread like MJ. The highlight would introduce millions upon millions to the name of Temetrius “Ja” Morant and the high-flying Murray State Racers. 

“Downtown” Tevin Brown lit up Racer Arena with nearly three trey balls a game while Leroy Buchanon cemented the Racer’s otherworldly backcourt. In the paint, Darnell Cowert resided with sheer force. The former JUCO product quickly found his footing in the OVC, utilizing his graceful footwork to dance around defenders for 10.3 points and 6.5 boards a game. 

Two non-conference losses left the Racers with an early indication of their postseason success, with respective games against Alabama and No. 7 Auburn providing down-to-the-wire tests in late November and December. The Racers would sprint their way through the OVC, collecting a 16-2 conference record on the way to their second-straight conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

After cementing their staying power in a 20-point beatdown over Marquette, the Racers fell in the Round of 32 to No. 10 Florida State, but not before enacting enough jaw-dropping displays to craft their own “One Shining Moments” reel. The Racers weren’t just the Cinderella team of the 2019 tournament, they recaptured the magic that’s cooked up in mid-major programs across the country. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

With the hardwood as their canvas, the 2019 Duke Blue Devils painted a masterpiece that will be remembered for generations to come. 

Legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff painted the first stroke by recruiting one of college basketball’s greatest freshman classes; No. 1 RJ Barrett, No. 2 Zion Williamson, No. 3 Cam Reddish, No. 17 Tre Jones and No. 41 Joey Baker. As soon as the five top-ranked 18-year-olds stepped foot on campus, the entirety of the basketball ecosystem zoomed in on Durham. 

Under the leadership of Coach K, the Blue Devils were loved and feared. They would rip teams apart inside the storied Cameron Indoor Stadium, where it was standing room only and thousands of blue-painted ‘Cameron Crazies’ would scream, jump and chant endlessly. And when they went on the road, the squad always dressed for the occasion in their all-black unis, a nod to the opposing team’s ensuing “funeral”. Every possession was an opportunity for showtime, with high-flying, thunderous dunks and defense-freezing dimes becoming the norm rather than the exception. 

And for much of the season, Duke prevailed: they finished their campaign with 32 wins and just six losses, though their championship hopes were squashed by Michigan State in the Elite Eight. 

Williamson was the main star who adorned the vast Durham sky. The freshman forward was a force of nature whose gravity-defying athleticism and boundless energy transcended the sport itself and left Twitter spinning with highlights. The Salisbury, N.C. native’s mere presence was enough to elevate Duke to new heights, bringing an unseen national spotlight down onto Tobacco Road. 

But Duke was far from a one-man show. Alongside him stood RJ Barrett, a lefty Canadian sensation whose silky-smooth scoring touch and explosiveness made him one of the nation’s most exciting prospects. Together, they formed one of Coach K’s best tandems that brought nothing but hope to the legions of Duke faithful. 

Reddish dazzled with his shot-creating prowess, while Tre Jones anchored the backcourt with his poise and playmaking ability. Meanwhile, Javin LeLaurier often sent shots flying to the third row on one end and cleaned up dump-offs in the paint on the other. 

Together, this cohort of bucket-getting artists produced scenes that have been stamped in the minds of basketball aficionados. Mesmerizing—Williamson bolted and elevated to send De’Andre Hunter’s corner three deep into a sea of staggered Virginia fans. Breathtaking—Barrett finds Reddish between the legs for a triple to tie the game against Louisville after being down by 23 points. Picturesque—Williamson spins 360 degrees in the air and hammers it home, everyone around freezing still. 

Duke’s 2019 squad exemplified what Duke basketball has come to mean—a cultural phenomenon, an eternal love-or-hate relationship. But this season was also unique: every game felt like an ethereal experience, the truest showing of pure talent and unrivaled chemistry, all backed by arguably the greatest basketball coach of all time. This squad, in all its glories and shortcomings, might have been the ‘Dukest’ Duke team to date. 

Five years since 2019, the tears, screams and memories have yet to fully escape the creaking wooden doors of Cameron Indoor Stadium. And much like the most beautiful and coveted of paintings, the 2018-19 Blue Devils’ story perhaps will remain timeless.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

There’s a reason why we called him the “greatest show in hoops” back then. Long before the lore of Ice Trae sent shivers down the backs of everyone in Madison Square Garden during the playoffs, Trae Young was silencing the doubters in the Lloyd Noble Center, too. 

The 2017-18 Oklahoma Sooners didn’t just have a star freshman, they had a rebel. He simply couldn’t be held to the limits of the three-point line, or held back by the opinions of others about his size or potential. As we wrote in our SLAM 214 cover story of him, “not only has he completely rearranged mock draft orders and the itineraries of NBA scouts, he’s also rearranged the media coverage of college basketball—this publication included.” 

Young’s destiny in Norman, the same city where he grew up and went to high school, was written long before he rocked crimson and cream. He was the ball boy for the men’s team back in ‘06, and the Young family lived less than 15 minutes from the campus.

“With me having the opportunity to play for a [future] Hall of Fame coach and play in my backyard and represent my city and state—it was something that I wanted to do and to take a different route was something that I took as a challenge,” Young told us in 2018. 

He was set to join a team that had an 11-20 record the year prior in 2016-17, and his arrival meant helping carry the team that was full of talent and had some experience, junior Christian James was the team’s second-leading scorer with 11.9 points, the Sooners would catch the attention of the world. As Trae hit mid range floaters and shots from the logo, his teammates held their own alongside him. Between November and January, the Sooners even posted a ten-game winning streak. 

Despite a season full of ups and downs, the 2017-18 Sooners ended their season with defeats by Oklahoma State and Rhode Island, but ultimately, the show they put on that year was bigger than the final box score. And as for Young, well, it was only the beginning…

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

The Villanova Wildcats entered the 2017-18 season as that team. They’d just won the National Championship the season prior in historic fashion when then-senior forward Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer-beater shot against UNC that left the entire college basketball world shook. It was, and still is, one of the greatest moments in the history of college hoops. It set the precedence for what would come next. 

So, how exactly did Jay Wright’s squad run it back? One of the brilliant minds in the game knew exactly how to coach a hungry, fundamentally-sound squad that included Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Donte DiVincenzo, Eric Paschall and Phil Booth. Brunson is the type of player that, since childhood, has credited his success to his work ethic, and while at ‘Nova, he’d put together a list of goals, individual and team-oriented, that he wanted to accomplish and tape it in his dorm room. That included:

Graduating in the summer of 2018. 

Making the All-American, Big East and Big Five Academic teams. 

2018 First-Team All American, All-Big East, All-Big Five.

Conference regular season and tournament champions. 

Winning an NCAA National Championship.

While there’s many, many factors to a team’s success, Brunson’s mental approach to the game, instilled in him by his father, Rick, and then backed by Wright, set the precedent for what he and his squad would achieve. Manifestation is real, and so were the Wildcats: with Brunson’s court vision, Bridges’ defensive prowess, and DiVincenzo’s scoring outbursts, ‘Nova waltzed through the regular season, finishing 14–4 in Big East play.

“I was a version of myself, I guess I technically didn’t know I had,” Brunson told SLAM in 2022 while reflecting on the 2018 season. “I always knew I was good, playing the post, but we really used it as a weapon.” 

All the while, the No. 1 seed in the East region dominated their way to the NCAA tourney, including wins against Radford, Alabama, West Virginia, and Texas Tech. After defeating Kansas in the Final Four, the Wildcats were composed against Michigan in the Championship: they knocked down clutch shots from deep, connected on dimes from Brunson, and took control of the tempo. The final score: 79-62. 

National Champions, check. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Despite being a youthful roster filled with talented stars, the 2017 Wildcats would be questioned at every corner. De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo, and Derek Willis. Those are only a few names that glued this team together and allowed them to go on the crazy run they accomplished during this season. 

Fox was the facilitator and a pestering defender who averaged 17 points per game and lived up to his social media handle, swipathefox. Meanwhile, Monk brought intensity and determination from start to finish of every game and Bam left opponents shook in the paint. Collectively this group set the tone at the start of every game. From a drop off to Bam in the paint, pass and shot by Monk, or a pass and crazy move from Fox, this Kentucky team would run you up and down a court like no other. And because they were so young, they never got tired, or at least never showed it. There was always some fight and scoring left in them at every game. Running teams out the gym, the Wildcats had over 15 games where they beat their opponents by at least 10 points in the regular season. They were ultimately a scoring madhouse. 

Led by the only John Calipari, their athleticism, drive, and determination brought them all the way to postseason: first, winning the SEC championship and then the NCAA tournament, where they swept past opponents like Northern Kentucky, Wichita State and UCLA—a game in which Fox dropped 39 points in a matchup against the Bruins’ star, Lonzo Ball. 

The Elite Eight showdown against UNC was, well, elite. The pressure was on, especially for Fox and his Wildcats, who eventually lost to the Tar Heels. An emotional Fox later revealed to us that summer: “Just knowing that was my only opportunity to win a National Championship—competitiveness spilled over,” Fox told SLAM. “Just knowing that we were up 5 with like two to three minutes left, knowing that we could have won that game is what really [hurt]. Just losing that game the way we did. It was tough losing like that. It’s not the same when you have another chance to win it. That was the part that hurt the most.”

