If I were one of the top 15 high school basketball recruits in the nation, it is reasonable to believe that I could go to a school with a strong history of tournament and Final Four appearances and have a reasonable chance of an active role on a national championship team. If I were in the next tier of recruits, (say 16-45), I would have a decision to make. Would I prefer a bench role on a top 15 team? Or would I choose a starting role on a next-tier team? This is of course oversimplified but, accounting for egos, I believe most tier 16-45 players would opt for a top 15 school believing they would not ride the bench for long. This coupled with those who better understand the reality of their circumstance and choose a subordinate role on a team with a greater chance of a national championship over a starting role on a perennial tournament team that aspires to the sweet sixteen, helps to explain not only why more top-notch players choose those teams in the top 10%, but also how the rich get richer.
It happened again this week. UConn won the National Championship; their 5th. Never mind three teams made the Final Four for the very first time, UConn successfully defended the Reich; the Land of Greater Opportunity, Entitlement, Power and Control.
This time last year I noted the amazing similarity between the wealth gap and National Championships and between the income gap and Final Four appearances. Top 10, Middle 40, and Bottom 50 numbers both last year and this year were not only aligned in that order but were also within on average (from wealth to championships and from income to Final Fours) 2.8 percentage points. And though some baby steps were taken from last year to this year in both Final Four appearances and U.S. income (each equitably gaining one-half percentage point), and despite the media / political hype surrounding and working hard to sensationalize these gains, these inroads for the little guy, the underdog, the unfortunate, the downtrodden did not change the fact that UConn still won and the gaps (no matter the form or venue) are still (overwhelmingly) wide.
This Year’s Numbers
Final Four Appearances:
- Top 10 – 48.2%
- Middle 40 – 43.5%
- Bottom 50 – 8.3%
US Income Inequality:
- Top 10 – 45.6%
- Middle 40 – 40.6%
- Bottom 50 – 13.8%
National Championships:
- Top 10 – 69.1%
- Middle 40 – 30.9%
- Bottom 50 – 0.0%
US Wealth Inequality:
- Top 10 – 68.2%
- Middle 40 – 28.8%
- Bottom 50 – 3.0%
Last Year’s Numbers
Final Four Appearances:
- Top 10 – 48.8%
- Middle 40 – 43.4%
- Bottom 50 – 7.8%
US Income Inequality:
- Top 10 – 45.5%
- Middle 40 – 41.2%
- Bottom 50 – 13.3%
National Championships:
- Top 10 – 65.1%
- Middle 40 – 34.9%
- Bottom 50 – 0.0%
US Wealth Inequality:
- Top 10 – 70.7%
- Middle 40 – 27.8%
- Bottom 50 – 1.5%