We’ve created this list of over 75 fun facts about College Basketball!
In addition to over 75 fun facts about College Basketball, learn more about the history of the game, the best players and teams, legends, traditions, and so much more!
Table of Contents
- About College Basketball
- History of the Game
- Fun Facts About College Basketball
- Fun Facts About College Basketball for Kids
- Rules of the Game
- Where It’s Played
- Best Players
- Best Teams
- Greatest Records
- Legends of the Game
- Traditions of the Game
- Movies
- Other Interesting Things About College Basketball
Fun Facts About College Basketball – About College Basketball
College basketball is a sport played by men’s and women’s teams at colleges and universities across the United States. It is played on a court that measures 94 feet in length and 50 feet in width, and involves two teams of five players each.
The objective of the game is to shoot the ball through the opposing team’s hoop and score points. Each basket counts for two points, although shots taken from beyond a certain distance (the three-point line) count for three points. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
College basketball games are typically played in two 20-minute halves, although the length of each half can vary depending on the level of play. In addition to regular season games, college basketball features a post-season tournament known as March Madness, which involves the top teams from across the country competing for the national championship.
College basketball has a rich history and a passionate fan base, with many teams and players achieving legendary status over the years. Some of the most successful and popular teams in the sport include the Duke Blue Devils, Kentucky Wildcats, North Carolina Tar Heels, and UCLA Bruins.
Fun Facts About College Basketball – History of the Game
College basketball has a long and storied history that dates back to the late 1800s. The first intercollegiate basketball game was played on February 9, 1895, when Hamline University defeated the University of Minnesota 9-3 in a game played with nine players on each team.
In the early years of college basketball, the game was played with a soccer ball and baskets without a backboard. Over time, the rules of the game were modified, and the modern version of basketball began to take shape.
The first national championship tournament was held in 1939, and was organized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The tournament, which was later known as the NCAA Tournament, featured eight teams and was won by the University of Oregon.
In the decades that followed, college basketball continued to grow in popularity, and the NCAA Tournament became one of the most-watched sporting events in the country. Many legendary coaches and players emerged during this time, including John Wooden, Bill Russell, and Michael Jordan.
Today, college basketball remains a popular and highly competitive sport, with hundreds of teams competing at the Division I, II, and III levels. The NCAA Tournament remains the most prestigious postseason event in the sport, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest spectacles in all of sports.
Fun Facts About College Basketball – 75 Fun Facts
Here are 25 fun facts about College Basketball:
- College basketball was invented in 1891 by Canadian James Naismith.
- The first college basketball game was played on February 9, 1895.
- The first intercollegiate basketball game was played between Hamline University and the University of Minnesota.
- The University of Kentucky has the most wins in college basketball history.
- UCLA has won the most NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships with 11.
- The University of Connecticut has won the most NCAA Women’s Basketball Championships with 11.
- The Duke Blue Devils have the most NCAA Tournament appearances with 43.
- The University of North Carolina has the most NCAA Tournament wins with 123.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is also known as March Madness.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is also known as the Women’s Final Four.
- The tallest player in college basketball history was 7’7″ Kenny George.
- The shortest player in college basketball history was 4’3″ Tyrone Bogues.
- The first African American head coach to win an NCAA championship was John Thompson Jr. of Georgetown in 1984.
- The first woman to score a basket in a college basketball game was Bertha Teague of Oklahoma Presbyterian College in 1902.
- The NCAA Tournament has been held every year since 1939, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The highest-scoring game in NCAA history was a 186-184 quadruple-overtime win by Troy over DeVry in 1992.
- The NCAA Tournament has had several Cinderella teams, including Loyola-Chicago, George Mason, and VCU.
- The University of Kentucky’s Rupp Arena is the largest college basketball arena, with a capacity of over 23,000.
- The Carrier Dome at Syracuse University was the first domed stadium in college basketball.
- The first college basketball game to be televised was in 1940 between Fordham and Pittsburgh.
- The first college basketball game to be broadcast in color was the 1965 NCAA Championship between UCLA and Michigan.
- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, Massachusetts.
- The first player to score 100 points in a college basketball game was Frank Selvy of Furman in 1954.
- The first player to dunk in a college basketball game was Georgeann Wells of West Virginia State in 1984.
