[Observing]

^ it's not that college basketball is down, but the mid-majors are now on a level field. mid-major teams have much more experience and have deeper benches because coaches aren't going after guys who will bolt after one season. so when young teams win a title and have a third of their roster jump to the NBA, you in turn get a down season. Kentucky & UNC

I certainly agree that the mid majors are closing the gap between
the haves of the power conferences, and the early departures
probably have a lot to do with that. But that isn't the whoel story.
The overall quality of basketball is just down period. This year
especially, though if the trend continues this year may not
look so bad a decade hence. And the departure of the cream
of the crop early to the NBA is not the only factor. The continuing
degenration of fundamentals from the grades school years on
must be playing as big or bigger role. Kids are not learning to
play the whole game. Whatever their most natural ability
presents itself early on is where their focus goes basically to
the exclusion of all else.