The 10 Best College Basketball Programs Since 2000

6. Michigan State Spartans

Average nERD: 14.49

For the last 17 seasons, the Michigan State Spartans have been the pinnacle of play in the Big Ten conference. In that time, they've had just one coach -- Tom Izzo -- and they're 436-164 under his direction.

With a record of 32-7, 2000 was the Spartans' best season. They tallied a nERD of 20.93 and rewarded Izzo with his first and only championship in his 21-plus years in East Lansing.

Most of Michigan State's success has been derived from their offensive firepower. On a per-season basis, they ranked in the 85th percentile on that end. But they were more than respectable on the other end, ranking in the 77th percentile on defense.