Edinburgh University Sport has shone the spotlight on some of the calendar’s biggest sporting fixtures with The Main Event over the course of this year, providing competitive games with an energetic atmosphere. Enticed by the prospect of some high-quality sport with an excited crowd, I make my way to Pleasance Sports Hall for the final event of the semester, in which the Basketball Men’s 1 team are set to play Heriot-Watt in their final BUCS game of the season.
Sitting fourth in the Men’s Scottish Tier 1A, six points behind the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), the M1s have had some ups and downs this season. As the DJ starts to play and nacho-laden supporters begin to fill up the stands, M1 coach Moses Orange tells me: “The season has been mixed at times, but the last few practices have been really good, so I’m feeling positive.” Having only taken over in September, Moses has gotten to know the team as the season has progressed: “The squad has definitely become more cohesive, it just takes time to properly gel. I know each and every one of these guys personally, and I know how hard they’ve worked.”
As the anticipation builds towards tip-off, Moses jokes: “Look, I’m from Toronto, so it’s like this from middle school.” It’s true, though — as the most common pathway to playing professionally, school and university sport is a far bigger industry in North America. For example, the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, known as March Madness, generated over $900 billion for the NCAA in 2024.
It’s just not the same in the UK. Even for fans of professional basketball, BUCS games don’t always get a huge amount of attention: “I wish we had more consistent hype throughout the season, but it’s great to see people turn up for the team.” Amongst the crowd are a number of players from different teams in the club, including from the Women’s 1s, who won the SBC Scottish Cup in February. One former player, who has travelled from Glasgow to watch the game, explains: “There’s a great sense of community at the club, so it’s a great opportunity for the players to support each other.” This ethos applies at all levels — even with a big game ahead, the M1s arrived early to cheer on the M4s in their victory over UWS.
While I did enjoy watching the M4s, The Main Event certainly kicks it up a notch. Despite some early fouls, Edinburgh start strong, finishing the first quarter with a 24-14 lead. The second quarter sees the team really find their feet, with great team plays at either end of the court — a huge aerial presence from Nathan Vernel helps Edinburgh dominate on rebounds, and his first slam dunk of the evening gets the crowd onto their feet. Joining in celebration are the rest of the squad on the bench, who seem to be having just as much fun as the supporters, if not more. Heriot-Watt don’t make it easy, though, reducing the deficit to only a point at times, but team captain Druvis Keiri comes off the bench to score three triples in as many minutes, leading Edinburgh into half-time with an encouraging ten-point lead.
One of the big promises in terms of the fan experience at The Main Event is its half-time competitions, a nod to the absolute spectacle that is a North American professional basketball game. While there aren’t any t-shirt cannons or half-time puppy races, UOE Sport does offer a £1,000 prize to whoever can score six free throws in 20 seconds. If you’re not familiar, a free throw has to be taken from behind the foul line, and professional players score 70 to 80 per cent of the time. To score six in 20 seconds, while collecting the ball if you miss, is a ruthless task — the highest score here is three. Nonetheless, the challenge is well-received from supporters and players alike, and one supporter notes: “Nothing draws a crowd of students like a cash prize.”
With half-time over and all still to play for, Heriot-Watt come alive a bit and manage to keep themselves in the game through the third quarter. Despite some individual flashes of brilliance, the opposition just don’t have an answer to Edinburgh’s second half performance. Following their captain’s example, a flurry of consistent triples extends the lead even further in the fourth quarter. Their coordination as a team is ultimately the differential as the game reaches its end, much to the delight of their coach: “When they’re locked in, they can play really well as a team and enjoy it.”
As the final buzzer sounds, the crowd erupt into cheers as an 84-67 win is confirmed for the home side, and the squad greet friends and family to celebrate a positive end to their BUCS campaign. Matt Tao, responsible for many of the team’s early points, reflects on the season overall: “It’s been a tough season, for sure, so it’s nice to have a good crowd and be cheered on by everyone at the club.” Having beaten Heriot-Watt in October, the M1s came into the game hoping to win, but that’s not to say it has been simple: “They had a really strong player come back from injury recently, so we had to be ready and adjust our game plan as they got into their rhythm.”
The atmosphere that comes from playing in The Main Event has put the club in a positive mood, on and off-court.
“Some of the less experienced players can feel the pressure, but we all love to play in front of a crowd and perform — that’s the reason we’re here. It also gives basketball a bigger platform and encourages support from people who otherwise wouldn’t have thought to come.It’s not all over yet, though: “We’ve got some cup fixtures coming up, so we’re still focused, but it’s been really fun.” However the team may fare in the rest of the season, it is safe to say that The Main Event has provided an energetic end to the 2025/26 BUCS season. The EUBC are playing entertaining basketball, enjoying themselves in the process, and from a spectator’s point of view, it is an afternoon well spent.
Images courtesy of EUBC.