Who are you pulling for? (FF and to go all the way)

Looking at those still standing and the games left to play heading into the E8 games that start tonight, I'm curious who folks are pulling for to make the FF and then cut down the nets. (Not who you think will, but who you want to - assuming they might be different)

(East and West side of bracket)

Michigan State vs. Duke: I want Sparty

Texas Tech vs. Gonzaga: TTU. I want TTU because they're Big 12 (and I think the only program/coach/fan base in the Big 12 outside of TCU that doesn't annoy me in some way). That said, Gonzaga is fine too. (See next entry)

MSU/Duke winner vs. TTU/Gonzaga winner: I strongly want either Gonzaga or TTU. No PUKE, and I don't really want to see Sparty get a sniff of another ring, either, since that would tie them with KU for NCAA championships at 3.

(South and Midwest side of bracket)

Purdue vs. Virginia: Purdue. I like them both (and greatly respect both coaches, who with a win would make their first FF), but I think that Purdue is the more balanced team capable of beating UK if they advance, so I'll go Purdue.

Auburn vs. Evil Empire: Zero doubt here. Auburn in a rout, please.

Purdue/UVA winner vs. Auburn/UK winner: I strongly want either Purdue or UVA if Auburn flames out against UK. Otherwise, I'm fine with Purdue, UVA, or Auburn. Anyone but the Evil Empire.

NC game: I guess from the above my lean would be TTU vs. Purdue, and I'll take TTU. Let's amp up the Big 12's reputation by having someone other than KU win one for the first time since OSU in the 1940s (known as Oklahoma A&M back then).

Bottom line: I will be quite happy if any of the following cut down the nets at the end: Gonzaga, UVA, Auburn, Purdue, or TTU. And I will be quite bummed if it's Puke or the Evil Empire...while not thrilled if it's Sparty for their third.

PS: I'm torn on the Evil Empire moniker - whether it is strictly worn by UK, or if it fits Puke just as equally now (in terms of media coverage, the sheer amount of blind luck they have, and how the calls go their way so often in key games).

Concur on Izzo, LKF. Several years ago, I would've put him at the top of my list as replacement candidates if Self were to have ever left. Not anymore. I don't dislike him, but his clean and solid public image has taken definite hits in recent years.

I also think you're correct in lumping Puke in as a co-Evil Empire designate. To me, they've become as nauseating (in fawning and blathering national media coverage) as the Dallas Cowboys were in the 70s-80s. All of that "America's team" horse-hockey. That's how Puke and its coach are treated now, and it creates a non-stop virtuous cycle of coverage and recruiting coups for them as a result. Nauseating.

I'm with ya on Pearl, sasnak. I definitely lean more strongly for TTU, Gonzaga, Purdue or UVA. But if it has to be Auburn to prevent UK and Puke, I'll take that any day.

I mentioned that I have a lot of respect for UVA Coach Tony Bennett (superb class act) as well as Painter. I would extend the same to Mark Few, from what I know publicly, and he's really paid his dues so is very deserving of finally cutting down the nets, IMHO. As for Beard at TTU, I root for them because they're Big 12, but honestly I don't know anything about him as a person.

Glad to see TT is in the FF
Happy for UVA making it as well (would have been fine with Purdue as well)

MSU over Duke
Auburn over Kensucky

TT over MSU
UVA over Auburn

TT over UVA

Rep the Big 12, Red Raiders!

Will mean the FF has none of my picks in it, but at this point I am fine with that as long as Puke (my last remaining FF pick, and to h%%% with my bracket -- which I think is already there anyway) and Kensucky don't make it.

That is exactly how I, too, would like it to play out, HE. Although I’d be just fine with UVA cutting down the nets as well.

(Tony Bennett - the coach Tony Bennett, lol - is a class act. He and Brad Stevens would be my first two phone calls, not necessarily in that order, if I were AD and Coach Self ever left)