Every time we reach this part of the year, it seems like the news is better.  There is more coverage, more interest, another compelling set of stories.  I can't think of another sport played by women that is on that kind of trajectory, and it's also college basketball that has provided the WNBA with the players that have fueled its growth.  I remember sitting on the floor of my parents' friends house in Brooklyn watching the first WNBA game on television, and being viscerally embarrassed about the quality of play.  No more of that.  So why does the college game, despite struggles, seem like such a success?  Some theories:

• Broad geographic appeal.  While sports like softball and soccer have regional pockets of popularity, every part of the country has its basketball rivalries and allegiances.  
• Title IX. Every sport can claim this legislative milestone, but it seems like basketball was often one of the first college programs added to achieve parity.  This was probably because schools already had the facilities and also the contributions of...
• High schools.  High school basketball has a longer history and more continuity than many other sports for girls. Even if in the early days you couldn't dribble more than three times before passing the ball.
• Production of extraordinary talent.  Almost every year someone comes into or out of college who is projected to be one of the best players ever.  While men's basketball seems to have stabilized in terms of truly great players, who are produced rarely, basketball is still reaching its potential among women and that results in a large number of players who can advance the game by leaps and bounds.  Taurasi was followed by Parker who was followed by Moore who will probably be followed by Griner.   

I am no expert on the current state of most college teams.  I probably follow the game with less breadth than many other bloggers.  So I am curious to hear readers' thoughts on this post and their views about why college basketball continually produces hope that women's sports will find a real niche in the United States. 

View Original Post at ftlouie.typepad.com/womensports

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• Basketball, Sports, SportsPLUS, College, Discrimination/Title IX, High School, Student-Athlete, W College Hoops