2015 NCAA Basketball Recap

By Andrew Musur on April 17, 2015

It feels like March Madness tipped off yesterday. Sadly it has been 10 days since the last college basketball game of the season.

The best three weeks of college basketball did not disappoint. Yet again the best teams in the country duked it to win a national championship (no pun intended).

With the season coming to an end it is only right to look at this year’s final top 10 teams.

No. 1 Duke University 35-4 (15-3)

Atlantic Coast Conference

Tournament Results: National Champions

The Duke Blue Devils were quietly the best team in the country this year. The Blue Devils started the season out hot winning the first 14 games on their schedule. Duke was a team that had a prolific scoring offense putting up 80.6 points per game, and hitting 50 percent of their field goal.

They ranked in the top five in both points per game and field goal percentage. The Blue Devils played team ball down the stretch as they won 18 of their last 19 games. Though the Blue Devils did not face the toughest teams in this year’s tournament, they still deserved to win a National Title.

No. 2 University of Wisconsin-Madison 36-4 (16-2)

Big Ten Conference

Tournament Results: Runner Ups (L. Duke 68-63)

Wisconsin started the season off with a lot of expectations. The Badger’s star player, Frank Kaminsky, was coming back for his senior year and a Final Four did not seem crazy to most.

Wisconsin won 25 of their first 27 games, and eased to an outright Big Ten conference title. Wisconsin’s heart, hustle, and dedication to the game were evident from the Badger’s tournament run.

No. 3 University of Kentucky 38-1 (18-0)

Southeastern Conference

Tournament Results: Final Four (L. Wisconsin 71-64)

The Kentucky Wildcats were the most talented team in all of college basketball this season. The Wildcats fell two games short of running the table and finishing a perfect 40-0.

Kentucky had an extremely resilient group of guys, but unfortunately for the Wildcats seven of the key pieces to this year’s team have declared for the NBA draft. The Wildcats were loaded this year, but something tells me they will be just as good next season.

No. 4 Gonzaga University 35-3 (17-1)

West Coast Conference

Tournament Results: Elite Eight (L. Duke 66-52) 

Gonzaga is a team that I truly believe deserves to be on the top of this list. The Bulldogs had one of the best seasons in school history. The Zags lost two regular season games both by three points.

The Bulldogs were top 10 in the country in assists per game, points per game and field goal percentage. If it weren’t for a tough matchup with Duke, the Bulldogs might have been dancing to the Final Four.

No. 5 The University of Arizona 34-4 (16-2)

Pac 12 Conference

Tournament Results: Elite Eight (L Wisconsin 85-78)

The Arizona Wildcats have failed to make the Final Four since 2001, and this year was no different for the Wildcats. Arizona had the personnel to complete a run to the Final Four, but the stars did not align for the Pac 12 power.

The Wildcats will have their time, but it will take a couple of years.

No. 6 University of Notre Dame 32-6 (14-4)

Atlantic Coast Conference

Tournament Results: Elite Eight (L. Kentucky 68-66)

Notre Dame came out of nowhere this season as they dominated an extremely talented ACC conference. The Fighting Irish consistently played team ball resulting in one of the most efficient offenses in the country.

The Irish could also shoot. ND ranked second in the country in field goal percentage per game. The Irish shot 51 percent throughout the season. This offensive firepower made way for one of the best seasons in Notre Dame basketball history.

No. 7 Michigan State University 27-12 (12-6)

Big Ten Conference

Tournament Results: Final Four (L. Duke 81-61)

Michigan State is a team that is always in the conversation for a National Title at the end of the season. The Spartans consistently battle all season long and prove what they are made of in the NCAA tournament.

A team that many gave up on early in the season, Michigan State showed they have what it takes to continually be relevant.

No. 8 University of Louisville 27-9 (12-6)

Atlantic Coast Conference

Tournament Results: Elite Eight (L. Michigan State 76-70 OT)

Louisville was a team that had plenty of talent during the regular season. The Cardinals performed well in a tough ACC conference and really started playing team basketball when March came around.

The Cardinals were also blessed with senior Wayne Blackshear, who stepped up and helped push Louisville forward in the tournament.

No. 9 Villanova University 33-3 (16-2)

Big East Conference

Tournament Results: Second Round (L. North Carolina State 71-68)

Villanova dominated a weaker Big East conference this season and earned a one seed in March Madness. However, the Wildcats found a way to lose in their second round tournament matchup.

The Wildcats lost early in the tournament, but that does not take away from the great season they had.

No. 10 Wichita State University 30-5 (17-1)

Missouri Valley Conference

Tournament Results: Sweet 16 (L. Notre Dame 81-70)

Wichita State was a team that cruised through an easy regular season schedule. What was even more impressive about Wichita State was the fact that the Shockers found another stride.

WSU won their first round matchup with Indiana and second round matchup with in-state rival, Kansas. Wichita State has been a consistent top 10 team over the past four seasons.

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