Hot Take: Does Anybody Kind of NOT Want Loyola to Win?

[WojoRising]

It's a great story and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to it, but let's be real - the one knock on the NCAAT, the greatest playoff in sports, is that it doesn't always crown a champion who is the best team.

Straight talk, Loyola isn't the best team in CBB and if they were to win it all it sort of puts a spotlight on that. I'm not saying it wouldn't be legitimate or anything like that, if they win then they will have beaten the six teams in front of them and will have accomplished what no other team in CBB could. I'm just curious if anybody feels this way. The upsets are what make the NCAAT great, but the further you progress into the tournament, I definitely think chalk is more beneficial to the game.

 

[WojoRising]

You know this thread is hard-hitting because it uses "Hot take", "Let's get real" and "Straight talk" all in one post.

 

[anon_0astpxev9h4gk]

I'm either for them or Villanova to win it, I wouldn't mind if Michigan won it, but not interested in a "blue blood" or whateverthe**** to win it.

 

[toonces11]

Eh---If they go thru michigan and one of nova/Kansas---I think they earned the title "champion"

 

[WojoRising]

Eh---If they go thru michigan and one of nova/Kansas---I think they earned the title "champion"

I don't dispute that they would've earned it at all. It's just, as a CBB fan, we all know that, in reality, March is a crapshoot. I just have mixed feelings about it being highlighted so prominently if that makes any sense.

 

[MGC_07]

I’m hoping for either Loyola or Villanova to win it.

 

[nitewing]

should LCHI win it they have shown that they can compete and beat the best. what's the matter the thought of a non major of being any good bother you that much?

this is like UCF in FB being snubbed because of a inbred inferior complex by the selection committee leaving them out.

 

[npreston]

Eh---If they go thru michigan and one of nova/Kansas---I think they earned the title "champion"

Agreed.

 

[xWVU2010x]

The Jews dont want Sister Jean to win.

 

[Da_Bull]

They will basically be Butler without the talent. Lets be real, those guys in the title game and they'll be throwing up mom's spaghetti.

 

[Hank_]

I’m all for it.

I hope Loyola beats Nova in the natty on a last second shot, and the cameras catch Sister Jean throwing Hail Marys just before the shot goes up.

I don’t expect them to get there, but I’ve also been waiting for Michigan to cool off for weeks now, and it hasn’t happened.

 

[bMORE607]

should LCHI win it they have shown that they can compete and beat the best. what's the matter the thought of a non major of being any good bother you that much?

this is like UCF in FB being snubbed because of a inbred inferior complex by the selection committee leaving them out.

God, you are the worst. Its amazing you have made it this far in life.

 

[FlGator22]

It’s much better for Loyola to win than Kansas or Villanova, IMO. If it happened a bunch, that’d be different.

But the reason lots of schools have poor basketball following is because the same teams win the title for the most part every year. Not many non-blue blood fan bases feel they can win a national title.

 

[WeAreDePaul]

The Jews dont want Sister Jean to win.

Not true at all. I'm part of the tribe and am cheering hard for a Loyola championship. but I do live about 3 miles from Loyola so might have a Chicago bias.

GO RAMBLERS

 

[WojoRising]

It’s much better for Loyola to win than Kansas or Villanova, IMO. If it happened a bunch, that’d be different.

But the reason lots of schools have poor basketball following is because the same teams win the title for the most part every year. Not many non-blue blood fan bases feel they can win a national title.

Interesting take which I hadn’t really considered

 

[cooljeff]

It’s much better for Loyola to win than Kansas or Villanova, IMO. If it happened a bunch, that’d be different.

But the reason lots of schools have poor basketball following is because the same teams win the title for the most part every year. Not many non-blue blood fan bases feel they can win a national title.

that does not seem to impact football where it is almost anointed who is getting a shot...a basketball equivalent of UCF in football this year gets an opportunity to win or lose on the court in basketball...in football it is just run along little guy and enjoy your exhibition bowl game...

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

I’m all for it.

I hope Loyola beats Nova in the natty on a last second shot, and the cameras catch Sister Jean throwing Hail Marys just before the shot goes up.

I don’t expect them to get there, but I’ve also been waiting for Michigan to cool off for weeks now, and it hasn’t happened.

Cool off? We’ve played like dogshit in 3 of 4 tournament games. I’m waiting for Michigan to heat up.

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

Yeah I’d be upset if Loyola won, OP

 

[lurkeraspect84]

You know this thread is hard-hitting because it uses "Hot take", "Let's get real" and "Straight talk" all in one post.