Despite the season that could’ve been, the 2017 Wildcats helped cement Kentucky’s legacy as one of the most dominant and competitive programs. Fox, Bam and Monk are all hoopin’ in the L today, and never hesitate to support BBN whenever they get the chance, either. That’s just what happens when you rock Kentucky blue…

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Think about the NBA All Star Dunk contest, imagine witnessing that for a full season. Simply known as “Dunk City”, the 2013 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles literally soared and brought college basketball to new heights with their circus-like dunks each game.  

A true story of the underdog that couldn’t be stopped, the Eagles shocked the world after beating two teams that no one ever imagined they could beat. Their tournament debut was nothing short of spectacular. In an upset for the ages, the No. 15 Eagles stunned the basketball world by toppling the No. 2 Georgetown 78–68. The Dunk City magic didn’t stop there; with a convincing second-round win over No. 7 San Diego State, they became the first No. 15 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Throughout the season, the energy of this team was unmatched. There was no structure really, it was just go out, do you, and play, but play like a team. With a lot of iso and drop offs in the paint the eagles ‘13 team was not easy to keep up with. 

At the root of it all was walk-on, yeah I said it walk-on, who turned into a super freak athlete, Sherwood Brown. Who was named the A-Sun Player of the Year and continued to prove he was that guy in March Madness. Alongside Brown, a cast of electrifying players, like Bernard Thompson and Chase Fieler each contributing their unique skills, turned Dunk City into a show that was full of highlight reels. 

Beyond the wins and losses, Dunk City became a phenomenon. A nickname born out of their circus-like lobs and “highlight finishes”, “Dunk City” changed the name of Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men’s basketball.

Although the Eagles faced Florida, ending their magical run with a 62–50 loss. The season concluded with a 26–11 record, leaving an indelible mark on the history of FGCU basketball.

The “Dunk City” nickname will forever be something that fans can be reminded of. A time where undergods soared.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Headed into the 2011 season, UConn was unranked on every preseason poll and picked to finish 10th in the Big East. They had just come off a mediocre season in which they failed to make the NCAA tournament for the second time in four years. So people had already written them off as a threat in the Big East, let alone as a national title contender. 

In other words, a whole lot of fuel was being added to the fire already brewing in these Huskies—a Huskies squad led by a 6-foot, 172-pound star point guard from the Bronx.

All eyes pointed to Kemba Walker, who returned for the 2011 season, a junior with lofty expectations. He’d already become a fan-favorite proven to score in bunches, always in a fresh pair of retro Js, but could he impact winning at a high level? Could you count on him to lead UConn back to glory? 

Don’t get it twisted, though; Kemba had a well-composed squad around him. Among them were two star-studded freshmen–point guard Shabazz Napier and swingman Jeremy Lamb–who would each become first-round NBA Draft selections themselves. But was it enough? Would their lack of experience be a hindrance? UConn was very talented, but how consistent could they be?

A lot of questions, but UConn had the cheat sheet.

They made it through their non-conference schedule undefeated, winning ten straight before getting into Big East play, including wins over No. 2 Michigan State and No. 8 Kentucky. During that stint, UConn ranked as high as No. 4 on the AP poll and seemed primed to make a run at the Big East crown.

Anyone who knows anything about college hoops of the 2000s and 2010s knows every Big East matchup was a dogfight. On any given night, UConn could convincingly beat a top-10 team like Georgetown or lose by 15 to an unranked St. Johns. It was that type of up-and-down conference slate for them. They finished a disappointing ninth in the Big East and headed into the Big East Tournament, losing four of its last five games. 

Well, the way March Madness is set up, the Huskies were in perfect position to take the country by storm. 

They breezed through their first two games of the Big East Tournament, earning a spot in the quarterfinals–a rematch against Pittsburgh (the Big East regular season champs who blew them out back in December). This time around, in March, the stakes were different.

The game was tied at 74. Seven seconds left on the clock. UConn’s ball. 

Everyone in their right mind knew who was taking the last shot. It didn’t matter. With a mismatch at the top of the key Kemba hit a smooth right-to-left hesi, took a hard attack-dribble left, stopped on a dime, stepped back and raised up for his picture-perfect jumper as the helpless defender stumbled to the ground. The ball splashed through the net, Madison Square Garden erupted and a college basketball legend was born.

“It was a special moment in UConn history; I turned to my assistants as we were walking off the court and said, ‘We got something special going on,’” Jim Calhoun, UConn’s retired hall-of-fame head coach, recalled in a 2016 interview. 

Coach Calhoun couldn’t have been more right. Kemba and the Huskies sealed the deal two days later and won the Big East Tournament. That’s five days, five games and five wins. A truly unprecedented run. But next up was the NCAA Tournament. They’d have to win six more games in a row to be the last team cutting the nets. Surely, they couldn’t continue playing with the same level of intensity after having just survived that Big East gauntlet, right? 

Uh-uh, wrong.

Kemba played like a man possessed; the team went as he went. He averaged 23.5 points, 6 rebounds and 5.6 assists in the NCAA Tournament en route to leading the program to their third national championship in a win over Butler–defeating future hall of famers like Kawhi Leonard and bluebloods like Kentucky (for a second time) along the way.

The 2011 UConn team epitomizes everything we love about college basketball–the swagger, the culture, the underdog story, the journey. From unranked to on top of the ladder, the 2011 UConn Huskies are forever immortalized in basketball history.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

It’s no secret that Kentucky is one of the most prestigious college basketball programs of all time and has one of the most demanding fan bases we’ve seen. Kentucky isn’t satisfied with SEC championships and NCAA Tournament berths; at Kentucky, the standard is national title contention. Final Four and National Championship banners are the only ones hanging in the rafters at Rupp Arena. So, after another unsuccessful season, which ended with a loss in the NIT, they were ready to go through hell or high water to get back on track. Kentucky needed a change, and they needed one fast.  

The first domino that needed to fall was finding a head coach who not only understood the expectations but wasn’t intimidated by the daily pressures of coaching at Kentucky. There was only one man to do the job; ahead of the ‘09-’10 season, Kentucky brought in a fiery John Calipari–a move that changed not only the trajectory of Kentucky’s basketball program but college basketball in general.

Coach Cal didn’t come alone; he brought in the country’s top recruiting class–one of the best recruiting classes ever–highlighted by John Wall and Demarcus Cousins. Kentucky’s roster was loaded with talent that made these Wildcats a must-watch for any basketball fan (unless you’re a Louisville fan or a fellow SEC foe). Having talent is one thing, but getting a bunch of five and four-star recruits to play as a unit is the real challenge for any coach. But the 2010 Wildcats were on one accord. Cal implemented the dribble-drive offense, which only works when you have multiple guys who can beat their man off the bounce. Wall and Eric Bledsoe had no issues doing so. Add elite bigs like Cousins and Patrick Patterson to the fold, and there you have it: one of the most exciting college teams you could imagine.

Whenever the 2010 Wildcats hit the court in their fresh white and Kentucky-blue threads, two-tone Nike shooting sleeves and Nike elite socks, they had the country’s attention. If Kentucky had a game, you’d schedule your day around it.

For a squad led by a freshman core, Kentucky was mature beyond their years. Nothing rattled them; no moment was too big. They steamrolled through the always-tough SEC, sweeping both the regular season and tournament championships, along with a bunch of individual accolades.

Wall was SEC Player of the Year. Cousins was SEC Freshman of the Year. Cousins, Patterson and Wall were first-team All-SEC. Coach Cal was SEC Coach of the Year.

Kentucky hadn’t had a season like this in years; the job wasn’t finished, though. From the coaching staff to the last man on the bench to the team managers, everybody who was a part of that program embraced the task at hand–raising National Championship banner number eight. 

“The ultimate goal was to win a national championship, that’s all we wanted to do,” said John Wall in a 2016 interview, recapping the 2010 season. “So what we did all season didn’t mean anything.”

Kentucky earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They obliterated East Tennessee State, Wake Forest and Cornell, respectively, on their way to an Elite Eight berth where they’d face No. 2-seed West Virginia. By every metric, and most notably the eye test, Kentucky was the better team. West Virginia is always a tough out, but it never crossed Kentucky’s mind that they would lose that game. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they picked the wrong day to have an off-night. They couldn’t buy a three, at one point missing 20 in a row. That’s a hard stretch for any team to overcome, especially in March Madness. They’d still end up in a close game, but fell seven points short of advancing to what would have been the program’s first Final Four since 1998. 

Talk about devastated–there wasn’t a dry eye in the locker room after the game. “‘Til this day we still talk about that game and everything we could’ve done differently,” said DeMarcus Cousins in the same 2016 interview mentioned earlier.

Despite not living up to the expectations they set on themselves, there’s not a single person who wouldn’t call their season a success. They finished the season 35-3, and Wall and Cousins added first-team All-American honors to their long list of accomplishments. They may not be remembered as national champions; there may not be a 2010 banner hanging at Rupp Arena; but this team revolutionized college basketball. 

Five players (four of them freshmen) from this squad would enter the NBA Draft, and all five of them were drafted in the first round. Wall was selected No. 1, Cousins was selected No. 5, Patterson was selected No. 14, Bledsoe was chosen No. 18 and Orton went at No. 29. This 2010 Kentucky team, cultivated by Coach Cal, laid the foundation for the future of the sport; the ripple effect is still felt today over a decade later.    

If you could only pick one college basketball team from the past 30 years to represent the present generation, both on the court and off, it’d be tough not to pick the 2010 Kentucky Wildcats.  

