All the reasons why Badger basketball is better than football

While I’m sure we all love a fun football tailgate and can appreciate a close football game, it really doesn’t come close to Badger basketball. There’s a reason why basketball season tickets sold out in a record time of three minutes this year. Every Badger knows nothing compares to the excitement of basketball season.  Including football.

Basketball has March Madness…obviously

I dare you to name a tournament better than the March Madness NCAA tournament. You may be tempted to say the NCAA football tournament is more exciting, but I beg to differ. Avid basketball fans wait in anticipation for the brackets to be released every year so they can confidently make their picks and bet with their friends to prove they know it all. The overall atmosphere of March Madness is one of competition and excitement. This year’s tournament is no exception.

In the first round against Virginia Tech, the Badgers came out on top. Bronson Koenig scored 28 points and made eight 3-point shots, breaking a school record.  Nigel Hayes also had a great game and scored 16 points to help the Badgers defeat Virginia Tech 84-74 and move on to the next round.

The Badgers were then forced to face the defending NCAA champions and number one seed, Villanova, but they rose to the occasion. Hayes dropped 19 points and Koenig added 17 points for the Badgers. While Villanova led by seven with five minutes left, Wisconsin was on their game. Hayes put the Badgers ahead with a layup, and Vitto Brown’s free-throw resulted in a winning score of 65-62. This was the third time the Badgers have defeated a number one seed in four years (Arizona in 2014 and Kentucky in 2015). Without a doubt, the Badger basketball team is the underdog we all are rooting for.

Basketball has a much longer season

Another reason why Badger basketball is so much better than Badger football is because we’re given more time to enjoy it. The basketball season gives us 34 games (excluding March Madness), while the football season only has 14. Football games also predictably lie on Saturdays every week, while the basketball schedule offers a lot more variety. You can cheer on the team almost any day of the week, and aren’t forced to wait until Saturdays to get your Badger fix.

Basketball has an extremely talented roster

Wisconsin basketball has such a talented roster this year, it’s impossible not to love the sport. While great things can be said about all of the players, the Badgers have a few standouts this season. Sophomore Ethan Happ carries the Badgers with his unmatched offense, averaging 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Senior Nigel Hayes has also had an impressive basketball career and was named the Big Ten Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. Senior Bronson Koenig is one of the top point guards in the Big Ten and has been a key shooter for the Badgers, averaging 14.5 points per game. While Badger football also has many talented athletes, it’s a lot easier to appreciate individual players on a smaller roster.

Basketball has had a successful season

Wisconsin has been performing their best in the tournament, but they’ve also had other important wins prior to the tournament. The team boasts an overall record of 27-9 (12-6 in Conference and 15-3 Non-Conference). With wins against Northwestern, Indiana, Tennessee, Syracuse, Marquette and Minnesota, the Badgers have proven they are a force to be reckoned with. Regardless of the March Madness tournament, the basketball team has been working hard all season, and it shows.

Basketball has an overall more exciting environment

While watching football can feel very stop-and-go, basketball is a very fast-paced and high-intensity sport. If fans are distracted for even a few minutes at a basketball game, they can miss a lot of action. Football can have some jaw-dropping plays once in a while, but you can always find this energy in basketball. Players are always moving, and there is much more opportunity for scoring. Any spectator can agree that the intensity found in basketball gets their hearts pumping as they watch.

Believe me, I’m all about tailgates at frats and being a part of the wave at Camp Randall. But when it comes down to it, basketball will always be the best Wisconsin sport. You can bet that I’ll be cheering on the Badgers as they take on Florida in the Sweet Sixteen. On Wisconsin!