[jetpilot]

Other than the 'Cats of course. I think this will be one of the most exciting tournaments ever. No favorite and at least 20 teams could win it. Most every game will be good.

For me:
1 UK
2 Louisville
3 St Johns
4 Tennessee
5 Arkansas
6-? rest of SEC teams

Rooting against
1A-1B UNC/Duke
3 UConn
4 Kansas if they even get in

[Granny Bear]

For me:

1 UK
2 SEC teams, except for Tennessee
that's it

Against:
Tennessee, and everybody else!!!


I don't expect UK to get to the final 4. But I DO expect this to be an excellent tournament, and it will be a fun one to watch.
Let's face it...after the last two tournaments, if UK wins one game, they will have made an improvement.

[Van Hagar]

For me:
1. UK
2. St. John’s (Anybody watched any of their games? Fun to watch and Pitino is just the master of his craft.)
3. Any state teams that make the field (Louisville is a lock, had hopes for EKU but they’ve stumbled lately.)
4. Most SEC teams, including Arkansas.
5. Houston—they play so hard every game, you have to respect that.

On the please no side;
1. UConn—They sure don’t look like they are capable of a three-peat and I cannot stand Hurley, glad we didn’t get him.
2. Kansas—Maybe it goes back to running up the score on Pitino all those years ago, but I cannot stand them.
3. Duke—A little easier to take this year because Flagg isn’t the usual Duke punk, but they are still Duke.

Honestly, I have no illusions that UK is going to win the whole thing, so I’d be okay with Auburn winning it, I think they’ve been the best team overall. And I’d love, love to see an all SEC final four.

[-STAT-]

Kentucky
St. Johns
An underdog team that comes out of nowhere that wasn't even expected to sniff the tournament let alone make a run.

That's about it for me.

[King Kong]

I'll be pulling for:

UK

Morehead St,  if they get in,  was first in conference but have dropped a lot of late. 

Any other KY team, UofL,  EKU,  Northern KY 

WVU and Marshall 

Georgia Tech,  I'm a closet fan!

St Johns,  still a Pitino fan 

Houston,  they've grown on me the past few years. 

Teams I will not be for:

Duke 

UNC 

UCONN

Kansas 

Michigan St

[Cactus Jack]

Teams I'm For:

Above all, Kentucky.

After that, any of the in-state teams and SEC teams, but not particularly a fan of Tennessee or Ole Miss. As far as a realistic contender, if it can't be Kentucky, I wouldn't mind seeing Auburn pull it off; but if they won, the novelty would be gone and I wouldn't be for them the next year. Alabama is a "it could be worse", but Oats is much younger than Pearl and as a state school, they're probably in a better place with NIL, meaning Kentucky would have to deal with them for a longer time.

Big fan of Houston. St. John's and New Mexico because of the Pitino factor. Would probably be for all of those in a head-to-head against other SEC teams depending on the scenario.

Iowa State and Michigan State are teams I like-- tough, physical, and defend well. Would be very surprised to see them win it but like watching them and usually pick them to go decently deep in my brackets because they're safe picks.

Kansas and North Carolina because I have friends who are fans and it's a healthy, respectful rivalry. At the same time, it's tough seeing them gain ground on Kentucky as far as any all-time records or stats go.



Teams I have a hard time rooting for:

1. Duke
1A. UConn
2. Ohio State (if they even get there)
2A. Indiana (see above)

Not a fan of most of the rest of the Big Ten either, especially Purdue and Wisconsin. Illinois is kinda there with them, but slightly more tolerable. Might be easier to say that I don't mind Michigan State, Michigan, Oregon, Maryland, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Don't want to see UCLA gain on Kentucky but can't say I hate Mick Cronin either.

Texas Tech is good but gives me the icks. If you know, you know.

Not the biggest fan of BYU, SMU, Clemson, and Cincinnati.



It Really Depends on the Circumstances:

I've always respected Shaka Smart but it's tough to be for Marquette because of the history.

Gonzaga and St. Mary's are teams that are all over the board. I'd be for them in plenty of match-ups, against them in plenty of others, or even completely indifferent.



