Basketball U. covers Division I men's basketball with a heavy conference focus. The site is part independent news medium, part Internet portal, and part online community. Our mission is to cover non-major conferences in the same manner major conferences are traditionally covered, with the highest commitment to fairness and journalistic integrity.

From portal to news medium
We started back in 2000 primarily as a portal to all the information on Ivy League men's basketball available on the Internet. The next year we grew into an online news medium, creating our own proprietary content. During the basketball season we offer conference-wide and team-specific content, as well as game coverage and analysis complete with postgame audio, and a blog with daily thoughts and insight. We do news and analysis, recruiting, and alumni updates all year round.

Our online community
We added an external message board and began offering an online community for our users to discuss and debate with fellow fans back in 2001. In the fall of 2002 we added internal message board software to the site, which provided better performance and private message functionality. Chat software followed the next year for real-time discussion during games and special events. Most recently, we implemented a customized installation of WordPress in 2005 that also allows for a blog-style discussion of all our content.

Q: Are Basketball U. writers credentialed members of the media?

A: Yes, while there is no one organization responsible for credentialing the media, we are credentialed by conferences and individual schools.

Q: Why do some parts of the site require a Premium subscription?

A: The parts of the site designated Premium are the parts that a) are not available elsewhere on the Internet; and b) require work on our part to create or maintain. We feel it's not asking much of people to pay a couple of dollars a month to support the work of our staff.

Q: How do you find the articles featured on The Wire?

A: We've done this for years and we know where to look. Also, Google News helps us find articles we miss in our normal searching.

Q: Where do you get the information listed in the Recruiting database?

A: The information in the Recruiting database reflects the latest publicly available information on prospects and recruits. While we are constantly given inside information from those close to programs — and we certainly appreciate this — we do not disclose this information to the public until it first appears elsewhere. While we have nothing against breaking news, it's much safer and simpler for everyone this way.

Q: How do I share information I have information on a prospect or recruit not listed in the Recruiting database or new information not reflected in the database?

A: Use the Contact Us form. Be sure to include the player's name, year, position, height (and weight, if known), hometown, current school, and the colleges involved.

Q: Do I have to register to read or post to the message boards?

A: Users do not need to register to read the message boards, but it's certainly easier to keep track of what you've read when you're registered and logged in. Posting does require registration.

Q: What do I do if I'm getting an error when I try to read or post to the message boards?

A: The board software's Frequently Asked Questions page is usually helpful in this regard.

Q: Aren't anonymous message boards irresponsible?

A: We understand that not everyone is comfortable with message boards that allow users to post anonymously. In fact, we're not wild about the concept ourselves. But we do moderate the boards to make sure nothing grossly inappropriate is posted and try to maintain a spirit of collegiality in the discussions. We believe that by providing a moderated message board system we are providing a responsible service. If we weren't doing this, someone would set up message boards elsewhere on the Internet and the results likely would be much less appealing to the conferences, schools, coaches, players, and their friends and families. So if the idea of the message boards upsets you, think of the alternative.

Q: Why don't you cover my favorite conference?

A: We started out covering only the Ivy League. We re-branded with expansion in mind, but we're not going to do so just for the sake of expanding. We're going to pick conferences that are not covered currently by a similar site and are hiring conference editors who we feel confident will maintain a strong sense of professionalism and dedication.

Q: How do I find out about joining the Basketball U. team as a writer or contributor?

A: Use the Contact Us form. Be sure to include your name, location, and a phone number or email address where we can contact you.

Q: Where can I find out about advertising on the site?

A: We rely on Google Ads to sell our ad space. If you have an idea that goes beyond a conventional text or banner ad, use the Contact Us form. Be sure to include your name, business name, and a phone number or email address where we can contact you.