Mandel’s Mailbag: No, there’s not as much parity this year, but teams doing the upsetting are legit

Athletic writers weigh in on parity issues and issues of parity in college basketball this year

Athletic writers discuss their thoughts and opinions regarding parity issues and upsets in college basketball

This year in college basketball, there has been a lot of talk about parity, or the lack thereof. Some people believe that the gap between the top teams and the rest of the country has widened, while others believe that there is still a lot of parity in the sport. In this week's Mandel's Mailbag, we asked our writers to weigh in on the issue.

Is there less parity in college basketball this year?

Andy Katz: There is a little less parity for sure, with the top eight or nine teams separating themselves. Purdue, UConn, Houston, Kansas, Alabama, Texas, UCLA and Arizona could all win the national championship. That said, Iowa State just beat Purdue, and Kansas just needed overtime to get past Oklahoma State. So it is not like there is no parity at all. There are still a lot of good teams that can make a run in March.

Nicole Auerbach: Yes, there is less parity this year. The gap between the top teams and the rest of the country has widened. The top teams are just so good that it is hard for anyone else to compete with them. They have more talent, more experience, and better coaching. As a result, the top teams are winning more games and the margins of victory are getting bigger.

Dana O'Neil: I think there is still a lot of parity in college basketball. There are a lot of good teams that can beat each other on any given night. However, I do think that the top teams are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. The top teams have more talent and more experience, and they are playing better together. As a result, they are winning more games and winning them by larger margins.

What are the reasons for the lack of parity?

Andy Katz: The transfer portal has had a big impact on college basketball. Top players are now able to transfer to other schools without having to sit out a year. This has led to a lot of roster turnover, and it has made it difficult for teams to build continuity.

Nicole Auerbach: One reason for the lack of parity is the transfer portal. Players are now able to transfer schools more easily than ever before. As a result, the top teams are able to add talented players without having to wait for them to become eligible. This makes it harder for other teams to compete.

Dana O'Neil: There are a few reasons for the lack of parity. One reason is the transfer portal. Top players are now able to transfer to other schools without having to sit out a year. This has led to a lot of roster turnover, and it has made it difficult for teams to build continuity. Another reason is the NIL era. Top players are now able to make a lot of money through NIL deals. This gives them an incentive to stay in college and play for a top team.

What does the lack of parity mean for the NCAA Tournament?

Andy Katz: The lack of parity means that the NCAA Tournament will be more predictable. The top teams are likely to win their games, and the upsets will be few and far between. This could make the tournament less exciting for fans.

Nicole Auerbach: The lack of parity means that the NCAA Tournament will be more top-heavy. The top teams will be heavily favored to win their games, and the upsets will be rare. This could make the tournament less exciting for fans.

Dana O'Neil: The lack of parity means that the NCAA Tournament will be more predictable. The top teams are likely to win their games, and the upsets will be few and far between. This could make the tournament less exciting for fans. However, it could also make the tournament more competitive. The top teams will be playing each other in the later rounds, and the games will be more evenly matched.