Underdogs I'll Probably Be For:

Drake

McNeese State

San Diego State (for the same reasons as Iowa St./Michigan St.)

Princeton (doubt they make it, but love the plucky underdog with a quirky offense)

High Point (for Tubby)

[jetpilot]

I'm adding Houston and Marquette to my root for list and of course any Kentucky school that gets in. I hope to find a couple underdogs that I can enjoy watching as well. UPike has already qualified for the NAIA national tournament by winning their conference. Going to try to make it to the Sweet 16 in Lex as well so throw in the SEC tournament it's going to be a fantastic 6 weeks+ of basketball.

[Van Hagar]

Another mid-major I’d definitely pull for is South Alabama, they are right at the top of a very balanced Sun Belt conference. My reason—their head coach is Richie Riley, a former standout at South Laurel in the late 90’s-early 2000’s window. And he stayed over at my house with my stepson many times as a kid, and I thought the world of him and his family. So go Jaguars!

[jetpilot]

Another mid-major I’d definitely pull for is South Alabama, they are right at the top of a very balanced Sun Belt conference. My reason—their head coach is Richie Riley, a former standout at South Laurel in the late 90’s-early 2000’s window. And he stayed over at my house with my stepson many times as a kid, and I thought the world of him and his family. So go Jaguars!

Thanks for that, I knew Richie very well in his UPike (Pikeville College) days! SUPER guy, can't beat him. I'm definitely rooting for him!

[Van Hagar]

100%. He hasn’t had a losing season in six years at South Alabama, they are one win away from his third 20-win season there. I’d love to see them get in the tournament, might open Richie up to landing an opening a power conference school.

[jetpilot]

He is a pretty close to a lock to be HC at a power conference school before he's done. He has done nothing but excel and move up his whole career and is still relatively young and a quality person any school would be lucky to have.

[-STAT-]

Kentucky
St. Johns
An underdog team that comes out of nowhere that wasn't even expected to sniff the tournament let alone make a run.

That's about it for me.

I have a few more to add and I can't believe I forgot them. 

Morehead St. just bc that is my alma mater. I hope they can make another run and get back to the dance. 

Michigan St. I've always been a Tom Izzo fan, his teams play so tough, he may not have the blue chipper or 5* recruits every year and honestly hasn't really hit the portal as much as other coaches, but he & his staff are excellent at player development and getting the best of out their guys.

[King Kong]

Kentucky
St. Johns
An underdog team that comes out of nowhere that wasn't even expected to sniff the tournament let alone make a run.

That's about it for me.

I have a few more to add and I can't believe I forgot them. 

Morehead St. just bc that is my alma mater. I hope they can make another run and get back to the dance. 

Michigan St. I've always been a Tom Izzo fan, his teams play so tough, he may not have the blue chipper or 5* recruits every year and honestly hasn't really hit the portal as much as other coaches, but he & his staff are excellent at player development and getting the best of out their guys.

Morehead St. that's my alma mater as well

---

I'm adding Houston and Marquette to my root for list and of course any Kentucky school that gets in. I hope to find a couple underdogs that I can enjoy watching as well. UPike has already qualified for the NAIA national tournament by winning their conference. Going to try to make it to the Sweet 16 in Lex as well so throw in the SEC tournament it's going to be a fantastic 6 weeks+ of basketball.

I'd love to see UPike win the NAIA again

[jetpilot]

Kentucky
St. Johns
An underdog team that comes out of nowhere that wasn't even expected to sniff the tournament let alone make a run.

That's about it for me.

I have a few more to add and I can't believe I forgot them. 

Morehead St. just bc that is my alma mater. I hope they can make another run and get back to the dance. 

Michigan St. I've always been a Tom Izzo fan, his teams play so tough, he may not have the blue chipper or 5* recruits every year and honestly hasn't really hit the portal as much as other coaches, but he & his staff are excellent at player development and getting the best of out their guys.

