University of Michigan and Michigan State. Syracuse University and Georgetown University. Duke University and the University of North Carolina.
These are but a few of the countless rivalries at the heart of NCAA basketball. Aside from the Boston Celtics versus Los Angeles Lakers contention, rivalries are hard to come by in the NBA, leaving the league mundane and boring to watch. Rivalries are arguably one of the most exciting parts of the college game, arousing passion from coaches, players and fans alike.
Continuing that notion, you could sum up the gratification of college basketball with one word: passion. Starting from the top, coaches strive to actually guide and influence their teams. Now, I may be partial, but I couldn’t name a single NBA coach if I tried to, and I think that goes to show just how little they matter in the NBA. It’s hard to imagine Duke without Coach K[rzyzewski] or Syracuse without Jim Boeheim. The devotion Tom Izzo brings to the playoffs each year is unmatched, and no one could ever forget the dynamic Bob Knight: “When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want them to bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my a--!” And finally, it’d be hard to talk about coaches without mentioning John Wooden. As the only NCAA head coach to boast 10 championships in 12 years, Wooden turned the University of California, Los Angeles into a dynasty.
Alongside coaches, the players themselves are what make the game so rewarding. They care more about the name on the front of their jersey than the name on the back. They play a lot harder, and with heart than their pro counterparts. Players genuinely work hard at improving their game in hopes of landing a contract or, more importantly, bringing home a championship for their school. Plus, they actually play defense (gasp!).
Finally, the fans are an integral part of the sport at the college level. They make the atmosphere incredibly exciting and create an obstacle for the opposing team. Take for instance Duke’s student section, the Cameron Crazies. They hang out courtside, literally inches away from players, and heckle the opposing team to no end. College fans make it their moral duty to offend the visiting players, which makes the game all the more entertaining. Because seriously, who doesn’t love a face-painted 20-something shouting “SHREK!” to Luke Harangody? University of Michigan and Michigan State. Syracuse University and Georgetown University. Duke University and the University of North Carolina.
These are but a few of the countless rivalries at the heart of NCAA basketball. Aside from the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers contention, rivalries are hard to come by in the NBA, leaving the league mundane. Rivalries are arguably one of the most exciting parts of the college game, arousing passion from coaches, players and fans alike.
Continuing that notion, you could sum up the gratification of college basketball with one word: passion. Starting from the top, coaches strive to actually guide and influence their team. Now, I may be partial, but I couldn’t name a single NBA coach if I tried to, and I think that goes to show just how little they matter in the NBA. It’s hard to imagine Duke without Coach K[rzyzewski] or Syracuse without Jim Boeheim. The devotion Tom Izzo brings to the playoffs each year is unmatched, and no one could ever forget the dynamic Bob Knight: “When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want them to bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my a--!” And finally, it’d be hard to talk about coaches without mentioning John Wooden. As the only NCAA head coach to boast 10 championships in 12 years, Wooden turned the University of California, Los Angeles into a dynasty.
Alongside coaches, the players themselves are what make the game so rewarding. They care more about the name on the front of their jersey than the name on the back. They play a lot harder, and with heart. Players genuinely work hard at improving their game in hopes of landing a contract or, more importantly, bringing home a championship for their school. Plus, they actually play defense (gasp!)
Lastly, the fans are an integral part of the sport. They make the atmosphere much more exciting, not to mention an obstacle for the opposing team. Take for instance Duke’s student section, the Cameron Crazies. They hang out courtside, literally inches away from players, heckling the opposing team to no end. College fans make it their moral duty to offend the visiting players, making the game all the more entertaining. Because seriously, who doesn’t love a face-painted 20-something shouting “SHREK!” to Luke Harangody?