Basketball fans all over the world enjoy both NCAA basketball and the NBA. These two entities are certainly much different in their approaches to basketball entertainment. But we can still compare the two to figure out which league offers more exciting basketball action.
I contend that NCAA basketball is not only better than the NBA, but it is also the best sports league in existence. Consider these five arguments that will place NCAA basketball at the top of sports.
1. March Madness
March Madness alone could propel NCAA basketball ahead of the NBA. 16 teams in each division compete for the right to call themselves the champions. There is nothing else like March Madness in sports today. People who don’t even follow college basketball fill out brackets and participate in college betting sites to try to win. College basketball betting sites make a fortune off of March Madness because it is the most exciting tournament every year. Once in a while, an underdog will emerge from the pack and make an incredible run to the Elite Eight or Final Four. But March Madness isn’t the only reason why NCAA basketball is superior.
2. Rivalries
The NBA may have the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. But that rivalry has dwindled in recent years. College basketball rivalries stand the test of time because they are based on tradition, geographic location, competition, and bragging rights. The rivalry between Duke and North Carolina is unmatched by anything that the NBA can muster. Louisville and the University of Kentucky also have a storied rivalry that fans anticipate every year. Rivalries make the games more exciting. Nobody wants to lose to a rival, especially when championships are on the line.
3. Coaches
Coaches in NCAA basketball actually mean something. They build programs from the ground up. They recruit their players, create systems for them to play in, and serve as the faces for their teams. With the exception of Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, most coaches in the NBA are just there to manage the egos on the team. They are often discarded as afterthoughts. Coaches serve as the foundation of the college basketball team’s identity. Players want to play for good coaches, and they are able to do so because of the lack of a draft.
4. Stars are Born
When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was still Lew Alcindor, he was terrorizing the ranks of college basketball with his tremendous blend of size and skills. Tim Duncan stayed all four years at Wake Forest because he promised his mother he would finish his education. Carmelo Anthony put Syracuse University on his back to lead them to an NCAA championship before departing to the NBA. College basketball is where stars are born. You get to witness their growth from immature kids to outstanding players both on and off the court. The time spent in NCAA basketball prepares these future legends for their NBA careers.
5. Atmosphere
How often do fans blow the roof off during an NBA game? College basketball games are lively, loud, and energetic. The student fan sections make free throws more difficult for the opposing team. The crowd goes nuts during epic baskets and signature dunks. NBA crowds just don’t have the same energy. High-energy sporting events are typically more enjoyable. The players in NCAA basketball thrive off that energy and return it to the fans on the court. Big moments seem even bigger thanks to the incredible support from the fans.
So there you have it. The NBA is a fine league, but it simply doesn’t compare to NCAA basketball. The excitement of March Madness, the rivalries, the coaches, the star power, and the fans combine to create an experience that no other sports league can replicate. NCAA basketball is king.