Is Today The Best Day Of The Year In College Hoops?

So this is something I’ve been asked and always debate this time of the year. What’s the best day on the calendar year for college hoops? Obviously you have a few days. The start of the season. The first day of day time hoops with the Maui Invitational. Then you get into conference tournaments and obviously next week with the NCAA Tournament.

Ultimately the debate ends up being do you prefer more games or what you consider better games. We have 44 games today. Obviously during the first round you have 16 games on Thursday and Friday. You could throw in the Sweet 16 games because that sort of has a whole new atmosphere.

For me I think today is the best day for college hoops. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the allure of the NCAA Tournament and everything like that. But, it’s also more of a spectacle. You get together with friends, go to the bar, skip school/work way more often during that. I get all that.

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But 44 games. You have every major conference tournament in the quarterfinals or semifinals. You have the same win or go home feel for a majority of those games. For me, it’s the sheer number of games that makes today interesting. I can fully acknowledge that next week is more fun and more pressure.

Just look at the slate today. UNC/Duke. Virginia/Florida State. Kansas State/Iowa State. Marquette/Seton Hall. Nova/Xavier. Michigan State/Ohio State. We have a loaded day. Up until last year we could always throw away a couple games a day next week with the 1/16 games.

However, it still has to be the NCAA Tournament. Conference tournament week always felt like a cult growing up. It was for the die hard college hoops fans that really appreciated it while everyone waited for the NCAA Tournament.

Here’s how I’d rank the best days in college hoops with all factors involved. If you were talking about just sitting by yourself then today is the best day on the calendar. It’s too hard to ignore the feeling of the NCAA Tournament. Waking up and waiting to hear that CBS theme song. The nervousness of sitting there watching your team play (unless you’re an Indiana fan. It’s really fun to play in the NCAA Tournament. I know you don’t know that feeling recently).

1. Thursday of NCAA Touranment
2. Friday of NCAA Tournament
3. Friday of conference tournaments
4. Conference Tournament Saturday
5. Saturday of NCAA Tournament
6. Sunday of NCAA Tournament
7. Selection Sunday
8. Sweet 16 Friday
9. Sweet 16 Thursday
10. Thursday of conference tournaments.