NCAA Tournament 2012: Power-Ranking March Madness's 20 "Hottest" Fanbases

OK, I am taking another shot at this slideshow.

When I wrote this before, I tried my hand at picking the best fanbases in college basketball. I did not fail at it, but I missed the boat.

Yes, editors got a chuckle at it, and when I realized the purpose of the slider, then I realized what all of us really wanted to see and talk about.

Just like football and major sports, a big part of the fanbase is women. And on college campuses across the country, those cheerleaders and dance teams are leading the charge and the support of their favorite teams.

Kind of makes you want to go to a sports arena right now, doesn't it?

But seriously, college sports wouldn't be college sports without the tailgating, cheerleaders, dancers and everything else that encompasses the spirit of athletics.

Here is a look at some of the "hottest" fanbases on college campuses around the country.

20. Alabama Crimson Tide

They play some good basketball in Alabama.

While many times the team plays under the radar and is just good enough to challenge the Floridas and Kentuckys of the SEC, the Tide are not a power house.

Maybe some cheer and support from their loyal fans might help give them a boost.

19. Butler Bulldogs

Butler is new to the scene but figures to be a fixture in college basketball.

A true "Hoosiers" story, the Bulldogs are everything that is good about college sports.

Their fans are loyal and support their team. They are starting to become a Gonzaga-like team in basketball lore.

Hopefully, that kind of compliment can eventually lead them to a national title.

18. San Diego State Aztecs

I put them on here because they are a team on the rise in college basketball.

And you cannot have a team on the upswing without great fan support.

The Aztecs look to make a name for themselves like Gonzaga and Butler have before them, and like Boise State in football.

And when women like these come toward you looking like this, you cannot help but give them support for the program when they ask for it.

17. Marquette Golden Eagles

Oh, everything is golden in navy and gold.

Marquette is one of those programs that flies under the radar and is constantly in the mix, but no one realizes how good it is.

Playing in the middle of the country, the Golden Eagles fight the "bigger" schools like Indiana, Michigan State and Wisconsin for recognition.

But on cold winter nights, the arena is packed as the Golden Eagles play their brand of basketball.

16. Texas Longhorns

Rick Barnes knows a thing or two about basketball in the big state of Texas.

The Longhorns are perennial tournament members and play and up-and-down style of tempo similar to high-powered offenses the football team displays.

Whether on the road or at home, the support of the basketball team is as big as the state and has its supporters dancing over their success.

15. Florida State University

My school fell a little short in its goal of winning a national title.

The Florida State Seminoles have been an enigma since joining the ACC. They look good at times against Duke and North Carolina and always fall short against the Clemsons and Miamis of the world.

Make no mistake, fans support their 'Noles as a team on the rise in the state of Florida.

And as an alum and fan, all I can say is, "Wait until next year."

14. Wisconsin Badgers

They sneak up on you and then let you know they are part of the party.

Wisconsin is known as a football power in the Big Ten, but on the hardwood, it plays a tough brand of ball.

The Badgers supporters are all smiles because their team is in the Sweet 16 and could become a surprise team if it upsets top-seeded Syracuse.

A possible matchup with Ohio State in the next round could leave this Badgers cheerleader smiling for days.

13. Ohio State University

Thad Matta is going to win a national title one of these days.

Every year it seems the Buckeyes basketball team is on the brink of something huge.

And this year seems to be no different. As a Sweet 16 finalist, this team may be the sleeper to win it all and have fans screaming all over the state of Ohio.

And honestly, who could blame them when you have support like this?

12. Louisville Cardinals

Rick Pitino has proved his magic again in the state of Kentucky.

This time, the red and black are reaping his knowledge.

Louisville is rich in traditions of Darrell Griffith, Pervis Ellison and Denny Crum.

Pitino, with the help of some very spirited supporters, is carving his own identity on campus.

11. Arizona Wildcats

Red and blue was always a great color combination.

