That's because your opponent is bigger, taller, and stronger than you're used to. Having been two of the NAIA's dominating programs over the last 20 years, the Bisons and Lady Bisons now find themselves playing the unfamiliar role of David, instead of Goliath. In the NAIA, you can make up for mistakes by doing other things well. If you don't execute on offense, then you just play harder on defense and do better next time when you've got the ball. The margin of error is so much smaller.
Every possession counts.
Because every possession counts on the floor, preparation before the game becomes much more critical. Knowing your opponent inside and out can make the difference between winning and losing. But it is also a two-way street. They all know what your game is. You've got to work a lot harder to get your shot.