In the realm of college basketball, the recent game that unfolded with a 20.1/2 point-favored home team facing an unexpected loss sheds light on a broader issue. In the weeks leading up to the game, social media platforms were abuzz with Instagram and Twitter posts.

Some college programs even went to the extent of meticulously tracking players’ entrances into the venue, emulating the scrutiny reserved for professional athletes.

This phenomenon reveals a pervasive challenge associated with the impact of social media on the current generation of players. While some athletes thrive without the need for excessive hype, others seem to succumb to the pressure, losing focus long before the ball is even in play.

The prevalence of pregame hype poses a significant challenge for coaches nationwide, as maintaining players’ focus becomes increasingly difficult.

The evolving landscape of athletics now features an influx of pregame excitement, often at the expense of the meticulous attention to detail traditionally associated with college coaching.

Coaches find themselves navigating this delicate balance, striving to keep their players focused amid the distractions inherent in the new wave of athletic culture.

The challenge of pregame hype isn’t confined to the Division I level alone; it extends its reach to even the upper echelons of Division II. Recently, I witnessed a top-five Division II team stepping onto the court, visibly lacking focus, seemingly entrapped by the reverberations of social media hype that had preceded the game.

The consequence was a disheartening loss when the ball was finally tossed into the air to commence gameplay. This anecdote underscores the pervasive nature of the issue, transcending divisions and emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to navigating the impact of social media on collegiate basketball, irrespective of the competitive tier.