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Word to SLAM 117. Michael Beasley was the freshest of them all in ‘08 when he was suiting up for Kansas State. At the time, “Be Easy” was ranked No. 1 in rebounds and described by former SLAM “scribe” Bonsu Thompson as having “sticky fingers, small forward hops, Chris Brown body control plus gluttonous appetite for food off the glass…” (you can read the original cover story in the SLAM Digital Archive, fyi). Beasley didn’t hold back when describing his own game, either: “Once I step on the floor, I’m superhuman. I feel unstoppable.” 

And he was. Averaging a double-double of 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds, Beasley was hungry for a Big 12 championship, and a natty. He was ultra-competitive against, well anyone, too, telling us in his own words, “…as soon as somebody get to runnin’ they mouth, that’s when I turn it up.” On a team led by first-year head coach Frank Martin, the Wildcats were young— ranked second and third in scoring were freshman forward Bill “Henry” Walker and guard Jacob Pullen—and restless to win. In the season-opener, they beat Sacramento State by almost a 30-piece and, by January, went on a six-game winning streak. The potential was all there: Beasley’s scoring prowess, coupled with the team’s tenacious defense and unselfish ball movement, became the hallmark of their approach.

In fact, Beasley felt like the only thing he needed to really improve upon was “making it look so easy”—a testament to his confidence and the star role he embraced. While his postseason ambitions didn’t come into fruition—the Wildcats eventually lost in the second round to Wisconsin—he did take home individual accolades including a consensus first-team All-American selection, USBWA National FOY, the Pete Newell Big Man Award, Big 12 Player of the Year, the list goes on. He went on to take his talent to the League and was selected No. 2 in the same ‘08 NBA Draft that his teammate, Walker, was drafted in in the second-round.

That ‘08 season would be remembered not just for the wins and losses but for the electrifying moments and the promise it held for the continued success of the program. It was just the beginning…

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Let’s take it back to ‘08. The Memphis Tigers, led by then-head coach John Calipari, had lost in the South Regional Final the season prior, but going into the ‘07-08 season, all eyes were on them to see what they would do next. 

Of course, the arrival of a 6-3, top-ranked standout from Chicago who had caught the attention of the nation during his time at Simeon Career Academy, gave the hype surrounding the Tigers an extra boost. Boost might be an understatement. We’re talking about the Rose who would eventually become one of the youngest, ever, to win the NBA’s MVP award. Not a what-if story, or what-was, but what remains: he’s one of the most aero-dynamic players of all time and has set the standard for what the word even means. 

Even back then, and with far less tattoos, Derrick Rose was bouncier than ever when he suited up for the Tigers and averaged 15 points and 4 assists per game. His court vision and ability to orchestrate plays elevated the Tigers to unprecedented heights as they embarked on a 26-game winning streak to start the season, earning them a No. 1 ranking for the first time in 25 years. While Calipari, who is one of the greatest college coaches ever, led the helm, Rose and veteran leaders like Joey Dorsey and Chris Douglas-Roberts helped guide the Tigers all the way to the NCAA tournament. 

They defeated No. 16-seeded Texas–Arlington and 8-seed Mississippi State, triumphed over No. 5 seed Michigan State and, in a dramatic regional final, outclassed a No. 2-seeded Texas team and No. 1 seed UCLA to make it all the way to the National Championship game against Kansas. Rose, ever-so composed for someone who had yet to play on the big stage, held his own for an entire 45 minutes of the overtime matchup. He dished out dimes effortlessly, commanded the offense like a true floor general and went at it against two, sometimes three defenders as he made his way to the basket. 

Despite the loss, that game was just a glimpse into the future. The Tigers sent three players to the League that June: in the ‘08 NBA Draft, Rose was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the No. 1 pick, while Douglas-Roberts and Anderson both were drafted in the second round; a testament to Calipari’s legacy in molding the game’s brightest stars. That ‘07-08 season is also tied for the most wins (38) in a single season in NCAA history, a feat only Calipari holds. He’d do it again during his tenure at Kentucky, but the record books will tell you that the ‘07-08 Memphis Team did it first. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Elite backcourt, elite bigs. A recipe for success. Michelin star level of success. Russell Westbrook. Darren Collison. Kevin Love. Luc Mbah a Moute. Four League-bound talents emphatically stormed into the 07-08 season. The result? Three-straight regular season Pac-10 titles. A third-straight Final Four appearance. Since the tourney expanded to 64 teams in ‘85, only four teams have accomplished such a feat—just another day at the office for the Bruins. 

The Bruins changing of the guard saw UCLA great Aaron Afflalo enter the League but welcome a 6-10 tree from the forests of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Kevin Love. The freshman double-double machine quickly cemented his status as a one-and-done prospect while the team’s offense flowed through the 17.5 points per game scorer. LA native Josh Ship, Alfred Aboya and Lorenzo Mata-Real have curtailed Ben Howland’s strongest roster. 

Love’s dominance in the paint and soft touch around the basket earned him Pac-10 Player of the Week after destroying Washington State. Then there was Westbrook, a player who was as fearless as they come. Collison was known for his pinpoint shooting accuracy and taking matters into his own hands when needed.

The man in charge of it all was Ben Howland, a coaching prodigy known for his disciplined approach and defensive expertise. Coach Howland wasn’t just a coach but a master strategist who knew how to get the best out of his players. The Bruins’ defense remained rooted in intensity while executing offense without a trace of a turnover.

The Bruins weren’t satisfied with just winning; they were out to destroy each opponent. And Westbrook let you know it with every chance he could—emphatic screams after highlights, strutting down the court after rim-rocking throw-downs. The first round of the NCAA tournament proved just that when UCLA dominated Mississippi Valley, securing a commanding 41-point win over Mississippi Valley. Each game was the Bruins dominating on all sides of the court. 

The true test came in the Pac-10 championship. UCLA was down for most of the game against Stanford. After trailing through the first 20 minutes, the Bruins kicked into gear in the second half and managed to snag a back-and-forth 67-64 win. They kept that same energy throughout the NCAA Tournament, breezing through until they hit the final four, where they fell short. They never backed down, always leaving it all out on the court. 

But, amidst all the style and swagger, the Bruins remained focused on their ultimate goal: winning games. And win, they did. With an impressive win-loss record of 35-4 and a deep run in the NCAA tournament, they proved to be more than just a flashy show. They were a team with heart, determination, and a relentless drive to succeed. Ultimately, the ‘08 UCLA men’s basketball team made an enduring impact on the collegiate basketball scene. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

It’s hard to win a conference championship when you only have two players who average in double figures, let alone getting into the NCAA Tournament and making a deep run. Well, anything is possible when one of those players is on his way to becoming the best shooter in basketball history.

Unless you were a college hoops junkie and someone who followed the mid-majors, there’s a good chance you never even heard of Davidson College before March of ‘08–a liberal arts college with an enrollment of less than 2,000 students. A Cinderella story was being crafted all season long in Davidson, North Carolina, a small town outside of Charlotte. 

Davidson was fresh off a successful season in which they won the SoCon (Southern Conference) regular season and the SoCon Tournament. Despite a disappointing loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, they were onto something special. With just a little more time and synergy, maybe they could shock the world. 

Any success they’d dream about having for the ‘08 campaign was dependent on Stephen Curry, the baby-faced assassin, their returning point guard, a skinny 6-2 sophomore who’d been overlooked his entire life up to that point. He had just come off a season where he earned SoCon Freshman of the Year but was hardly ever mentioned when people discussed the top players in college basketball. As a small mid-major in the shadows of their fellow Carolina foes like Duke, UNC, NC State and others, Davidson and their players faced an uphill battle to earn their warranted respect.

Their coaching staff figured playing a nearly impossible non-conference schedule was the best way to earn that respect. Not only would this put the country and NCAA committee on notice, but if all went well, making it through their non-conference schedule alive would be just the self-assurance Davidson needed to know they could compete with anyone in the field. 

They were very competitive against the high-majors on their schedule but struggled to pull out wins against them. They lost close games to No. 1 UNC, No. 7 Duke, No. 7 UCLA and NC State. Losses like these often shake the confidence of young teams, but that Davidson squad saw the silver lining. They were knocking on the door.

Since Davidson didn’t have any signature wins on their resume, they’d have to run through the SoCon and win the conference tournament to earn a spot in the Big Dance. They did exactly that, going an impressive 20-0 in the conference and securing a 10-seed. For most mid-major programs, this alone would constitute the season a success.

Their superstar, Stephen, had a spectacular season that included a couple of 40-point performances, a bunch of 30 pieces and too many 20-point outbursts to count. He was named SoCon Player of the Year, First-team All-SoCon and AP second-team All-American, among many other accolades. But he still had bigger fish to fry; he wasn’t done yet. Somehow, he was still flying under the radar. Could he do it against stronger and longer athletes? Could his style of play translate in the NCAA Tournament?

Nobody outside of that program could have envisioned what would happen next. Heck, most people inside the program probably couldn’t have envisioned it. 

In three NCAA Tournament wins, Stephen scorched Gonzaga for 40 points, erupted for 30 against Georgetown and blazed Wisconsin for 33. And these weren’t quiet performances; his shooting prowess was like nothing we’d seen before, and definitely not at the college level. The fact that he did all of this while wearing a red Davidson jersey and not one of blueblood’s makes it much more significant. They’d eventually lose a heartbreaker by two points in the Elite Eight to Kansas, who ultimately won the whole thing.  

