Many people believe basketball is predominantly an American sport, which is a fair statement. However, many don’t realise how popular the sport is here in Britain. I don’t know one single person who hasn’t tried to channel their inner LeBron James when attempting to make a difficult shot into the bin. James, alongside Michael Jordan, and Kobe Byrant, are household names here as much as they are in the States. This popularity is reflected at university, and more specifically with BUCS, given the fact there are more than 300 teams competing. After a year without BUCS Basketball due to the pandemic, the action is back, with the 21/22 season well underway. Let Freshered guide you through the season so far, alongside an explanation of the league structure so you’re all clued up next time you head courtside.
League Structure
Both the men’s and women’s leagues are split into tiers, with the top teams competing in the Premier tier. This is made up, in both cases, of two equal leagues of six, split regionally into North and South. Only the bottom team from each of these leagues faces the threat of relegation. This is decided through a playoff, where they face a team from the second tier, known as Tier 1. Tier 1 is split into five regions: Scottish, Northern, Western, Northern and South Eastern. The team they come up against is decided by both region, and the amount of points. The team with the highest amount of points from either the Midlands, Northern or Scottish league faces the North Premier’s bottom team. Consequently, the most successful team from the Midlands, South Eastern or Western league faces bottom of the South Premier.
The winner of each playoff confirms their place in the Premier tier for the next season, with the loser confined to Tier 1. Only university’s first teams can compete in the top tier. Below these tiers, the team in first gets promoted, and the team that finishes bottom is relegated. For men, there are 6 tiers in total, with 4 for the women. Basketball must be extremely popular with Scottish women, with another Scottish tier needed!
Season Recap
Men’s Premier Tier
In the North division, it is Newcastle who sit at the top, with a three point cushion separating them and second-placed Durham. It is a season to forget for Worcester, who are yet to pick up a point after eight games. The relegation looks set to be between them and Nottingham Trent.
Down in the South division, it is Bournemouth who are in control on 18 points. However, East London and UWE could both soon find themselves top, as they’re only three points behind with two games in hand. At the bottom, Brunel are pointless are eight games, and sit on negative points due to a walkover. A season in Tier 1 looks certain.
Women’s Premier Tier
Two teams in the Premier South, Cardiff Met and Essex, have 100% records, with the Welsh team top having played six, one more than their title rivals. It is also tight at the bottom, with East London only three points behind Bournemouth on six points, with two games in hand. It seems that Nottingham Trent await one of them in the relegation playoff.
Up North, Durham are only top from Newcastle by virtue of more points scored, with both teams on 18 points after nine games. Unfortunately for Manchester Met, the battle for relegation is nowhere near as close. Their place in the relegation playoff is already confirmed; they are 12 points adrift with two games left. A local derby against Manchester looks to be the most likely playoff.