What Went Down In The First Round Of The NCAA Tournament

I agree with Santul about the college game. Division I teams range from 59.1 to 73.5 possessions per game in adjusted tempo, and teams took between 22.3 percent and 54.6 percent of baskets from 3-point range. You could tune in two nights in a row and see two totally different games.

I think you have to embrace the imperfection, Micah! In a very general sense, the NBA has figured out the optimal way to score and defend, to the point where teams look very similar to one another now. There’s so much more of a diversity of play style in college.

I believe most college > NBA folks cite the environment of college games, but the tournament is composed entirely of neutral-site games, so it takes that aspect away. When you watch as much NBA as someone like me, the difference in quality of play and (especially) refereeing is way too noticeable. (And NBA refs aren’t even very good!)