We Better Than Them!

Heart of America's logo on Avila's basketball court.

There has been speculations of Avila University Athletics who participants in the Heart of America Athletic Conference known as the HAAC switching to the Kansas Collegeiate Athletic Conference known as the KCAC which is considered Division 2 opposed to the HAAC thats Division 1.

Over the past years Avila Athletics haven't been having a lot of success in sports; which is one of the main reasons this controversial topic has been brought up. The HAAC is one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA league. Getting different perspectives on the switch, coaches believe there are many benefits of Avila switching conferences. Competitively Avila is on par with schools in KCAC more than the Heart as far as recruitment, size of school, the education with the different majors Avila offers.                                

Rashaad Watson dunking a basketball.

The students at Avila have a different view on switching from the conference. The students are more focused on the level of competition decreasing, stating "To be the best, you have beat the best".

For instance, Avila's football team have scrimmaged St. Mary's University who participates in the KCAC and they're considered one of the top tier teams in the conference. But, the results from the scrimmages have shown that Avila beating St. Mary by large deficits the past 5 years. Now, if you look at Avila have not been successful and never had a winning season. With that being said, since Avila's football team had success against a top team in the KCAC most likely their success rate will increase making them a powerhouse.

Avila's record over the past 16 years.

A Break From Defense

Rick Penya reacting to the excitement of the All Star Game

The All-Star game is a celebration for the fans to see a combination of scoring from the best players in the NBA, through a series of electrifying dunks, alley oops, and deep threes. The fans love to see the offensive perspective of basketball. But, let’s not forget it’s still a basketball game; meaning there is defense in basketball. This years’ all-star game played in New Orleans was considered boring or others may say unrealistic because defense was nonexistent. With a combined score of 374 which broke the record that was set last year at 369, shows the all-star is just a showcase for players to show there off offensive game.

Nick Cannon talking about the fun he's having at the All-Star Game

I understand it’s a glorified exhibition game. The game means nothing, the fans want to be entertained, but there’s got to be at some point some type of competition between the best players in the world. This all-star game was looked at as a joke. It was comical the broadcasters highlighted that the stars showed, obviously, the great dunks and passes. Usually, come fourth quarter in a close game, which this was, the guys usually say, ‘Okay, let’s go for it now. Let’s get after it. That didn’t happen, and that’s disappointing, and it’s been like that for the last three years.

Without defense being played in the all-star game it’s hard for old players to give players like Anthony Davis credit for breaking the record for most points scored in an all-star game; believing that he didn’t really earn it. Opposed to Wilt Chamberlin who’s record Davis broke may look at it as an easy way out because tough defense was played throughout the game when he played. Not only do the players take the game light, the coaches do as well. Steve Kerr, the coach for the 2017 West All-Stars said “all-star coaches may as well be dead bodies.” Meaning they just sit there and control the players game minutes and smile for the cameras. I understand the NBA all-star game is for the fans and gives a chance for players to have fun and get a break from the stress and difficulties of the season but at some point, the game must be taken serious, because at the end of the day the all-star game is a privilege to be in.

Anthony Davis receiving the MVP award at the game