Morehead St. that's my alma mater as well

---

I'm adding Houston and Marquette to my root for list and of course any Kentucky school that gets in. I hope to find a couple underdogs that I can enjoy watching as well. UPike has already qualified for the NAIA national tournament by winning their conference. Going to try to make it to the Sweet 16 in Lex as well so throw in the SEC tournament it's going to be a fantastic 6 weeks+ of basketball.

I'd love to see UPike win the NAIA again

Me too. They are really good but probably not championship good. Hope I'm wrong.

[Jarons]

Of course I will for Kentucky in the tournament. Living in ACC country I have started rooting for Louisville. Louisville and NC State (my daughter is a student there) are by far my two favorite ACC teams.
I have always been a fan of Tom Izzo. I have a soft spot for Michigan St.
My other favorites are the teams playing against North Carolina and Duke.
If EKU would make the tournament, I would be rooting for them, even if they were playing Kentucky.

[Old School Hound]

Wouldn't it be quite the kick in the Nads of Big Blue Nadness if Arkansas, Louisville, and BYU all finished out the season better than UK?

[jetpilot]

Wouldn't it be quite the kick in the Nads of Big Blue Nadness  if Arkansas, Louisville, and BYU all finished out the season better than UK?

Cal sucked ass for years. Glad he's gone.

[Old School Hound]

Of course I will for Kentucky in the tournament.  Living in ACC country I have started rooting for Louisville. Louisville and NC State (my daughter is a student there) are by far my two favorite ACC teams.
I have always been a fan of Tom Izzo. I have a soft spot for Michigan St.
My other favorites are the teams playing against North Carolina and Duke.
If EKU would make the tournament, I would be rooting for them,  even if they were playing Kentucky.

To quote Chris Hanson, EKU beating UK would be the "cleanest, best pleasure" ever.

[King Kong]

Teams I'm For:

Above all, Kentucky.

After that, any of the in-state teams and SEC teams, but not particularly a fan of Tennessee or Ole Miss. As far as a realistic contender, if it can't be Kentucky, I wouldn't mind seeing Auburn pull it off; but if they won, the novelty would be gone and I wouldn't be for them the next year. Alabama is a "it could be worse", but Oats is much younger than Pearl and as a state school, they're probably in a better place with NIL, meaning Kentucky would have to deal with them for a longer time.

Big fan of Houston. St. John's and New Mexico because of the Pitino factor. Would probably be for all of those in a head-to-head against other SEC teams depending on the scenario.

Iowa State and Michigan State are teams I like-- tough, physical, and defend well. Would be very surprised to see them win it but like watching them and usually pick them to go decently deep in my brackets because they're safe picks.

Kansas and North Carolina because I have friends who are fans and it's a healthy, respectful rivalry. At the same time, it's tough seeing them gain ground on Kentucky as far as any all-time records or stats go.



Teams I have a hard time rooting for:

1. Duke
1A. UConn
2. Ohio State (if they even get there)
2A. Indiana (see above)

Not a fan of most of the rest of the Big Ten either, especially Purdue and Wisconsin. Illinois is kinda there with them, but slightly more tolerable. Might be easier to say that I don't mind Michigan State, Michigan, Oregon, Maryland, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Don't want to see UCLA gain on Kentucky but can't say I hate Mick Cronin either.

Texas Tech is good but gives me the icks. If you know, you know.

Not the biggest fan of BYU, SMU, Clemson, and Cincinnati.



It Really Depends on the Circumstances:

I've always respected Shaka Smart but it's tough to be for Marquette because of the history.

Gonzaga and St. Mary's are teams that are all over the board. I'd be for them in plenty of match-ups, against them in plenty of others, or even completely indifferent.



Underdogs I'll Probably Be For:

Drake

McNeese State

San Diego State (for the same reasons as Iowa St./Michigan St.)

