The 2015 College Basketball Season
The 2015 college basketball season was an exciting time for college basketball fans around the world. With a number of talented teams taking the court, fans were treated to some of the most thrilling games in recent memory. While the season was filled with memorable moments, there was one team that stood out amongst the rest as the best college basketball team in 2015.
Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats were the clear standout in the 2015 college basketball season. The Wildcats were coached by legendary coach John Calipari and were led by a talented group of freshmen, including Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Tyler Ulis. After a strong start to the season, the Wildcats went on to win the SEC regular season title before advancing to the Final Four.
Record-Setting Season
The Wildcats finished the season with an impressive 36-0 record, becoming the first team to go undefeated since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers. During the regular season, the Wildcats defeated a number of top teams, including the North Carolina Tar Heels, Louisville Cardinals, and Kansas Jayhawks. The Wildcats also set a school record for most wins in a season, surpassing the previous record of 35 set in 2012.
The Starting Five
The Wildcats were led by a talented starting five that included Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Tyler Ulis, and Andrew Harrison. Booker, a guard, was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 10.0 points per game. Towns, a center, was the team’s leading rebounder, averaging 6.7 rebounds per game. Cauley-Stein was a defensive presence, averaging 2.9 blocks per game. Ulis, a point guard, dished out an average of 5.6 assists per game. Finally, Harrison, a guard, averaged 8.7 points and 4.6 assists per game.
The Bench
The Wildcats also had a strong bench that helped the team to their undefeated season. Players like Trey Lyles, Aaron Harrison, Marcus Lee, and Dakari Johnson provided valuable minutes off the bench and gave the team valuable depth. Lyles, a forward, averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Aaron Harrison, a guard, averaged 8.7 points and 3.0 assists per game. Lee, a forward, was a defensive presence, averaging 1.6 blocks per game. And Johnson, a center, contributed 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
The Coaching Staff
The Wildcats’ success was due in large part to the coaching staff led by Calipari. Calipari was the team’s head coach and was joined by assistant coaches Barry Rohrssen, John Robic, Orlando Antigua, and Tony Barbee. Calipari, who had previously coached at Memphis and UMass, was in his sixth season with Kentucky and had led the team to a number of successful seasons.
The Postseason
The Wildcats entered the postseason as the clear favorites to win the NCAA championship. The team easily advanced to the Final Four, where they faced off against the Wisconsin Badgers in the semifinals. The Wildcats defeated the Badgers, setting up a matchup with the Duke Blue Devils in the championship game. The Wildcats were able to hold off a late Duke rally to win the NCAA championship and complete their undefeated season.
The Legacy
The Kentucky Wildcats’ 2015 season will go down as one of the greatest college basketball seasons of all time. The team’s perfect record is a testament to the team’s talent and coaching. The Wildcats’ legacy will live on for years to come and they will forever be remembered as the best college basketball team of 2015.
Conclusion
The 2015 college basketball season was an exciting one and the Kentucky Wildcats were clearly the standout team. Led by a talented group of freshmen, a deep bench, and a great coaching staff, the Wildcats were able to go undefeated and win the NCAA championship. The Wildcats’ legacy will live on for years to come and they will forever be remembered as the best college basketball team of 2015.