Basketball Alternatives to the NBA in NYC

So, The NBA is back. Pros are hitting the hardwoods. Knicks in action. Nets doing whatever it is they do (aside from winning just one game thus far). Etc. To that, The Big Adventure responds with unenthusiastic lament of "Who Cares?" Outrageous ticket prices and underwhelming play both bore and make us sad.

As an alternative, did you know that there are SEVEN colleges in New York City that play Division 1 Basketball? Sure, the quality of these games does vary, but it also makes for a fun day checking out some local college hoops. Considerably cheaper and once you remove the chance of spotting celebs sitting court-side these games are almost just as entertaining. And, depending on whom you chose to believe, as many of four or five these teams could make it to the Big Dance this March. Here is a listing of the seven teams:

Columbia University's Lions, stalwarts of the Ivy League, play in Morningside Heights near 116^th and Broadway. Fordham's Rams play way up in the Bronx at Rose Hill Gym -celebrated as the oldest on-campus sports venue (1925)  currently in use by a Division 1 Team.

 

Long Island University Blackbirds play in Brooklyn at Dekalb & Fulton. Right down the street from LIU less than a mile away you can find the St. Francis Terriers also in Brooklyn

 

The Manhattan College Jaspers (no clue what a Jasper is) heave the rock in Riverdale.  Lesser known Wagner College in Staten Island has a student body of less than 2,000 undergraduates, (counting Jim Carroll, Robert Loggia, and Andrew Bailey as alumni) but manages to fields the Seahawks in The North East Conference. 

 

And, of course, Big East area favorites St. John's Red Storm (or "The Johnnies") who split time between Queen and Madison Square Garden.
 

Hmmm...we might have to include some local college hoops in our next Big Adventure.