For years, college basketball has been dominated by the likes of Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, etc.
Those three schools have combined to win six national championships while reaching double-digit Final Fours. But lately, the Wildcats, Tar Heels and Jayhawks have been faltering in the NCAA Tournament.
Is there a developing Blue Bloods problem?
While the Name, Image and Likeness era has been nothing but a good thing for traditional college football powers like Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, etc., can the same be said of college basketball's top teams?
Being a blue blood appears to matter less in today's college basketball world than previous eras, as we head into more Elite Eight games on Sunday.
The problem with some of these blue bloods
The problem might be more conference-based than school-based.
In college football, the traditional powers are home to the Big Ten and SEC. Meanwhile, in college hoops that isn't the case.
The ACC and Big 12 aren't as powerful.
"Big Ten and SEC athletic departments are flush with massive football-generated revenue. It's at least partially a reason those two leagues have a combined 10 teams in this season's Sweet 16. There are just four combined from the ACC and Big 12, home to UNC and KU, respectively. (Kentucky is in the SEC.)," ESPN writes.
"A growth in international players, who often have little knowledge, let alone affinity, for historic success or branding, limits the power of past triumphs."
Meanwhile, roster building is just in a different place.
"When it comes to constructing a roster, each school is starting fresh every year, leading to variables and uncertainties that blue bloods were once guarded against. Even with lots of money to spend, there is no margin for error," ESPN added.
"If nothing else, no school is capable of stockpiling talent the way blue bloods once could. As such, critical injuries helped derail UNC and Kentucky this year.
"That doesn't mean the three can't be great or should ever accept not being great. They maintain exceptional power, fan and media attention, and the ability to generate resources."
Kansas, Kentucky and UNC are all out of the NCAA early (again).
In an era when everyone can flash green, how much does blue blood still matter? Column for @espnhttps://t.co/uOF48uFCYB
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) March 25, 2026
Can the traditional blue blood teams get back to their glory days?
This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.