The 2024 Pre-March Madness Sneaker Rankings

Ten school's sneakers to watch out for in the upcoming NCAA basketball tournaments.

Pat Benson | Feb 25, 2024

The 2024 Pre-March Madness Sneaker Rankings /

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Today marks the final weekend of college basketball in February for the season. By the end of this week, March Madness will have finally arrived. While many fans are cramming in last-minute studying to prepare their brackets, sneakerheads are readying themselves for some memorable kicks on the court.

Like every major event, sneaker brands will bring their A-game when the most fans are watching. Below is the FanNation Kicks list of ten NCAA basketball programs with the best sneakers heading into March Madness.

Sneakers to Watch in March Madness

Ten NCAA programs with sneakers to watch in March Madness.

Indiana Hoosiers

School: The Indiana Hoosiers.

Brand: adidas.

Info: Indiana's men are unlikely to make it to the Big Dance, but the women could easily secure a top 3-seed. That means more of the polarizing 'Fear of God' gear.

Shop: Fans can shop Indiana Hoosiers gear on the adidas website.

South Carolina Gamecocks

School: The South Carolina Gamecocks.

Brand: Under Armour.

Info: South Carolina's women have a 1-seed locked up, and the men look to make noise, too. The Gamecocks are quickly becoming Under Armour's flagship basketball program, and the brand always brings the heat in March.

Shop: Fans can shop South Carolina Gamecocks gear on the Under Armour website.

Miami Hurricanes

School: The Miami Hurricanes.

Brand: adidas

Info: Both the men's and women's teams will need to win a few games in the ACC Tournament for Miami to make an appearance in the Big Dance. We hope they do given the heat they have worn all season.

Shop: Fans can shop Miami Hurricanes gear on the adidas website.

Oregon Ducks

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James' yellow and green Nike sneakers. — Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

School: The Oregon Ducks.

Brand: Nike.

Info: It is all up to Oregon's men to get "Nike U" into the Big Dance. We hope they make it so we can see the school's plethora of player-exclusive colorways.

Shop: Fans can shop Oregon Ducks gear on the Nike website.

Kentucky Wildcats

School: The Kentucky Wildcats.

Brand: Nike.

Info: Kentucky is a Nike school (check), Mamba Program (check), and the alma mater of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (check). Look for their men to make sneaker headlines soon.

Shop: Fans can shop Kentucky Wildcats gear on the Nike website.

USC Trojans

School: The USC Trojans.

Brand: Nike.

Info: We may not see Bronny James and the Trojans' men's team in the Big Dance, but JuJu Watkins and the women will hold it down for USC this spring.

Shop: Fans can shop USC Trojans gear on the Nike website.

LSU Tigers

School: The LSU Tigers.

Brand: Nike.

Info: LSU's women are must-watch television, and there is no doubt they will showcase a nice mix of Nike sneakers on the court.

Shop: Fans can shop LSU Tigers gear on the Nike website.

UCLA Bruins

White and pink Air Jordan sneakers on the UCLA basketball court. — Jordan Brand

School: The UCLA Bruins.

Brand: Jordan Brand.

Info: It looks like UCLA's women will have to carry the torch for the program this spring, which is fine with Kiki Rice. The sophomore guard debuted the Air Jordan 38 last season and will likely make more headlines this year.

Shop: Fans can shop UCLA Bruins gear on the Nike website.

UConn Huskies

School: The UConn Huskies.

Brand: Nike.

Info: Both UConn squads will earn top seeds this year, which increases Nike's odds of cutting down the nets in both brackets this spring.

Shop: Fans can shop UConn Huskies gear on the Nike website.

North Carolina Tar Heels

School: The North Carolina Tar Heels.

Brand: Jordan Brand.

Info: Both the men's and women's squads for Jumpman's flagship school will make the Big Dance, which only means more player-exclusive Air Jordan and Jordan Brand sneakers.

Shop: Fans can shop UNC Tar Heels gear on the Nike website.

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Published Feb 25, 2024

PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.