Princeton (doubt they make it, but love the plucky underdog with a quirky offense)

High Point (for Tubby)

When it comes to Michigan St I guess I'm still kinda bitter, for them knocking the Cats outta going to a final 4 once or twice lol

I agree about picking them in a bracket contest.  I often pick them to go far in my brackets.  Idk what it is about them come March,  they're a dangerous team to face. I don't pull for Michigan St.  But in a bracket contest,  with money or a prize on the line,  I don't hesitate one bit picking them to make a deep run lol

[Van Hagar]

Of course I will for Kentucky in the tournament. Living in ACC country I have started rooting for Louisville. Louisville and NC State (my daughter is a student there) are by far my two favorite ACC teams.
I have always been a fan of Tom Izzo. I have a soft spot for Michigan St.
My other favorites are the teams playing against North Carolina and Duke.
If EKU would make the tournament, I would be rooting for them, even if they were playing Kentucky.

A little off topic here, but Jaron’s, I’m assuming you are an EKU grad. My son and one of my two daughters are also. I went to an EKU game at the newly upgraded McBrayer Arena (called Baptist Health Arena now, whatever) and you’d be very happy with the new look. That terrible white wall that covered one end zone has been replaced by a big glassed in area, looks like for donors mainly, with maybe a hundred seats on that end as well. And they have three video board scoreboards that are just as good as Rupp’s just on a smaller scale. It’s a good place to watch a game.

[Jarons]

Of course I will for Kentucky in the tournament.  Living in ACC country I have started rooting for Louisville. Louisville and NC State (my daughter is a student there) are by far my two favorite ACC teams.
I have always been a fan of Tom Izzo. I have a soft spot for Michigan St.
My other favorites are the teams playing against North Carolina and Duke.
If EKU would make the tournament, I would be rooting for them,  even if they were playing Kentucky.

  A little off topic here, but Jaron’s, I’m assuming you are an EKU grad. My son and one of my two daughters are also. I went to an EKU game at the newly upgraded McBrayer Arena (called Baptist Health Arena now, whatever) and you’d be very happy with the new look. That terrible white wall that covered one end zone has been replaced by a big glassed in area, looks like for donors mainly, with maybe a hundred seats on that end as well. And they have three video board scoreboards that are just as good as Rupp’s just on a smaller scale. It’s a good place to watch a game.

I am an EKU grad. I have seen pictures of McBrayer, it looks very nice, much better than when I was a student there. I would love to see it someday.

[plantmanky]

Will a 12 loss Kentucky team make the tournament?

[jetpilot]

Will a 12 loss Kentucky team make the tournament?

Are you stupid or just not good at trolling?

[plantmanky]

Will a 12 loss Kentucky team make the tournament?

Are you stupid or just not good at trolling?

UK will have 12 losses come selection time and be anywhere from 8-11 in the SEC rankings.    Will that be enough to get them in?

[-STAT-]

Will a 12 loss Kentucky team make the tournament?

They'll definitely get in; they have 9 quad 1 wins. We all knew it was going to be a struggle when conference play started with how deep this league is. They've won games that we didn't think they could win and lost a few games that we had a great feeling they would win.

[Old School Hound]

Will a 12 loss Kentucky team make the tournament?

I'd say get used to 12 and 13 loss KY teams. And, yes, a 12-loss KY will make the tourney.

[jetpilot]

Will a 12 loss Kentucky team make the tournament?

I'd say get used to 12 and 13 loss KY teams. And, yes, a 12-loss KY will make the tourney.

Cal sucked ass for years. So glad he's gone.

[Old School Hound]

Will a 12 loss Kentucky team make the tournament?

Are you stupid or just not good at trolling?

UK will have 12 losses come selection time and be anywhere from 8-11 in the SEC rankings.    Will that be enough to get them in?

The answer is yes. They will be in the field, probably with a seed in the 3-5 range.

[Van Hagar]

An update on South Alabama/Richie Riley. The Sun Belt has finished their regular season, South Alabama was in a four-way tie for first at 13-5 with Troy, James Madison and Arkansas St., but the tiebreaker went to South Alabama. They will be the one seed for the conference tournament, and because of the wild way the Sun Belt seeds their tournament (trust me, look at the bracket if you get a chance) South Alabama will only have to get two wins to win it and make the NCAA field. They will play next Sunday, then if they win that one, the championship game is next Monday night on ESPN 2.

[rookie57]

Ky first, then any SEC team outside of Arkansas and MO.