Stephen was obviously the main ingredient to Davidson’s success that year; let’s be clear, though–nobody, and I mean nobody, makes it to the Elite Eight by accident. There may not have been another household name on that roster, but Stephen’s supporting cast showed up when it mattered most. Namely, their senior point guard Jason Richards was the only player to average more minutes per game than Stephen and finished as the top assist man in college basketball that season. They were a balanced team; everyone bought into whatever it took to get the job done. No egos, no selfishness, no ulterior motives. Add a future hall-of-famer to the mix, and it’s a no-brainer that they were able to achieve greatness.  

Today, Stephen is recognized as one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game. His ‘08 season at Davidson was the beginning of the future of basketball. Inevitably, the ‘08 Davidson Wildcats go down as one of the most impactful college basketball teams ever.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

In the heartland of basketball, where scarlet and gray reign supreme, the ‘06-’07 Ohio State Buckeyes emerged as game icons, stealing the nation’s hearts with their blend of youth, talent and tenacity. 

Under the guidance of Coach Thad Matta, the Buckeyes played basketball like it was an art form. They zapped the ball around effortlessly in search of an open man, giving up good looks for better looks. The ball moved seamlessly from one set of hands to another until it eventually found its way down the net. 

That isn’t to say that the Buckeyes didn’t let the individual prowess of their players shine. Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook made up the core of this Buckeyes squad. Freshman phenoms with the composure of seasoned vets, these Buckeyes were ready to make a name for themselves from the very first game. 

Oden was a towering force hailing from Lawrence North High School, where he developed close on-court chemistry with fellow freshman guard Mike Conley. Oden’s sheer force in the paint was unmatched, while his soft touch around the rim solidified him as a sure-fire top-two pick in the NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Conley’s crossovers would leave defenders frozen, while his acrobatic finishes stunned thousands of fans.

Their dominance and chemistry would be the motor on which the Buckeyes operated. Conley would blow by defenders and find Oden in the paint, who mercilessly punished anyone who dared to jump with him. In a statement win against Iowa in the regular season, Oden exploded for 29 points and 10 rebounds, with Conley running the show with 10 dimes. 

The scariest thing about this Ohio State team was that the offense didn’t just end with Oden and Conley. Senior guard Ron Lewis could catch fire quickly, while Daequan Cook would put the team on his back with his momentum-swinging shots. And there was Jamar Butler, a rim-punishing presence in the paint. 

The Buckeyes team was dynamite with enough firepower to explode at any instant and ignite the crowd with their exhilarating play. 

And explode they did in the Big Ten, cruising past teams on the way to a league-best 15 wins, only losing one along the way. The Big Ten wasn’t just their playground; it was their empire, and they ruled it with an iron fist. 

But it was in the madness of March that the Buckeyes truly shined. With the eyes of the nation upon them, Ohio State embarked on a postseason journey that would showcase the talent and grit of the team. Victories over powerhouses like Georgetown and Memphis showcased their talent and resilience, showing the world that this team had what it took to hoist the national championship trophy. 

For all Buckeyes fans, these were heart-crushing moments that still haunt them to this day. But as long as the scarlet and gray flies high, the legend of the ’07 Buckeyes—for the stars it produced, the historic comebacks and dominance—will live on.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Dynasties rarely surface in college basketball and for all the right reasons. 

The uncertainty of March Madness puts any talented team at risk of an early exit, no matter how well they played for the entirety of the season. Even the greatest individual collegiate careers are capped at five years, and, more often than not, the lure of the NBA—the checks, the followers and the chance of playing for a childhood favorite team—pulls players out of college. 

But if any team resembled the makings of a dynasty, it was the ‘06-07 Florida Gators.

After crusading to a national title in ‘06, beating UCLA and Villanova, the Gators immediately had their eyes set on a second-straight championship. Head coach Billy Donovan sat down each of his five starters after their championship season and convinced them to return for another year, painting the picture of a blue and orange dynasty. 

NBA-bound college superstars like Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Taurean Green resisted the allure of the league and stuck with Donovan. Donovan’s speech and the promise of two national trophies weren’t the only things that led to the return of the starters. 

The decision was also a testament to the camaraderie of the star players. The ‘06-’07 season would be the final time for the tight group of bucket-getters to play alongside one another. Back-to-back NCAA titles were on the horizon, and they thought it could be the perfect fairytale farewell for a team that had already accomplished so much. 

The trio of eventual NBA lottery picks led the Gators’ season. Headlined by Horford, Brewer, Noah, Florida boasted the most efficient offense in America, knocking down 41% of their looks from behind the arc. Their dominance continued on the defensive end, holding opponents to a low 62.6 points per game. 

Noah, a pony-tailed, skyscraping big who called both NYC and Paris home, was the heart and soul of the team. The 6-11 junior dominated with a unique blend of size and skill, but his boundless energy and igniting passion gave him an edge on any hardwood he found himself on. In his third season in Gainesville, the big man stuffed the stat sheet, averaging 12 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. 

Alongside Noah were Horford and Brewer, who could carry the load whenever necessary. Horford was a crafty big man down low and a full-time double-double machine. The Dominican Republic’s big man would shoot, post up and rebound his way to 13.2 points and 9.5 boards per game.

Brewer was a silky-smooth sorcerer with the rock, masterfully crafting his way around defenders to big shots and acrobatic finishes around the rim. 

The brilliance of this squad, however, resided in how each complemented one another on the hardwood. And that they did.

The Gators quickly gave up good shots for better ones, thriving on selfless ball movement that found players in the right position to score. The starting five, all of whom are 1000-point scorers, gelled together seamlessly and, at their best, looked unstoppable.

 From the moment the players were recruited to the picture-perfect moment of big smiles, confetti and championship caps, there was never much to doubt about this team. They were dominant like no other, winning 12 straight in the ‘06 and ‘07 NCAA tournaments, outscoring their opponents by an average of 15 points per game. Over 15 years since the Gators’ back-to-back championships, no team has yet to emulate the kind of basketball Florida played. We’ll rarely find that same level of dominance and camaraderie in the new age of college hoops, making the imprint left by the Gators that much more impactful.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

The early 2000s was a rough time for all but one basketball program in the Big Ten. 

This was when the Big Ten ran through them boys in Champaign, Illinois. Each year from ‘00 to ‘04, the Fighting Illini won either a Big Ten regular season championship or a Big Ten tournament championship. Their ‘04-’05 team brought it all together and won both, doing so in mesmerizing fashion. A reign of terror was brewing inside of Assembly Hall. 

They were any coach’s dream and any opponent’s nightmare; it starts with their incredible guard play.

Deron Williams (D-Will) was a prototypical 6-3 point guard, with a nasty handle, elite vision and a natural knack for buckets. He went on to become the third pick in the NBA draft, a three-time All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the best point guards in the League for some time. 

Dee Brown is an NCAA icon, remembered today for sporting fresh cornrows, an orange or white headband low on the brow and a long pair of shorts. He was 6 feet on a good day, but his blinding speed, defensive tenacity and swagger more than made up for what he lacked in size. He was a four-time All-Big Ten selection, two-time All-American, Big-Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Bob Cousy Award winner.

D-Will and Dee Brown are one of the most exciting backcourt pairings in college basketball since the turn of the century, but it was a third guard who led the ‘04-’05 Fighting Illini in scoring. That honor belongs to Luther Head, a senior, 6-3 shooting guard, who would eventually carve out a solid six-year career in the League.

Illinois approached the ‘04 basketball season with one thing on their mind. It was championship or bust–national championship or bust. They hit the ground running; there were no signs of a hangover from their disappointing Sweet Sixteen loss the season prior. Four games into the ‘04-’05 campaign, the Fighting Illini beat No. 24 Gonzaga by 17 points, putting the country on notice. The very next game, just a few days later they’d beat No. 1 Wake Forest by 18, putting any remaining doubt to rest.

They made it through the regular season almost unscathed, winning 29 games in a row before a small hiccup against Ohio State where they suffered a one-point loss, their only loss headed into the postseason. Illinois responded by dominating the Big Ten Tournament, sweeping the conference en route to a No. 1 overall seed in the Big Dance.

They got through their first three games of March Madness without breaking a sweat. But an Elite Eight matchup against No. 3 Arizona, led by then-future lottery pick Channing Frye, would define the makeup of this Illinois team. With only four minutes left in the second half and their season on the line, Illinois found themselves down 15 points. Unfamiliar territory, challenge accepted.

Illinois didn’t flinch; their confidence didn’t waver. They just stayed the course. They turned up the pressure on defense, created a few transition opportunities and hustle buckets, hit a few threes and boom… the game was headed to overtime. Carrying the momentum into the extra period, they clawed their way to the finish line and gutted out the victory, completing one of the memorable comebacks in the tournament’s recent history. Final score: 90-89. 

They’d go on to decisively defeat Louisville in the Final Four before eventually falling five points short, to a loaded North Carolina team, in the National Championship game. 

Illinois finished the ‘04-’05 season with a 37-2 record, which at the time tied the all-time NCAA record for the most wins in a season. An impressive 31 of their 37 victories were by 10 points or more. They finished the season ranked ninth in the nation in rebounding, eighth in defense, fourth in points scored, second in three-point field goals made and first in assists. Now, that’s a recipe for success. 
Despite losing and falling short of their ultimate season goal, the 04-’05 Illinois team is etched in modern college basketball history. When you think of the best teams to not win a national championship, that ‘04-’05 Illinois squad is at the top of the list. And they’re celebrated in Champaign as such.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

“Almost Jordan-like in his early days when the jump shot is falling,” the play-by-play broadcaster said as Marquette’s Dwyane Wade hit a long-range shot against Kentucky in the Elite Eight of the 2003 NCAA Tournament. 