Straight talk. I want KU to win it. Better Champions Classic. Villanilla is the newest johnny come lately. Next Thing you know, Jay Wright is the Goat.

Blue Bloods. It's true, they coined the term after their team colors?

 

[RockChalkRally]

I don't dispute that they would've earned it at all. It's just, as a CBB fan, we all know that, in reality, March is a crapshoot. I just have mixed feelings about it being highlighted so prominently if that makes any sense.

True. The one thing that strikes me as a shot at Loyola are the ones saying the tourney isn't as good with Loyola making it to this point. The tourney maybe a crap shoot but the survive and advance is still as big as it's ever been. Loyola has done their part and they're still dancing.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

True. The one thing that strikes me as a shot at Loyola are the ones saying the tourney isn't as good with Loyola making it to this point. The tourney maybe a crap shoot but the survive and advance is still as big as it's ever been. Loyola has done their part and they're still dancing.

Yeah, but they were matched up with the ACC, SEC, Pac12, AAC Champions.

 

[IUfanBorden]

It's a great story and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to it, but let's be real - the one knock on the NCAAT, the greatest playoff in sports, is that it doesn't always crown a champion who is the best team.

Straight talk, Loyola isn't the best team in CBB and if they were to win it all it sort of puts a spotlight on that. I'm not saying it wouldn't be legitimate or anything like that, if they win then they will have beaten the six teams in front of them and will have accomplished what no other team in CBB could. I'm just curious if anybody feels this way. The upsets are what make the NCAAT great, but the further you progress into the tournament, I definitely think chalk is more beneficial to the game.

No the best team doesn't always win it. But the majority of the time, one of the best do. WHo's to say Loyola isn't(one of the best)? If they do, they will have beaten the SEC co-champ(UT). Big 10 tourey champ(UM) and either the Big 12 or Big East champ. I mean, that's pretty impressive really. ANd not to mention beating Miami. SO that is wins over the ACC, SEC, Big 10 and Big 12(KState). Then a win over another Big 12 or a Big East team.

Sounds like a credible title to me.

 

[jhmossy]

If Loyola wins, maybe this tournament will be about them winning.

If any of the other teams win, it'll be about UVA losing.

 

[MGO1668]

They’ve become entirely too cocky

 

[anon_0astpxev9h4gk]

They’ve become entirely too cocky

Jesus will be resurrected just a day after their game.

 

[VAWildcat15]

As long as a Catholic school wins I'm happy.

 

[ravenman10]

I’m a catholic Jayhawks does that count?

 

[IZAC]

It's a great story and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to it, but let's be real - the one knock on the NCAAT, the greatest playoff in sports, is that it doesn't always crown a champion who is the best team.

Straight talk, Loyola isn't the best team in CBB and if they were to win it all it sort of puts a spotlight on that. I'm not saying it wouldn't be legitimate or anything like that, if they win then they will have beaten the six teams in front of them and will have accomplished what no other team in CBB could. I'm just curious if anybody feels this way. The upsets are what make the NCAAT great, but the further you progress into the tournament, I definitely think chalk is more beneficial to the game.

The two bolded statements stand directly opposed to each other. Can't be the GOAT and not crown a true champion.

 

[IZAC]

No the best team doesn't always win it. But the majority of the time, one of the best do. WHo's to say Loyola isn't(one of the best)? If they do, they will have beaten the SEC co-champ(UT). Big 10 tourey champ(UM) and either the Big 12 or Big East champ. I mean, that's pretty impressive really. ANd not to mention beating Miami. SO that is wins over the ACC, SEC, Big 10 and Big 12(KState). Then a win over another Big 12 or a Big East team.

Sounds like a credible title to me.

Teams get zero credit for beating KState.

 

[WojoRising]

The two bolded statements stand directly opposed to each other.

As an opinion, sure

 

[IZAC]

It’s much better for Loyola to win than Kansas or Villanova, IMO. If it happened a bunch, that’d be different.

But the reason lots of schools have poor basketball following is because the same teams win the title for the most part every year. Not many non-blue blood fan bases feel they can win a national title.

Uh, Alabama...

 

[5morebanners]

Part of what makes our sport special. Deep runs in March is when it counts. We could blah blah blah about worthy champions etc, but if you win 6 in a row you are the undisputed champion.

It takes a full team effort, all season long to get to this point. They've battled, overcome and believed in each other all year. It also takes a little luck but only good teams play in April. I think it's a great story and I'd have no problem remembering them as Champs.

Doesn't matter what you do in December-Feb, or how many wins you rack up, or how many conference titles you've won. What matters is Championship banners.
KU has won 14 league titles in a row, and I'll bet every fan on here would trade all of them for one more national Championship.

