NCAA Bracket 2012: Ranking March Madness' Hottest Fanbases

If the gym walls of college basketball's biggest teams could talk, they would tell a tale we all as fans would love. Stories of last-second shots. Stories of triumphs over bigger schools, and of course, the ones that got away.

College basketball arenas have a way of making history all to themselves, and the teams coaches put on the floor each night are an extension of that history. Coaches, players and fans are all part of the "showcase" when it comes to the postseason and March Madness.

These are the schools whose fanbases enjoy a good game or two and have an even better time when their teams are invited to see if Cinderella's slipper fits just right.

For your printable bracket for the 2012 NCAA tournament, click here

20. Cleveland State

Ever since they were put on the map in 1986 in the NCAA Tournament, everyone seems to know about Cleveland State.

This year, the team made the NIT instead of the NCAA Tournament. That should not stop its fans from pouring on support for the Vikings.

As long as there is talk about upsets and basketball lore, for one shinning moment, the Cleveland State campus is the biggest thing in college basketball.

19. FSU

OK, throw me a bone here.

My alma mater seems to find ways to beat the Dukes and UNCs of the world from time to time. And along the way, they play a pretty good brand of basketball.

FSU under Leonard Hamilton is moving up the NCAA ladder. The Donald Tucker Center is all the rage, and for a school that boasts a good brand of football on a yearly basis, the hoops aren't bad either.

When I was in school, we were touting Charlie Ward, Bob Sura, Doug Edwards and others. And when you continually beat the best, you tend to gain more notoriety. And the house is usually packed.

Oh, and they won the ACC Tournament this weekend, the first time that has happened.

18. Tennessee

Lately, the fans on the football side of things have not had a lot to cheer about. The Volunteer basketball team has been solid, if not spectacular, over the past decade.

Fans used to be able to enjoy Bruce Pearl on the sidelines and his bright orange jackets and colorful personality.

Long ago, players like Allen Houton and Dyron Nix roamed the outside arc for the Volunteers, bringing Tennessee some national exposure in the 1980s.

Fans are as loyal to the men's team as they are to the Lady Volunteers.

17. Wisconsin

Somehow, some way, Wisconsin always manages to play good close basketball games.

And playing in the Big Ten, that is no easy feat.

Fans appreciate that while the football team is successful on the field, the hoopsters are knocking them down in the warm confines when it is cold outside.

And when the team is on fire, the crowds usually heat up as well.

16. Wichita State

The shockers get in the tournament from time to time and "shock" the world.

They are one of those teams you don't want to take your eye off of because they will play tough defense and sneak up on the bigger teams in a tourney. And when they are at home, the crowds let you know just how proud they are of their basketball.

The Kansas Jayhawks aren't the only game in town.

And with high seed in this year's "dance," fans could be shocked again.

15. Texas

Texas isn't just a football college.

Some of the best basketball in the Big 12 is played in Texas, where it is more often than not a top-25 team.

Fans and students are just as supportive of the basketball teams as they are of the pigskin.

Under Rick Barnes, the Longhorns have been to 13 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. Not a bad feat for a school that is strong in football, baseball and basketball.

14. Ohio State

This is a program that has really been on the rise lately.

For the past decade, Ohio State has hovered around the top of the college basketball world, even contending for a national title.

Thad Matta has his troops in the tournament again, much to the delight of the Ohio State faithful, who finally want to see the eight-year head coach get his first national title.

With a fanbase that loves its hoops and travels well, this team will be a perennial favorite for years to come.

13. UCLA

I had to include it on this list. No school is as storied as UCLA. And in that vain, we pay tribute to John Wooden, Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton for putting the team on the map.

UCLA is one of the few "basketball-first" schools that is still as popular as it was back in the 1960s and 1970s.

It even looked like the teams of old, challenging Florida for a national title and being in three consecutive Final Fours from 2006-2008.

While the names have changed and the success rate is not as high, the basketball is still pretty darn good.

12. Florida

Two national championships back-to-back, and it could have won three in a row.

This team was stacked in the middle part of the last decade, putting Florida on the map as a basketball and football school.

Fans sit right on the hardwood and show their emotion on their sleeves.

Billy Donovan has this school as interested in hoops as it is in touchdowns. Right now, if you polled the school, the support might even be 50/50.