In more ways than one, the two players were just like each other. Jordan’s arrival in Chicago signaled a new era of dominance for the Bulls, while Wade’s tenure at Marquette rejuvenated the program and propelled it to national prominence. 

And just like the Bulls, the Golden Eagles left a lasting mark on their league’s history. 

At the helm of this Wisconsinite powerhouse was the mastermind himself, Tom Crean. The suit-and-tie-wearing coaching genius molded his players into bucket-getting hoopers. His emphasis on relentless defense and fast-paced offense turned Marquette into a whirlwind of chaos for any matchup in the nation. Under his guidance, the Golden Eagles flew high, winning the hearts of basketball fans across the country. 

A high-flying, sharp-shooting Wade was at the center of the team’s success. 

Wade was all you could ever want in a first option: his quickness helped him blow by defenders. He could levitate for emphatic posters and knock down big shots consistently. The Chicago native was one of the hottest players in the NCAA during his junior season, averaging 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals. 

Though Marquette could always rely on Wade’s star power, the squad also thrived on collective brilliance. Alongside Wade were Travis Diener, Robert Jackson and Steve Novak, who epitomized the essence of team basketball. 

Diener dished out dimes left and right, thriving as the team’s primary facilitator. Senior forward Jackson was a brawny bully inside the paint, punishing any defender who stood between him and the rim – the Milwaukee, WI native averaged 15.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Off the bench was an emerging star in Novak, who knocked down 50.5 percent of his shot attempts from behind the arc as a freshman. 

From Wade to the 12th man on the edge of the bench, each player brought a unique skill set to the court, complementing each other with selfless play. Together, they became one of the most explosive offenses in the Conference USA, capable of giving any Blue Blood and top collegiate team a run for their money. 

And it showed in time for March Madness. 

The Golden Eagles started their postseason campaign with a showdown against Holy Cross, setting the stage for a clash of coaching titans as Crean faced off against his mentor, Ralph Willard. Despite a slow start and Wade battling foul trouble, Marquette rallied behind Diener’s hot hand to secure a hard-fought victory, one that helped him shake off the ghosts of past postseason disappointments.

Marquette’s most dramatic game came in the second round, where they found themselves locked in an overtime thriller against Missouri. With Wade leading the charge and freshman sharpshooter Novak seizing his moment in the spotlight, the Golden Eagles soared to victory in a game that embodied the spirit of March Madness—heart-stopping action, clutch performances, and an unwavering determination to win. 

The Golden Eagles then survived a narrow win against Pittsburgh in the Sweet Sixteen to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight in thrilling fashion. 

In what might be the biggest game in program history, Marquette clashed with basketball royalty in Kentucky, a showdown that would test their firepower and define their legacy. With Wade delivering a virtuoso triple-double performance for the ages featuring 29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and four blocks, the Golden Eagles ended the first-seeded Wildcats’ 26-game winning streak on their way to the program’s third-ever Final Four appearance. 

Although they failed to hoist the national championship trophy in the end, Wade’s heroics and stardom elevated Marquette to national prominence. Across the Golden Eagles fanbase, the Windy City native instilled excitement and hope, just like Jordan’s impact on Chicago in the 80s.  

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

An orange headband-donning megastar, Carmelo Anthony. The coaching genius of Jim Boeheim and a trademark 2-3 zone defense. The ‘03 Syracuse Orangemen always had what it took to be the best team in the nation. 

But no one really saw it that way. Not until they did the impossible, of course.

 Syracuse went into the 2002-03 season unranked and never reached the top 10 during the regular season. But with a blend of style, resilience, and sheer determination, they hoisted the first national championship trophy in program history, etching their names alongside a long line of NCAA tournament champions. 

Led by Jim Boeheim, the second-winningest coach in NCAA men’s basketball history, Syracuse embraced their trademark 2-3 zone defense, a maneuver that left opponents casting threes and fans dripping in orange paint roaring in joy on the fast break. Boeheim’s strategic acumen and ability to adapt his game plan to his team’s strengths were the pillars on which the success of this historic Syracuse team would be built. 

That isn’t to say that the squad was nothing more than just a revolutionary defensive scheme. It was the leadership of Kueth Duany, the second senior on the team. It was Gerry McNamara, a sharp-eyed sniper from behind the arc. And it was Anthony whose gravity-defying dunks and iso-shooting mesmerized all college basketball fans alike.

The freshman sensation hauled Orange County to the national spotlight as soon as he stepped foot onto the sprawling upstate campus. At 18 years old, Melo had it all—the self-confidence, the fearlessness, the stuff that separates good from great.  

With a stellar regular-season record of 24-5, including a Big East regular-season title, the Orange stormed into the NCAA Tournament with a chip on their shoulder and a hunger to prove everyone wrong. 

Starting their campaign in Boston, Cuse cruised past Manhattan and Oklahoma State in the first two rounds. The No. 3 seed then traveled up to New York, where they survived a narrow one-point win against Auburn and took down Oklahoma to reach the Final Four. 

Whenever the Orangemen found themselves in trouble, they turned to the team’s jab-stepping, bucket-getting savior: Carmelo Anthony. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native worked his magic in isolation en route to a 20-point double-double in the Elite Eight. And then he went nuclear in the Final Four, exploding for 33 points and 14 boards. 

Ultimately, the team’s season came down to one game: the national championship showdown against the No. 6 Kansas Jayhawks. In a back-and-forth battle for the ages, the Orange dug deep, drawing on every ounce of grit and determination they possessed to walk away with an 81-78 triumph. (Replace with above? – The stage was set for a national championship showdown against the No. 6 Kansas Jayhawks. The Orange stamped the mardi gras-colored court with an electric display. McNamara was scintillating in the first half, knocking down six treys, while the growing legend of No. 15 was cemented with a 21-point performance. With Hakim Warrick’s game-sealing block, a bright sea of orange erupted as a pile of players in orange unis and warmups cascaded at half court. 

In a back-and-forth battle for the ages, the Orange had secured their first-ever NCAA Championship behind the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Carmelo Anthony.)

Before they knew it, the freshman-heavy squad of Orangemen would soon decorate headlines, magazines and walls at Syracuse University—and their legacy still lingers on campus.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

At the turn of the century, the Cincinnati Bearcats were the team that struck a perfect balance of old-school toughness and flash and flare. 

Led by the legendary Bob Huggins, a coaching maestro famous for his relentless pursuit of excellence, the 1999-2000 Bearcats epitomized hard-nosed basketball. Huggins, a master tactician, instilled in his players a defensive prowess and a tangible thirst for victory. 

Their mantra was simple: outwork, outlast, outplay. And they did so with ferocity, leaving opponents quaking in their kicks. But it wasn’t just their on-court prowess that captured the imagination of fans across the nation. It was the colorful cast of characters of this storied team. From the towering presence of Naismith Player of the Year Kenyon Martin to the sharpshooting finesse of DerMarr Johnson, the Bearcats boasted a roster brimming with talent and personality. 

Martin and Johnson would eventually declare for the NBA draft. The New Jersey Nets picked Martin with the first pick, and Atlanta scooped Johnson with the sixth. 

On the court, the dynamic duo and the rest of the team donned white and red jerseys that drooped below their knees, repping the fashion trends of the times with gusto. Stamped with the Bearcats’ iconic bear claw logo, headbands and ankle socks accompanied the team’s ensemble at the turn of the century. But it was the reserved allure of the Jumpman logo and the litany of Air Jordans that catapulted Cincinnati to cultural prominence. The Bearcats were one of just four programs to introduce Brand Jordan to the collegiate ecosystem. In their oversized jerseys, the players strutted, oozing confidence, reflecting the swagger and confidence of players who seemed destined for greatness. 

And greatness they achieved. 

With an impressive regular-season record of 29-4, including a Conference USA regular-season title, the Bearcats bulldozed their way through the competition, leaving a trail of defeated foes in their wake. The team’s toughest challenge would come near the end of the season when Martin broke his leg in the C-USA Tournament quarterfinal game against Saint Louis. 

Despite the heartbreak of losing the nation’s then-biggest college phenomenon, the Bearcats rallied together, sending out a clear message: even without their top performer, the team has what it takes to give any team a run for its money. They marched into the NCAA Tournament as the second seed, still determined to reach the promised land. 

The Bearcats stomped into the first round of the tournament, blowing out UNC Wilmington. Their championship hopes, however, would be cut short in heartbreaking fashion by Tulsa. The Golden Hurricanes upset the Bearcats in a close game in the tournament’s second round. 

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but the team’s legacy of resilience and determination would endure for generations to come. Over 20 years later, people are still left wondering how much greater this team could have been if it weren’t for Martin’s gruesome leg injury.

As the final buzzer sounded on the ‘99-2000 season, the Bearcats may not have ended the season where they wanted to, but they had won the hearts of fans nationwide. Theirs was a season filled with triumph and adversity, highs and lows, but through it all, they still enjoyed a 29-4 season, going undefeated in Conference USA. And when Martin was healthy, they boasted the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll for 12 weeks during the season. 

Steeped in a rich tradition of tenacity and ferocity on the court, this team etched its name into the hearts of fans and the history book of hooping legends.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Back in ‘99, St. John wasn’t just a university; they represented the true essence of New York City. Their men’s basketball team was no exception: with a hustler’s spirit, a chip on their shoulder, and newly sponsored fire engine red Jordan Brand uniforms, they lifted the program into a new era. The Red Storm may have entered the season unranked, but by March, the entire college ecosystem was echoing the vibrations of Queens. 

