Coolest College Basketball Teams: Top Rankings of the NCAA Cool Kids
College basketball, where slam dunks meet student sections humming with passion, has given us plenty to cheer about. But when it comes to determining who’s truly the coolest on the court and in the stands, we turned to a rigorous dataset for guidance. From historic Indiana with its hoops legacy to California’s golden state charm, here’s our buzzer-beating analysis inspired by rich player reels and boiling school spirits.
Methodology
Our ranking system captures the essence of what makes a college basketball team genuinely cool. Here’s how:
- Data Collection: For this evaluation, we gathered multiple data points, from active NBA players and their combined earnings (thanks to Spotrac) to the cultural presence of microbreweries (Open Brewery DB), city population stats (World Population Review), and fan engagement metrics via search volume (Google Keyword Planner). Additionally, Wikipedia provided insights into Championships, Final Four appearances, and March Madness upsets. The latest standings were compiled using NCAA NET Rankings.
- Calculation of ‘Cool Score’: Relying on three pillars—Value, Culture, and Performance & Grit—we standardized data points using z-scores. Each element was weighted to emphasize its importance: Players (30%), Cultural Relevance (30%), and Competitive Edge (40%). Final scores were then aggregated to establish our rankings.
UCLA Bruins – The Coolest College Basketball Team
Claiming the apex with a perfect Cool Score of 100, the UCLA Bruins shine as cultural icons of basketball excellence. With a formidable 11 national championships and presence in 18 Final Fours, their legacy resonates from the wooden floors of Pauley Pavilion to the beaches of Los Angeles. Popular across the map, they generate 12,100 fan searches, bolstered further by $127.39 million in player earnings.
- Kentucky Wildcats (2nd): Powerhouses in Lexington, Kentucky is steeped in basketball tradition. With a Cool Score of 91.32, they boast 29 NBA players and 8 championships, marching their way through both hoops and financial halls of glory, thanks to a monumental $496.9 million player earnings.
- North Carolina Tar Heels (3rd): Chapel Hill legends garner a score of 57.21, parading 8 pros who’ve chalked $69.54 million on the cash board. With 6 national titles and a blue-tinted history of dominance, every jump shot recreates stories of past heroes.
- Duke Blue Devils (4th): Indeed, devilish on the court, Duke asserts itself with a score of 55.79. Led by 23 pros making over $246.86 million, they’ve glorified the basketball world with 5 championships and 17 Final Four appearances—Durham’s pride is always palpable.
- Texas A&M Aggies (5th): Though unheralded in championships, their grit has earned them an admirable score of 50.60. College Station supports spirited 4,400 searches and showcases young guns in the NBA, cataloging their rise in basketball ranks.
- Gonzaga Bulldogs (6th): The Zags embody underdog spirit with a score of 43.80, drawing inspiration from a dynamic Spokane culture. A hit in March Madness upsets, their 11 pros count $110.64 million earnings, proving grit pays off.
- Villanova Wildcats (7th): With a classy 41.81, Nova knocks on hoops heaven’s door with three national trophies. Ever peppered with talent, their urban charm vibes with 2,400 serene searches at Villanova.
- VCU Rams (8th): Richmond rebels with passionate flair, reflecting a Cool Score of 38.65. Known for dramatic tournament upsets, they drive 110,000 team searches fueled by bold city energy and player earnings touching $47.40 million.
Florida Gators (9th): Gainesville gators snap with vigor, boasting a Cool Score of 35.63. With robust team searches quantum-leaping to 450,000, they maintain a symbiotic relationship with cultural zeal and two basketball crowns.
- Kansas Jayhawks (10th): Nestled in Lawrence, with a score of 34.64, they’re synonymous with basketball royalty. Their dynasty includes four golden championships, continuously fueled by 33,100 tenacious fan searches, crowned with 12 player earnings clearing $90 million.
Teams Ranked 11-20
- Michigan Wolverines (11th): Not far behind are the Wolverines, with a Cool Score of 33.73, hailing from Ann Arbor’s educational utopia. Buzz-worthy with 10 NBA alums and a championship to their name, they continue to push hardwood boundaries.
- Michigan State Spartans (12th): With ten Final Four touches and six acute warriors in the league, they chip in at 33.66, wrapping East Lansing with a tapestry of resilience and flair.
- Oregon State Beavers (13th): Corvallis’s charming greens keep the Beavers marching in sync to a score of 32.38, threading from below-the-radar grille-upset masterpieces.
- Arkansas Razorbacks (14th): With six Final Four entries, Arkansas thrives fiercely with two championships and 11 players tapping $60.77 million.
- Houston Cougars (15th): Positioned at a score of 29.03 and six Final Four skirmishes, Houston’s vitality is intertwined with its expansive diversity and dynamism.
- Florida State Seminoles (16th): Flaunting five-star grit with potent revenue flair, they flash an engaging narrative emboldened by rich tradition and talent.
- Texas Longhorns (17th): The enduring pride of Austin, the Longhorns continue their legendary journey, fueled by a robust fanbase and constant growth.
- Butler Bulldogs (18th): With echoes of glory, they reinforce their standings propelled by an enthusiastic Indianapolis crowd.
- San Francisco Dons (19th): Glimmering with coastal charm, the Dons uphold their rich legacy with basketball zeal and steady perseverance.
- LSU Tigers (20th): Baton Rouge flaunts an intricate tapestry of raw talent, with six NBA players echoing their vibrant pursuit in a diverse basketball ecosystem.
In the intricate dance of hoops and fandom, college basketball promotes legends and the continuum of dreams. On and off courts, these teams personify cool charisma, holding forces not only in their jurisdictions but beyond.
If you’re a college basketball fan, you should definitely check out how some of the players on these teams fit in with your fantasy CBB lineup.
Or, you could even take a look at some of these PrizePicks promo code and DraftKings Pick6 promo code pages.
You can find the full dataset here.