Kobe and LeBron will have to wait for their close-ups. The NBA superstars, though in the midst of closing out their regular seasons, have taken a backseat in students’ minds. They might garner much attention from national media, but the young adults strolling under the stately oaks have not paid much attention thus far. Not yet, at least. Ample reasons for the negligence exist. One of the most exciting NCAA tournaments in history recently concluded, with just one No. 1 seed making it to the hallowed Final Four and eventually winning the national title. Twenty of the tournament’s 63 games were decided by five points or fewer. This year’s NCAA tournament reeled in Graham Pirtle, political science junior, much like the rest of the country. The myriad of upsets and close games KO’d any chances of Pirtle paying attention to the professionals. “I’m mostly just watching college basketball games right now,” Pirtle said. “The [NBA] playoffs I’ll watch. The rest I just keep up with on SportsCenter.”  Some students said they only watch the pro ball during the playoffs. Some said they don’t watch at all. “I don’t really watch much basketball,” said Hillary Thompson, general studies senior. “I’m just waiting around for football to start.”Football seems to be the common sport lofted above basketball in students’ minds. LSU’s stellar history on the gridiron would be the logical substitute, but some like the other kind of football. “I do like the NBA, but I’m not watching it right now,” said Edgardo Benitez, biology freshman. “I love soccer. I don’t have any time, but if I did, I would be watching soccer.” Others care a bit more. Dylan Glickman, an undecided freshman, is a fervent follower of the NBA and his favorite team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Glickman thinks the dynamic combination of LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, Shaquille O’Neal and company are locks for top honors this season. “If it’s the Cavs, I’ll watch the game,” Glickman said. “They’re my team. They’re going to win the title this year. No doubt.” Glickman also said he keeps tabs on the rest of the league as well. The Cavaliers secured the NBA’s best record during spring break, and they currently sit at 61-20. The Eastern Conference playoff race looks to be steadfast, with only the eighth spot up for grabs between the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls. The Bulls face the final two games of their regular season against playoff teams Boston and Charlotte, while the Raptors square off with bottom-feeders Detroit and New York.”I keep up with the other teams too, to see what’s up,” Glickman said. The Western Conference is a different story. The Los Angeles Lakers hold the top spot in the conference at 56-24. The rest of the conference is a bit murky. The other seven playoff spots belong to Dallas, Denver, Utah, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio and Oklahoma City. Even with the participants set, the order is still completely up for grabs. Four teams are still in the hunt for the conference’s No. 2 seed. Dallas, Denver, Utah and Phoenix are all within a game of each other with two games remaining. Meanwhile, Portland, San Antonio and Oklahoma City all sport 39-21 records with two games left, meaning any of the trio could finish in sixth place.Most don’t have the ardor Glickman possesses. But he does have some fellow Cavaliers fans. “Yeah, I keep track of the NBA,” said Corey Vogel, ISDS senior. “My favorite team is the Cavaliers. I’m not very religious about following it though.”—————Contact Chris Branch at [email protected]