All hail the Wildcats.

While basketball in the West has sunk a bit in recent years, Arizona is always a threat to make a run at a title and postseason berth.

10. Tennessee Voluteers

We'd like to thank this cheerleader for stopping and "volunteering" to give us a pose.

While Tennessee is not as well-known on the map of college basketball (men's, at least), the team has faithful supporters. And while the women's teams are perennial champions, the men's teams have their shining moments.

It will be a few years before the Volunteers are a power again in the SEC, but it seems everyone is all smiles with their progress.

9. UCLA Bruins

You cannot have a list like this without the Bruins.

The powder blue and gold is a staple of the college hoops.

The best of the best, John Wooden was the most influential person in college basketball history, and his players played with intensity and heart every game.

And when it comes to fan support, blue and gold may never have looked so good.

8. Michigan State Spartans

To take a phrase from Dick Enberg, "Oh, My!"

Tom Izzo has his Michigan State Spartans in rare form this year as the top seed in the West bracket of the NCAA tournament.

That really isn't anything new. Izzo has has this team as a national contender every year he has been a coach of Sparty. And in 2000, he won the crown jewel.

While Michigan may be a better option in football, these beauties know when it comes to hoops, Green and White reign in the state of Michigan.

7. Indiana Hoosiers

There are days when I actually miss Bobby Knight roaming the sidelines, yelling and throwing chairs.

Indiana is so much a part of the college basketball subculture with its history and its link to high school basketball played in fieldhouses all around the state.

The crimson and cream is as popular as any combination in the Midwest and with fan support like this, it grows in popularity each year.

6. Syracuse Orange

Go Orange!

Back in the day (yes, I am dating myself) it was Derrick Coleman, Rony Seikaly and Pearl Washington.

Now, its Skip Jardine and Fab Melo.

Whatever the lineup, fans in New York are big on Orange basketball, which used to be the Orangemen (don't get me started).

While there isn't much to do in the winter months in northern New York, fans come out in droves to support their basketball.

And who can blame them?

5. Florida Gators

It used to be that the University of Florida was a football school first and basketball school second.

Now, it looks like things are pretty even.

Billy Donovan won national titles in '06 and '07, and his players are drafted into the NBA.

The fans that come out to watch the games are as strong as the football enthusiasts and the sights are just as nice to see.

4. Kansas Jayhawks

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.

Kansas has put together some memorable teams over the years and has been a basketball darling for many decades.

The hardwood at Allen Field House is actually named James Naismith Court after the famous coach and mentor, Dr. James Naismith.

The tradition alone in those walls will forever live in basketball lore. And fans come from all over the state to show their support for their beloved team.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels

The basketball program is The House That Dean Smith built and Michael Jordan made famous.

James Worthy, Brad Daugherty and Sam Perkins all passed thorough these hallowed halls and each went on to a great NBA career.

The Tar Heels are one of the most recognizable names in college hoops and for that, their fan support is about as strong as any in the nation.

Everyone loves the Carolina blue.

2. Kentucky Wildcats

How can you go wrong with this?

Ashley Judd cheering on the sidelines, in the stands and on court. Basically any where she wants to.

Kentucky basketball is known for great coaches like Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall and Rick Pitino. Not it being run by John Calipari.

And the lineage of great basketball players like Kenny Walker, Mel Turpin, Antoine Walker and Nazr Mohammed.

Kentucky is without a doubt one of the best basketball programs ever and with fans like Judd leading them on, they will stay high atop the perch.

1. Duke Blue Devils

They may not be cheerleaders, but they are just as vital to the success of the program.

The Cameron Crazies are as much of a college basketball institution as anything in college sports.

The Duke basketball team has been successful for the better part of four decades in part to Coach K and the players he recruits.

But if you don't think a loud raucous crowd doesn't have something to do with wins at Cameron Indoor Stadium, you have been hiding under a rock.