OK So....

[RagingHawgOn]

Who do you want to win it all?

Me?

I'm all in for USCe.  What a fairy tale.

Don't think it will happen but, if not, Xavier is my team.

[HogFansReunited]

I'm rooting for Xavier for financial reasons.

[Hawg Red]

Gonzaga

[rtr]

I'm for South Carolina. 

[RME]

South Carolina, because we beat them this year and if they win the championship then the whole country will remember when we beat them, ergo we'll be associated with all of it.

[goodguytex]

South Carolina, because we beat them this year and if they win the championship then the whole country will remember when we beat them, ergo we'll be associated with all of it.

Agreed!

[rzrbackramsfan]

South Carolina

[lumphog]

USC

[ErieHog]

Kentucky or Gonzaga.

Why Kentucky?

They're not going to get any more exposure than they already had, nationally-- there isn't any more room for them to choke out recruiting competition.

It bolsters our league's reputation with the 2 Final Four teams coming from it that a Kentucky title would necessitate, and it doesn't help any other team in our league establish itself as a clear 2 to Kentucky.

[Dr. Starcs]

Kentucky or Gonzaga.

Why Kentucky?

They're not going to get any more exposure than they already had, nationally-- there isn't any more room for them to choke out recruiting competition.

It bolsters our league's reputation with the 2 Final Four teams coming from it that a Kentucky title would necessitate, and it doesn't help any other team in our league establish itself as a clear 2 to Kentucky.

Don't you hate Eddie Sutton for his comments/departure for Kentucky?  And now you want them to win it all?! Cmon Erie! Lol

[RagingHawgOn]

Kentucky or Gonzaga.

Why Kentucky?

They're not going to get any more exposure than they already had, nationally-- there isn't any more room for them to choke out recruiting competition.

It bolsters our league's reputation with the 2 Final Four teams coming from it that a Kentucky title would necessitate, and it doesn't help any other team in our league establish itself as a clear 2 to Kentucky.

Love the logic. But....

I just am developing an appreciation for what Frank Martin has done with this team.

And I hate all things Ashley Judd.

[Breems]

Don't you hate Eddie Sutton for his comments/departure for Kentucky?  And now you want them to win it all?! Cmon Erie! Lol

Legend has it that ErieHog showed up at certain games just to boo Eddie Sutton.

[ErieHog]

Don't you hate Eddie Sutton for his comments/departure for Kentucky?  And now you want them to win it all?! Cmon Erie! Lol

Sure.  I can hate a team, and want them to do well, as long as it advances Arkansas' interests.

I'd much rather be on the bubble at 23-12 next year, with 2 SEC teams in the Final 4 this year and the defending National Champion as the committee's most recent memory of the SEC, than 23-12 next year with one SEC team in the Final Four that doesn't make the title game.

[ErieHog]

Legend has it that ErieHog showed up at certain games just to boo Eddie Sutton.

I drove cross state to an ASU game when he was coaching OSU, to heckle and tell him to go home to Kentucky.

[lynbug]

USC

I want USC to win primarily to teach us Jump Ball fans (me included sometimes) that, to quote Nolan, "all sickness is not death".  USC lost how many down the stretch? can't remember but I was really scratching my head as to what happened.  Then they're almost on the bubble on Selection Sunday.  Now, they have been resurrected.  A lesson for us to remember next year.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Anybody but Kentucky or UNC.  If Kentucky wins it I think I'll just give up college basketball forever.

[GuvHog]

Love the logic. But....

I just am developing an appreciation for what Frank Martin has done with this team.

And I hate all things Ashley Judd.

Contrary to what some on here think, Frank Martin can flat out coach. South Carolina didn't just win last night, they dominated a very good Baylor team after beating Duke last week.

I also have to give credit to Florida's first year head coach. For him to get his team to the Elite 8 with his best big man sitting on the bench in street clothes is very impressive.

[3kgthog]

I will never cheer for another SEC team to win a title in anything. It simply does not help the University of Arkansas. Did Bama or MSU gain anything by beating our '94 title team? Nope. They both still suck!

From a recruiting standpoint, anything is bad for you if it elevates other SEC teams in the eyes of recruits. No recruit offered by two competing schools has ever said "I'm committing to school X because school Y won a title last year." If that were the case, we'd be top ten in football recruiting.

I'd much rather see a win by a non-SEC underdog that's outside our general region of the country. That victory MIGHT help schools like us that aren't part of the chosen few. That said, let's go Xavier. I'd love nothing more than to see them bring tears to the eyes of all those spoiled blue blood fans.

[Inhogswetrust]

Kentucky or Gonzaga.

Why Kentucky?

They're not going to get any more exposure than they already had, nationally-- there isn't any more room for them to choke out recruiting competition.

It bolsters our league's reputation with the 2 Final Four teams coming from it that a Kentucky title would necessitate, and it doesn't help any other team in our league establish itself as a clear 2 to Kentucky.