Head coach Mike Jarvis understood what he was dealing with in his squad: players like Queensbridge native Metta Sandiford-Artest – known back then as Ron Artest –  grew up living on New York City black tops. Toughness and attitude weren’t ever a question. Instead, he capitalized on that intensity and fueled their local pride so that every time his players took the court, they played to represent themselves and the city. With a 28-9 regular season record, they captivated audiences everywhere they went. Artest’s will to win was off the charts, like when he made sure to nail that three against Duke to push the game into OT because he knew he’d sink it. Then there was freshman sensation Erick Barkley, who dazzled crowds with no-look passes and highlight-reel dunks. Bootsy Thornton didn’t just dominate on the defensive end; he could score under any circumstances. The two-time All-Big East selection was good for nearly 15 points a game, but the DMV native truly shined under the spotlight. The No. 2 ranked Duke Blue Devils were on the receiving end of one such performance, where Thorton exploded for a 40-piece. Bolstered by Tyrone Grant’s post presence and Lavor Postell’s sharp shooting from deep, the Storm’s five double-digit scorers could light it up in transition and half-court. 

The Red Storm weren’t afraid to bully their way through the Big East while rocking those baggy yet sleek bright-red uniforms. Any time they stepped on the floor, they weren’t content with just winning; they wanted to entertain, to leave spectators in awe of their skills and dominance. St. John’s destroyed the Maryland Terrapins 76-62 because they weren’t satisfied with just winning; they had to show their dominance over their opponents. Barkley’s 24-piece was evidence enough. Each game was a spectacle, a showcase of the team’s talent. 

The Big East championship game went down to the wire against UConn, and despite the 82-63 loss, that was just the beginning of their postseason run. St. John’s dominated the NCAA tournament through the Elite Eight, winning each game by an average of 25 points.

And even now, decades later, the legacy of the ‘99 St. John’s men’s basketball team lives on. They remain a symbol of hope and inspiration, a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a never-say-die attitude. They weren’t just a team; they were a phenomenon, a shining example of what can be achieved when talent, determination, and heart come together in perfect harmony. Their impact extended far beyond the confines of the basketball court. With the Big East running through Mecca in 98-99, the Red Storm returned to the Garden 25 years later to a standing ovation from the New York faithful. Their legacy is cemented and enshrined in the city’s historic connection with the game. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

The ‘99 UCLA men’s basketball team had everyone buzzing. Draped in bold powder blue and gold, the coastal Pac-10 squad embodied an unseen swagger in Westwood. Picture this: a lethal Baron Davis and Earl Watson backcourt with Third-Team All-American and Pac-10 All-Freshman Team honors to their name. A supporting cast of bucket-getters and defensive specialists in Jaron Rush, Jérôme Moïso, Dan Gadzuric and a budding freshman in Matt Barnes.  

At the wheel was none other than Steve Lavin, a young coach with a fiery passion for the game and a knack for getting the best out of his players. Lavin wasn’t just a coach; he was a motivator, a strategist and a mastermind of the game. His flashy offensive schemes and innovative tactics kept fans on the edge of their seats and opponents guessing. With Lavin calling the shots, you never knew what kind of magic the Bruins would produce next. 

Then there was star guard Baron Davis, the hometown kid who enacted a spectacle under the lights of Pauley Pavilion. Moïso was an ace on defense, while Rush cleaned the glass with 7.3 boards a game, and Ray Young splashed down spot-ups from beyond the arc. Between their toughness, versatility, and willingness to put their bodies on the line, these players dominated the court every time. Back in March of ‘99, we documented the team’s recapturing of UCLA’s standard traditions. A rebirth was taking place in Westwood spearheaded by a youthful roster with only two upperclassmen to claim.  

Despite falling short of their eventual personal expectations with an opening round loss to Detroit Mercy in the tourney, the UCLA Bruins, soaking up LA’s sunny vibes, brought a lot more than just wins to the table. They echoed the essence of a city that is vibrant and full of energy. Their electrifying performances on the court brought people together from all corners of the city, uniting fans of every background under one common passion. Whether it was students packing into Pauley Pavilion or families gathering around their TVs at home, the Bruins had a way of captivating audiences and instilling pride within the community. The wins and losses didn’t just measure their impact; it was felt in the hearts and minds of everyone touched by their presence. They were LA’s own hometown heroes, inspiring future generations to dream big and reach for the stars. 

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The post The 30 Most Influential NCAA MBB Teams of SLAM’s 30 Years: ‘99 UCLA appeared first on SLAM.

For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski once said, “Two are better than one if two act as one.” And he is right, especially when talking about the ‘99 Blue Devils’ stars Elton Brand and Trajan Langdon. 

Led by the size and athleticism of Brand and the finesse and flair of Langdon, Duke’s squad established itself as one of the most unstoppable forces in college basketball history, a true embodiment of the Blue Devils’ perennial preeminence. They were rock stars of the college basketball scene. Everyone wanted to be like them, but no one really was. Brand bulldozed his way through defenses, earning accolades and admiration with his sheer dominance on the court. He averaged 17.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, earning him the Naismith National Player of the Year award as a sophomore. 

While the brawn of Brand was inside the paint, the artistry of Langdon was outside the arc. The senior guard, nicknamed the “Alaskan Assassin,” was Duke’s lethal scoring weapon. While his size and athleticism helped him find success attacking the paint, some of his best moments came from long-range. At any instant, Langdon would rise over defenders with the flick of his wrist, signaling an automatic three points.

The three-time All-ACC guard logged 17.3 points and knocked down the three ball at an efficient 44.1 percent clip. His best games always came when it mattered most, whether it’d be his 24 points against Missouri State or his 25-point explosion in the national championship game. 

For every scorer—or, in this case, for every two scorers—there must be a floor general who can distribute the ball for things to work. Luckily for Duke, and to everyone else’s misfortune, the Blue Devils had William Avery running the show. 

Avery was a Swiss Army knife kind of player. He consistently splashed jump shots from any place on the floor, threw dimes left and right and even sneaked up on opponents for run-ending steals. Meanwhile, sophomore Shane Battier stifled opponents on the wing as one of the best defenders in the ACC, while his spot-up shooting would deflate opposing arenas with quickness. 

Defense was their backbone, fundamentals were their gospel and team-play was their anthem. Under Coach K, the distinct personalities of the players would gel into a singular unit destined to destroy teams on the hardwood. Combining the collective brilliance of the nation’s top college players and a world-class coaching staff—not to mention the unwavering support from the craziest fans in college basketball—the Blue Devils tore through their campaign with a jaw-dropping 37-2 record. 

Duke’s only regular season losses came against Cincinnati in November when they fell just two points shy against the Bearcats. But the Blue Devils bounced back tremendously, reeling off 32 straight wins up to their matchup against Connecticut in the NCAA tournament final. Though the loss still stings today for the Cameron Crazies, the sheer greatness of that ‘99 team will forever be etched into their memory.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Picture this: bold colors, flashy designs, and a whole lot of swagger. That’s exactly what kind of aura the ‘98 Fresno State Bulldogs exuded that season. Rocking radiant red uniforms with the Bulldogs written on the hem of the shorts and loud blue waistbands, the Bulldogs didn’t just play basketball; they made a statement with their threads. You couldn’t miss them on the court, and trust me, you didn’t want to. 

The man calling the shots for the Bulldogs was none other than Jerry Tarkanian, a coaching icon known for his flashy demeanor and even flashier plays. As he was affectionately known, Tark wasn’t just a coach; he was a showman. His fast-paced, high-flying style of play kept fans on the edge of their seats and opponents on their toes. With Tark at the helm, you never knew what kind of jaw-dropping move or play was coming next. 

Known for their exceptional talent and contributions to the team, Chris Herren, Rafer Alston, and Terrance Roberson helped elevate Fresno State’s dominance in college basketball. Chris Herren, a point guard with lightning-fast reflexes and an uncanny ability to read the game, was the engine that drove the Bulldogs’ offense. His court vision was second to none, and his knack for finding open teammates made him a nightmare for defenses to handle.

On the cover of Issue 22, we dubbed “Skip to My Lou” the best point guard in the world—high expectations for a 20-year-old junior hailing from Queens. But if you knew anything about Rafer, you knew he was about to raise the playing field for NYC point gods across the collegiate scene. Playground prodigy, high school legend. The Bull Dogs’ engine. A player who would go on to define SLAM’s 30 years.

Skip made an immediate impact with his electrifying style of play, averaging 11 points and 7.3 assists per game which helped the team to a 20-win season.  Then there was Terrance Roberson, known as “T-Rob,” a standout player known for his scoring ability. Standing at 6 ‘7, T-Rob helped Fresno State appear in the NCAA tourney by averaging 14.6 a game to put Fresno State on top. Their individual talents weren’t enough to get Fresno State far in the NCAA Tournament, but the Bulldogs weren’t just a two-man show; they had a supporting cast that was every bit as talented and exciting to watch. Chris Herren would dazzle defenders in the pick-and-roll, dishing out 4.8 assists and swiping nearly 2 steals a game on top of 15.6 points per. Tremaine Fowlkes diced up the paint easily while tearing down boards and immediately kick-starting the fast break. Every player on the roster brought something special to the table. Together, they formed a cohesive unit greater than the sum of its parts, a team that was as formidable as it was entertaining. 