- The longest winning streak in NCAA men’s basketball history is 88 games by UCLA from 1971-1974.
Fun Facts About College Basketball – 75 Fun Facts
Here are 25 more fun facts about College Basketball:
- The longest winning streak in NCAA women’s basketball history is 111 games by the University of Connecticut from 2014-2017.
- The University of Kentucky has had 36 players selected in the NBA Draft in the last 10 years.
- The Duke Blue Devils have had the most NBA Draft picks since 1980.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is one of the most-watched sporting events in the United States.
- The University of North Carolina has the most all-time NBA All-Star selections with 51.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has been held every year since 1982.
- The first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament was won by Louisiana Tech in 1982.
- The highest-scoring game in NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament history was a 151-95 win by UConn over St. Francis in 2018.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament features 68 teams.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament features 64 teams.
- The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is a secondary tournament in men’s college basketball that has been held annually since 1938.
- The NIT was originally considered the more prestigious tournament, but the NCAA Tournament has since surpassed it in popularity.
- The first NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was won by the University of Oregon in 1939.
- The University of North Carolina has the most Final Four appearances with 20.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is famous for its buzzer-beating shots and upsets.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has also had its share of upsets, including the 1998 Harvard Crimson defeating the top-ranked Stanford Cardinal in the opening round.
- The University of North Carolina has the most NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament wins with 123.
- The University of Connecticut has the most NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament wins with 11.
- The University of Kentucky has the most SEC Tournament wins with 31.
- The University of Kansas has the most Big 12 Tournament wins with 11.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has been played at 14 different sites, with the most common site being the Final Four host city.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has been played at 14 different sites, with the Final Four typically being held in large arenas.
- The University of North Carolina has the most NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearances with 50.
- The University of Connecticut has the most NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament appearances with 32.
- The Duke Blue Devils have the most ACC Tournament wins with 21.
Fun Facts About College Basketball – 75 Fun Facts
Here are 25+ more fun facts about College Basketball:
- The UCLA Bruins have the most Pac-12 Tournament wins with 11.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament features four regions: East, West, South, and Midwest.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament features four regions: Albany, Greensboro, Chicago, and Portland.
- The University of North Carolina has won six NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships.
- The University of Connecticut has won four NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament features a Selection Monday show where the bracket is revealed.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament features a Selection Sunday show where the bracket is revealed.
- The University of Kansas has won five NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has had several iconic moments, including Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater against Kentucky in 1992.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has had several iconic moments, including Maya Moore’s buzzer-beater against Mississippi State in 2018.
- The University of Maryland has won two NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament features several rounds of games, including the First Four, First Round, Second Round, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and National Championship.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament features several rounds of games, including the First Round, Second Round, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and National Championship.
- The University of Arizona has won one NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament features play-in games for the lowest-seeded teams.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament features no play-in games.
- The University of Michigan has won one NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament features a Most Outstanding Player award for the best player in the tournament.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament features a Most Outstanding Player award for the best player in the tournament.
- The University of Louisville has won two NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament features several venues, including large arenas and basketball-specific venues.
- The first game to feature a shot clock was played in 1955 between St. Joseph’s and La Salle.
- The tallest player in college basketball history is Gheorghe Muresan, who stood at 7’7″.
- The shortest player to play college basketball is Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues, who stood at just 5’3″.
- The first college basketball game was played in 1895 between Hamline University and the School of Agriculture, which Hamline won 9-3.
- Duke University has been to the NCAA Tournament 43 times, the most of any team.
- The University of North Carolina has won the most ACC championships with 32.
- The highest-scoring college basketball game in history was a 186-184 quadruple overtime victory for Troy University over DeVry University in 1992.
- The first televised college basketball game was a 1940 matchup between Pittsburgh and Fordham.
- The first African American to play college basketball in the ACC was Charlie Scott, who played for the University of North Carolina in 1967.
- The NCAA Basketball Tournament has been held annually since 1939.
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about College Basketball!
Fun Facts About College Basketball – 25 Fun Facts for Kids
Here are 25 fun facts about Baseball that kids might enjoy:
- The first basketball game was played in December 1891 at Springfield College in Massachusetts.
- The University of Kentucky has the most wins in college basketball history with over 2,300.
- March Madness is the nickname for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which takes place in March and April.
