ESPN ranks Davidson #44 over last 50 years

ESPN has published a ranking of the top 50 major college basketball programs over the last 50 years.  Davidson College's Wildcats came in with a ranking of 44.  Not bad, just behind NC St and ahead of such names as Alabama and LSU. [scoring system here]

44. Davidson (190 points)

Positives: Under Lefty Driesell, the Wildcats were a powerhouse in the 1960s, racking up seven 20-win seasons in an eight-year span. The ’64-65 team was AP preseason No. 4 and boasted future NBA No. 1 pick Fred Hetzel. Nine combined conference titles since 2005.

Negatives: In the 38 seasons between heartbreaking two-point regional final losses in 1969 and 2008, Davidson amassed just 56 points. Between 1975 and 1992, the program lost 48 points just within the win percentage portion of scoring.

Fun fact: Within the first decade of our 50-year project, Davidson ranked fifth overall -- behind only blueblood programs UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina and Duke.

Rank by the decade
1962-69: 86 (6th)
1970-79: 14 (T-87th)
1980-89: -9 (T-284th)
1990-99: 14 (T-110th)
2000-present: 85 (25th)

50 in 50 starting five (1962-present)
G – Stephen Curry (2006-09)
G – Dick Snyder (1963-66)
F – John Gerdy (1975-79)
F – Mike Maloy (1967-70)
F/C – Fred Hetzel (1962-65)

Which is Davidson's best team of the past 50 years?

• 5%
  1964-65 (24-2)
• 14%
  1968-69 (27-3, NCAA Elite Eight)
• 81%
  2007-08 (29-7, NCAA Elite Eight)

(Total votes: 3,128)

Top options off the bench
Jason Richards (2004-08)
Brendan Winters (2002-06)
Derek Rucker (1984-88)

50 in 50 coach: Lefty Driesell (1960-69)

Best teams (1962-present)
1964-65 (24-2)
1968-69 (27-3, NCAA Elite Eight)
2007-08 (29-7, NCAA Elite Eight)