We’ve already discussed the West and Midwest region, now we head East and South. Who to root for? Who to root against? In Part 2 of Good Men Project’s Sweet 16 Preview, Wai Sallas gives you a few things to think about.
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Click here for Part 1 of the Sweet 16 Preview: The West and Midwest.
EAST
North Carolina State
Why you should cheer for them: The Wolfpack are the only team to beat a one seed so far this tournament. CG Technology posted NC State at 250-1 to win the tournament and took six bets at $200 or more, including a $400 wager, on the Wolfpack. Cheering for NC State is cheering for the house to lose.
Why you should root against them: Gambling is illegal. We do not condone gambling. (wink)
Hollywood’s Version:
Louisville
Why you should cheer for them: Jennifer Lawrence is a Louisville fan. J-Law.
Why you shoud root against them: The Cardinals just won a title two years ago. Don’t get greedy.
Hollywood’s Version:
Oklahoma
Why you should cheer for them: Head Coach Lon Kruger has not had the success as Huggins, but he has had success at ever stop during his career. This year, Kruger became the first coach to lead 5 different schools to NCAA tournament wins. Despite that he’s been to only one Final Four. #HugoneforHuggins has some company, #LetLonLast
Why you should root against them: This. While it’s unfair to root against the entire university for a group of a**holes, the Sooners don’t deserve to be honored either.
Hollywood’s Version:
Michigan State
Why you should cheer for them: This isn’t the most talented team to represent East Lansing, but what they lack in talent they make up with grit and heart.
Why you should root against them: It seems every year the Spartans are playing in the Sweet 16 and beyond. Let someone else win for goodness sakes, Tom Izzo.
Hollywood’s Version:
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SOUTH
Duke
Why you should cheer for them: On paper, there are only a couple of teams capable of taking down Kentucky. The Blue Devils stand at the top of that list.
Why you should root against them: It’s Duke.
Hollywood’s Version:
Utah
Why you should cheer for them: A team never known for basketball has started to emerge in the Pac-12 as a consistent competitor. There are few underdogs from a major conference, but the Utes are one team no one expects to go much further.
Why you should root against them: Do you really want to live in a world where a basketball team from Utah wins the national championship? I mean, the state’s professional team is the Utah Jazz.
Hollywood’s Version:
UCLA
Why you should cheer for them: The Bruins used to be college basketball royalty, but that was 50 years ago. Now UCLA is the lowest seed still in the tournament, but can they find the glory from half a century ago?
Why you should root against them: UCLA barely made the tournament and that goaltending call. THE GOALTENDING CALL!
Hollywood’s Version:
Gonzaga
Why you should root for them:
Why you should root against them:
Hollywood’s Version:
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Photo Credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP Images
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