The record books may not reflect it, but Fresno State’s 97-98 squad stamped the San Joaquin Valley with an unreplicable season. The crosses, the dimes, and the shots may never be seen again in such a fashion. So it’s about time they got their due shine. Their impact brought attention to the talent and potential of the team, and they laid the groundwork for future success by even making it to the tournament. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Loaded with five future NBA players, the ‘96-97 Arizona Wildcats embodied the best elements of college basketball. Fashionable comebacks, even flashier kicks. A freshman phenom. Four double-digit scorers. And a storybook ending. They ran through three blue bloods to steal the chip. But expectations at the start of the season weren’t so merry. 

The Wildcats were recovering from the loss of four upperclassmen: leading scorer Joseph Blair, rebounding leader Ben Davis and veteran point guard Reggie Geary. But where they lacked experience, they crafted their own trends, spearheaded by freshman Mike Bibby. 

“Mike Bibby brought that swag to our team because when he came in, he got the standard issued team shoe, and right away he was like, ‘Ahh, nah. I ain’t wearin’ these,’’ remembers Terry of his introduction to the brash freshman. “He immediately went to the store on campus and bought a pair of Jordans. Then everybody followed and wanted the hottest shoe out. Mike Bibby spearheaded that shoe movement.”

The man behind the scenes was coaching legend Lute Olson. With his trademark silver hair and Armani suits, Olson had next-level swagger. His offensive tactics and defensive plans were poetry in motion, making the most of his talented roster. The roster contained three future NBA stars: Mike Bibby, Miles Simon, and Michael Dickerson, a.k.a The Big Three. 

Bibby played with a raw confidence beyond his years. Simon brought infectious energy that electrified the crowd. Dickerson was the hustle king, giving his 110% every minute. Together, they were a three-headed monster, dominating with skills, smarts, and chemistry. 

It wasn’t just their popularity that drew fans to the games; it was their electrifying style of play. In a tied contest against the Kansas Jayhawks in the Sweet 16, Arizona’s Miles Simon drove to the basket, drawing the Kansas defense before kicking the ball out to Michael Dickerson, who buried a clutch three-pointer. This shot sent the Wildcats to the Elite Eight and further cemented their loyal fanbase. 

In the basketball history books, the Wildcats of 1997 are remembered for their historic championship, where they returned from a 10-point deficit to force a thrilling overtime in Indianapolis. We here at SLAM remember that moment a little differently: the on-court debut of the Nike Foamposite. 

Cooked up by the legendary Eric Avar, the polarizing pair of kicks were brought to Bibby and co. to rock in the championship well before Penny Hardaway got to lace them up on the NBA hardwood. Even the folks in Beaverton, OR, recognized the allure surrounding the Wildcats. Despite rocking a slightly brighter shade of blue in contrast to their navy-shaded threads, the Wildcats brought forth a sneaker revolution on the collegiate scene. Team-issued sneaks didn’t have to be the norm. If we’re being honest, Bibby and the Wildcats knocked down the door for the on-foot creativity seen in the college game today. 

Their performance on the court truly immortalized the ‘97 Wildcats. Whether it was a last-second buzzer beater against Kentucky made by Mike Bibby or a miraculous comeback when the Wildcats were trailing by double digits against the Providence Friars in the first half and came back to win the game 96-92 in overtime. But it was March where the Wildcats truly cemented their stake in the cultural fabric of collegiate hoops. Entering the tourney as a No. 4 seed, the Cats stormed past three No. 1 seeds to secure the program’s lone NCAA Championship. With a remarkable 25-9 record and an NCAA championship to their name, they left a permanent mark on the NCAA. 

“You watch television, read the newspapers, no one had us going anywhere,” Simon said. “But what happened in the past with the University of Arizona has nothing to do with this team.” 

Though decades may have passed since their historic championship run, their story continues to inspire and captivate audiences, reminding us of the magic that happens when a group of individuals comes together to achieve the extraordinary.

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The post The 30 Most Influential NCAA MBB Teams of SLAM’s 30 Years: ‘97 Arizona Wildcats appeared first on SLAM.

For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Think of any great college team. Usually, it’s only two to three guys carrying that IT factor. On rare occasions, the whole starting five possesses unyielding star power. Now try 10. Yeah, ten future NBA players on one single college roster. The 1995-96 Kentucky Wildcats weren’t just stacked; they were nearly insurmountable. 

Antoine Walker, Tony Delk, Derek Anderson, Ron Mercer, Walter McCarty, Mark Pope. Six high school All-Americans. Out of 36 contests, they’d only drop two under the direction of Rick Pitino. In the land where hoops are equivalent to religion, the Wildcats returned to Lexington with the program’s sixth NCAA championship in tow. 

And they did it all in denim. Bold. Bizarre. But man, did they turn heads. The white kits favored a more reserved approach, with the royal blue textile incorporated into the piping of the jerseys and shorts. Away contests served as the runway with a pseudo-denim base sparking debate and controversy across the country.  

Enacting a 27-game win streak, the Wildcats roared through the SEC and NCAA tournament, burying their first four opponents by 20-plus points. They were a blend of collective brilliance on both ends of the floor, leading the nation in points, assists and steals per game. Cycling between a 10-man rotation, Pitino could look to the pine at any point for an instant boost. Simply put, the Cats would put up NUMBERS. Long before reaching the 90s and 100s in the scorebook became a norm, the Wildcats dropped 100 points per game on nine occasions. Just ask LSU, who got a whopping 86 put up on em in the first half. 

The term “Untouchable” rumbled throughout the basketball ecosystem. From the first week of the season to the first day of April, the Wildcats simply were that. Untouchable. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

It’s impossible to reference the most impactful college teams without including Allen Iverson and the Georgetown Hoyas. We’ve got a storied history with Bubba Chuck, which started in ‘96 with Issue No. 9 when SLAM Shakespearean Scoop Jackson lobbied for the first of AI’s eventual 15 covers. Led by the infamous John Thompson, Hoya Paranoia was synonymous with the iconic kente cloth-stitched threads and high expectations, entering the season with a Top Five preseason ranking. With AI returning for his sophomore campaign in ‘95, the basketball ecosystem gravitated to Washington D.C. And outside the nation’s capital, everybody wanted to be down with the Hoyas. Replica Nike unis, baggy gray and navy sweat suits. Georgetown was more than a basketball powerhouse; it was a culture—a culture led by Allen Iverson, a simply unstoppable force. 

The 6-foot phenom left every crowd in awe with his signature cross, unmatched rhythm and smooth jumper. Jumpstops were his specialty, buckets were his major while studying at the College of Next Up. Back in ‘96, Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson put it plainly; “I’ve been to three calf shows, nine horse ropings–I even saw Elvis once. But I ain’t never seen anyone do what Iverson does. We doubled him, trapped him and he broke it.” 

Big East Freshman of the Year and Big East Defensive Player of the Year just last season. Nobody could punk, mess or even dream of stopping the Hampton, VA native. 25 points and 3.4 steals per, Iverson’s craftiness was unparalleled. Down low, Othea Harrington continued the program’s well-earned reputation as a big-man factory, dominating the Big East boards alongside Jerome Williams.

In the fast break, freshman sensation Victor Page truly shined. The 6 ‘3 backcourt complement was thrown more lobs than spot-up threes as he and Iverson skied to the rims for constant highlight connections. One-handed cross-court bounce passes, no look dots and emphatic hammers—just another day at the office.

The phrase ‘look good, play good’ might be overused, but it was a decree regarding the Hoyas of ‘96. From the debut of the Terminators back in ‘85 to the inclusion of kente patterns in ‘93, John Thompson’s chess-like approach to visual excellence was singular. While grey and navy may have been the base for the most popular uniform in college basketball, Thompson’s decided to throw one more into the mix—the heralded sleek all-black threads. Decades later, the trio of hues continue to spark the influence of the 95-96 Hoyas. 

Finishing the season with a 29-8 record while refusing to fall out of the Top 14, the Hoyas stamped their ticket to the big dance despite falling to UConn in the Big East Tournament championship. After receiving a No. 2 seed in the East region, Iverson went berserk, exploding for nearly 28 points and two steals per game throughout March as Georgetown marched to the Georgia Dome for the Elite Eight. 

Despite falling to Marcus Camby and Massachusetts, the 95-96 Georgetown Hoyas remain one of the most impactful teams in collegiate history, period. We’d implore you to find a team whose threads have remained relevant for over three decades. The fabric of Georgetown’s prominence may have been initially stitched by Thompson and Patrick Ewing, but the immortalization of the Hoyas was cemented with AI and the ‘96 squad. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

The Coney Island kid and SLAM’s golden child. A blossoming national talent hailing from Cincinnati. A 6-5 dimer leading the program in all-time assists. Stephon Marbury, Matt Harpring and Drew Barry formulated one of the greatest squads in Georgia Tech history. But their Sweet 16 appearance and dominance in the ACC pales compared to the lasting imprint left by Starbury and the Yellow Jackets cohort. 

Hailing from Lincoln High School, Marbury was shifting the culture long before he came to dawn the gold and navy. Two-time SLAM All-American. The first SLAM Diarist and a future great who we’d honor as one of the 30 players who have defined our 30 years. To put it into perspective, Marbury had dudes in the barbershop asking for a line cut down the middle of their heads. He had Alexander Memorial Coliseum rocking to a different type of rhythm. His vision was top tier, his style of play was ruthless, mean muggin’ as he trotted back down on defense. 

