Out of all the insanity the first four days of the NCAA Tournament provided, the South Region epitomized the craziness March Madness can elicit. The Sweet Sixteen in the South has no top four seeds. The first time that has ever happened. It does have an 11-seed seemingly powered by God and the Catholic Church, a 9-seed often overlooked in basketball by their in-state rival, a 7-seed twice left for dead, down double-digits in the second half and a blue blood.
MORE: Midwest Region | West Region | East Region
More than likely the team you root for or your alma mater is no longer playing basketball. (Side note: If your team is playing in the NIT, CBI, and CIT, you should be ashamed of thinking they should be included as teams still playing basketball. They are not playing basketball, just giving the appearance of doing so.) That being said, it doesn't mean you should stop watching basketball. No one should ever give up cold turkey.
To help you through this, we have compiled a breakdown of each region South, West, Midwest and East. Why you should root for each team, and why you should not.
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South Region
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Kentucky
Why You Should Cheer For Them:
In the midsts of upsets dominating the South region, only one national powerhouse remains, Kentucky. For the sake of good basketball, with a multitude of NBA talent oozing out of its Blue Blood pores, you want the Wildcats, you need the Wildcats. Upsets are fun, but good basketball is better.
Why You Should NOT Cheer For Them:
Everything said above, forget about it. We want anarchy in March Madness. We want Jim Larranaga dancing with George Mason to Big Boi's Kryptonite. We want Steph Curry bombing from half court with Davidson. In a region with two mid-majors and Kansas State. Outside of Big Blue Nation, who really wants to see Kentucky in another Final Four? We're tired of seeing the Goliaths beat up on the little guy.
If Michael Scott was Kentucky:
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Kansas State
Why You Should Cheer For Them:
Kansas State has long been the forgotten school from the Sunflower State. Before the Wildcats qualified for the Sweet Sixteen this year, they had only been to two regional semifinals since the tournament expanded to 64 teams. It's in-state rival Kansas has two National Championships during that time. It's time for Kansas State to celebrate. Give them something to celebrate.
Why You Should NOT Cheer For Them:
According to advanced metrics, Kansas State is the second worst team left in the field. They have the second-worst offense. That doesn't even matter. What matters is they eliminated the darling of 2018. The ultimate Cinderella. Everybody from Anchorage to Key West was rooting for UMBC and the Wildcats just went and crushed their dreams. They may still be dancing, but does anyone want them there?
If Michael Scott was Kansas State:
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Loyola Chicago
Why You Should Cheer For Them:
As one of two lone double-digit seeds remaining, they are one of the few hopes that the little guy can triumph. That even a tiny little Rambler can move mountains. Throw in Loyola's 98-year old team chaplain Sister Jean and who wants to break that lovely old lady's heart. The college basketball world has lifted that tiny little school and that beautiful woman to heights not seen since the 60s. Cheer for Sister Jean. Cheer for Loyola of Chicago.
Why You Should NOT Cheer For Them:
Do they really belong? Loyola has made it to the Sweet Sixteen by two game-winning buckets. What are the odds? Not to mention they are unfairly using a 98-year old nun to curry favor with the entire world. Is that fair? Just play ball, leave the theatrics to Hollywood.
If Michael Scott was Loyola Chicago:
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Nevada
Why You Should Cheer For Them:
The Wolf Pack have been down double digits in both previous games and still found a way to win. They are the epitome of the never-say-die attitude that makes America the greatest country in the world. In other words, if you love America, cheer for Nevada.
Why You Should NOT Cheer For Them:
If you want to see that lovable Sister Jean more and you think Loyola Chicago is everything that's good about college basketball and college sports than you should root against Nevada with all the fury of 10,000 rabid Walmart shoppers on Black Friday.
If Michael Scott was Nevada:
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NEXT: 1 Under-the-Radar Player to Watch in Each Sweet 16 Game
