I realize this is complete heresy but should we root for Sparty tomorrow?

Submitted by jbrandimore on March 18th, 2017 at 9:32 AM

I haven't watched much of Kansas this year, but we have to match up better with Sparty than Kansas, right? By the time MSU and Kansas tip off, we will already know if we are in the Sweet 16. Before we reflexively say "no way" do consider that the Spartys root against us, even against their self interest. I haven't convinced myself to root for Sparty, but I do think we need to emotionally prepare for this just in case it's necessary. Thoughts?

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readyourguard

March 18th, 2017 at 9:33 AM ^

Never, ever, EVER root for Sparty.

/thread.

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crg

March 18th, 2017 at 12:32 PM ^

To hell with Notre Dame.

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M Ascending

March 18th, 2017 at 9:34 AM ^

To put it simply-- FUCK NO!!!

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707oxford

March 18th, 2017 at 3:13 PM ^

Simple, but not quite that simple. M plays first, so for me decision tree is simple:

If M loses, then of course I hope sparty also loses.

If M wins, I hope sparty wins as I would love nothing more than to beat them in the round of 8 and cut the nets down in front of them.

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mgobleu

March 18th, 2017 at 9:35 AM ^

I've reached a point in my fandom where no Sparty win brings me any sort of joy. They are nearing buckeye level disdain for me and I want them to lose in everything, every time.

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WichitanWolverine

March 18th, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^

I personally hate Sparty a lot more than OSU. I know it's unnatural but I know a couple dozen Sparty dickheads and I know zero Buckeyes.

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ijohnb

March 18th, 2017 at 11:51 AM ^

just find MSU so unlikeable. Like, I don't know how their fans even like them. I find everything about their athletic teams repulsive, their uniforms, their coaches, their colors, etc. etc. At least with OSU, I can see the appeal. I don't share in it, at all, but with their football team in particular, I see what their fans like about it. It is an attractive product, objectively. Michigan State is just gross.

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Yost Ghost

March 18th, 2017 at 12:26 PM ^

I want the Buckeyes to die a thousand deaths, I just want Sparty to die.

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Muttley

March 18th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^

are irresistable

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ijohnb

March 18th, 2017 at 1:15 PM ^

like OSU's traditional non-uniformz uniforms. Particularly their road unis late in the season with the full helmet sticker coverage. I hate OSU, but that is a cool traditional look.

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Steeveebr

March 18th, 2017 at 11:53 AM ^

Perhaps you don't know enough Buckeyes.

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andrewG

March 18th, 2017 at 12:02 PM ^

I'd count that as a blessing

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WichitanWolverine

March 18th, 2017 at 2:33 PM ^

I think zero is plenty.

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HailToA2

March 18th, 2017 at 3:48 PM ^

Abosolutely agree. Obviously I've been conditioned to hate Ohio State, and basically everything Ohio in general. However, Michigan State fans live among us. And as much as I hate ohio state fans... Michigan State fans just have this desperate, undeserved sense of pride. Ohio State fans are just bad news, violent people. MSU fans are insanely hypocritical and have no grasp of where their program really is currently at in football and basketball.

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BlueKoj

March 18th, 2017 at 9:35 AM ^

You might have a point if it meant a title or tourney birth. Absolutely no way just to avoid an opponent. I hope they lose by 30.

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SituationSoap

March 18th, 2017 at 9:36 AM ^

With the way this team is playing right now, I genuinely believe we can beat anyone in the country. It doesn't matter who else wins tomorrow, as long as we beat Louisville. MSU? We could beat them. Kansas? We could beat them. The Golden State Warriors? Curry's been kind of flat lately, and Durant's injured. Bring 'em on.

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WichitanWolverine

March 18th, 2017 at 2:35 PM ^

According to Pitino, we are the GSW.

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ijohnb

March 18th, 2017 at 3:22 PM ^

really want to dislike Pitino, he is a scum bag, but he seems to genuinely enjoy Michigan basketball. He was effusive with his praise for us before and after the NCG as well.

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teamort2

March 18th, 2017 at 3:37 PM ^

Didnt know UCLA's Dad was a member here?

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henrynick20

March 18th, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^

an MSU loss to Kansas will only make Michigan beating Kansas that much sweeter.

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Sione For Prez

March 18th, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^

Absolutely fucking not

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BigBirdBlue

March 18th, 2017 at 1:27 PM ^

Abso'fucking'lutely not

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Roanman

March 18th, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^

ignore Sparty tomorrow.

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Optimism Attache

March 18th, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^

Exactly. Sparty is a non-entity. It deserves nothing but a turn of the head. In fact, this thread should be swept under the rug and forgotten.

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GVSUGoBlue

March 18th, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^

Definitely not. They were blasted last time they played us. I'd rather not play a team with a grudge against us. Although if it does happen, I think our team would win again.

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TheTruth41

March 18th, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^

Doesn't have a grudge against us?

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ijohnb

March 18th, 2017 at 11:53 AM ^

We only beat their best team in a decade on a legendary last second 30 footer in one of the best college basketball games of all time. Why would they possibly not like us?

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1974

March 18th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^

I don't plan on rooting for Sparty, but I find Kansas (with their teflon coach, very possible recent history of cheating, "tradition," etc.) one of the most annoying teams in college basketball.

Think of all the times they got a #1 seed (playing in a historically shitty conference) then got to play many of their tourney games in Kansas City. They had a another all-time teflon coach (Roy Williams), too.

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Catchafire

March 18th, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^

Sure, why not.

/sarcasm.

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SpinachAssassin

March 18th, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^

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Auswolverine

March 18th, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^

of course we root for Sparty. It would be in our best interest (something MSU fans don't seem to grasp) and how sweet would it be for UM to be the team that ends Izzo's run to another Final Four!

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FatGuyTouchdown

March 18th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^

Never root for Sparty. Never root for Ohio State. Fuck the best interests of the B1G

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Longballs Dong…

March 18th, 2017 at 10:39 AM ^

how can you say it's in our best interest? MSU is talented but playing poorly this year. if they put it together for a tourney run, I don't think a win against them is guaranteed. I'd be very mad if we lost to them and put them in the final 4. If we lose to Kansas I'll shrug and be extremely happy with the season. No way I'll root for MSU. That is just crazy.

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ijohnb

March 18th, 2017 at 2:23 PM ^

Very good take here.

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ComputerEngineer

March 18th, 2017 at 2:42 PM ^

You'd really rather play Kansas in Kansas City over Michigan State? Against Kansas, we'd be overwhelming underdogs. Against Sparty we'd be comfortable favorites.

Besides, who roots against their little brother.

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GoBlueGoWings

March 18th, 2017 at 9:41 AM ^

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

No, No, No NO NOOOOO

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True Blue Grit

March 18th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^

Rock Chalk Jailhawk.

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OwenGoBlue

March 18th, 2017 at 9:46 AM ^

No because the upside of beating Kansas is euphoria and the downside of the other thing is terrible. Plus do you really want to deal with a week of "Izzo is so amazing let's show his team practicing with football pads again" clips?

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Maynard

March 18th, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^

Exactly. Plus MSU still has a ton of young talent on that team. Young teams tend to play poorly during stretches of the regular season and turn it up a bit in tournament games. I think it will be a close game between them and Kansas. Add in the grudge as you say and it could be an Izzo slurpfest. As you say, terrible downside with possible euphoria (and house money I would add) with a Kansas matchup.

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