College Basketball: Play Hard or Go Home

If you find yourself bored, unimpressed, and or disinterested in the game of basketball today, then you are probably watching the Charlotte Bobcats play a weeknight game against the Oklahoma City Thunder (hopefully they get the memo that arena football has been suspended this season).

If you find yourself criticizing the style of play, bad attitude, disrespect for authority, and complaining to the refs, then you are probably watching the Los Angeles Clippers play the Golden State Warriors.

If you find yourself jumping to these conclusions, then you are not watching true basketball: College Basketball.

If you cannot tell by now, this is a rant against those who do not appreciate today's game of basketball.

College Basketball offers games every night of the week.  It is non-stop basketball from November through April, allowing for no complaining about the lack of games.

Big Monday, Super Tuesday, ACC Wednesday, Throwdown Thursday, a full schedule every Saturday, and late season Sunday games...what more can you ask for.

Well, you can ask for:

Top 10 matchups, the passion, the gameday halfcourt shots, the atmosphere, Erin Andrews.

During the NBA season, unity is rarely noticeable among teammates and coaches.  Watch any NCAA game, please, and tell me you do not instantly notice the team bond between teammates. 

Every free throw, both groups of players will huddle together, encourage each other between shots, and sprint over to listen to their coach.  These are the forms of respect, friendship, and will that are found in every game.

The nation is full of coaches that teach their players the right way to play the game and the right way to act off the court.  Indiana's Tom Crean graduated 26 of 26 seniors during his tenure at Marquette. Coach K will not play players that are slack in the classroom.  These are only two of the many coaches that enforce values such as education.

Not only is there an abundance of games, but the diversity of these games is so great that anybody can turn on the TV and become interested. You have traditional powerhouses taking on mid-majors, the North Carolinas playing the Michigan States, and the lower level teams battling each other for a spot in the big dance in March.

The beauty of it all is the intensity that is brought night in and night out.

One night last week offered Oklahoma vs. Davidson and Texas vs. UCLA—easily a possible preview of two Sweet 16 matchups in March. Let me tell you, bodies were flying all 80 minutes.

After a back and forth first half, Oklahoma took a four-point lead to 20 in the second half.  With about 10 minutes to go and still facing a major deficit in a seemingly meaningless regular season affair, Davidson battled fearlessly back to cut the lead to three with minutes to play.

With just over eight minutes to play and the lead still double digits, a loose ball inspired several players to dive, scramble, and fight for possession.  This sparked the Davidson run that made the game even more enticing.

Two player of the year candidates, Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin (both true pleasures to watch play the game), dueled the entire game—Curry tying a career high with 44 points, and Griffin putting up a dominating 37 points and 21 boards.

After the horn sounded and hugs and handshakes were exchanged, ESPN instantly switched to the tip-off between Texas and UCLA, easily a potential Final Four matchup.

With nothing more then a top five ranking and pride on the line, the two teams ran each other back and forth the entire game, UCLA looking to avenge a last season buzzer-beating loss to the Longhorns. 

With one minute to play, Texas was clinging to a one-point lead.  UCLA had possession and a full shot clock to work with.

You would think after 39 minutes of non-stop, back and forth action, UCLA would be able to find a path to the basket. 

Wrong!

UCLA could not enter the paint if they tried.  Texas played some of the most impressive man-to-man defense I have noticed in a long time, forcing Darren Collison, a preseason All-American and a tenacious defender (not to mention shooting an incredible 60 percent from the field and 70 percent from deep on the season) to take an ill-advised shot.

The ball bounced off the rim and was lost out of bounds after an all-out scramble for possession.  The ball remained with UCLA...one more chance for redemption.

Yet once again, UCLA could not pass a Texas defender if they wanted to. 

Another tough jumpshot led to another fight for possession, resulting in a jump ball, giving possession back to the Bruins. 

After two of the most impressive defensive stands a coach could ask for, the Longhorns were asked to give one more.

Too tired? Nope.

Texas held the UCLA for a third straight time, edging them out for a four-point win after stud guard A.J. Abrams sank his free throw.

If that isn't enticing enough, last night offered Davidson/West Virginia and Texas/Villanova: more top 25 teams, more tournament previewing, and more intensity.

The best part is, it's not even conference play yet! The most intense basketball is yet to come.

What more can you ask for?

Well, how about:

Buzzer beaters galore, being carried off the court, rushing the court, coaches crying, players crying, heartbreak, Cinderella, runs at a perfect season. Freshman Phenoms.

Don't enjoy watching players disrespect their coaches, teammates, and fans?

Well then, why don't you pay more attention to Tyler Hansbrough—a complete workhorse that returned for his senior season?

Why pass up millions of dollars to play for free?

Well, not only is Hansbrough having the time of his life, being an on-campus celebrity, a villain on every opposing court, and an icon of the sport—he also wants to reach his goal for himself and his team.

Back to back season with disappointing finishes didn't cut it.  Failure is not an option. 

So Hansbrough came back for one last year to do it the right way, the only way he knows: working hard every day, every practice, every film session.  Running plays to perfection and pushing his team to the limit, not to mention playing through injury and scoring a routine 34 and 11 in his first full game back during a rout of red-hot Notre Dame in the Maui Classic championship game.

Hansbrough will probably be a mid-first round draft pick, riding the pine for an average NBA team for the next three seasons. Enjoy it while you can, buddy.

Still hate the new generation of basketball?

If so, then you probably notice during the NBA season that unity is rarely noticeable among teammates and coaches.    

You don't find four players living together for three years as the starting lineup of the Florida Gators did three years ago.

There is no shoving cameras and reporters out of the way in the locker room.  Every player embraces the media, not to mention says all the right things.

Also, the talent required to play at the college level is incredibly underappreciated.  Sure, you see the players perform on the court, but did anybody see Lee Humphrey make 28 consecutive three-pointers without touching the rim in a shoot-around before a Final Four game against UCLA two seasons ago?

Lee Humphrey is yet to step on the floor for an NBA team.

This brings me to the biggest factor of it all. Over 90 percent of NCAA players will not play basketball after college.  This is their one shot, and they want to make the most out of it.  They play their heart out every practice and every game. 

If you cannot appreciate that, seek therapy.