The two biggest basketball leagues and competitions in the USA are pretty different in basically every way. Between the NBA and the NCAA, there couldn’t possibly be more differences in how they are played, the rules, and general understanding, attention, and phenomenon. Oftentimes, it is not just about watching basketball since there are only the fans of one or the other. Many fans of the professional league dislike college basketball and vice versa. They have similarities and depend on each other in meaningful ways. College players aspire to go pro and rank high in the NBA draft, but they must perform well the whole season, especially in the March Madness tournament.
If you like basketball, you can find many qualities in these competitive and challenging leagues. But at the same time, it is essential to understand how NCAA college basketball and the ongoing March Madness differ from the National Basketball Association (NBA). Lucky for you, dear fans of this beautiful sport, that is precisely what we are discussing today. With March Madness starting, the best college teams fighting for a chance at the championship game on one side, and the final stretch of the NBA regular season in full swing, there is no better way to watch the games in both. Of course, we also talk about the latest NCAA College Basketball Predictions for your sports betting enthusiasts.
What is March Madness?
As the first set of games has already started, it would be good to discuss the ongoing NCAA Tournament first. Colloquially known as March Madness around the world, it is the nickname for the annual NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament that takes place every spring in the United States. From the middle of March to the start of April, it is the epitome of college basketball; some would even say all college sports bring the nation together while bringing out some of the oldest and most fierce rivalries between states, universities, and fans.
The tournament involves 68 college basketball teams competing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion. The tournament is famous for its intense, fast-paced games and staggering upsets where lower-seeded teams often beat higher-seeded ones. It happens very often as strange scenarios play out every year. It is a Cinderella Story and revolves around an underdog team reaching the tournament’s final stages.
March Madness comprises several stages: the First Round, the Second Round, the Sweet 16, the Elite 8, the Final Four, and the Championship Game. At the start of the tournament, four games are played, named the First Four, where the eight lowest-ranked teams play in four games for a chance to enter the main bracket.
March Madness is about the tournament’s excitement, drama, and unpredictability as the fans wait for this March and early April stretch to tune into dozens of games and expect tight games and iconic performances. Fans often fill out brackets to predict the outcomes of each game, and there is widespread media coverage, making it one of the biggest sports events in the US. Brackets are a form of wagering, too, an enjoyable one at that, as the fans fill out the whole bracket, and the one closest to whatever does happen wins. The ultimate goal is to get the perfect bracket where you can guess all matchups and series.
Differences Between Competitions
The NBA (National Basketball Association) and NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) March Madness tournaments are both major basketball events. Still, they differ enough to make them popular among different fans. Each has the qualities that make it unique, and fans often have preferences based on these distinctions, allegiances, and backgrounds. First off, the NBA is a professional league made up of the best players in the entire world. It is where all of the talent is, and it is the peak of skill, athleticism, speed, and experience, with grown men dominating the rosters. The games are polished and strategically sound, with advanced tactics and superb team chemistry.
On the other hand, the NCAA comprises young, up-and-coming stars and future pro hopefuls who are still developing. They have not yet formed; many are still trying to figure out the best way to play the game. As they are in their college years, i.e., between 18 and 22, the overall quality and level of play are not polished, and there are many empty possessions. The teams and individuals are less consistent, there are many surprises, and virtually any team can beat others despite some being absolute favorites or apparent underdogs. This is what gets the fans excited.
Each NBA team plays 82 seasons during the regular season, with the best eight moving on to the playoffs. There are far fewer games in the NCAA, and not every team plays the same amount. They typically range from high 20s to high 30s, with the record being 41 games. Then, the best-ranked 68 teams play in the final tournament, the March Madness, which is single-elimination as opposed to NBA’s 7-game series where the team that wins four first moves on. Also, NCAA games happen roughly simultaneously, adding a sense of urgency and drama. NBA playoff series are played over multiple weeks, especially the conference finals that reach game 7.
Audiences and Fan Bases
Perhaps the most significant difference between the two, and why there are exclusive fans of one and not the other, revolves around who the fan bases are and who is in the audience. The NBA’s global fan base and appeal transcends college basketball. It has a strong international following due to the ever-increasing number of foreign players who dominate. The games attract hundreds of millions of viewers both in the US and abroad. The focus is on the stars, who make the league. The game is global, readily marketable, and recognizable with players like LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry. Also, online sports betting on the NBA is popular worldwide.
NCAA fans tend to be more regional, state, or school-specific, and the passion is often tied to the school loyalty of former students, players’ families, friends, and local communities. College alumni, current students, and people from the teams’ home regions support their schools with all the energy and cheering they have, and they pack the stadiums to the last seat. In the NBA, only certain games of the top-market teams with stars fill out all of the seats. The unpredictability of the college tournament also draws in casual viewers who may not usually watch basketball. At the same time, that does not always happen with the NBA despite its being the best professional players.
For example, the atmosphere at the Final Four game during March Madness is more similar to Euroleague or association football in Europe or South America, where teams have very loyal fans who live and breathe their team’s colors and identity. This is present only with a handful of NBA teams, whereas every NCAA school, let alone the top programs, have diehard fans that swear by not the star players currently on the roster but the school or even the coach. For example, the Duke VS Kentucky could be better described as the Barcelona VS Real Madrid rivalry (El Clasico) than the Los Angeles Lakers VS Boston Celtics rivalry.
What Makes NCAA Basketball so Special?
Since the NBA is far more popular outside of the States and it is easy to conclude why it is so big, let us divert our attention to college basketball to finish things off. The magic of March Madness and college ball lies in its unpredictability and the sheer drama of single-elimination play. Lower-seeded teams can upset top teams and Cinderella stories are a massive part of the tournament’s appeal. Fans of the NCAA tournament enjoy the chaos and the fact that the event feels more personal. People often root for their alma mater or a small school they feel connected to somehow. The shorter, high-stakes format makes for more instant excitement. This can never exist at the pro level because players come for the money or to win championships. They have no ties or loyalty to the team, except in some instances, like with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, Steph and Golden State, or Dirk Nowitzki with the Mavericks.
Players care about the schools that made them, and the fans naturally cheer for the local school they identify with. It is a much deeper connection than people from Detroit simply rooting for the Pistons because they are local. On the contrary, many locals like other teams because they like players first and then whoever they play for. The star is never more significant at the college level than the school, which is also the case overseas. Many former and retired NBA stars like Chares Barkley still root for their colleges more often than one of their NBA teams. The Chuskter praises Auburn any chance he gets, not just in basketball, while he is critical and dislikes some of his pro teams.
NCAA Championship Odds
The outright odds are already out on Stake.com, and the team with the best chance of taking the title this year is the Duke Blue Devils with 3.80. Behind them are the Florida Gators with 4.50, the Auburn Tigers with 5.25, and the Houston Cougars with 6.75. So far, two of the First Four games have been played. Alabama State beat St. Francis Red Flash in a nailbiter, 70 – 68, and now move on to face Auburn in the first round. North Carolina Tar Heels decimated San Diego State Aztecs 95 – 68 and will play the Ole Miss Rebels in the first round in an exciting matchup. Duke awaits their opponent from the American Eagles VS Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers duel, while Illinois Fighting Illini will play the Texas Longhorns or Xavier Musketeers in the first round.
