I consider myself fortunate to have a spouse who loves watching all types of sports. There is only one sport she does not particularly like. Basketball.
That is unfortunate, because for all my life college basketball has pretty much been my favorite sport. Aside from fantasy football…which is another story…and not a sport.
(There is no truth to the rumor she auditioned for the role that eventually went to Rerun in Peanuts…)
She pretty much takes a pass on college basketball…until March Madness (both the Men’s and Women’s editions) come around. And dear reader, I am more than aware many of you feel the same way…if you care for the sport at all. I am convinced everyone I know finds college hoops starting at the beginning of November a complete non-event. Hell, most people do not even know college basketball has started up again until they see these huge scores roll across their screen during football games and say, “whoa, that’s a lot of points…oh, it was a basketball game.”
I have known for a long time I am an outlier when it comes to attaching any significance to the start of the college hoops season. March Madness is the only “season” of college basketball most people care about.
It is hard to fault our national championship tournaments for that. While I am in the large minority who care about college hoops from November through March, I consider myself in the large majority who feel March Madness is just about the most exciting post-season in all of sports.
Of course, as with most things we like these days, people with lots of money and power are trying to ruin things…in this instance increase the number of teams that qualify for the Madness, hoping to flood the qualifying field further with power conference teams and keep smaller schools from having access to the tournament…as if those wealthy programs do not already own ridiculously significant leverage.
It is not breaking news, but those employed by power conference universities could care less what you and I think about keeping March Madness in its current construction of 68 teams (which of course should still be a perfect bracket of 64 teams, but I digress). Their jobs involve making as much money for their conferences. Period.
The geographical fabric of college sports was shredded from all the money-chasing conference realignment chaos, and these geniuses are now equally willing to ignore any fallout from making March Madness a bloated mess…as long as the next giant check for the media rights to distribute the additional games clears the bank. They didn’t have a problem blowing up rivalries, increasing travel, and putting the screws to fans when it comes to football kickoff dates and times, so they won’t have any issues reworking March Madness to further favor affluent programs. And, the large majority of money these schools have are funneled to their football program…then a little bit gets distributed to basketball…and ALL the rest of their sponsored sports are left to fight over pennies…as well as fight for their very survival, of course.
But I digress again. The college basketball regular season features over 350 schools playing for a chance to be a part of March Madness. Truly, it is madness to try and follow all the teams…all the games. I do think that is a huge reason why people dismiss the sport’s regular season. Aside from following your favorite team, maybe you can also keep tabs on their conference teams. Or, maybe you can just follow games involving the top-ranked teams. But it is not possible to keep up with it all, and so people just let November through February college hoops all sort itself out. Most general sports fans don’t consider college basketball back until the final commercial airs during the Super Bowl post-game show.
And that is ok with me. I am not the least bit offended by people tuning out a sport with that many teams competing in games daily from November through February until it gets whittled down to the chosen ones who compete in March.
Even with the afore-mentioned challenges collegiate athletics faces these days, I have been rolling with the numerous changes and trying to find joy where I can. Am I upset about the end of amateurism? No, because top players were getting compensated under-the-table previously. The pay-for-play system has however created a bidding war the smaller schools will never win. The uneven playing field has never been tipsier. My biggest gripe is not athletes are getting paid over-the-table. It is instead the loss of what I would call the “spirit” of college athletics.
The connection between athletes and schools is fading fast as players transfer yearly chasing more playing time…and more money. While it was inevitable college athletes were finally going to be compensated, those who run college athletics dropped the ball by not maintaining guardrails regarding the number of seasons one can compete in, as well as the number of times one can switch schools without having to hit pause on your eligibility.
It is the non-stop revolving door of player movement from school to school that really impacts college hoops because of the significantly smaller rosters, and what I consider optimal team continuity. Each year now, college basketball squads show up for the start of Fall practice with name tags. When playing basketball, I always valued having a majority of our roster be players who had been together for (at least) a couple of seasons, and considered familiarity a big advantage over teams who were not returning as many players.
I was listening to my go-to college hoops podcast. One of the hosts volunteered he talked to a men’s head coach recently, asking him when does he start thinking about what he would need for next season’s squad. His response…he needed to start planning for next season after the first game of the year…because he knew players who did not start in his team’s opener would start looking for the exits for a place to play next season. Some players leave their teams shortly after the season starts to maintain their eligibility for next year…at yet another school.
(Sidebar – While it is pretty much impossible in the current climate to do so, I did learn the Marquette women’s team is returning every player from last season’s squad…kudos to Big East Coach of the Year Cara Consuegra for that accomplishment)
This is the cold reality of the collegiate sports landscape, not just college basketball. Yet, I will stubbornly be watching college basketball through the cold months ahead while looking forward to March…when fans who only enjoy the “second season” of college hoops come aboard for the rest of the journey.
