Ayrton Oneill
In American college basketball, blue bloods refers to Division I basketball programs that are considered to be among the most elite, either in the present day or historically. The term is generally applied to programs with a long history of success, a strong fan base, and a national reputation. While there is no official definition of what constitutes a blue blood, the programs most commonly cited as blue bloods include Duke, North Carolina (UNC), Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, UCLA, and UConn.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 9 |
| Teams | Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, UCLA, UConn, Villanova, Michigan State |
| Criteria for inclusion | Long history of success, strong fan base, national reputation, consistent tournament appearances and wins |
| First use of term | 3 January 1927, Brooklyn Times-Union |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue bloods are elite basketball schools with a long history of success, strong fan base and national reputation
- Duke, North Carolina or UNC, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, and UCLA are the most commonly associated blue blood schools
- UConn is increasingly considered a blue blood school, having won five national championships since 1999
- Villanova, Michigan State, and UConn are considered new blue blood schools
- The term blue blood in college basketball was first referenced in the Brooklyn Times-Union on January 3, 1927
Blue bloods are elite basketball schools with a long history of success, strong fan base and national reputation
In American college basketball, "blue bloods" refers to Division I basketball programs that are considered to be among the most elite, either in the present day or throughout history. The term "blue blood" is rooted in nobility, with royals historically being dubbed as such.
Blue blood basketball schools have a long history of success, a strong fan base, and a national reputation. They are consistently ranked among the top teams in the country and are regularly featured in national media coverage. These programs are always contenders for the national championship and are usually exciting to watch every season.
While there is no official definition of what makes a blue blood basketball school, and the criteria for inclusion is often debated, several programs are consistently at the center of the discussion. These include Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina (UNC), UCLA, and Indiana for the men's programs. UConn's women's team is also considered a blue blood, as is Tennessee.
Some sources also include Villanova, Michigan State, and UConn as "new blue blood" programs, while others question the inclusion of UCLA and Indiana due to their success being concentrated under one coach or during a specific time frame.
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Duke, North Carolina or UNC, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, and UCLA are the most commonly associated blue blood schools
In American college basketball, "blue bloods" refer to the most elite National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball programs, either in the present or throughout history. The term "blue blood" is rooted in nobility, with royals historically being referred to as such.
Duke, North Carolina (UNC), Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, and UCLA are the most commonly associated blue blood schools. These schools are often included when listing blue bloods and are considered among the best due to their high number of wins in the regular season and their numerous championship victories.
Duke's journey to blue blood status was facilitated by its rivalry with the already established blue blood, North Carolina. Duke's success is also largely attributed to Coach K, who won five national championships for the school. The rivalry between Duke and UNC has resulted in some of the best basketball games in history and has produced more than thirty former players who have gone on to play or coach in the NBA.
While UCLA and Indiana are sometimes excluded from blue blood lists, they are still considered among the best basketball schools. Their inclusion as blue bloods has been called into question as the majority of their success and championships are attributed to particular coaches or occurred during specific periods. However, sports writer Davis Wallace dubbed UCLA and Indiana as "True Bloods", acknowledging their respected histories.
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UConn is increasingly considered a blue blood school, having won five national championships since 1999
In American college basketball, "blue blood" is a term used to refer to the most elite basketball programs in the country, either in the present or throughout history. The term is derived from "blue blood" or "blue-blooded", a term used to refer to royalty.
UConn is increasingly considered a blue-blood school, with its men's and women's teams achieving success and recognition in the sport. The women's team is widely considered a blue blood, having won 12 NCAA championships under head coach Geno Auriemma, mostly in the 2000s and 2010s. The men's team has also achieved notable success, with five national championships since 1999. This sustained success under different coaches puts UConn in line with other blue-blood schools.
UConn's success has sparked debates among fans and analysts about its status as a blue blood. Some argue that the program lacks consistency and a lengthy history at the top compared to traditional blue-blood schools like UNC, Duke, and Kentucky. However, others point to UConn's multiple national championships and strong recent performance, with some considering it a "new blue blood".
The criteria for induction into the blue-blood programs vary, and the debate about which schools belong in this category reignites every March Madness. While some traditional blue-blood schools like UNC, Duke, and Kentucky are widely accepted, other schools like UCLA and Indiana have faced questions due to their success being concentrated under specific coaches or during particular stretches. UConn's men's team, with its recent success and five national championships, is increasingly part of this conversation and is considered a strong contender for blue-blood status.
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Villanova, Michigan State, and UConn are considered new blue blood schools
In American college basketball, "blue blood" is a term used to refer to the most elite NCAA Division I basketball programs, either in the present day or throughout history. The term is rooted in nobility, with royals being referred to as "blue-blooded".
While there is no clear consensus on which schools are considered "blue bloods", programs that are frequently included are Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, UConn, UNC, and Indiana. Villanova and Michigan State are also sometimes mentioned as "new blue blood schools".
Villanova's championship game appearances in the 2010s and 2020s have garnered them consideration for blue blood status. Their win in the 2025 championship put the Florida Gators in the conversation as well. UConn's men's and women's basketball programs have also demonstrated sustained success, with multiple coaches achieving national championships. UConn's success has sparked debates about whether the program is a true "blue blood" or simply a very successful school lacking the historical longevity of other blue blood programs. Michigan State, like UConn, is considered a "True Blood" by some, with a respected history but not the consistency of a top-tier blue blood school.
While the definition of "blue blood" in college basketball is nebulous and subject to interpretation, Villanova, Michigan State, and UConn are often mentioned as newer programs that have achieved elite status.
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The term blue blood in college basketball was first referenced in the Brooklyn Times-Union on January 3, 1927
The term "blue blood" in college basketball is used to refer to the most elite basketball programs in the country. These programs have a long history of success, strong fan bases, and a national reputation. The term was first referenced in the Brooklyn Times-Union on January 3, 1927, in a sub-headline that read, "Centrals Made Up of Basketball Blue Bloods." However, it is important to note that this early usage of the phrase referred to specific talented players rather than teams.
The usage of the phrase "blue blood" in the context of college basketball has evolved over time. During the 1950s, the Associated Press (AP) and Cincinnati Enquirer used the phrase casually to describe teams ranked near the top of the AP poll. Despite the evolution of the term, its specific origin and history remain unclear.
There is no official definition of what constitutes a blue blood in college basketball, and the criteria for inclusion in this elite group vary depending on who you ask. However, several programs are often at the center of the blue blood debate, including Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, UCLA, and UConn. These schools have consistently been among the winningest teams and have won multiple national championships. They also have large and passionate fan bases and are frequently featured in national media coverage.
While the term "blue blood" in college basketball was first referenced in 1927, the specific usage to refer to elite college basketball programs may have evolved over time. The term has since become synonymous with the most prestigious and successful programs in the sport, with a select group of schools consistently mentioned as blue bloods due to their dominant performances and rich histories.
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Frequently asked questions
In American college basketball, blue blood schools are National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball programs considered to be among the most elite, either contemporaneously or historically.
The most commonly cited blue blood schools are:
- Duke
- North Carolina (UNC)
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Indiana
- UCLA
- UConn
- Villanova
- Michigan State
There is no official definition of what makes a blue blood school, but the term is generally applied to programs that have a long history of success, a strong fan base, and a national reputation.
No, there is an ongoing debate about which schools are most deserving of the title and what the term "blue blood" actually means. While some schools are widely considered blue bloods, others are more contentious.
The term "blue blood" is rooted in nobility, with royals being dubbed as such. The first reference to "blue blood" in college basketball was in the Brooklyn Times-Union on January 3, 1927, although it did not refer specifically to basketball programs at the time.