The Yellow Jackets already had a solid core in place between Harpring, Barry and Michael Maddox, but the arrival of the wiry high school sensation would put Tech over the top with a regular season ACC Championship and a final No. 13 AP ranking.

Led by ACC Coach of the Year Bobby Cremins, the Jackets looked to their sharp-shooting sophomore in Matt Harpring for never-ending consistency. Good for 18.6 points and 8.1 boards a game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, the 6-8 forward would secure his second of three All-ACC honors during the year. Meanwhile, Drew Barry – the son of Hall of Famer Rick Barry – formed the second half of Tech’s insurmountable backcourt. 

The Yellow Jackets may not have found ultimate success in March – despite reaching the Sweet 16 – but they found it in cultural relevance. Starbury was born. A modernized swagger imbued the hardwood of Alexander Memorial Coliseum. The Yellow Jackets weren’t all hype. They were emphatic. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Just like the checkered pattern woven into their uniforms, the Tar Heels’ decisive strategy included a stacked squad and five powerhouses putting up double digits: Rasheed Wallace, Jerry Stackhouse, Jeff McInnis, Donald Wiliams and Donte Calabria. 

The tandem of Stackhouse and Wallace injected the Dean Smith Center with an infectious energy that permeated the nation. Wallace was known for his defensive skill set, but he would also wreak as much havoc on the offensive end. Long before Zion Williamson was shaking the bedrock of Tobacco Road, Rasheed Wallace was dubbed “the most exciting dunker in college basketball” by none other than Dick Vitale. But the 6-10 center truly shined with his display of basketball acumen. In the post, he was constantly surveying gaps, cutting lanes and the position of his defender. He’d sky for a block with picture-perfect timing and repelled guards from the paint with sheer passion and will. 

From across the nation to the ACC and the Dean Smith Center, the ‘95 Tar Heels enacted a slam fest in every arena they found themselves in. Rolling to the rim was an automatic two points. Stackhouse and McInnis—who transitioned their backcourt connection from Oak Hill to Chapel Hill—could find you anywhere, anytime. And in between, they found the bottom of the net. 

Meanwhile, Stackhouse and Wallace marked one of the most entertaining duos in college basketball history, while the squad’s starting five sent nightmares throughout the ACC. Seriously, imagine game-planning for this roster. At some point, you come to the realization that they’re going to get whatever they want. You’ve just got to stay with them. And if we’re being real, the latter wasn’t that likely. 

Their season-long reign would eventually come to an end as the Tar Heels fell to Arkansas in New Orleans. But the legend of these young Tar Heels would only be the beginning of a storied connection stitched together by lobs, dubs and Carolina blue threads. 

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

With future legends Tim Duncan and Randolph Childress, the ‘95 Demon Deacons carried themselves with a sinister swag that separated them from the rest. The birth of the Big Fundamental began in Duncan’s sophomore year—posting 16.8 points and 12.5 boards, the skinny 6-11 sophomore dominated the ACC, where he lulled defenders to sleep on the wing and left opponents shook in the post.

Then there was Childress. We’re talking about the dude who dropped 107 points in three days during the ACC Tournament in his senior season. The highlight that made Childress an integral part of the Deacon culture would come from the ACC tournament against the Tar Heels, who had stars like Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace. Childress capped off his 37-point performance with a game-winning jumper that ignited fans from Winston-Salem to Greensboro Coliseum. 

Head coach Dave Odom knew what it took to win within a stacked conference, securing his third ACC Coach of the Year honors in ‘95 with Wake Forest achieving the No. 3 national ranking ahead of the NCAA tournament. Freshman guard Tony Rutland referred to the culture as a “brotherhood, a camaraderie.”

The type of culture that had Odom cracking jokes and Duncan cracking a sly smile at the top of the ladder for the ACC Championship. In the end, it was all business.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

The All-American sensation of Jason Kidd. The prolific scoring of Lamond Murray. The 1993-94 California Bears saw a season full of gold headlined by their fifth-ever Sweet 16 appearance. Draped in shimmering yellow-gold threads, this Cal squad was at the epicenter of the Golden State.

Fresh off being named the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, Jason Kidd dropped 16.7 points per game as a sophomore, dishing out 9.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 steals. The stocky 6-4 Bay Area native breezed past the school’s previous record of most assists in a season with 272.

Pair Kidd with a scintillating scorer like Murray, and it was game over for the Pac-10. Murray scored a team-high 24.3 points in the ‘94 season and hauled down 7.9 rebounds per game. The Pasadena native was one of the best scorers the program had seen, and he would become the Bears’ all-time scoring leader with 1,688 points, ranking him at No. 4. Kidd’s sorcery and Murray’s athleticism forced opponents into a persistent state of fear. Lobs, behind-the-back dimes, no-looks, skips and shovel passes could come from anywhere at any time. With the ball in Kidd’s hands, even if you thought you weren’t open, you were open.

While Murray was known for his quiet and stoic demeanor—word is he’d rock his headphones and Walkman around campus with no music playing—the 6-7 junior forward’s game was anything but silent. If you needed a bucket? Lamond Murray. Looking for a transition highlight? Lamond Murray. Who was getting the play call in the huddle? Again, Lamond Murray.

As for Kidd, he was cemented as one of the best players to come out of the Bay Area, a true hometown hero of the West Coast. The former Naismith Player of the Year in high school introduced the program to their first taste of national prominence. With Kidd constantly drawing nationwide allure, The Golden Bears were forced to move some of their home games to the Oakland Coliseum the year prior as ticket sales demanded a larger venue. Kidd’s showmanship on the hardwood was so enticing that the Golden Bears were hooping in front of sold-out crowds for two straight seasons. Now, Kidd’s illustrious No.5 jersey hangs in the rafters of Haas Pavilion, cementing his legacy in Golden Bears history.

Then there were the likes of Monty Buckley, Ryan Jamison, Alfred Grigsby and K.J. Roberts. The recruiting Class of ‘91, alongside Kidd and Murray, were the giants of the West. Their preparation was different. Summer workouts at Harmon Gym consisted of going against the NBA’s best. Game reps with the likes of Tim Hardaway, Gary Payton, Brian Shaw, Antonio Davis, Mitch Richmond, Steve Nash and Chris Mullin were almost an unfair advantage. But hey, that’s the perks of being in Cali. Constant battles against the League’s best eviscerated any fear that may have arisen throughout the 93-94 season.

Showtime was truly taking place in the Oakland Coliseum. With Kidd as lead orchestrator, the Cal Bears enacted a masterful symphony each night. Fans thrived for fast break opportunities, and the Bears delivered. Baggy mesh threads flying across the hardwood. Nasty no-look dimes leading to rim-rocking dunks. This brand of basketball was just different.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

If we’re talking intimidation, you don’t have to look much further than the ‘93-94 Arkansas Razorbacks. Spearheaded by the 40 Minutes of Hell, the Hogs were captivating from baseline to baseline. Even then-President Bill Clinton wanted to watch the No. 1 squad in action. Bud Walton Arena became a sanctuary from November to March. A win was expected, and the Hogs never disappointed, going undefeated at home on the season.

The Razorbacks easily dismantled opponents with their youthful roster, whose pure tenacity made up for its lack of seniors. At the helm was Nolan Richardson, who imposed the renowned defensive tactic “40 Minutes of Hell.” Throughout the season, the Razorbacks would quickly become a nightmare matchup in the SEC as a persistent full-court press transpired throughout each and every contest. 

While Corliss Williamson was regarded as a “Teddy Bear” by his head coach, the 6’7 245 pound power forward was anything but on the court. He was “Big Nasty”. Defenders were an afterthought. Forget trying to front him in the post. As soon as Williamson touched the ball on the block, it was game over. The 6-foot-7 forward exuded a seamless swagger and tenacity that perfectly paired with the baggy unis he and his squad wore. The Razorbacks played big, and with every bucket and big-time play, they were nothin’ but nasty to opponents.

Yet the legacy of the ‘94 Razorbacks wouldn’t be cemented if not for their improbable success in March. Arkansas already matched up against North Carolina A&T, Georgetown, Tulsa, No. 11 Michigan and No. 9 Arizona. But the final matchup was even tougher; college phenom Grant Hill led the Blue Devils. Duke entered looking for its third championship in four seasons. Adding to the mess, the Blue Devils were riding a hot hand after a 13-point comeback in the semifinals versus Florida.

As the first half ensued, a tight contest emerged. Although the Razorbacks went into the locker room with a slight one-point lead, they would soon find themselves climbing back from a 10-point deficit. With less than a minute until the final buzzer with the score locked at 70 a piece, sophomore Scotty Thurman rose to the occasion. He caught the ball on the right wing and elevated into his jumper. Thurman let the ball fly with a high-arching shot that narrowly cleared the outstretched hand of the Blue Devils’ Antonio Lang. It was fouls and free throws for the remainder of the game.

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For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday—we’ll be spotlighting the 30 most influential men’s college teams from SLAM’s past 30 years. Stats, records and chips aren’t the main factor here, and if we’re being honest that’s never been our MO. Each historic team we mention in this list has stitched their own contribution to the game’s cultural fabric. Here at SLAM, that’s the end-all be-all metric. 

Stay tuned as we unveil the 30 most influential men’s college teams in our history. And if you’re feeling nostalgic like we are, make sure to check out our latest retro collegiate collection. Shop here.

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