[Cactus Jack]

A thought experiment!

I'll say a loss to Cal and Arkansas in the title game.

Make it three in a row over Tennessee and again deny them a Final Four. Would mean we advanced further than Alabama and Duke as well. Playing Arkansas there means they advanced past Auburn and Florida as well. That's basically killing some momentum of three top SEC programs and Tennessee.

Add in three more tournament wins on the all-time total (we've been slacking there for awhile) and another Final Four and Championship game appearance.

Finally, it helps boost Pope's profile. No more "can't win in the tournament" and most coaches have to taste a Final Four or two before they win it all. It probably doesn't hurt his recruiting to lose to Calipari-- I doubt they often go all-in, head-to-head on the same players because their types are so different.

Yes, it would be annoying to have to hear about it from some Arkansas fans and in the national chatter, but that's about it.