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Who does the NCAA want to win the Midwest region?

Posted on 3/25/24 at 9:20 am
Posted by karmew32
Ponchatoula, LA
Member since Jan 2017
1518 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 9:20 am
I think it's obvious that the NCAA wants UConn, UNC, and Duke to win their respective regions. They're all top-tier programs with 5+ national titles to their name, and if the NCAA loves anything, it's the rich getting richer.

But what about the Midwest? We have Purdue vs. Gonzaga and Tennessee vs. Creighton. None of them have ever won a national title. Only Gonzaga has made a Final Four recently; Purdue last made it in 1980, and Tennessee & Creighton have never made it that far.

My initial hunch is Gonzaga. They're probably the biggest "name" of the four, but they're also a mid-major so the NCAA might have some reservation about them breaking into the club. Still, if they wanted a Midwest region team to win their first title, I imagine they'd pick Gonzaga.
This post was edited on 3/25/24 at 9:27 am
Posted by boston vol
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Member since Sep 2015
5617 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 9:21 am to
Purdue, because of Edey. Also trying to do what UVA did and win the title a year after being bounced by a 16 seed.
Posted by VADawg
Wherever
Member since Nov 2011
45116 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 9:23 am to
quote:

My initial hunch is Gonzaga. They're probably the biggest "name" of the four, but they're also a mid-major so the NCAA might have some reservation about them breaking into the club.


What are you talking about? Gonzaga has been to two of the last six national title games.
Posted by usc6158
Member since Feb 2008
35430 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 9:23 am to
Anyone but Creighton
Posted by Pedro
Geaux Hawks
Member since Jul 2008
33734 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 9:37 am to
quote:


checks out
Posted by Zendog
Santa Barbara
Member since Feb 2019
4541 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 11:29 am to
Then why did they load up UConn's region?
Posted by mizzoubuckeyeiowa
Member since Nov 2015
35660 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 5:41 pm to
quote:

My initial hunch is Gonzaga.


Good hunch.

Gotta give the West Coast tv ratings with all the UConns, Dukes, UNC, Creighton, etc. Nobody likes dominant regionalism (except some die-hard SEC ranters)...it hurts the sport and kills viewership as a big nation. Newsflash, nobody who grew up in California was rooting for Alabama at the Rose Bowl. That brand don't travel to most parts west of the Mississippi.

No taxation without representation. TV would love the NW to be represented. Plus Gonzaga is a known brand that went from nobody to somebody to someone who can't get over the hump.
Posted by TrueLefty
St. Louis County
Member since Oct 2017
15060 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 5:55 pm to
quote:

I think it's obvious that the NCAA wants UConn, UNC, and Duke to win their respective regions. They're all top-tier programs with 5+ national titles to their name, and if the NCAA loves anything, it's the rich getting richer.

But what about the Midwest? We have Purdue vs. Gonzaga and Tennessee vs. Creighton. None of them have ever won a national title. Only Gonzaga has made a Final Four recently; Purdue last made it in 1980, and Tennessee & Creighton have never made it that far.

My initial hunch is Gonzaga. They're probably the biggest "name" of the four, but they're also a mid-major so the NCAA might have some reservation about them breaking into the club. Still, if they wanted a Midwest region team to win their first title, I imagine they'd pick Gonzaga.


As long as LSU is not the one, I am fine with any other team.
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
12276 posts
Posted on 3/25/24 at 8:56 pm to
quote:

but they're also a mid-major so the NCAA might have some reservation about them breaking into the club.

How do some of you function on a daily basis
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