The Best NCAA Tournament Fan Bases: Midwest Region Edition
By Glenn Davis
We all love filling out brackets, watching hours upon hours of hoops on the first Thursday and Friday of the tournament, hoping for huge upsets. But none of it would matter without the key factor: the passion of the fans. In recognition of their devotion, we’re ranking the best fan bases in each region of the 68-team field. Today, we’re tackling the Midwest region. Let the arguments commence!
1. Kansas
Few environments in college basketball are more intimidating for opponents than the Jayhawks’ Allen Fieldhouse. That’s partly because Kansas is always good and partly because of Kansas’ storied history that traces its roots back to the beginning of basketball itself. But it’s mostly because KU fans always pack the house and get loud. There’s a reason Kansas didn’t lose at home this season. Besides, are there any three words more synonymous with college hoops than …
2. Kentucky
Kentucky is one of a handful of programs with a case as the best in college basketball, and they have a massive, rabid fan base to match. Rabid enough, in fact, that they probably won’t be too happy to see themselves ranked behind anyone on this list. Lucky for them, they have an undefeated juggernaut of a team for consolation.
3. Indiana
Sure, Indiana isn’t what it was during Bob Knight’s prime, but the program’s history and fan support mean IU is never too far from the sport’s mountaintop. The Hoosier faithful loyally pack Assembly Hall, and when the crowd gets rocking, it’s one of the toughest places in the country to play. Just ask the No. 2 fanbase on this list:
4. Maryland
Terps fans get a bad rap sometimes, but there’s no denying they make life difficult for opposing teams. Maryland boasts home wins over Top 5 teams in each of the last three seasons. As the big 10 newcomers build rivalries in the years to come, expect the XFinity Center to become an even tougher place to play.
5. Wichita State
The Shockers don’t have the national pedigree of the previous four programs on this list, but that might not be the case for long. That’s thanks in large part to the rowdy crowds that pack Koch Arena game in, game out and helped Wichita go undefeated at home this season. Lest you think those crowds are a recent, 2013-Final-Four-fueled phenomenon, know that Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall took the job back in 2007 in part due to “overwhelming fan support.”
6. Purdue
Purdue’s an underrated program. The Boilermakers are back in the tournament this year for the seventh time under coach Matt Painter, and if the country hasn’t taken much notice, at least the Mackey arena crowd has.
7. West Virginia
If that guy can’t get you fired up, who can? The Mountaineer is the gold standard for student mascots.
8. Butler
Blue is undoubtedly one of the top college basketball mascots of any species, but the humans cheering the Bulldogs on are no slouches. Hinkle Fieldhouse is one of the most historic venues in the sport, and the crowds there let visiting teams know this: Butler isn’t a Cinderella story anymore. It’s a bona fide college basketball powerhouse.
9. Cincinnati
From the days of Oscar Robertson to the current streak of five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, Cincinnati’s history is rich. Although the first thing that sticks out about the Bearcats’ home court is often its name (Fifth Third Arena), the people inside make sure that won’t be your lasting impression.
T-10. Notre Dame and Texas
Notre Dame and Texas. Both fine programs with undying fan support. Both reliable NCAA tourney visitors. Both, now and until the end of time, football schools.
12. Buffalo
Buffalo’s not upstate New York’s most popular college basketball program, but Bulls fans get major points for loyalty This is Buffalo’s first-ever appearance in the Big Dance.
13. Valparaiso
Any mention of Valparaiso is an excuse to post this:
That shot launched a generation of Valpo fans, and the player who took it, Bryce Drew, coaches the Crusaders now. Valpo doesn’t have the numbers to compete with the fan bases of schools at the top of this list, but thanks to moments such as the shot above, they’ll never lack for passion.
14. New Mexico State
New Mexico State is appearing in its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament and fifth in six years. The program’s success over the years is a well-kept secret, partly because it’s often overshadowed by in-state rival University of New Mexico.
15. Hampton
Hampton is another small school, but let the record show that when the Pirates appear on a national stage, their fans make their presence felt:
T-16. Northeastern and Manhattan
Both of these schools are victims of geography. They play in big cities (Boston and New York) that boast better-known programs (Boston College and St. John’s). The most impressive thing might be that these schools have Division-I-level followings at all.