Pictures Courtesy United Feature Syndicate
I raise a glass of eggnog to you Sir. May your interest in college basketball not be crushed like a lilly beneath a bulldozer…
That sir is the kind of quality analogy I would expect in this instance. Appreciate the eggnog nod.😊
I agree with all you said and you expressed it well, Bruce.
Your mention of Marquette got me thinking of Al McGuire and how much better college sports, including men’s basketball, were when he was coaching. As the season tips off tonight, I’ll offer one of my favorite McGuire quotes: “I’m an Einstein of the streets and an Oxford scholar of common sense.”
Oh, how we miss that approach today…..
Thanks, Mark. I was lucky enough to see Al in action in 1974, attending the Final Four and Championship Game in Greensboro NC. Al is a legend, a fullfilling career of “seashells and balloons!”
Good for you Bruce. I took notice of the first few basketball games, but I have to admit that it’s still a bit early for my interest. It’s hard for me to get too pumped up for the season when March is so far away. Heck even late December feels far away at this point. That’s when I’ll start to notice who’s playing who and how the upcoming March might look like. As far as the tournament itself, few other events compare!!!
Thanks, Brian. The sport really is a “different animal.” It starts at an odd time as well – a bit too early for my taste. I think it would also benefit from a more condensed season. But as you know, everyone will be all-in come March!
Who do you like this year?
I like Houston to get back to the title game and pull off the win this time around. I don’t think Florida has quite enough to re-engage with them. I would like to like Purdue but you know…Purdue. As talented as the Boilers are, they always seem to come up short. I think UConn will be right there, as will Michigan. My concern with the Wolverines is they already have injuries. Your thoughts?
Oh my, I feel like I’m talking to one of the great Hoops Experts. You know your stuff Bruce. Does Dickie V, Jay Bilas, Bill Raftery, and Grant Hill all come to you for advice. Ha, ha. I don’t have much to add. I feel like UConn will definitely be back there. I’m not a big Mich fan, but they’re always good. Coach K isn’t around anymore, but Duke is always in the mix too. I haven’t heard much from Izzo and Mich. State. They may be horrible for all i know, but I feel like they’re due for a big year too. Should be a fun year.
Somehow I pictured Sally asking Linus “Why?” after that wonderful explanation he gave. I always check on the countdown to March Madness (sweet 16, elite 8, etc) but by the time we come to the grand finale, my teams are usually out and I have lost interest. Not the most faithful of fans, am I? 😬🏀
Maybe not the most “faithful,” but definitely in the majority of fans. Everyone checks in for March, but some also book an early departure based on how their teams do!
Um… Thanks for the Peanuts cartoons, Bruce. 😀 I’m afraid I’m with Mrs. B. Hugs to you both.
You are welcome, Teagan.😂 Hugs to you and the Scoobies.
When did going to college stop being about learning and begin being totally about being a rising star and making money? I feel like someone’s priorities are skewed. I see all this trickling down to the high school level as well if the news stories about specific schools recruiting top players to enrich their teams is true.
Colleges are actively arranging monetary deals for high school players in order to “lock them in” for one year at their school…if they stay that long, of course.
I’m more of a NBA guy, but I love basketball! I always pay closer to the college game around March Madness and faithfully fill out a few brackets. One year I won $1,500 in one of those lesser contests. Pure luck! I did fulfill a lifelong dream a few years ago and attended the Final Four (semis and finals) in Minneapolis with one of my brothers. The tickets were outrageous and frankly, viewing is much better on television. Still, I’m glad I did it once. The best part of the package was the pregame party. I got a picture with and got to talk to longtime Celtic, Kevin McHale.
I’ve converted my wife to most sports, but she also is not a basketball fan. She notices things like squeaky shoes. It’s funny because I completely tune that out.🤣
That is so cool you got to meet Kevin. I actually treat the NBA a bit like most treat the college game. I don’t start paying attention to the pros until Christmas Day…and shame on the NFL for trying to ruin that day for hoops. Bad form, NFL. I was lucky enough to attend two Final Fours, so I know how special that had to be…aside from the view of course.
Your wife and Mrs. B share a wave length…she literally can’t let me leave a game on the TV late at night if the “squeaks” are too loud on the telecast.🤣
Sounds like another piece of Americana is crumbling. The idea of them transferring repeatedly to other colleges to get paid more money is just depressing to me. Basketball is my favorite group sport to watch, and I used to be in the March Madness pool at work, but unfortunately I don’t have cable tv or a free channel to watch the games on. Honestly, NBA is what I mostly watched until March for the school teams.
That is an excellent way of putting it. Another piece of Americana is crumbling. Sometimes change is for the best, but change always comes with consequences for the past that aren’t fully recognized until it is too late.
It’s been incremental — but relentless!
