Is College Basketball Better Than Ever?

[Hunt for 7]

Is college basketball currently better or worse from a fans point of view.

Are we seeing the beginning of a golden era now that players are legally getting paid?

Or was it the years starting with the 64 team NCAA TOURNAMENT?

 

[Jaydumo20]

This is a question I grapple with.
My best judge is always how I feel and I feel different about it. It just feels different. I prefer album art, and knowing my UConn teams. The best thing about a Bazz or a Rip is that we watched them grow up. But we've been relatively lucky so far.

 

[auror]

Yes, definitely better than recent seasons.

Best ever? That's hard for anyone to compare.

 

[FightOnCT]

This is definitely one of the best eras of college basketball. By contrast 2015-2021 was one of the absolute worst.

 

[Leebo]

If I could wave a magic wand
-64-team tournament (though 68 is tolerable)
-transferring with immediate availability limited to 1 time
-NIL available, but restricted to far lower totals than the ballooning numbers we see now

 

[RuffRuff]

Very good question - there are pro's and con's.

Pros
Many hate the portal, but look at all the excitement it generates for months after the NC.
The top teams are that much better, and more exciting to watch
The roster building is more complex is more creative
Allows players to find the best place for themselves
Compensates players fairly

Cons
Chaotic, little allegiance, lacks continuity
Seeing kids in 4 uniforms in 4 years
Mid Majors obsolete/dead/minor leagues
Consolidates talent at the top
$$ driven, uneven landscape

As a whole, the quality of basketball at the top of the sport is much, much better. Roster building is strategic.

Are there levers that can be pulled to make it better - yes. One transfer rule would be great, age limits, 2 year contracts, some ability to cap $$.

 

[Get a Job]

This doesn't directly answer the question, but this thread feels like as good a place to present this thought as any.

Ever since I've starting reading about hand wringing and pearl clutching about how college sports are being ruined, I've felt alone on an island, like I am the only one who feels the way I do. I am barely bothered by anything that's going on vis á vis NIL, transfers, etc., and the small amount I am bothered is dwarfed by my happiness for the players that finally have the freedom to chase what they want out of college basketball (be it money, preparation for the pros, whatever).

I love going to games (or watching them on TV), seeing crazy crowds, and cheering for the people wearing the UConn jerseys. Those things have not suffered in the new environment, so I'm happy.

All else being equal, would I prefer players start at UConn as freshmen and play 3 or 4 years? Sure. But all else is most assuredly not equal. I've never understood why people seem to feel entitled to the sport conforming to whatever their conception of the good old days is.

 

[Lanphoon]

We have been lucky the last 4 seasons because we got 2 championships and a finals appearance. I love watching the kids grow and get better season to season. We have been lucky that we have seen AK, Solo, JStew, and Ross the past few seasons and see some continuity. I like the team building part of all sports, but it’s coming to an end in college hoops. Rebuilding every year is to stressful and I fear if they don’t get a handle on the NIL it’s going to drive Hurley to an early retirement. He’s a coach at heart and this portal crap every year is going to give him a nervous breakdown.

 

[Lanphoon]

This is definitely one of the best eras of college basketball. By contrast 2015-2021 was one of the absolute worst.

I know we got championships in 11 and 14 but I always thought that if Calhoun had been coaching 2015-2021 or Ollie hadnt destroyed the program there were definitely a couple more to be won during that timeframe. But then we wouldn’t have Hurley now, so I guess I’m happy now, lol.

 

[B1GEast]

It's worse. It was better during the original Big East before football went ballistic.

Great regional rivalries and hype.

College basketball is still 100 times better than the NBA, but today the NIL, transfer portal and big conference football affiliation have made each season feel like winning is now or never.

Before if you had a bad season you could count on next year. Today if you have a bad season and you're not in a big conference, the way things are going you might not ever get a fair shot at a final four ever.

 

[superjohn]

This doesn't directly answer the question, but this thread feels like as good a place to present this thought as any.

Ever since I've starting reading about hand wringing and pearl clutching about how college sports are being ruined, I've felt alone on an island, like I am the only one who feels the way I do. I am barely bothered by anything that's going on vis á vis NIL, transfers, etc., and the small amount I am bothered is dwarfed by my happiness for the players that finally have the freedom to chase what they want out of college basketball (be it money, preparation for the pros, whatever).

