KSR's Cheering Guide for a Sweet 16 without Kentucky

On3 imageby:Tyler Thompson03/23/23

MrsTylerKSR

The Sweet 16 tips off tonight and your University of Kentucky Wildcats will be watching from home like the rest of us. How does one cope with a Sweet 16 without Kentucky? It’s an exercise we’ve gotten a little too used to in recent years. Personally, after last year’s first-round loss to Saint Peter’s, I couldn’t bear to watch the rest of the tournament. This year, given Kentucky’s up-and-down season and guarded postseason expectations, it’s an easier pill to swallow. (Although that last sentence is a column for another day.)

So, even though the Cats aren’t in it, I’ll be watching the games this weekend. That said, I’ve still got some coping mechanisms on hand. Before I share those, here’s the TV schedule:

Thursday

  • 6:30 PM (TBS) | No. 7 Michigan State (-1.5) vs. No. 3 Kansas State | East Region
  • 7:15 PM (CBS) | No. 8 Arkansas vs. No. 4 UConn (-4.0) | West Region
  • 9:00 PM (TBS) | No. 9 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 4 Tennessee (-5.0) | East Region
  • 9:45 PM (CBS) | No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 2 UCLA (-1.5) | West Region

Friday

  • 6:30 PM | TBS | No. 1 Alabama (-7.5) vs. No. 5 San Diego State | South Region
  • 7:15 PM | CBS | No. 1 Houston (-7.5) vs. No. 5 Miami | Midwest Region
  • 9:00 PM | TBS | No. 6 Creighton (-9.5) vs. No. 15 Princeton | South Region
  • 9:45 PM | CBS | No. 2 Texas (-4) vs. No. 3 Xavier | Midwest Region

So, who do we cheer for? Here are my strategies for a stress-free Sweet 16…

Whoever plays Tennessee

There is no bigger Florida Atlantic fan than me tonight. The fact that Tennessee’s path to its first Final Four opened up is salt in the wound to Kentucky’s loss on Sunday. Therefore, I will be cheering hard for Dusty May’s Owls tonight, and, if they don’t get the job done, either Kansas State or Michigan State on Saturday. I think the Vols will get by FAU thanks to their defense, but will hit a wall offensively in the Elite Eight. But, not having to listen to Tennessee fans brag about an Elite Eight appearance would be ideal. Go Owls! Hoo-hoo!

Cinderellas, Underdogs

This is the easiest path to take. Who doesn’t love an underdog? No. 15 Princeton is still in it but faces a tough path to the Final Four in the South Region vs. No. 6 Creighton and No. 1 Alabama. No. 9 Florida Atlantic is the next lowest seed and plays No. 4 Tennessee tonight in the East Region. As you just read, the Vols making the Final Four in Kentucky’s region is one of my nightmare scenarios, so rooting for the Owls is already in order.

Elsewhere, No. 5 San Diego State is a big underdog to No. 1 Alabama (-7.5) and No. 5 Miami to No. 1 Houston (-7.5) tomorrow night. We’ve seen a lot of top seeds go down already in this tournament; two No. 1s falling would make this weekend even more exciting.

“SEC! SEC! SEC!” (Sort of)

Three SEC teams are still dancing: Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. You know my thoughts on Tennessee. No way I cheer for them. Cheering for Alabama just feels wrong given Jamea Jonae Harris’ death, Brandon Miller’s involvement, and how the Crimson Tide have handled it. So, that leaves Arkansas.

A lot of fans were put off by Eric Musselman ripping off his shirt after the Razorbacks’ win over No. 1 Kansas; I thought it was hilarious. I think Musselman’s theatrics are good for the sport and enjoyed cheering for Arkansas against Kansas, so I’ll at least root for them to make the Elite Eight. A Final Four would make Razorback fans way too chesty, so I’ll stop there.

Should Kentucky fans feel pressured to cheer for SEC teams? When it comes to conference allegiance, I default to this: would other SEC teams be cheering for Kentucky in the same scenario? More often than not, no.

Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Go K-State?

Okay, don’t kill me, but I’m kind of cheering for Kansas State the rest of the way. I realize they are the reason Kentucky’s not playing in Madison Square Garden tonight, but Jerome Tang and the purple Wildcats are fun and tough. That starts with Markquis Nowell, who absolutely torched the Cats on Sunday. Tonight, he gets to play in his hometown, at Madison Square Garden, for the chance to go to the Elite Eight and, potentially, the Final Four. What a story.

If Kansas State wasn’t playing Michigan State and Tom Izzo, I’d be 100% Tang Gang tonight. Instead, I’m content with whichever team advances to the Elite Eight, preferably the one that is best equipped to beat Tennessee. If Kansas State makes it to the Final Four or beyond, who was Kentucky to stand in the way of a miracle run, right?

Someone Boring/Inoffensive

Say all the teams I’ve mentioned already don’t advance. In that case, I’m going with the teams that offend me the least. Of the top seeds remaining, that’s Houston, Texas, Xavier, or Gonzaga. Mick Cronin is annoying and I don’t want UCLA to get another title. I still have mild resentment toward UConn over 2014 and 2011. As mentioned, Alabama is problematic.

Houston has the best storyline, with the Final Four taking place there and Jim Nantz, a UH alum, calling the event for the final time. Houston vs. Texas would be a really entertaining Elite Eight game. Gonzaga winning it all would be slightly bothersome, but Kentucky could then knock off the national champs in Rupp next fall. Texas winning the title after the Chris Beard drama would be wild. I have zero thoughts on Xavier. Literally, if you ask me about Xavier Basketball, all I think of is the middle-aged drunk fan that tried to get into a fight with Matt, Shannon, and Ryan at Steel Hands Brewery on Sunday.

Who are you cheering for this weekend? Or, will you even watch?

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2024-03-29