If a tree falls in the woods, and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Almost everyone has been asked that old philosophical question, and just about everyone will agree that it of course makes a sound. The occurrence happens, regardless if someone is there to witness the event or not. The same logic could be applied to the most recent NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship Game, which turned out to be the least viewed national championship game on record.

UConn beat San Diego State, 75-59, clinching the Huskies' fifth national championship in men's basketball. And yet somehow, the combination of "Cinderella stories" and UConn's return to the pinnacle of the sport did little to interest the sports world.

Connecticut's win averaged 14.69 million viewers on CBS, marking a new low for the event. Prior to this year's record-breaking low ratings, the previous low was set by Villanova and Michigan in 2018, with 15.99 on TBS. The past three title games rank among the four least-watched on record.

The Huskies have now played in the two least-watched title games airing on CBS, including their 2004 win over Georgia Tech (17.09M).

One thing is certain, despite all the talk for years from fans about wanting to see some mid-majors in the national championship, when it happens, they don't tune in to watch.

Then again, it could just be a lack of interest in basketball. The NCAA Championship Game still managed to surpass last year’s NBA Finals clinching win (Game 6 of Warriors-Celtics: 7.5, 13.99M). It's clear that people are watching NCAA basketball and the NBA less. Meanwhile, college football and the NFL continue to see an increase in viewership. It's not hard to see why football has been steering realignment.

The money will go where the eyeballs are looking, and they clearly aren't looking at basketball as much any more.