While the NBA may have the best players, college basketball is more enjoyable to watch because it is all about heart. The NBA focuses on big contracts and star power, but college hoops brings upsets, fierce atmospheres, and the excitement of March Madness. It delivers passion, upsets, and the kind of intensity that the NBA lacks.
MHS Media conducted a poll of 35 juniors and found that 62.9% of juniors prefer college basketball, while the other 37.1% prefer the NBA.
This preference for college basketball has something to do with the unpredictable nature of the sport, with many unranked teams often beating higher ranked opponents weekly. The same poll found that 54.3% of juniors like college basketball better due to the parity in the sport.
College basketball thrives on upsets, delivering the kind of unpredictability that keeps fans hooked. Unlike the NBA, where a few superteams dominate year after year, the outcome of a college basketball game is never guaranteed. These unexpected victories define the sport, keeping fans on the edge of their seats and making every game feel like anything can happen.
College basketball also offers fans intense rivalries and electrifying atmospheres that the NBA can’t match. At schools with historic rivalries, fans will wait for hours outside arenas just to get a seat for the big game. I believe that these rivalries provide an extra appeal to the games that the NBA isn’t able to replicate. The home-court advantage in college basketball is unmatched, with home teams winning 68.1% of the time, a much larger advantage than NBA home teams, who win just 55.3% of the time.
The poll reveals that 74.3% of juniors think that the atmospheres in college hoops stand out compared to the atmospheres in the NBA.
“When a team wins a big game, and the court storms, you can feel the excitement in the air,” says junior Patrick Ready, an avid college basketball fan. “This is something that you just don’t see from the NBA.”
Arguably the most popular reason many people believe that college basketball is better is because of March Madness: the college basketball postseason tournament, where the winner is crowned national champion.
In 2024, six of the top 10 most-watched basketball games were from March Madness, with the NBA Finals claiming only three spots. These viewership numbers highlight how the excitement and unpredictability of March Madness make it more attractive for fans than even the NBA’s highest stage.
The excitement of trying to predict a perfect March Madness bracket is a top priority for countless Americans every year. According to the NCAA, between 60 and 100 million brackets are completed annually for the tournament. This staggering figure is just one of the many reasons why March Madness holds more appeal for me and many others than the NBA Finals.
While the NBA has great players, college basketball brings unmatched passion, excitement, and energy. I firmly think it is a more exciting and enjoyable experience to watch.
