Hi,

I have always been curious about the popularity of college sports (esp. NCAA basketball) in the USPeople go nuts over the NCAA league, with professional ESPN2 televised coverage plus there are games/other merchandise. Is it considered an "unpolluted" form of the game compared to the NBA (i.e. players not corrupted by money etc.)? Is it because it is the nursery for future superstars?The reason I ask is, nobody really gives a crap about university sports in Australia. We only care about national/international level for the most part.I'd be interested to hear your opinions.

Please help.

I did not find the right solution from the internet.

Thanks!

IMO, the college 'game' is better than than professional game. 

For instance, the NBA is hard to watch as it is too much of an individual game....dribble, dribble, ISO, jack up a 3.  College basketball is more a team sport.  While the players might be better, the game is not, IMO.

Also, I don't care for the 'Me' attitude that pervades professional sports.

posted by ClintBarton

Hi,

 Is it considered an "unpolluted" form of the game compared to the NBA (i.e. players not corrupted by money etc.)?

Some may say this is part of it, but one has to deny reality to do so. Big-time college sports are big business, and the talk about amateurism and "student-athletes" is hypocritical nonsense.

Wait, you all don't think this guy is a bot?

Enthusiasm is one thing.

People say pro athletes don't care...I don't believe that.  They care a lot, but as we get older we get more subdued and learn how to keep an even keel.

Their youth and limited number of games plays BIG into it, no doubt about that.    Tough to do that at the pro level when they are playing so much.

I have a theory on why college football is so huge.  Lets take the big time programs which are th emost popular, lets say...Ohio State.

They win.

Simple as that.

They win.

You can count on winning 75% or more of their games nearly every. single. season.  Most weeks as a fan you are oing to be happy after the game because of a win.    That is one reason why a team like OSU football is so HUUUUUUGE.    It is set up so they don't play too many big time games and top talent want to attend so they don't have to deal with the whole drafting of lesser players when you are good.

posted by like_that

Wait, you all don't think this guy is a bot?

I was wondering the same thing, since it seemed obvious to me.

My favorite part was he/she/it referenced ESPN2. Sometimes I forget ESPN2 is even a thing. I pulled up the guide and the next 5-6 nights they're either showing college baseball, WNBA, or street league skateboarding during primetime. 

Rarely will an important player ever play for another university, so the player leaving is for the professionals, not a rival team.

Removed the spammy link from the OP, but leaving the topic.

I would say it's mostly because colleges have been competing nationally for decades, and gave rise to the professional leagues we have in place now.  This raised the level of college athletics as the proving ground for the next level, while having a massive fanbase spurred by alumni who spent years at that college going to games

I am more into the college sports for the simple fact that I dont see so much crying over stupid shit. They go play the game and enjoy it You still see the excitement on their faces when they win. 

I think a large part of it is the school's association with a geography or church.  A college team will never relocate.  It's players often come from the basic geography or religion it represents.  Professional athletes are hired guns playing for a team that could be here today, gone tomorrow.  One notable exception is the Green Bay Packers, whose fans are more similar to a college team than an NFL team.  

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

One notable exception is the Green Bay Packers, whose fans are more similar to a college team than an NFL team.  

I don't agree with this statement.  Every professional team has fans that treat it the same as an alum would at a NCAA contest.

posted by Verbal Kint

I don't agree with this statement.  Every professional team has fans that treat it the same as an alum would at a NCAA contest.

The fact that the Packers are owned by the city means they will never move.  I think that makes them more of a pillar than not.  Also, since Green Bay is a small town by NFL market standards, many of its fans experience a travel-in/travel-out game weekend experience kind of like college football.