What are the Similarities and Differences in the NCAA Men's and Women's Tournaments?

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments are what some people like to refer to as March Madness. Many people get involved with the tournament and create their own brackets with estimates on who they think will win during the games. While both men and women basketball players can compete in these tournaments, there are a few differences, along with some similarities between the two. Both tournaments have much to offer to someone who enjoys watching a good and competitive game of basketball.

Media Coverage for the Tournaments

There has recently been a study performed on the amount of media coverage that the men’s teams receive in comparison to the women’s teams. Not surprisingly, the research proved that the men’s teams receive far more media coverage when participating in the tournaments than the women’s teams. It is believed one of the primary reasons for this occurrence is because more men watch the tournament than women. A study in which both men and women were polled showed that women were less likely to watch the tournament than their male counterparts. If more men are admitting to watching the tournaments, advertisements and media coverage could be targeting them specifically based upon their gender, therefore covering more of the men’s tournaments rather than the woman’s tournaments.

Age Group

Most people do not realize that the age group varies between watchers of the men’s tournament and the women’s tournament. A good portion of viewers who watch the women’s tournament are at least 65 years of age and possibly older, most of whom are also retired. The men’s tournament, on the other hand, received more viewers from people between the ages of 18 through 49, which refers to the younger population of people who enjoy the basketball tournament. This is a good thing for them men’s basketball players. A total of 43 percent of recent college graduates regularly attend the men’s tournaments while 10 percent less college grads, a total of only 33 percent, will attend the women’s tournaments. The men seem to receive more support form audience viewers.

Real Excitement

While the type of people who attend the men's tournaments may differ from those who attend the women’s. There is one thing that both seem to have in common, the excitement and thrill offered to the audience members. Those who watch the tournament in person will be able to have an experience of a lifetime. Everyone is trying to be apart of the March Madness excitement, men, women, and even companies. For example, 21st Century is throwing a March Madness related sweepstakes, where people who enter the sweepstakes choose from a variety of cars and enter them on brackets just like NCAA teams. The winners of the sweepstakes get a cash prize along with two tickets to the championship game, to enter the sweepstakes click here.

Although there are differences, both men and women have fantastic tournaments that any basketball enthusiast would enjoy watching. So, whether you're a man or a woman, get ready for a great March Madness tournament this year.

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Basketball
• Sports
• SportsPLUS
• W College Hoops
• NCAA

This article was written by a WomenTalkSports.com contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own women's sports content.

View jschonb's Full Profile