Peak Perspective: NIL is Killing College Basketball and March Madness
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The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies in college basketball has led to a decline in the competitiveness of smaller conferences like the Mountain West. This shift has resulted in fewer Cinderella stories and less interest in the NCAA Tournament from fans of mid-major teams.
The college basketball season has concluded, and March Madness felt different. The quality of play in the Mountain West conference has declined. San Diego State and Boise State struggled to meet expectations. The NIL era has negatively impacted smaller conferences, with the NCAA Tournament showing a decline in mid-major teams' participation. Only four mid-major teams won their opening round game, compared to an average of eight over the prior twenty years. The lack of continuity and consistency is killing smaller conferences, and the influx of cash in Power Four schools is pushing out the little guy.
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