A buy game in college basketball is a scheduled match where a smaller, often less-funded, team receives a payment to play a larger, more established program, typically guaranteeing the larger team a likely victory.
Ever wondered why some college basketball matchups seem so lopsided? It’s often because of something called a buy game. What is a buy game in college basketball exactly? These contests are actually a common practice, and they involve one team essentially paying another for the privilege of playing a game against them, and is not necessarily for the love of basketball competition.
This arrangement benefits the higher-profile team by securing a relatively easy win, boosting their record. It also provides crucial revenue for the smaller program who are paid for their participation in the game.
What is a Buy Game in College Basketball?
Have you ever watched a college basketball game and wondered why a big, strong team is playing a team you’ve never heard of? There’s a good chance that game is what we call a “buy game.” Let’s dive into what exactly that means in the world of college hoops. It’s a common practice, but understanding the reasons behind it makes the game a lot more interesting.
The Basics: Understanding the “Buy”
Imagine your favorite college basketball team needs a few extra games to fill out their schedule. Sometimes these games are with other big-name schools, but often, they look for smaller schools that they know they can likely beat. That’s where the “buy” comes in. It’s like your team is paying another team to come and play them. Think of it as a business transaction, where a big school pays a smaller school a fee to come play a game. The smaller school gets money they need, and the bigger school gets an easy win to help build their record and confidence. It’s not about being mean; it’s really about how college basketball teams manage their seasons and finances.
Why Do Teams Participate in Buy Games?
Why would a college team agree to be on the losing end of a game they will likely lose? Well, there are several reasons. Let’s take a look from the perspectives of both the ‘buying’ team and the ‘bought’ team. It’s not a simple case of one side winning while the other loses in all aspects. There are mutual benefits, though these might look different from team to team. Understanding these motivations gives us better understanding about the college basketball ecosystem.
The Big Team’s Perspective: The Buyer
For the larger, more well-known schools, also called ‘power conference teams,’ buy games serve a few important purposes:
- Guaranteed Win: These games are almost always against teams from smaller conferences, which means they are far more likely to win. These wins boost their overall record, which is important for things like getting into the NCAA Tournament.
- Schedule Filling: Teams need a certain number of games each season. Buy games are an easy way to fill those spots, especially if they are struggling to find other bigger schools available.
- Home Game Revenue: Having more home games brings in more money for the school from ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise. A buy game, while it might not be a huge draw, still contributes.
- Practice Game: These games allow a team to work on different strategies and give their younger players some playing time, without the pressure of a high-stakes game. They can try different things out. It is like a dress rehearsal for the more important conference games.
- Build Confidence: A string of easy wins can boost a team’s confidence. It allows them to play comfortably and experiment with different playing styles.
The Small Team’s Perspective: The Seller
Smaller conference teams, also called ‘mid-major teams’, get important benefits from buy games as well:
- Financial Boost: The biggest reason they participate is the payment they get from the bigger schools. This can be a very important source of money for their athletics program, that can use that money for different things. For example the money can be used for equipment, travel, coaching staff etc.
- Exposure: Even though the game is likely to be a loss, playing against a well known team gives these teams and their players a chance to be seen. It is possible that they will be seen by national audience, which might lead to better recruitment in the future.
- Experience: Playing against stronger competition can help these teams improve. They will learn a lot from these games. Even a loss can help them find out weak parts of the team, and they can learn from it.
- A Chance to Win: While rare, there’s always a chance for a major upset. If the underdog team can pull out a victory, it’s a huge boost to the program and something the players would never forget.
How Much Money is Involved?
The amount of money paid for buy games can vary quite a bit. Several things determine it:
- The Bigger Team’s Size: A larger school in a big conference might pay more than a smaller program.
- Distance: The travel costs are usually covered by the bigger school. The farther the smaller school has to travel, the more they will generally receive.
- Date: Games during weekends, holidays or special events might be cost more due to increased travel cost and higher demand.
The payments range from tens of thousands of dollars to over a hundred thousand dollars for a single game. These payments are very important for the smaller schools. They use them to help with funding, such as travel expenses, salaries for staff, new equipment, and other necessities. For some small schools, a few buy games can make a difference between having a successful season and struggling to keep their programs afloat. Let’s look at a sample table:
| Big School Type | Small School Type | Average Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Power 5 Conference School | Mid-Major School | $80,000 – $150,000+ |
| Mid-Major Conference School | Low Major School | $30,000 – $80,000 |
| Power 5 School | Non Division 1 School | $15,000 – $50,000 |
These are just averages and the exact amount can depend on the agreements between schools. It’s clear that this financial deal is a crucial element in college basketball.
The Impact on Team Rankings
Buy games play a role in how teams are ranked. Because the big teams are almost guaranteed wins, it’s more likely they will improve their record. This can lead to a better ranking, at least in the short term, especially in polls like the AP Top 25. However, when NCAA Tournament selection comes around, the selection committee is known to also consider the strength of schedule, not just the number of wins. If a team wins all the buy games and doesn’t play against tough teams, it might not impress the committee. A team’s strength of schedule matters very much. If a team plays a lot of teams that have a low ranking and does not play a lot of stronger teams, they might not receive a good ranking in the tournament, regardless of the winning records.
Potential Problems
While buy games are very common, they are not without potential drawbacks:
- Lack of Competitive Games: Some fans might not like that their favorite teams are playing against weaker competition, because those games might not be very entertaining for them.
- Inflated Records: A team’s record can be a little misleading because buy games increase the win numbers. This can lead people to think a team is better than they actually are.
- Possible Upset: There is a small chance that the team buying a game might lose the game. These kind of upsets can damage the reputation of big school and also can affect the tournament rankings.
Are Buy Games Good for College Basketball?
The question about if buy games are good or bad for college basketball does not have a simple answer. For the big schools they provide useful practice games, give them wins, and help their finances. For smaller schools, they are very important for generating much-needed revenue and they get some exposure. So, there are benefits to both sides. However, some people argue that these games should not be included in the system, as it might reduce the quality of the sport. They believe that it creates unbalanced game schedules and that it does not promote an environment of fair play.
At the end, buy games are an important aspect of college basketball that has a long tradition and is still in use today. They help all kinds of teams, though some might benefit more than others. Understanding the reasons behind them can help you see college basketball in a different way.
So next time when you see a big team beating a smaller team, remember there is often more to the game than just wins and losses. It’s part of the unique business of college sports.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Duke Blue Devils | Full Game Highlights | ESPN College Basketball
Final Thoughts
A buy game in college basketball is essentially a matchup where a larger, wealthier program pays a smaller program to come play at their arena. This arrangement provides a relatively easy victory for the favored team, while the smaller school gains a much-needed financial boost.
These games happen often because it benefits both teams, albeit in very different ways. It’s not uncommon to see high-major schools schedule many of these types of games early in the season. This common practice helps them pad their record with wins.
Ultimately, a buy game in college basketball involves a financial transaction for an easy victory and provides needed revenue to smaller programs. This method shapes the landscape of college basketball scheduling.
