Guilford College has a variety of amazing athletic programs. Our programs include volleyball, baseball, softball, football, tennis, swimming, soccer and more. However, the one sport that most Guilford students care about is basketball.
When asked about his favorite Guilford sport to watch, senior Cyril Eubbing said, “I love basketball. I love the rhythm of the game, and I love the atmosphere at the Ragan-Brown Field House.”
During the 2024 spring semester, the Guilford College basketball team had the opportunity to participate in the NCAA Division III March Madness Final Four round. The team’s success has sparked a lot of excitement about how they will do next time around.
For some students, the connection to basketball is personal. Guilford junior Connor Moran, for instance, has a deep appreciation for the game.
“Well, I played basketball in high school, so there’s definitely a personal connection there,” Moran said. “I love to see the game and still be around it as much as I can.”
Moran also agreed with Eubbing’s take on the game’s rhythm.
“As far as what I love about the game, it’s high tempo, it’s fast-paced and it’s action-packed,” he said. “You get some really cool plays, especially if you get some nice 3-pointers, a dunk, some nice passes or some crisp play calls. I love the whole environment and the fans too, getting to be in the student section or in the stands yelling when we do good, yelling when we do bad or yelling when we get a bad call.”
Not everyone has basketball as their top sport, though. Guilford senior Igor Tennant prefers football as his favorite on-campus sport, even though he enjoys basketball overall.
“I’ve gone to a couple of their football games, so I would say that’s probably my favorite sport to watch on campus,” Tennant said. “I’ve watched a couple of their basketball games, and I know we were pretty good last season, but I would say that football would be my favorite sport to watch.”
Even so, Tennant, much like Moran, appreciates his favorite sport basketball for its fast pace and high-scoring nature.
“It’s a very fast-moving game,” Tennant said. “Football is also fast-moving — they’re running across the field — but the score can be kind of low, while in basketball, the score can be up in the hundreds sometimes. It’s fast-paced back and forth, back and forth. So, I’d say that basketball is my all-time favorite sport to watch.”
For Moran, his love for Guilford College basketball not only came from playing in high school, but also from his passion for professional basketball.
“I like professional sports a lot,” Moran said. “I’m a big Philadelphia 76ers fan. I enjoy watching them during the season. I get down to Charlotte probably once or twice a year to see a Hornets game in person.”
“I also watch a lot of college sports,” he continued. “When March Madness comes around, it’s a great opportunity to watch other college teams and players. Especially now that they’re my age — it’s a little weird.”
For Tennant, his love for Guilford College basketball also came from his love for watching basketball on television, specifically the University of Michigan.
“I’m a big Michigan fan,” Tennant said,” but I’ve also watched some Carolina games and NFL games if they’re on TV, just to see who might win.”
Basketball’s fast tempo, high scores, and the electric atmosphere of arenas, complete with cheering fans, make it a sport that resonates with many. Basketball, especially at Guilford, is a sport that will make almost anyone go ballistic.
What is your favorite sport to watch?