I love going to games (or watching them on TV), seeing crazy crowds, and cheering for the people wearing the UConn jerseys. Those things have not suffered in the new environment, so I'm happy.

All else being equal, would I prefer players start at UConn as freshmen and play 3 or 4 years? Sure. But all else is most assuredly not equal. I've never understood why people seem to feel entitled to the sport conforming to whatever their conception of the good old days is.

The money is too much and it keeps going up. Eventually we'll see some schools dropping football and basketball programs and we'll see other program and school cuts. We're already seeing a split amongst the haves and have nots.

 

[SeanElAmin]

It's honestly all in what you make it. As a romantic about basketball, I like it better. In general, the game is getting older. This allows for teams like Purdue, Michigan, UCONN etc. to really play basketball.

There for a while in the OAD era the product had gotten really bad for a multitude of reasons....AAUs lack of development of young talents at the skill and fundamental level made it hard for teams that contained majority freshmen OAD to run complex things.

The teams you are seeing in the current landscape have any sense of consistency are doing it extremely pragmatically. I feel like this shift actually lends itself to Hurley's strengths very well. He understands that you get the guys that fit your culture and fit your schematics. Thing is, Hurley's system requires very high basketball IQ....a lot of times the guys that have that are not the most athletic. Guys who have both are rare. So you gotta find the right pieces Hurley has shown he's one of the best at doing that.

I feel like this era is better than the OAD era of like 2008-2015ish but not quite as good as 1990-2003ish.

 

[temery]

Is college basketball currently better or worse from a fans point of view.

Are we seeing the beginning of a golden era now that players are legally getting paid?

Or was it the years starting with the 64 team NCAA TOURNAMENT?

Shuffling up conferences has really messed with regional rivalries.

 

[Husky Alien]

Very good question - there are pro's and con's.

Pros
Many hate the portal, but look at all the excitement it generates for months after the NC.
The top teams are that much better, and more exciting to watch
The roster building is more complex is more creative
Allows players to find the best place for themselves
Compensates players fairly

Cons
Chaotic, little allegiance, lacks continuity
Seeing kids in 4 uniforms in 4 years
Mid Majors obsolete/dead/minor leagues
Consolidates talent at the top
$$ driven, uneven landscape

As a whole, the quality of basketball at the top of the sport is much, much better. Roster building is strategic.

Are there levers that can be pulled to make it better - yes. One transfer rule would be great, age limits, 2 year contracts, some ability to cap $$.

I don’t necessarily think it’s more exciting. For me, it’s better watching a guy come in and grow into the program over 2–4 years you get more invested in that.
You made some really good points though, especially on both sides of it. I do think some kind of limit on transfers and maybe a cap on money would help a lot, just to keep things from getting too top heavy and bring a little more balance back.

 

[ucp990411]

For the P5 basketball is a professional sport. For the rest it is a feeding ground for the P5 and that is unfortunate.

 

[NH Husky]

I’d say, from a fan perspective, the 80’s were the peak. With 70’s and 90’s still decent.
No one-and-dones, players stayed with their teams, rare transfers, exceptional coaching, better game strategy, smaller regional conferences with awesome local rivalries. Common fans could afford to go to games.
Then greed took over.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

This era is awful. We've been immune to it by and large because we have the best staff and have had some aberrations with players staying 4 years.

The sport otherwise is a total disaster.

 

[Magic32]

I can't say it is the best ever. Might be most exciting stretch as a UConn fan but I stopped watching NBA when players started to chase rings and attempt to build super teams.
I'm completely in favor of a one time transfer limit unless there was a coaching change. Current system makes everyone a free agent every year.
I am on board with NIL and revenue sharing but need to have a hard cap per player and team.
I wish tournament stayed at 64 and don't want to see it become basically a P4 thing, Cinderella teams make it much better.

 

[Excalibur]

You can't seriously say it's better with the portal, conference realignment, etc.

 

[LBird33]

Is college basketball currently better or worse from a fans point of view.

Are we seeing the beginning of a golden era now that players are legally getting paid?

Or was it the years starting with the 64 team NCAA TOURNAMENT?

Better than watching the NBA by a long shot

 

[Get a Job]

The money is too much and it keeps going up. Eventually we'll see some schools dropping football and basketball programs and we'll see other program and school cuts. We're already seeing a split amongst the haves and have nots.

