Greatest College Basketball Fans of All Time, Ranked

While college basketball players typically stick around for four years (if we're lucky), the fans are lifers.

College basketball is serious business. But what makes it fun are the fanbases and rivalries that date back decades to the very beginning of the sport.

While players typically stick around for four years (if we’re lucky), the fans are lifers. Always ready to camp out for tickets. Always ready to yell at the TV (for good or bad). And always ready to paint their faces a ridiculous amount.

Only a few fanbases can be dubbed the GOAT. These five set the standard for let’s say “passionate” college basketball fans.

5. Duke University

Duke Blue Devils Maine Black Bears Mens NCAA Co

Ben McKeown / AP Photo

Team mascot: Blue Devil

Fanbase nickname: Cameron Crazies

Duke’s fans don’t get a nickname like “Cameron Crazies” for nothing. In fact, some fans got a lot of flack late in the 2023-24 season for throwing water bottles at University of North Carolina players after a tense, rivalry game that Duke lost.

Did the UNC players deserve it? Maybe — after all, they taunted the student section. But we don’t like violence of any kind, which is why they land lower on this list. Otherwise, this fanbase’s passion is pretty admirable and has been known to get as loud as 121 decibels at games.

4. Purdue

Doug McSchooler / AP Photo

Team mascot: Boilermaker Special

Fanbase nicknames: Boilermakers, Boilers

In 2023, Purdue became the second No. 1 team to ever lose to a No. 16 team in the first round of the NCAA tournament. After such a big upset, it’s no surprise that Purdue fans were more than stoked to be heading to the national championship in 2024.

That said, they have quite the basketball history to be proud of, with both men’s and women’s basketball teams having won more Big Ten Championships than any other conference school.

3. University of North Carolina

Jim R. Bounds / AP Photo

Team mascot: Ramses, the ram

Fanbase nicknames: Tar Heels

A lot of college basketball enthusiasts hate the North Carolina Tar Heels — and for good reason. The team is always good, consistently producing NBA greats like Michael Jordan and Steph Curry.

While the school’s fanbase is a bit less rowdy than some of the others on this list, that’s because they don’t have to be. And we respect them for that.

After all, a team that consistently wins will have a consistently supportive fanbase. It’s just basic math.

2. Indiana University

Darron Cummings / AP

Team mascot: Hoosier

Fan nicknames: Hoosier Hysteria

OK, Hoosier Hysteria isn’t exactly a nickname. It’s more of a state of mind. In fact, the term “March Madness” is said to have grown out of the term designated to the excitement that is Indiana basketball.

While the Hoosiers have quite the college basketball history, having won five NCAA national championships (the fourth most of any other team), they haven’t actually won one since 1987. But the fans still show up, year after year, to support their team.

1. University of Kansas

Charlie Riedel / AP Photo

Team mascot: Jayhawk

Fan nicknames: Jayhawks

Beware of the Phog for real. KU basketball fans are as passionate as can be. And why wouldn’t they be? The Jayhawks’ first coach was basketball’s inventor, James Naismith, and the school’s basketball program has produced some of the NBA’s best: Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Pierce and Joel Embiid, to name a few.

While the 2023-24 season was rough, losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament, this is a fanbase with a lot to be excited about every year, and they’re not afraid to remind you. Instead, they’ll say it loud and proud: “Rock Chalk!”

For more on college sports fans, check out “Best College Football Fans in Every State.”