They played at big, public universities and small, private colleges, from the Triangle to UCLA and all parts in-between. They played in the 1960s before at-large berths, the 70s, 80s, 90s, the one-and-done 2000s and today. They played in short shorts and baggy ones down to their knees. Some were All-Americans. Others more obscure.

But all 40 players have one thing in common: a place among the Raleigh & Company staff’s favorite college basketball players.

Each team is five players, plus a coach (or two).

Every team includes at least one Triangle player — from North Carolina, Duke or N.C. State. Most have two. One list includes only UNC and State players.

Five players appear on two lists: David Thompson, Donald Williams, Chris Corchiani, Rodney Rogers and Quinn Cook. But that’s nothing close to a consensus. Fittingly, Jim Valvano — the no-doubt avatar for NCAA tournament madness — was the only coach selected twice.

Our favorite players …

SHAWN KREST

Scott Skiles, Michigan State
Quinn Cook, Duke
Rodney Rogers, Wake Forest
Dennis Scott, Georgia Tech
King Rice, North Carolina

Coach | Gregg Marshall, Wichita State or Dr. Brett Reed, Lehigh

KEVIN BREWER

Jalen Rose, Michigan
Stephen Curry, Davidson
Sam Perkins, North Carolina
Bill Bradley, Princeton
Shane Battier, Duke

Coach | Al McGuire, Marquette

R.L. BYNUM

David Thompson, State
James Worthy, North Carolina
Bill Walton, UCLA
Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
Donald Williams, North Carolina

Coach | Jim Valvano, State

KENDRA STOWE

Trevor Lacey, State
T.J. Warren, State
Seth Curry, Duke
Richard Howell, State
Montrezl Harrell, Louisville

Coach | Roy Williams, North Carolina

SHAKER SAMMAN

Quinn Cook, Duke
Trey Burke, Michigan
Matt Stainbrook, Xavier
Kemba Walker, Connecticut
Ryan Kelly, Duke

Coach | Brad Stevens, Butler

TONY CASTLEBERRY

Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech
Johnny Dawkins, Duke
Chris Jackson, LSU
Stacey Augmon, UNLV
Ray Allen, Connecticut

Coach | John Thompson, Georgetown

ISAAC WEEKS

Donald Williams, North Carolina
Chris Corchiani, State
J.R. Reid, North Carolina
Rasheed Wallace, North Carolina
Eric Montross, North Carolina

Coach | Les Robinson, State

JAMES CURLE

Chris Corchiani, State
David Thompson, State
Grant Hill, Duke
Julius Hodge, State
Tim Duncan, Wake Forest

Coach | Jim Valvano, State

J.P. MUNDY

Steve Alford, Indiana
Randolph Childress, Wake Forest
Chris Lofton, Tennessee
J.J. Redick, Duke
Rodney Rogers, Wake Forest

Coach | Pat Summitt, Tennessee