Look, the if someone is watching NHL, he is pretty hardcore about it, and probably would pay to watch it. Basketball is far more popular, no contest. I agree NBA ball game just cost too much, and watch it on a HDTV is way better than in a 100 buck gym seat plus parking and food.
Let's not get carried away. I think the Memphis Grizzlies would blow out the Tigers easy. You can't compare college athletes/players with professional athletes/players. Although it may look easy, the things NBA players do nightly are ridiculously tough. Watch a college game (not saying you never have), don't you notice that everything they do looks like insanely tough? I hope you were kidding. It wouldn't even be a contest.