Bottom line is, they'd be the champs, no matter how many talking heads try to spin it

 

[IZAC]

Part of what makes our sport special. Deep runs in March is when it counts. We could blah blah blah about worthy champions etc, but if you win 6 in a row you are the undisputed champion.

It takes a full team effort, all season long to get to this point. They've battled, overcome and believed in each other all year. It also takes a little luck but only good teams play in April. I think it's a great story and I'd have no problem remembering them as Champs.

Doesn't matter what you do in December-Feb, or how many wins you rack up, or how many conference titles you've won. What matters is Championship banners.
KU has won 14 league titles in a row, and I'll bet every fan on here would trade all of them for one more national Championship.

Bottom line is, they'd be the champs, no matter how many talking heads try to spin it

I dont think undisputed means what you think it means. No way to be undisputed if you dont go through the best teams to win a title. Multi game series and multiple round playoff would be the only way to crown an undisputed champion.

 

[5morebanners]

Part of what makes our sport special. Deep runs in March is when it counts. We could blah blah blah about worthy champions etc, but if you win 6 in a row you are the undisputed champion.

It takes a full team effort, all season long to get to this point. They've battled, overcome and believed in each other all year. It also takes a little luck but only good teams play in April. I think it's a great story and I'd have no problem remembering them as Champs.


Doesn't matter what you do in December-Feb, or how many wins you rack up, or how many conference titles you've won. What matters is Championship banners.
KU has won 14 league titles in a row, and I'll bet every fan on here would trade all of them for one more national Championship.

Bottom line is, they'd be the champs, no matter how many talking heads try to spin it

I dont think undisputed means what you think it means. No way to be undisputed if you dont go through the best teams to win a title. Multi game series and multiple round playoff would be the only way to crown an undisputed champion.

Fair point, but I know what it means. There will be no investigation, media protests or divided opinion if they win. It's not the NBA/ABA or NFL/AFL or even the BCS. For all intents and purposes they will be champions and there won't be anything changing that. If by disputed, you mean message board threads proclaiming they aren't the champion because they didn't beat every hypothetical better team, then ok. You got me

 

[FlGator22]

Uh, Alabama...

I get what you’re saying, but I think Alabama has already hurt football quite a bit. Even at Florida, we have tons of empty seats. I think there are other factors besides the non-competitiveness of college football, but it definitely doesn’t help.

It’d be helpful in football for an Iowa State to win a title. Would that solve all problems? No. But the next year the conversation turns into can a South Carolina, Virginia, Minnesota, or Arizona win? Which keeps fans engaged.

 

[IZAC]

Fair point, but I know what it means. There will be no investigation, media protests or divided opinion if they win. It's not the NBA/ABA or NFL/AFL or even the BCS. For all intents and purposes they will be champions and there won't be anything changing that. If by disputed, you mean message board threads proclaiming they aren't the champion because they didn't beat every hypothetical better team, then ok. You got me

Being an accepted measure of a champion and undisputed are not the same things is all I was getting at. Helm's Titles were once accepted as the measure of a national championship. It doesn't mean that it is right or the best way, just that it's the way we do it.

 

[ExitFlagger]

Part of what makes our sport special. Deep runs in March is when it counts. We could blah blah blah about worthy champions etc, but if you win 6 in a row you are the undisputed champion.

It takes a full team effort, all season long to get to this point. They've battled, overcome and believed in each other all year. It also takes a little luck but only good teams play in April. I think it's a great story and I'd have no problem remembering them as Champs.

Doesn't matter what you do in December-Feb, or how many wins you rack up, or how many conference titles you've won. What matters is Championship banners.
KU has won 14 league titles in a row, and I'll bet every fan on here would trade all of them for one more national Championship.

Bottom line is, they'd be the champs, no matter how many talking heads try to spin it

No, I would not give up breaking UCLA's record for one title. Even a Kevin Ollie team can get hot at the right time and luck his way to one title. But he has less than zero chance of beating KU or UCLA's league record.

 

[duckboy33]

I don't think a potential Loyola championship is bad for college basketball. Better than a team that later gets exposed for cheating.

 

[SpartanJD]

Michigan is on a huge winning streak and then the winner of KU/Nova in the title game...

If Loyola wins the Final Four they earned it. I’m rooting for them cuz why not? How many times do you ever see something like that?

Having said that, UM is going to work them.

 

[KisteK]

Pretty sure Nova fans don't want Loyola to win it all.

Same for Michigan fans not wanting them to win today.