Just because your favorite team isn’t playing doesn’t mean you can’t watch the NCAA Tournament for some great hoops! The Sweet 16 has a bevy of interesting matchups to distract you from the lack of a Mizzou presence, as we also bide our time until the transfer portal opens.
Nearly every team has an interesting story line worth giving them some attention and hope to advance. Either a good storyline or maybe one worth rooting against.
A good example? I’m pulling for Purdue in the first game, because
despite Matt Painter spurning Missouri 15 years ago, I do like the level of sustained success without getting to the pinnacle. However, more than that, I really don’t like Matas Volkietaitis. He’s the worst officiated player in the SEC, constantly flopping and fouling while making it look like HE was fouled when HE was fouling. Ugh. I hate it. I hate that Texas winning this much has meant he’s on my TV more.
Forgetting all the years of pain from their football program, Nebrasketball is irresistible. Fred Hoiberg was a fun player, and he’s coached fun teams, but the road up in Nebraska has been perilous. But they peaked this season and they’ve been a lot of fun to watch, great offensive sets, and fast paced games, and the programs first (and second!) NCAA Tournament win(s). They’re playing Iowa who we hate because they’re close and wear the same colors and are coached by the guy who beat us in the last NCAA Tournament.
Arkansas versus Arizona should be a lot of fun. The redemption of John Calipari in his second Sweet 16 in two years, after his departure from Kentucky. Where fans were happy to let him leave. Then there’s Arizona, who have been the best team all year long. They don’t shoot many threes, but are still super efficient and fun. I’m rooting for Arizona because I picked them to win the whole thing.
Illinois? Yuck, root hard for Houston. Kelvin Sampson’s time at Oklahoma was long ago, and his redemption arc has been super interesting to watch from afar. Plus his teams play so damn hard.
Then on Friday we get Rick Pitino versus Duke? I’m not sure you need an explanation why this is a good storyline. I don’t have a rooting interest here, hope it’s a fun game.
I don’t think there are many Alabama and Nate Oats in these spaces, so we’re very likely rooting from a “Block Ms Unite” frame of mind. Go Michigan.
I’ve long been a Tom Izzo guy. I’ve got a lot of respect for how he coaches, the relationship he has with his players. He’s got to take on a UConn team and a lot of people seem to hate UConn because of Danny Hurley. I don’t mind Hurley, his teams are fun to watch and he’s like the caricature of an angry coach on the sidelines. At this point I’m halfway convinced it’s a bit. Michigan State is the rooting pick.
I have no idea who to root for with Tennessee and Iowa State. I don’t really care much for T.J. Otzelberger, mostly because of his haircut. But his teams play hard and they win, plus Milan Momcilovic is a fun shooter. But Rick Barnes is easy to root for now, as the elder statesman. Plus Mizzou beat them so it kinda makes us look good, or something?
College Basketball Games to watch, March 26th and 27th, 2026
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