With the NBA season in full swing, most states have a team, or in some cases two or three to pick from. Other states like Kansas have none. Despite this, viewership numbers in neighboring states tend to far outpace that of local college teams. That is true in most cases, except for states like Kansas. More than the big NBA games, it’s the college teams like the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats that steal the show. Why is this?
Culture of College Sports
In Kansas, people grow up loving their local college teams. The Kansas Jayhawks, in particular, have a special place in the hearts of Kansans. The pride and loyalty tied to these college teams run deep in the community. This is a particularly strong trend in recent years due to excellent results, as the Jayhawks sport a 10-1 record as of current.
March Madness Excitement
March Madness, the big college basketball tournament, is a huge deal in Kansas. The one-game knockout format and the underdog stories make it a thrilling time for fans. The whole state gets caught up in the excitement, as do avid bettors. While March Madness is one of the biggest sporting tournaments in the US period, according to KS Betting it is one of the biggest betting tournaments as well. Local betting markets thrive, as do online bookmakers. While this is an extremely profitable time for bookies due to people betting with their emotions, it also shows the passion among fans who are willing to put their money where their mouth is.
Local Basketball Stars
Kansas has produced some great basketball talents. When these local players join top college teams, it’s a big deal for the folks in Kansas. Seeing someone from their own town or state playing for a big college team makes the games more exciting. It is also a factor that many of the states with strong NBA teams do not have good college teams to make up for it. As a matter of fact, many of the southern states such as Alabama where college sports are taken as religion are pigeon holed into following that sport alone, so much so that it has become culture to prioritize it over the bigger leagues.
Intense State Rivalries
The matchups between in-state college teams, like the Jayhawks and Wildcats, are fierce. The rivalry brings out a lot of passion and excitement among fans. These games matter a lot to people in Kansas, more than professional NBA games.
Affordability and Access
Watching college basketball is easy and doesn’t cost much. Online streaming lets fans watch games from home. Going to college games is also cheaper than going to NBA games, making it more doable for many fans. Since the games have to hold a ticket price that is affordable for students, venues are not able to charge too much or they will lose the backbone of their fans and local connection.
Team Spirit Matters
In Kansas, it’s not just about individual stars; it’s about the team. Fans love the stories of teams coming together, working hard, and achieving success. This team spirit is a big part of what makes college basketball special in Kansas.
Community Basketball Culture
Basketball is a big part of the community in Kansas. From youth programs to high school competitions, there’s a strong grassroots basketball culture. This community connection makes people in Kansas love college basketball even more. States such as Kansas, Texas and Arkansas with strong high school presences in sports tend to carry over to college, meaning that they gain an existing fanbase that in other states keep their sports fandom to the high school level. While all of these factors play a role, it is a testament to the state that it has been able to keep NCAAB viewership high throughout decades of basketball, despite not having an NBA franchise and cements that the sport is not going away anytime soon.
