Brackets, UNI, & MSU
Here's the question: Assume MSU makes it past Maryland (not a foregone conclusion at all.) Nonetheless, if MSU plays UNI, who do you root for? The right choice (and only choice, as far as I'm concerned) is for UNI to win.
But . . . a complicating factor: brackets, and money riding on the tourney. If MSU winning BENEFITS you financially, and UNI winning causes you to lose money, who do you root for?
I suppose the choice is still easy if you only have $10 or $20 in an office pool, but what's your price? Is there a point where you swing to the dark side and root for MSU? It's the "Indecent Proposal" question. (would you root for MSU for $1,000,000?)
A week or so ago, I got an e-mail from an MSU alum reminding me that it had been some ridiculous amount of days since UM had beat MSU in basketball or football. (full disclosure: I did call and hum the Victors 4 - 5 years ago after yet another epic Sparty collapse.) Regardless, the last two years factors into the equation for me. While I didn't mind what happend for State last year, I can't stand to see MSU continue to win. I want them to go down, regardless of the money. And after all the App State gloating, who better for them to lose to then UNI?
March 20th, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^
Go UNI!
Edit: Actually go Maryland!
March 20th, 2010 at 11:33 PM ^
Go both?
March 20th, 2010 at 11:36 PM ^
Notice I said ACTUALLY, as in after I thought about it more and got passed the UNI/MSU matchup from the OP I realized that I would rather have Maryland win.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:42 PM ^
I meant both as in Maryland beating Michigan State, then Northern Iowa beating Maryland.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:47 PM ^
Since Michigan hasnt been in the tournament much lately, Maryland has always been my team to root for. Not that that has been working out well lately either.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:49 PM ^
To each his own I guess. Personally I find Vasquez to be a little annoying, but that's just me. Go Terps tomorrow though!
March 21st, 2010 at 12:14 AM ^
Im not a big Vasquez fan, I was however a Juan Dixon fan
March 20th, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^
They probably will lose to UNI if they beat Maryland. UNI has enough size to hold up inside, with Egdelseder and O'Rear, and their shooters are very good. NMSU almost beat MSU (lane violation, not really), so the Spartans making the Elite Eight or, heaven forbid, the Final Four would be a small miracle.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^
I honestly don't think they will get past Maryland tomorrow.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:41 PM ^
Then again, how many Michigan "fans" rooted for them in the Final Four last year?
March 20th, 2010 at 11:52 PM ^
I root against Michigan State in everything. I can't think of a conceivable match-up where I would cheer for Sparty.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:55 PM ^
I don't root for them very often, but I will if it benefits us. I don't follow the school of Dantonioism.
March 21st, 2010 at 12:03 AM ^
Even then...I like OSU to be good, but I just hate Sparty. Something about George Perles made me angry and I can't forget.
March 21st, 2010 at 12:58 AM ^
I'm not saying I want MSU to be good. I don't think it benefits us to have a strong MSU program in any sport. I'm only talking about very specific instances in which a single MSU victory could help us.
March 21st, 2010 at 12:04 AM ^
I don't like MSU, and you'll never find me cheering for MSU.
Go Maryland!!
March 21st, 2010 at 12:06 AM ^
Pah. I'm just pissed about Kansas being out; now it's almost a lock-sure guarantee that a team I hate will be in the Final Four - MSU, Maryland, Tennessee, or OSU.
March 21st, 2010 at 12:21 AM ^
UNI is no App State.
March 21st, 2010 at 12:37 AM ^
to play maryland
March 21st, 2010 at 12:39 AM ^
If only a game, through Kansas, then it can't help your Tournament THAT much... If you have them in the Final Four or something, then you set yourself up for this a llllooooonnnngggg time ago.
The bigger problem is that if MSU advances that far, it could be them and OSU...and then what?!?
March 21st, 2010 at 12:52 AM ^
Asteroid?
Good bye, St. Louis.
I am preparing for a neg bomb on this one, but am I the only person who roots for Sparty as long as they don't play us? I had two brothers go to MSU, so that is probably part of it. On game day I hope we blow them out, but when we aren't playing I want the best for my little brother.
The same can not be said for OSU however. Fuck Ohio.
...has been such a huge dick about RichRod and the two year win streak, I have resolved to forever root against them. I used to try to be generous and root for them when it didn't directly effect Michigan (the old Big 10 team success has trickle down positive effects for Michigan concept), but now -- screw them.
I can't wait for Oct 9 and the Sparty beatdown that is forthcoming.
I'm with you. One of my brothers graduated from there (and I went there for law school), so I'm not against rooting for Sparty provided they are not playing UM. That said, I love the idea of UNI playing in the Elite 8, so I'll be rooting for them. This year's team just isn't that good, and has been trading on last year's improbably run, as well as its reputation under Izzo, all year.
But my limit for not caring about Sparty was crossed at Clockgate. I mean, the very first loss I saw to them and the way they reacted made me hate losing to them. But it didn't get to the point I didn't want them to have any pleasure in life till the shady way they acted then. Dantonio hasn't helped. If their success hepled us, like sending us to the Rose Bowl, then gooooooo Sparty. Otherwise, fuck 'em.
I won't neg you, but I don't think a good MSU is in Michigan's best interests. The better they are, the harder it becomes (at least in theory) for us to recruit against them. For that reason I want them to lose most of the time. I don't even really hate them; I just think it's better for us if they're bad.
OTOH, I don't think it really matters to us, recruiting-wise, if OSU is good or not. I do end up rooting against them just because of their asshole fanbase.
I had $20 riding on my bracket and Kansas winning it. Still couldn't resist rooting for UNI at the end of the game. Lucas O' Mear= beast human pick machine. Love watching him.
O'Rear*
Definitely will cheer for UNI if they face State.
I don't follow games with my bracket in hand. I always root for the upset if its not against UM. My bracket is destroyed (again) this year and I don't care. Its great to see these kids experience the thrill of a lifetime by making it to another game! I love the NCAA Tourney! GO NIU!!
Go terrapins.