NCAA Fans Reveal Their True Feelings on Mascots and March Madness Hopes

Ben Mendelowitz Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Ever wondered what college basketball fans really think about those larger-than-life mascots that steal the halftime show? As March Madness reaches its fever pitch, the team at Vegas Insider decided to find out. Conducted by Research Without Barriers (RWB) between February 20th and 26th, 2025, this survey polled 3,000 full-time working NCAA fans across the United States. Our goal? To uncover fans' thoughts on mascots and which teams they'd rather not see win.

Adhering to strict research guidelines, including the MRS Codes of Conduct and GDPR compliance, fans were asked hard-hitting questions. Namely, who's the most annoying mascot, who pulls off those goofy antics with a side of “sexy,” and, most telling of all, which team they hope crashes out before the final buzzer.

So, whether you're rooting for the underdog or just here for mascot shenanigans, buckle up and enjoy the ride as we dive into the quirks and quirks of fandom.

Who is the most annoying NCAA mascot?

When it comes to annoying mascots, NCAA fans have spoken—they can't stand the Blue Devil, and not just because of his dubious dance moves. A full 10% of fans crowned him the most annoying mascot. Poor Brutus Buckeye and Big Al joined the ranks with 4% each, signaling that maybe being cute isn't enough to avoid the eye-roll of seasoned fans.

The competition was fierce, but some names consistently emerged. Duke the Dog, The Oregon Duck, and Bucky Badger each snagged a piece of the "annoying" pie. It's clear that some fans would prefer these mascots take a permanent timeout.

Here's the breakdown of our findings:

Which is the sexiest NCAA mascot?

If you've ever eyed a mascot and thought, "Wow, that's one good-looking character," you're not alone. Interestingly, 5% of fans find the Blue Devil not only annoying but also the sexiest mascot—talk about mixed signals! Following behind with slightly less allure were Aubie the Tiger and The Oregon Duck.

While some mascots managed to turn heads, a whopping 41% of fans didn’t find any mascot remotely sexy (a relief to many, I'm sure). The enigmatic allure of NCAA mascots seems to be a niche interest.

Here's a look at which mascots fans found the sexiest:

Which NCAA team do you NOT want to see win?

When it comes to which team fans would rather see miss out on the championship glory, the Duke Blue Devils take the crown, with 17% hoping to see them stumble. This disdain spans generations, with Duke being the most disliked team across all age groups:

• 18-24: 10%
• 25-34: 15%
• 35-44: 16%
• 45-54: 22%
• 55+: 18%

It seems Duke's dominance in basketball has ruffled more than a few feathers.

Close runners-up include the Alabama Crimson Tide with 9% and a variety of other well-known teams yearning for a trip to the top. Sorry, Bama, it looks like the tide might not be in your favor this time around!

Here's the lowdown on teams fans don't want to win:

With Duke knocking out 'Bama yesterday, some fans got their wish granted!

State Focus: North Carolina Hates Duke

With Duke seemingly steamrolling their way to a National Championship, we thought we'd zoom in on North Carolina's survey results.

Most Annoying Mascot

In North Carolina, the rivalry runs deep, and it's clear that the Blue Devil isn't winning any popularity contests. A staggering 22% of residents find this particular mascot annoying. Whether it's the horns or that cheeky grin, the Blue Devil secures the top spot for irritation level in the Tar Heel State.

Here's how the annoying mascots rank in North Carolina:

Sexiest Mascot

North Carolinians also had their say on which mascot gets a wink of approval in terms of sex appeal. Surprisingly, 11% thought the Blue Devil has a bit of a charm offensive going on—perhaps it’s that devil-may-care attitude!

Here's the breakdown of what mascots North Carolinians found the sexiest:

Which NCAA Team do you NOT Want to See Win?

In the grand tradition of rivalries, the residents of North Carolina have one team they're particularly keen to see fall flat on the court: the Duke Blue Devils. A significant 33% are rooting against them, echoing a sentiment that spans picnic tables and basketball courts alike.

Here's the detailed breakdown of which teams North Carolinians don't want to see win:

In summary, the Blue Devil isn’t just a thorn in North Carolina's side; it’s increasingly making itself at home as the mascot everyone loves to dislike. But despite the antics, isn’t a little rivalry what makes the game so thrilling?

If you liked the above content and fancy placing a bet on March Madness, you should check out these Sportsbook Promos and Fanatics Sportsbook Promo pages.

Methodology

The research was commissioned by VegasInsider and carried out online by Research Without Barriers (RWB). All surveys were conducted between 20th February 2025 and 26th February 2025. The sample comprised 3,000 USA NCAA fans who work full-time

You can find the full breakdown of results here.

All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2023) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. RWB is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (2018).

Ben Mendelowitz

Ben Mendelowitz is a digital marketing expert who excels in digital PR across industries like finance, crypto, and iGaming. With a background in international political economy, he understands market dynamics and has a knack for creating high quality that garners attention. Ben is also committed to mentoring his team and collaborating closely with content creators and SEO specialists. More from Ben Mendelowitz