Forgone conclusion. They are absolutely there - sweethearts of CBB. They did all their good branding in the 90's, with their NC's, Coach K, ESPN and Dukie V. K's longevity kept that, the Brotherhood, Cameron Indoor, elite academics, etc. They were right place, right time as the sport/March Madness popularized and had all the needed pieces. The Duke brand is next level, the romance brand of the sport (like the Yankees).
I'm not sure there is a close second. If there is, it's UNC with the Jordan Brand, but it still feels miles apart.
UK has simply been to all over the place. Their biggest claim in all the NBA alum, but now with Cal still coaching, not even sure how associated they are with UK as much as they are with Cal. No one other than UK fans care about the titles from the 40/50's.
Kansas will always be Kansas, simply lacks something. UConn is at its height, they just don't have the historical cache. They feel like the boxer coming out of Queens with that great story that knows how to kick your
@SS, but without any of the pretty aesthetics.