I used to really enjoy basketball. Used being the operative word. I know I’m dating myself when I say Pete Maravich was my first favorite college player, then it was Houston’s Twin Towers (Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson) and then Patrick Ewing. The problem with basketball, both college and pro is they became a victim of their success when it moved from a team to creating individual super stars. The so-called team sport got turned inside out when it created individual super stars. I’m with you on not being likeing the “let’s milk this for all its worth” way of seeding the playoffs. With all the bucks in sports, it’s just sad it’s being diluting by letting everyone and their brother compete in championships. Sigh. I don’t subscribe to giving everyone a trophy for playing and that’s kind of what it’s like for me with everyone being able to get a seat at the table.
Let me date myself by saying Pete was one of my idols, and I liked to wear my socks like he did. You are spot-on basketball has become a superstar, individually-focused sport. The team concept is completely broken when it comes to college basketball now. If I had a dollar for everytime a coach opened his mouth and said “we have 12 new players this season” I’d have more money than I would know what to do with. We get it, coaches. You all have all new players every year now. That’s what your athletic directors and presidents and conference officials have signed up for. You’ll get a brand-new team every year. I suspect once they expand March Madness again, it won’t be long until the noise begins for more access, more teams. Money to be had, regardless of how it dilutes the sport.
I admit my interest in basketball has been limited to March Madness–until I saw the Arkansas Razorbacks do so well last year. As an Arkansas resident, I was impressed. I can only hope that coach returned and they continue to do well.
Arkansas should be a top 20 team this year, and I suspect John Calipari’s squad is going to challenge for the SEC title.
yeah, we’re like the people who exercise only for three weeks after New Years. I used to love College basketball, but I was a transplant in KY in middle school. It was kind of the only sport anyone cared about and maybe UK was the only team we perceived we had. I remember this silly joke: Q: what is a KY pervert? A: Someone who likes sex better than basketball. Anyway, I always enjoy March Madness more in a year I pay attention to basketball from the start of the season, but that is the rare year nowadays.
In Kentucky, basketball just means more…than anything?!😂I know so many people who bail on the exercise post-New Year…I don’t think they even make it to Week 3.
A silly anecdote. I lived in a town in KY that had a small College and I worked at Baskin Robbins close to campus as a teenager. One week, there was a basketball camp at the college and a bunch of the coaches came in for ice cream while I was working. One of them was Kyle Macy who was playing at KY at the time. I was in love with him, as were all teenage girls in KY. But I didn’t get to wait on him. Instead, I served a different coach who I didn’t know. After he left my boss told me it was Dan Issel.
Possibly the best anecdote ever told involving both Kentucky basketball and Baskin-Robbins. That’s just awesome. Ice cream is the tie that binds.
Love how your passion for basketball comes through in this post. And Peanuts – such great choices interspersed. I think your point, “college athletics dropped the ball by not maintaining guardrails ” is so interesting. Here’s to your regular season and March madness, Bruce!
Thanks, Wynne! Peanuts usually scores points on and off the court, doesn’t it?
Java Bean: “Ayyy, that Rerun, he reminds me of our Dada!”
🤣🏀🤣
I’m usually the sort that calls out the huge scores thinking it’s football— my friends watch both seasons of hoops so I catch some. And like to at least keep track of how the teams fair overall. But I definitely coat tail the full ride come March🏀 Happy Hoops Part 1!😀
Thanks, E.F. I like that reference to Happy Hoops Part 1…exactly that!
Yes! I remember Happy Hoops post🏀🙌
Wait a minute, Fantasy Football is not a sport?! Our family has been playing it every single year since 1988. This is going to be very upsetting when they find out!
🤣🤣🤣
I do like basketball.
I loved the Rerun quip…too funny. I can’t get my head right to follow basketball much…we’re old timers around here. The Chicago Bulls in the early 90’s soured us for any other team – pro or college – but occasionally we’ll pay attention to WNBA games. Thank you for this fab post, Bruce! 😊💝😊
You’re welcome, Vicki! I can understand the Bulls setting the bar real high as far as following basketball after their historic run.
Great post, Bruce. Money does seem to ruin everything. No wonder many sports fans choose college over the pros, although that seems to be tainted by money, too. Sigh. I’m enjoying following the New England Patriots this season. Vrabel is an awesome coach, really caring about his players. The fact that he chose not to trade anyone and keep the team together speaks volumes.
Jennie, I think many would agree the Patriots have been the surprise of the season. although I am not surprised by Mike Vrabel being in charge of it all. He was a great hire when it came to straightening out the franchise and getting it in the right direction.
Well said, Bruce. I completely agree. Apologies that I digressed from basketball to football. 🙂
Jennie, WordPress is not exactly a place people flock towards to talk sports, so any sports talk is welcome here!
You are right on WP, and I always enjoyed your sports posts back in the day, and now. Thank you, Bruce!
