Will Women's College Basketball EVER approch the men when it comes to popularity?

[Franisdaman]

I see that UCONN won their Sweet 16 matchup by 60 points (98-38); they are heavily favored to win their 4th straight national championship.

Does anyone on this board tune in to the Women's NCAA basketball tournament?

Its just a foregone conclusion who is going to win it all. My reaction? Who cares? But hey, we gotta meet all Title 9 requirements so....

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Not sure I get your point. Do you want to get rid of Women's BB?

Will Men's Track, Baseball, Wrestling or Swimming ever approach Men's BB in popularity? No. What should be done about that?

 

[shaf8923]

I see that UCONN won their Sweet 16 matchup by 60 points (98-38); they are heavily favored to win their 4th straight national championship.

Does anyone on this board tune in to the Women's NCAA basketball tournament?

Its just a foregone conclusion who is going to win it all. My reaction? Who cares? But hey, we gotta meet all Title 9 requirements so....

No, nobody cares. Not a new phenomenon.

 

[BubsFinn]

A good high school boy's team will demolish the best college women's team. It just isn't worth watching.

 

[markfromj]

I support title 9.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

Women's college ball is about 8 teams and a gajillion practice/rec teams. Sadly.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

To me, watching women's basketball is pure torture. Nothing personal against female athletes. I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate high-level women's volleyball and gymnastics, as well as most other Olympic sports, but basketball & softball - excruciating.

 

[BGHAWK]

A good high school boy's team will demolish the best college women's team. It just isn't worth watching.

I doubt that, but what's your point? Even if true, that doesn't diminish the enjoyment millions of women's basketball fans enjoy every year, including me. I watched both games today and will watch two more tomorrow night. That's the nice thing about America, you can rag on a segment of population if you wish, and you do not have to watch.

 

[Franisdaman]

Not sure I get your point. Do you want to get rid of Women's BB?

Will Men's Track, Baseball, Wrestling or Swimming ever approach Men's BB in popularity? No. What should be done about that?

No, don't want to get rid of it. Just wondering if "March Madness" will ever exist in the women's game?

 

[Rustys Dad]

The women's game has improved greatly since the 1980s. That being said, it has its own niche of fans and will never become anything more than a filler sport. Also, it doesn't help that the women's game has been dominated by the same four teams for the past 15-20 years.

I found myself watching a few minutes of Iowa women's games here and there but would never pay to see the team in person... The sport is better than it used to be... Will never garner the attention or interest of other sports ...

 

[shaf8923]

No, don't want to get rid of it. Just wondering if "March Madness" will ever exist in the women's game?

Will MLS ever be as big as the NFL?

 

[24 so far]

To me, watching women's basketball is pure torture. Nothing personal against female athletes. I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate high-level women's volleyball and gymnastics, as well as most other Olympic sports, but basketball & softball - excruciating.

I can handle the volleyball and softball. Watching Women's basketball makes me want to put sharp objects in my eyes, so had to give up trying to make it an option. It's bad. Real bad.

 

[wyohawk]

I can handle the volleyball and softball. Watching Women's basketball makes me want to put sharp objects in my eyes, so had to give up trying to make it an option. It's bad. Real bad.

I am of the opinion that women's volleyball is much more fun to watch than the men's version. And definitely superior to women's basketball.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

A good high school boy's team will demolish the best college women's team. It just isn't worth watching.

Agree. Like beat UConn by 40-50 points bad. It feels like the gap in bball between men & women is so great that it does make it a lot less interesting. Other sports like tennis, golf, volleyball, etc doesn't feel like it has the gap that bball does.

 

[24 so far]

I am of the opinion that women's volleyball is much more fun to watch than the men's version. And definitely superior to women's basketball.

I don't have a strong opinion either way. They are both fun to watch, but the Women's game is far more accessible (BTN for one), and I presume there is about a 10-1 disparity between the number of Women's and Men's College teams nationally.

 

[wyohawk]

I don't have a strong opinion either way. They are both fun to watch, but the Women's game is far more accessible (BTN for one), and I presume there is about a 10-1 disparity between the number of Women's and Men's College teams nationally.

The higher level men's game is usually one hit per rally that ends in a kill or block. The women's game has much longer rallies that involve multiple plays and hits, back line defense, and all twelve girls routinely getting touches in a single point. Just a much more compelling presentation for a fan, IMHO.

 

[El Simbolo]

The upsets make the men's tournament "madness". Women's tourney doesn't get as many meaningful upsets. It's not UConn's fault others can't keep up, but their dominance really does make the season and tourney less interesting.

 

[DodgerHawki]

The upsets make the men's tournament "madness". Women's tourney doesn't get as many meaningful upsets. It's not UConn's fault others can't keep up, but their dominance really does make the season and tourney less interesting.

Yeah it's not really Auriemma's fault. He built a very, very good program and the depth of quality players in the women's game just isn't there to consistently challenge them. The chasm between the 20th ranked player in college hoops this year and the 90th player is massive. And then even more massive down to player 150. As time goes on, I would anticipate that the depth of good players will improve and make it harder for UConn to just kill everyone.

It would also help the women's game to reduce the scholarships per team down to 13 like the men. That won't happen due to Title IX reasons, but reducing scholarships on the men's side has helped distribute talent across more teams.

But let's please stop with the know-nothing talk about the women's game being more "fundamental" because it's played below the rim. Just because the men's teams have the athletic ability to play above the rim and do incredible things with the ball doesn't mean they aren't "fundamental." It just means they play the game at a very different level.

 

[OldTownPepe]

It needs to be a little more competitive, like it was before Pat Summit had to leave the game. UConn winning everything year in and year out isn't fun to watch. I know it's not their fault, but the women's game has become stale and boring. Some people like it, so I guess that's all that counts. I'm not a fan.

 

[24 so far]

It needs to be a little more competitive, like it was before Pat Summit had to leave the game. UConn winning everything year in and year out isn't fun to watch. I know it's not their fault, but the women's game has become stale and boring. Some people like it, so I guess that's all that counts. I'm not a fan.

My position on Women's basketball has nothing to do with UConn's dominance. I can't stand to watch girls attempt to play this particular sport in the manner in which they collectively do.

I've tried on numerous occasions to watch Iowa Women's games in the past, most of them Tournament games, with something on the line. After a couple of minutes I find myself wanting to do anything BUT watch Women's Basketball. I just can't take it.

I hope Iowa's Women's Basketball does well, I've resigned myself to just read about it, and that's where its going to stay.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Same things were said when UCLA men won a bunch in a row or when Iowa wrestling was on a roll ect.....