- The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is held at the same time as the men’s tournament.
- The tallest player in college basketball history was Gheorghe Muresan, who was 7 feet 7 inches tall.
- The shortest player in college basketball history was Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues, who was 5 feet 3 inches tall.
- The first African American to play in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was Wally Choice in 1950.
- The first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament was held in 1982.
- The first player to score 100 points in a college basketball game was Frank Selvy of Furman University in 1954.
- The University of Connecticut has won the most NCAA Women’s Basketball Championships with 11.
- The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has won the most NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships with 11.
- The shortest game in college basketball history was played on February 12, 1972 between Western Carolina University and Furman University. The game lasted just 38 seconds before it was called off due to a player being ejected and both teams leaving the court in protest.
- The first college basketball game to be broadcast on television was in 1940 between Pittsburgh and Fordham.
- The highest-scoring game in college basketball history was a 186-184 quadruple-overtime victory for Troy over DeVry in 1992.
- The NCAA introduced the 3-point line for men’s basketball in 1986.
- The first slam dunk in college basketball history was performed by Jerry Harkness of Loyola University in Chicago in 1962.
- The University of North Carolina has won the most Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Basketball Championships with 32.
- The Duke-UNC basketball rivalry is one of the most heated in college basketball, with the first game taking place in 1920.
- The NCAA has been awarding the Most Outstanding Player award to a player in the Final Four since 1939.
- In 1983, the NC State Wolfpack won the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship as a 6th seed, which is the lowest seed to ever win the championship.
- The first NCAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year was Carol Blazejowski in 1978.
- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which honors the history of basketball, is located in Springfield, Massachusetts.
- The University of Kansas has the longest active streak of consecutive NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearances with 31.
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has been nicknamed “The Big Dance.”
- The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985 and then to 68 teams in 2011.
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about College Basketball!
Fun Facts About College Basketball – Rules of the Game
In addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here is a brief description of the rules of the game.
College basketball is played by two teams of five players each, on a rectangular court with a hoop at each end. The game is divided into two 20-minute halves, with a halftime break in between.
The team with the ball is called the offense, and their goal is to score points by shooting the ball through the hoop. The other team is called the defense, and they try to stop the offense from scoring and gain possession of the ball.
Players can pass, dribble, or shoot the ball, but they must bounce the ball while moving with it (called dribbling) unless they are shooting or passing. If a player carries the ball without dribbling, it’s called a violation and the other team gains possession.
Points are scored by shooting the ball through the hoop. A basket from inside the 3-point line counts for two points, while a basket from outside the 3-point line counts for three points. Free throws, which are awarded for certain fouls, count for one point each.
Fouls are called for a variety of rule violations, such as pushing, holding, or making contact with an opposing player while they are shooting. If a team commits too many fouls, the other team may be awarded free throws. If a player commits too many fouls, they may be disqualified from the game.
College basketball has various other rules and regulations, such as shot clock violations, traveling violations, and out-of-bounds rules, but these are the basic rules of the game.
Fun Facts About College Basketball – Where It’s Played
In addition to the fun facts about college basketball, College basketball is played in a variety of venues, depending on the size and location of the college or university.
Some colleges have dedicated basketball arenas on their campuses, while others play in multi-purpose arenas or off-campus facilities.
Some of the largest and most well-known college basketball arenas include the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University, Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University, and the Dean Smith Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
College basketball games are also sometimes played in professional sports arenas, especially during postseason tournaments like the NCAA Tournament or the NIT.
Fun Facts About College Basketball – Best Players
In addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here are some of the players who are considered to be among the best in college basketball history:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (formerly known as Lew Alcindor), UCLA
- Bill Russell, University of San Francisco
- Michael Jordan, University of North Carolina
- Magic Johnson, Michigan State University
- Larry Bird, Indiana State University
- Wilt Chamberlain, University of Kansas
- Oscar Robertson, University of Cincinnati
- Bill Walton, UCLA
- Jerry West, West Virginia University
- Shaquille O’Neal, Louisiana State University
- Tim Duncan, Wake Forest University
- Christian Laettner, Duke University
- Pete Maravich, Louisiana State University
- Grant Hill, Duke University
- Patrick Ewing, Georgetown University
These players are some of the most iconic and successful players in the history of college basketball, and many of them went on to have successful careers in the NBA as well.