It's definitely a mess, and to the extent that it endangers the magic of the tournament, the gameday experience, etc., I am not a fan. I guess what I am saying is that it feels like many people are saying they are close to giving up on college basketball because of the players switching schools frequently and making a lot of money. I LOVE that they are making a lot of money, and while I don't love the school-hopping, it does not come close to ruining my enjoyment of the sport.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

The

Very good question - there are pro's and con's.

Pros
Many hate the portal, but look at all the excitement it generates for months after the NC.
The top teams are that much better, and more exciting to watch
The roster building is more complex is more creative
Allows players to find the best place for themselves
Compensates players fairly

Cons
Chaotic, little allegiance, lacks continuity
Seeing kids in 4 uniforms in 4 years
Mid Majors obsolete/dead/minor leagues
Consolidates talent at the top
$$ driven, uneven landscape

As a whole, the quality of basketball at the top of the sport is much, much better. Roster building is strategic.

Are there levers that can be pulled to make it better - yes. One transfer rule would be great, age limits, 2 year contracts, some ability to cap $$.

I agree with this, adding:

Because they are professionals, on average, players work harder than they used to, and are less likely to jump to the NBA early. As a result, players overall are more mature, skilled, overall better. The fact that one-and-done led teams used to be successful, and now they are not, is one sign that this is true.

Less exploitation of players by coaches.

 

[UC0NN]

If NIL budgets are similar for the top 25 teams, then that is a good thing.

If several teams have much larger budgets than the other teams, and you are not one of those teams.....that is when the complaining begins.

When budgets get out of control, you have the LA Dodgers as heavy favorites every year.

For players, NIL most important, then head coach, and lastly school and its history.

 

[temery]

If NIL budgets are similar for the top 25 teams, then that is a good thing.

If several teams have much larger budgets than the other teams, and you are not one of those teams.....that is when the complaining begins.

When budgets get out of control, you have the LA Dodgers as heavy favorites every year.

For players, NIL most important, then head coach, and lastly school and its history.

I'm waiting for the anti-NIL budget. Individual leagues, or just a bunch of teams with a common interest throw some money in a fund and pay players not to play for Duke or Kentucky or anybody Pitino's or Calipari is coaching.

 

[Mr. French]

Uh, no.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Complicated question.

The good:

• the quality of play is just better. Players are more skilled and the offensive systems are monumentally better than what we’ve had in the past.
• I like that players finally have an ability to be compensated and transfer without crazy restrictions to get themselves in the best position.
• transfer portal also allows schools like us not to go through total rebuilding years, which is nice.

The bad:

• the ridiculous conference affiliations (USC and Rutgers in the B1G) and historical rivalries being thrown to the wayside is awful.
• the transfer portal has gotten out of control. Guys playing at 4 schools in 4 years as a total mercenary kind of sucks.

All in all, I think the TV product for any individual game is probably better than it’s ever been. But following a program or following the sport over a season is probably not as good, largely due to turnover of players and conference realignment.

 

[UCLJ0211]

Old Big East days from 90s and early 2000s were the best

 

[HuskyHawk]

The best era was when these kids couldn't easily transfer and couldn't go into the draft so early. You had incredible talent and experience levels back in the 80's and into the 90s. That was the best era. Some truly incredible teams that would mop the floor with last year's Michigan.

Then we had the era where kids jumped straight from HS and Lebron and Kobe never played college ball. That diluted the talent. NBA made so many bad draft decisions they went back to requiring one year after HS graduation, and still we lost those freshmen quickly. Now NIL is causing more guys to stay rather than go into the draft. So I'd say this era is better than the last 20 or so, but I temper that with the transfer portal issues. The Portal has meant less continuity for teams, so less cohesiveness. But it also allowed the good players who landed at mid majors to step up and improve P5 teams.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

The question is fielding mixed responses from fans of a program that have been in the title game 3 of the last 4 years and won 2.

Ask the same question to a Seton Hall or 95% of other D1 programs.

 

[Vuce]

Very hard to say but I think it is best for college sports when you have regional conferences to create actual rivalries. I'm not a hockey guy but Hockey East is the best conference in any sport. High level talent and all the schools are close. If you could recreate conferences by region for hoops that would be the best. In a vacuum, when players were at their schools for 3 and 4 years - that was so darn good. I realize that can't happen now due to $$ - I guess women's hoops is like that right now where you know you are pretty much going to have your players for that period of time, fans get to know the kids (Karaban). Like I said - it's not realistic now but that was so good.