March 31, 2014
The end of "hopes of a Big Ten-flooded Final Four next weekend."
A phrase from a Lansing State Journal article titled "State of despair: Spartans, Wolverines both fail to make NCAA Final Four." That's the view from Michigan, where Big-Ten pride ought to make them all Badger fans for now.
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Ok....would you (or Meade) have rooted for Michigan or Michigan State if Wisconsin had lost and they did not?
Big Ten pride?
Rutgers is moving to the big ten next year. You should thank us now for padding your schedules for years to come with easy victories.
RUTGERS !!!
Actually, could be fun to come see some big time college football teams in NJ. Even if we lose. Rutgers has a nice (but small for big time football) stadium.
The mighty ACC is kaput, and mighty Duke even lost to Mercer. But the finals will probably be the two SEC teams.
@Ron - I would. Not out of any loyalty to the conference but because I like both Michigan teams and both coaches.
For what it's worth, I'd picked MSU meeting Louisville in the final with Louisville repeating. I now think traditional guy is probably right - Florida will play Kentucky. But, of course, I'd love to see the Badgers go all the way.
Big Ten pride? Not so much, at least not any longer, not after the Big Ten realignment and the establishment of the Big Ten Network (along with incessant ads in the paper until they succeeded in getting into Comcast's lineup, and getting the cash they wanted from unwilling subscribers) made it all the clearer that it's all about the money. Plus, the new logo is awful, and the concept of "Legends" and "Leaders" divisions (sorry, not everyone can be a "leader" or a "legend") is grating.
But then, my sole attention to the tournament this year was cheering the team when facebook friends and fellow MSU alums posted status updates with reports.
My favorite NCAA final of all time was Texas Western v. Kentucky in 1966. The all blacks vs. the all whites. Field hands vs. julep sippers. The hands beat the sippers 72-65.
For those younger than me (nearly everyone these days), Texas Western was the first team with five black starters to win the NCAA (and probably the first to play in it.) Kentucky under Coach Rupp was still all white.
The westerns were no flukes. They beat Cincinatti, Kansas and then Kentucky to win. These were the three top names in college basketball then.
But I had forgotten how much the tournament has changed in ways beyond the racial composition of teams. I found this in reviewing my facts for this comment (from Wikipedia):
The 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 22 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 7, 1966, and ended with the championship game on March 19 in College Park, Maryland. A total of 26 games were played, including a third place game in each region and a national third place game.
I dunno about Kentucky beating Wisconsin. On pure talent, yes. But Bo has a week to get his team ready ...
UConn has been the best men's college basketball program the last 15 years. Florida has a 30-game win streak. The last team that beat them was UConn. Wisconsin beat them this season as well. And they might have to beat Kentucky the fourth time this year to win the championship, which would be their third in the last decade.
Wisconsin has nothing to lose. They're in there with 3 of the top programs and the best coach in the country. I wouldn't bet against them.
Florida. of course, will win the championship. This will hardly be a surprise, as the South now thoroughly dominates college athletics(for the sports that matter anyway). I suspect the large majority of superior athletes just don't want to play, and live, in that miserable Northern weather.
I would be a Badger fan except for the story my son related at a PSU-Wisconsin football game in Madison. Worst treatment he has ever experienced as a visiting fan. Fortunate to leave in one piece.
Wow David the 1966 was your favorite?
You must be really old. And living in the past. Guess the 47 other finals since didn't make much of an impression.
Austin,
What part of the South is Connecticut in?
I do love how Peyton Manning, the best player from the SEC, can't beat any Big Ten QBs in the Super Bowl. Drew Brees and Russell Wilson outshined him. And let's not forget Tom Brady.
But the SEC has great college players like Jamarcus Russell and Tim Tebow. They are fun to watch. On Saturdays. They can't play on Sunday, though. Sunday is for guys like JJ Watt.
Peyton was third best in his family.
Mcculough,
First of all, I EXPLICITLY said COLLEGE ATHLETICS. Secondly, you need to go review who the National Champions have been in football, baseball, and basketball since 2000 (I also said sports that matter). They have been, BY AN OVERWHELMING margin, Southern schools. As they say, you can look it up.
If Kentucky doesn't win, I'm pulling for UConn. Whoever called Bo the best coach? Your opinion is immediately suspect. I'll give Bo this...his team is better than its ever been. So the stars aligned for Bo. Too bad he's a douche.
Austen...Yankees live in dream land. They think that racism exists solely in the south, and that giant cities run by kleptocrats is good government. That only government representatives should be allowed to own a gun. And that D's always, always, tell the truth.
I've actually sold porcupine eggs to yankees. There's some that's book smart, and there's some that are real world smart. Some.
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