USC winning it would not establish it as the CLEAR number two behind KY longterm. It would help the conference as a whole to show it isn't ONLY KY all the time. Both Arkansas and Florida have been at the top. There is room for another. In fact someone else winning it would be more proof that a recruit does NOT have to go play for Mr. Slime to win it. Most of the payers going to KY don't give a damn about the school itself or their winning a NC. IF a NC was so important to them they would stay longer than one year if they didn't win it that year but they don't. It's ALL a "business" decision for them.

[Inhogswetrust]

Contrary to what some on here think, Frank Martin can flat out coach. South Carolina didn't just win last night, they dominated a very good Baylor team after beating Duke last week.

I also have to give credit to Florida's first year head coach. For him to get his team to the Elite 8 with his best big man sitting on the bench in street clothes is very impressive.

Martin is a damn good coach. He also looks like he's gone have a stroke during the game sometimes. Before he used to be exactly like Knight during games. I think he's actually calmed down a little though over the years.

[RaisinHog]

I want USC to win primarily to teach us Jump Ball fans (me included sometimes) that, to quote Nolan, "all sickness is not death".  USC lost how many down the stretch? can't remember but I was really scratching my head as to what happened.  Then they're almost on the bubble on Selection Sunday.  Now, they have been resurrected.  A lesson for us to remember next year.

No but it can get u better seeding in next year's tourny and off the bubble with a decent conference record

[MountieDawg]

USC winning it would not establish it as the CLEAR number two behind KY longterm. It would help the conference as a whole to show it isn't ONLY KY all the time. Both Arkansas and Florida have been at the top. There is room for another. In fact someone else winning it would be more proof that a recruit does NOT have to go play for Mr. Slime to win it. Most of the payers going to KY don't give a damn about the school itself or their winning a NC. IF a NC was so important to them they would stay longer than one year if they didn't win it that year but they don't. It's ALL a "business" decision for them.

Those guys don't care, that is why they were not playing defense or grinding so hard last night.

[bphi11ips]

Kentucky or Gonzaga.

Why Kentucky?

They're not going to get any more exposure than they already had, nationally-- there isn't any more room for them to choke out recruiting competition.

It bolsters our league's reputation with the 2 Final Four teams coming from it that a Kentucky title would necessitate, and it doesn't help any other team in our league establish itself as a clear 2 to Kentucky.

How did winning the championship work out for Arkansas in the long run?

A South Carolina win would improve the image of the conference from top to bottom, and that would help Arkansas in the seeding process. We're already a program on the rise.

So go Gamecocks.

[ChicoHog]

Clark Kellog said it during one of the halftimes I think it was on Thursday.  It's not about conferences, it's about teams.  I wish more people would realize that. 

Funny how Xavier and SCarolina practically limped through the end of the regular season and conf tournaments and now both are in the Elite 8.  You just never know. 

[PORKULATOR]

Southie all the way.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Don't you hate Eddie Sutton for his comments/departure for Kentucky?  And now you want them to win it all?! Cmon Erie! Lol

Ha! Yeah, it's only been, what, 32 years?

[(notOM)Rebel123]

Clark Kellog said it during one of the halftimes I think it was on Thursday.  It's not about conferences, it's about teams.  I wish more people would realize that. 

Funny how Xavier and SCarolina practically limped through the end of the regular season and conf tournaments and now both are in the Elite 8.  You just never know. 

Yeah, funny how the experts say this when the ACC tanked.

[ricepig]

Gonzaga

[PorkRinds]

Kansas because it makes me money.

[Atlhogfan1]

I'm at the point of pulling against teams based on who is left.   

Not UNC
Not KU
Not UK
Not Zags

Out of the other 4 want to win probably X, Or, SC, Fl in that order.   

[Danny J]

Gamecocks no doubt...

[ballinhog]

South Carolina

[Joe-T]

  X for me then SC !!
Anyone but KY !!

[RaisinHog]

Put oregon in the don't want to win for me screw them and there coach

[ErieHog]

How did winning the championship work out for Arkansas in the long run?

A South Carolina win would improve the image of the conference from top to bottom, and that would help Arkansas in the seeding process. We're already a program on the rise.

So go Gamecocks.

It worked out well enough that we still have an entitled fan base 23 years later, despite very modest success;  feeding South Carolina basketball success is not good for Arkansas, long term.

[Inhogswetrust]

It worked out well enough that we still have an entitled fan base 23 years later, despite very modest success;  feeding South Carolina basketball success is not good for Arkansas, long term.

Why not? ALL schools still have to recruit. That is where the coach comes into play and not the school itself. It would not hurt Arkansas or any other school in the conference for someone besides KY to win it. It hasn't hurt Bama or anyone else that a few others have won a NC.

[247Hog]

Kansas or SC

[BigSexyHog]

North Carolina or Kamsas5

[bphi11ips]

It worked out well enough that we still have an entitled fan base 23 years later, despite very modest success;  feeding South Carolina basketball success is not good for Arkansas, long term.

If we have an entitled fanbase, it's because of 23 trips to the NCAA in 25 years, four Final Fours during that stretch, and one NC.  After 1995, "modest success" may be generous. 