Fun Facts About College Basketball – Best Teams and Coaches
There have been many great teams in the history of college basketball, but in addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here are some of the most iconic and successful:
- 1971-72 UCLA Bruins – coached by John Wooden, this team went undefeated (30-0) and won their seventh consecutive national championship.
- 1991-92 Duke Blue Devils – coached by Mike Krzyzewski, this team featured stars like Christian Laettner and Grant Hill and won back-to-back national titles.
- 1956-57 North Carolina Tar Heels – coached by Frank McGuire, this team went 32-0 and won the national championship behind the play of future NBA Hall of Famer Lennie Rosenbluth.
- 1995-96 Kentucky Wildcats – coached by Rick Pitino, this team went 34-2 and won the national championship behind a dominant performance by future NBA All-Star Antoine Walker.
- 1966-67 UCLA Bruins – coached by John Wooden, this team won their third consecutive national championship behind the play of future NBA Hall of Famers Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Lucius Allen.
- 1972-73 North Carolina State Wolfpack – coached by Norm Sloan, this team went 27-0 and won the national championship in dramatic fashion, upsetting UCLA in the semifinals and beating Marquette in the final.
- 2011-12 Kentucky Wildcats – coached by John Calipari, this team featured a talented group of freshmen, including future NBA stars Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and won the national championship.
- 1979-80 Louisville Cardinals – coached by Denny Crum, this team featured stars like Darrell Griffith and won the national championship with a thrilling victory over UCLA in the final.
- 1962-63 Loyola Ramblers – coached by George Ireland, this team won the national championship and helped break down racial barriers in college basketball by starting four black players in the championship game.
- 1981-82 North Carolina Tar Heels – coached by Dean Smith, this team featured future NBA stars Michael Jordan and James Worthy and won the national championship.
There have been many legendary coaches in the history of college basketball, but in addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here are a few who are widely regarded as some of the best:
- John Wooden, UCLA
- Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University
- Adolph Rupp, University of Kentucky
- Dean Smith, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Bobby Knight, Indiana University
- Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University
- Roy Williams, University of Kansas and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- John Calipari, University of Kentucky
- Rick Pitino, University of Louisville
- Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee
Fun Facts About College Basketball – Greatest Records
In addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here are some of the most impressive records in college basketball history:
- Most career points: Pete Maravich, LSU (3,667)
- Most points in a single season: Frank Selvy, Furman (1,209 in 1954-55)
- Most points in a single game: Frank Selvy, Furman (100 points in 1954)
- Most rebounds in a career: Tim Duncan, Wake Forest (1,570)
- Most rebounds in a single season: Bill Russell, San Francisco (1,606 in 1956-57)
- Most rebounds in a single game: Bill Russell, San Francisco (51 rebounds in 1956)
- Most assists in a career: Bobby Hurley, Duke (1,076)
- Most assists in a single season: Ed Cota, North Carolina (349 in 1999-2000)
- Most assists in a single game: Tony Fairley, Charleston Southern (34 assists in 1991)
- Most blocks in a career: Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State (564)
- Most blocks in a single season: David Robinson, Navy (207 in 1985-86)
- Most blocks in a single game: Shaquille O’Neal, LSU (17 blocks in 1992)
- Longest winning streak: UCLA (88 games, from 1971-1974)
- Most NCAA tournament wins: Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (97)
- Most NCAA tournament appearances: North Carolina (50)
- Most NCAA tournament championships: UCLA (11)
- Most Final Four appearances: North Carolina (20)
- Most consecutive Final Four appearances: UCLA (10, from 1967-1976)
- Most consecutive conference championships: UCLA (13, from 1967-1979)
- Most consecutive weeks ranked No. 1 in the AP poll: UCLA (134, from 1971-1974)
About College Basketball – Legends
In addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here are some college basketball legends who have made a significant impact on the game:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) – UCLA
- Bill Russell – San Francisco
- Magic Johnson – Michigan State
- Larry Bird – Indiana State
- Michael Jordan – North Carolina
- Shaquille O’Neal – LSU
- Pete Maravich – LSU
- Wilt Chamberlain – Kansas
- Oscar Robertson – Cincinnati
- Bill Walton – UCLA
- Jerry West – West Virginia
- Christian Laettner – Duke
- Patrick Ewing – Georgetown
- Tim Duncan – Wake Forest
- Grant Hill – Duke
- Allen Iverson – Georgetown
- Ralph Sampson – Virginia
- George Mikan – DePaul
- Bob Cousy – Holy Cross
- John Wooden – UCLA (coach)
About College Basketball – Traditions
College basketball has many unique and exciting traditions that fans and players alike look forward to every season. In addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here are some of the most notable college basketball traditions:
- March Madness: The NCAA tournament is one of the most exciting and popular events in college basketball. It is a single-elimination tournament that takes place every year in March and April, featuring 68 of the best college basketball teams in the country.