Fair weather fan here! I seem to only watch when a home town team is doing well.
Oddly, my fave sport is curling.
Thanks Bruce!
Resa, I just noticed the US Curling trials will be happening very soon in advance of the Winter Olympics. It will be nice to see Curling in the global spotlight once more.
Yes, and Canada always stands a chance in Hockey and curling!
My experience of college basketball, or any basketball for that matter, only stretches as far as hearing people who enjoy the sport talk about it. I’m happy you enjoy it, Bruce. 🤓 ‘The more passions, the merrier’, if that even makes sense. 🥂
Thanks, G. Makes sense to me!😄
Bruce I’m sorry about being late again… but… I used to love college basketball. I followed the TN Vols and Vandy. I hated Kentucky with a passion but I respected them of course. I really got into it…until the “one and done” players started. Go for one year and then the next year they are gone. You would have different teams every year instead of players you invested in for 4 years. But…I do agree…March Madness is awesome…I have to admit it. I would keep up with every game…just like I do with baseball still. Baseball is my love no doubt. Even when the Dodgers weren’t winning (for 32 years!)…
The NFL bores me because of all of the flags… if I want to watch football…I tune into YouTube on a 70s game.
I really miss college basketball though. The last time I really was paying attention was when Bruce Pearl was the coach at Tennessee.
Max, first off no need to mention any “lateness!” People visit here at all days, all hours my friend. I loved it when Bruce Pearl was at Tennessee. Was surprised to see him leave Auburn before this season, but from a timing standpoint he may have had a good reason to get his son in place right now. I have been getting more into baseball, and I think next year I’m really going to follow it more than ever. The flags in football, the replays that clearly show one thing but they see another…that annoys me as well. Fantasy football helps me “get through” the NFL games. I suspect both Tennessee and Vanderbilt will be March Madness teams, so look forward to seeing them when the time comes!
Yes I play fantasy baseball in an ESPN league…that is so much fun. You learn players you would not have known…it’s a great way to interact with the game…any game.
I remember when Pearl came to Tennessee…”oh who is this guy?” He turned that program around in a year…just by out hustling everyone else.
I’m looking forward to March Madness this year…I’m going to watch it….you have kinda revived my interest in it.
I just finished a book about the 1970s Oakland Raiders…what a fun team. The game was really rough back then…not that it isn’t now…but those guys meant business.
I grew up watching those late-afternoon Raiders games on TV during Sunday dinner time. The AFC was awesome before the merger with the NFC, and those guys definitely meant business. Which book was it?…might want to get it. Oh, and if your ESPN fantasy baseball league is a recurring one, let me know if someone drops out as I might like to join in. Only reason why I don’t play it these days is I don’t know enough people who are into it.
Oh that book… Badasses: The Legend of Snake, Foo, Dr. Death, and John Madden’s Oakland Raiders
It’s great Bruce. That team was just great. Ken Stabler was probably the coolest athlete period lol. Those Steeler – Raider games were awesome.
Ok I sure will! A Canadian blogger invited me in 4 years ago and I’ve played every year since…I will tell him to tell me.
I’m not much of a sports fan overall, though on trips across the border to Grand Forks, ND, I have marvelled at the massive sports facilities attached to colleges. My lads and I also attended a Fighting Sioux game once, and quite enjoyed it. We also enjoyed touring the arena beforehand.
I have a few friends who would very much enjoy seeing a ND game there. Hockey is so big for that school and state alike.
It seemed huge, yeah. I was surprised at the size of the crowd. Impressive arena.
I for one believe that the college scene has some the best talent in this sport than ever before ! I’d even go on to say that it even beats NBA for some players. I hope that their talent can adapt well to the NBA level in the coming years. Probably once Lebron will have retired hahaha
College basketball is retaining more great players since payments are now above the table… rather than under it. It is an interesting time for both college and the NBA…and even LeBron for that matter. The Lakers are a circus right now.😁
Hey Bruce, I finally got around to reading this column. Your email was sitting in my inbox for what, only four months?
Let’s talk hoops. I’m an Illini guy, been a fan since the 80s. I love Coach Underwood! One of these years, we’re going all the way. It’s loooong overdue. This could be the year.
I like college hoops almost as much as you, but like you said, it’s impossible to follow and watch every team. I watch all the Illinois games, many B1G games, and assorted other big games throughout the season. Who do you like? Was it Villanova? I forgot.
Looking forward to the upcoming tournaments!
Thanks,
Reid
Hey Reid, thanks for stopping by and commenting…and also for that laugh about your inbox! I think Illinois is a legit Final Four consideration. It has been fun watching them this season. I don’t have a specific favorite college team I root for although I certainly follow the Big Five schools, which of course includes Villanova. The Big Five outside of the Wildcats hasn’t done well for quite a while now, but each school out there is just one rich donor away from success at this point! Enjoy the Madness!