The point is that a NC hardly guarantees future success. In our case it was a death knell.  To this day it doesn't make sense given the program's history at the time, but it was.

[Sharky]

This is totally off the mark - while Arkansas fans would have preferred the third team to find current national be Arkansas, the fact that it is South Carolina is good for the conference reputation as a whole (the SEC is more than Kentucky and Florida) and can help Arkansas by raising the conference profile on the national level.  If the SEC continues to improve its scheduling (which it definitely needs to) this can only help SEC teams open doors to better competition - which means access to better recruits and better TV exposure (better games at better time slots).

What would help next year if for another (different) SEC team to make a deep run in the tournament.  That will show (increasing) conference depth and raise the fortunes for all conference teams.   

100%. A South Carolina win doesn't really hurt our recruiting...Frank Martin has a very different personality and coaching style than CMA. An SEC win draws more players to the conference, more revenue, more teams in the tourney. We're positioned well enough to recruit and compete and finish strong.

[ErieHog]

100%. A South Carolina win doesn't really hurt our recruiting...Frank Martin has a very different personality and coaching style than CMA. An SEC win draws more players to the conference, more revenue, more teams in the tourney. We're positioned well enough to recruit and compete and finish strong.

It makes the Southeastern Conference deeper, and our relative position more difficult.    That's bad for Arkansas.  We need the maximum for conference reputation that does the minimum to help the reputation of others within the conference--  Kentucky and Florida already have pretty much optimized their relative positions, while South Carolina stands to gain a great deal-- which is a losing proposition for Arkansas basketball.

[ADavisTheGOAT]

Hope its Oregon or Gonzaga. Will probably be UNC or USCe.

[HawgnCorona]

Gamecocks no doubt...

Me too...

[SPAL]

I want USC to win primarily to teach us Jump Ball fans (me included sometimes) that, to quote Nolan, "all sickness is not death".USC lost how many down the stretch? can't remember but I was really scratching my head as to what happened.  Then they're almost on the bubble on Selection Sunday.  Now, they have been resurrected.  A lesson for us to remember next year.

Bro, that was Jesus.

[hogfan14]

Part of me thinks it would be cool to see SC win it but it would also make me feel like I did when Ole Miss won the sugar bowl (cheating or not). Programs that I feel we're better than but they do what we haven't been able to do lately is also a little frustrating.

[old_school_hawg]

Go Gamecocks!!! If not them, then i guess anyone but UNC.

[12247]

I believe if SC won it all that would help our conference and in turn assist us.  So go SC.  I know better but still won't to believe that we have the ability to help ourselves in Basketball and do not necessarily need others to fail for us to succeed.

The real truth is that in both Basketball and Football, we need others to get worse for us to look better.  I think that model is easier to overcome in BB than FB as it only takes 2 or 3 top level recruits for a BB team to shine if the coaching is there. 

One thing the NCAA tourney has shown is that our conference got better as the season wore on.  I believe that us, SC, Fla and to some extent Ky all got better late in the season.  I hope we can carry the success into and through next year.

[ErieHog]

Hmmm - let's break this one down a bit. 

It sounds as if you think (at least for the near term) the SEC will continue to be a 3, 4 or 5 bid conference.  While I understand your point about the conference becoming more difficult as the depth increases, that is counter balanced by the extra weight (consideration) a conference receives come NCAA bid time.  Over the years, a good number of teams finishing lower in their conference have received NCAA bids as a result of the conference depth.  That can work to Arkansas favor if the SEC's track record (over time) continues to improve and expand.  How many years have Big 10, ACC and/or Big East teams made the tournament with a conference record at (or near) .500 and a decent non conference slate of opponents - the conference reputation is a rising tide that lifts all boats. 

I believe that South Carolina's success this year can help push the SEC toward being a 5 - 7 bid conference on longer term basis.  That has to help Arkansas collaterally. Yes, it will benefit South Carolina the most but increased NCAA success involving more SEC teams is probably the best indicator the conference will continue garner additional attention in the coming seasons. 

I think you're focusing on the negative aspects (for Arkansas) of South Carolina's successf and overlooking (or downplaying significantly) the benefits.   

The benefits aren't net benefits for everyone, equally.

If you are in the disadvantaged half of the league, the success of South Carolina has an aggregate effect that's a net positive.

If you are in the top half of the league-- really, the top quarter by most metrics--  it isn't.

There's such a thing as diminishing returns;  not all benefits accrue equally across common league membership.

South Carolina prospering is just fine, if you are Auburn.  If you are Arkansas, it hurts far more than it helps.

[ChicoHog]

Yeah, funny how the experts say this when the ACC tanked.

It doesn't matter which conference did or didn't tank.  You can say the same thing every year about any conference or team.  The team is what matters, not the conference. 

I already bet on SC plus the points and NC minus the points although all things being equal I would probably root for Gonzaga.  Anyone of them but Oregon and I'm ok with it. 

[East Clintwood]

Gonzaga