- Rivalry games: Many college basketball teams have fierce rivalries with other schools, and these games are often some of the most intense and emotional of the season. Some of the most famous college basketball rivalries include Duke vs. North Carolina, Kentucky vs. Louisville, and Kansas vs. Missouri.
- The Cameron Crazies: The Duke Blue Devils have some of the most dedicated and passionate fans in all of college basketball. The Cameron Crazies are known for their energetic and creative cheers and chants, and their presence at Duke games adds to the electric atmosphere.
- Midnight Madness: Many college basketball programs kick off their seasons with a celebration called Midnight Madness. This event usually takes place on the first day that teams are allowed to begin practicing, and it features music, games, and a chance for fans to see their favorite players in action.
- Conference tournaments: Before the NCAA tournament, many college basketball conferences hold their own tournaments to determine which team will receive an automatic bid to the national tournament. These tournaments are often hotly contested and can be a preview of the exciting games to come in March Madness.
- Student sections: Many college basketball programs have designated sections of their arenas for student fans, who bring energy and excitement to games with their creative signs and cheers.
- Mascots: College basketball has some of the most beloved and iconic mascots in all of sports. From the Syracuse Orange to the Kansas Jayhawk, mascots add to the fun and festive atmosphere of college basketball games.
About College Basketball – Movies
In addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here are some popular movies about college basketball:
- Hoosiers (1986) – This classic sports film tells the story of a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that defies the odds to win the state championship.
- Glory Road (2006) – Based on a true story, Glory Road follows the journey of the 1966 Texas Western College basketball team, which was the first team to start five black players in the NCAA championship game.
- Coach Carter (2005) – Inspired by a true story, Coach Carter stars Samuel L. Jackson as a high school basketball coach who takes a strict approach to discipline and academics in order to help his players succeed on and off the court.
- Blue Chips (1994) – Nick Nolte stars in this drama about a college basketball coach who bends the rules to recruit talented players, leading to ethical dilemmas and personal conflicts.
- One on One (1977) – This film follows a talented high school basketball player who earns a scholarship to a prestigious university, but faces challenges as he adapts to the rigors of college life and competition.
- Above the Rim (1994) – This movie tells the story of a talented high school basketball player who struggles with personal challenges and rivalries as he tries to earn a scholarship and pursue his dreams.
- Love and Basketball (2000) – This romantic drama follows the relationship between two high school basketball players who have a shared love of the game, as they pursue their dreams and navigate the challenges of growing up.
Other Interesting Things About College Basketball – Quotes
In addition to the fun facts about college basketball, here are some famous quotes about college basketball:
- “The best teams have chemistry. They communicate with each other and they sacrifice personal glory for the common goal.” – Dave Winfield
- “A coach is someone who tells you what you don’t want to hear, who has you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.” – Tom Landry
- “You don’t play against opponents. You play against the game of basketball.” – Bobby Knight
- “Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat.” – Dean Smith
- “The game of basketball has been everything to me. My place of refuge, place I’ve always gone where I needed comfort and peace. It’s been the site of intense pain and the most intense feelings of joy and satisfaction.” – Kobe Bryant
- “It’s not how big you are, it’s how big you play.” – John Wooden
- “Champions play as they practice. Create a consistency of excellence in all your habits.” – Mike Krzyzewski
- “Good players want to be coached… Great players want to be told the truth.” – Doc Rivers
- “The best thing about basketball is the relationship I have with my teammates. You give yourself up for the people on your team, and when you do that, by osmosis you’re giving it to yourself.” – Jeremy Lin
- “Basketball doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” – James Naismith.
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about College Basketball!
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We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about College Basketball!