11. Illinois

The Fighting Illini are always in the middle of the basketball world.

Even before the days of Ken Norman and the Big Ten, Illinois was making noise on the hardwood. Assembly Hall is one of the loudest places to play ball, and the fans really give the opposition hell when they are behind in the games.

And who could forget Lou Henson and the famous combover?

10. Marquette

Dwyane Wade put it back on the map.

Because of Wade's play in the tournament when he was in college, Marquette gets notoriety and plays a pretty good brand of basketball.

But then again, basketball inside the state of Illinois has always been pretty good. Playing in an area of the country where the Big Ten is as popular as any conference in the land, you have to make a statement. Marquette does that on a yearly basis.

9. Michigan State

Spartan fans know a thing or two about basketball.

It started with a guy named "Magic."

The Spartans are always in the middle of the NCAA Tournament, making noise and challenging for a title. Coach Tom Izzo has his team's tournament tough each season, this one taking the Big Ten title and the top seed in the West Bracket.

Their students come out painted in green to show their support in droves.

8. Butler

A midwest school that shocks everyone and gets to the NCAA Finals.

It's a Hoosiers story waiting to happen.

Everyone loves a feel-good story, and the fans in Indiana all know about Butler and the small-town college with the big heart. And fans pack the arena on campus to show their support.

It could be the next Gonzaga.

It isn't the most flashy team in the land, but it knows how to get the job done.

7. Gonzaga

It is the Little Engine That Could of college basketball.

Good players with great work ethic and an unwillingness to be held down by bigger schools.

It is to college basketball what Boise State is to college football.

And the fan support and popularity is not just on campus. The "underdog" role makes it very likable nationally.

6. Syracuse

What can you say other than Jim Boeheim, Big East, battles with Georgetown.

Rony Seikaly, Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Coleman and Jerry McNamara. And who can forget Dwayne "Pearl" Washington? This team year in and year out just finds a way to compete for a national title.

'Cuse is exciting in the winter and are always in contention for a national title. And the fans would bleed orange if they could.

5. Indiana

Always known for a school with good guards. Fans have gotten to see Steve Alford, Keith Smart and Isiah Thomas.

There is always something special about Indiana. Whether it is the movie Hoosiers, the antics of former coach Bobby Knight or how the team won a national title after he left the school.

Indiana is anything but a boring place to watch a few hoops.

4. Kentucky

Honestly, anytime you can see Ashley Judd on television, it is a good time.

But Kentucky basketball is not just about Ms. Judd (although it would be fine if it were). It's about Kenny Walker and Mel Turpin and the 1980s and Rick Pitino.

It's about Joe B. Hall and Final Fours and Tubby Smith and, well, you get the picture. The fans come out to see their beloved team.

And Ashley Judd in Rupp Arena.

3. Kansas

Rock Chalk Jayhawk.

I have friends who went to Kansas when Danny Manning was at Kansas. He calls it the golden time of basketball.

I am not sure if it was the best time in the school's history, but I do know that Kansas basketball is a tradition that is not easily forgotten.

And the fans come from all over the state and Midwest to Allen Field House to support their team.

2. North Carolina

The house that Dean Smith built and Michael Jordan helped grow.

It's hard to imagine that North Carolina is not at the top of this list, but looking at the list of amazing schools, you can see it is hard to pick the best. And the fans are nationally loyal; not just in the state.

Dean Smith may have been college basketball's finest coach, helping to mentor greats like Jordan, Vince Carter and James Worthy. And the legend of the program is strengthened by the former stars in Roy Williams, Billy Cunningham and Bob McAdoo.

This the type of team that can puff its chest out and back it up.

The tradition lives on.

1. Duke

It doesn't get much better than this. Under the guidance of Mike Krzyzewski, Duke is the powerhouse everyone wants to be like.

From the "Cameron Crazies" who storm the gym to find a seat before each contest to the rich traditions of having player like Danny Ferry, Tommy Amaker, Christian Laettner and Grant Hill, this is the "mecca" of college basketball.

Playing in the ACC against rivals like North Carolina, FSU and Georgia Tech on a yearly basis helps part of the mystique as well.

There are few like Coach K, and there isn't a better place to experience college basketball. Period.