Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox. Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

De'Aaron Fox explains why he 'can't watch' a full college basketball game

While basketball fans throughout the country enjoy all the thrilling action that comes with NCAA Tournament time, Sacramento Kings guard and former Kentucky Wildcat De'Aaron Fox recently shared a hot take on "March Madness." 

Fox roasted the collegiate game, explaining to Matt George of ABC 10 in Sacramento that he can't watch an entire NCAA basketball game. 

"I kind of flip through college games. I can't watch a full college game. No, I can't," Fox said. "It's hard. Shot-making is not obviously at the pro level. Refs are bad. A lot of coaching is really bad. I can't stand it."

Fox may be unable to stomach an entire college basketball game, but millions evidently can. The men's NCAA Tournament recently boasted the most-watch first round ever, averaging 9.3M viewers. 

Meanwhile, the women's NCAA Tournament had similar success drawing eyes, with viewership up 27% in the opening round compared to last year. 

However, after several favorites suffered early exits from the men's tournament, ratings have dipped a bit heading into the Elite 8. According to Paulsen of Sports Media Watch, Friday's Sweet 16 action saw a 5% decline in ratings from 2022. 

While upsets usually entice more to watch, this year's tournament is unusual. For the first time, the Elite 8 won't include a No. 1 seed, and with a mind-numbing amount of brackets already busted, interest in the remainder of the tournament may be waning.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
A 20-year LeBron James NBA Playoffs streak is over
Heat's postseason chances suffer huge blow with latest Jimmy Butler news
Watch: Jamal Murray rips out the Lakers' hearts with buzzer-beater
Watch: Unbelievable sequence helps Knicks steal Game 2
Watch: Auston Matthews goal leads to Maple Leafs tying series against Bruins
Mark Stone's return sparks Golden Knights to 4-3 win over Stars
Watch: Hurricanes score twice in nine seconds for comeback win
Sean Payton tries another Wilson at QB as Jets trade Zach to Broncos
Nets officially hire Jordi Fernandez as head coach
Yankees manager Aaron Boone reacts to 'embarrassing' ejection
Position group each NFC team must hit on in NFL Draft
Position group each AFC team must hit on in NFL Draft
Streaking Scottie Scheffler wins again, claims RBC Heritage title
49ers GM addresses future of Brandon Aiyuk amid trade rumors
Week 10 NASCAR power rankings: 2012 Cup champ races up the ladder
MLB power rankings: Top 10 teams through the first month
ESPN NBA analyst to interview for league head-coaching opening
Recent report confirms Chiefs HC Andy Reid isn't retiring anytime soon
2021 quarterback class sets worrisome precedent ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Magic's Jalen Suggs carried off floor with apparent injury in Game 2 vs. Cavs

Want more Kings news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.