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Historical Time Series Perspectives on Competitive Balance in NCAA Division I Basketball

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  • Brian M. Mills
  • Steven Salaga

Abstract

In this article, we extend the literature on competitive balance to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s basketball. We track historical within-conference balance utilizing measures accounting for game-level uncertainty and consecutive season uncertainty. We find a host of structural changes in competitive balance across the sport that align closely with the GI Bill, racial integration, and the split of the NCAA into three divisions. We also find evidence of short-term improvements in balance following individual conference-level regulation specific to the Ivy League.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian M. Mills & Steven Salaga, 2015. "Historical Time Series Perspectives on Competitive Balance in NCAA Division I Basketball," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 16(6), pages 614-646, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:16:y:2015:i:6:p:614-646
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002515580925
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    References listed on IDEAS

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