with all the upsets in this year's bigdance, there seem to be no shortage of applicants for the goldenslipper, and given that America tends to like to root for the underdogs (as long as it doesnt ruin your bracket) I was curious as to who America's darling is this year?

I wont even impose any pre-determined limitations on what is and what isnt a "Cinderella". I tend to think of true Cindy's as double digit seeds, but i think we can surely include 9seed Northern Iowa in the discussion. and, if you want to make a case for one of the 6's or even 5's (maybe you think they will go all the way... in which case you might be able to make a case) its up to you.

If you know me very well, then you realized I am a bit biased on this topic. I think, if they havent already, America (and Canada, too!) is about to fall in love with this Cornell Big Red hoops team. i'll expound more later, but for now,,, i'd just like hear which underdog is your favorite this year... and why.

I'll just leave you with exhibit A--- Cornell (and the other Ivy Leaguers) does not offer any athletic scholarships and has fairly tough standards for even getting into the school. So, surely there is no way they could ever really compete with the big boys... or could they?
GO BIG RED!

I love Saint Mary's... ive seen them play 5 times this year now (1 in the regular season, 2 in the CT, 2 in the NCAA) and Mickey McConnell is one of the funnest players to watch (short white guy lighting it up) and Omar Samhan is a beast. I think they have a real shot to get to the Elite 8 where I will abruptly stop rooting for them (obviously lol).

Cornell is fun to watch too. It seems like very shot they put up is a 3 and they were clearly better than Temple and Wisconsin. I think they are gonna give Kentucky a real game and if they beat them I will forever worship them

Northern Iowa for the simple fact I had never heard of them before this year. Cornell is a great story and I'll be rooting for them, but if you had told me northern Iowa was even a D1 school last year I might not have beleived it. When a school comes out of NOWHERE to bust almost half the brackets in the country (and Canada, too!)how can you not go all out behind them?

I just finished up at Ithaca College, across town from Cornell. The town is in a frenzy, as well it should be. I sure hope they give Kentucky a game, although if Wittman ever actually MISSES a shot, that could be a tall order.

GO BIG RED!

I was big on Cornell before the tourney and they are making me look good, lol. They all can shoot the 3 and that makes any team dangerous.



Northern Iowa has to be up there simply for the fact tha they just competed one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tourney history. They have been good for many years. I know they have made the tourney a few times in the recent past. Also have guys that can shoot the ball. Coach Jacobson has a great program that is only going to get better with the influx of coverage that they are currently getting.

Quote: Originally posted by tkimble on 3/21/2010Northern Iowa for the simple fact I had never heard of them before this year. Cornell is a great story and I'll be rooting for them, but if you had told me northern Iowa was even a D1 school last year I might not have beleived it. When a school comes out of NOWHERE to bust almost half the brackets in the country (and Canada, too!)how can you not go all out behind them?

You had seriously never heard of UNI before? wow

for all the crap the Pac 10 took, you've got to give Washington some love. I'm not surprised by Cornell, they played well here in the Cuse and I expected good things for them. As a SU fan, I've found a lotta love for 6 seed Xavier, but not because I expect them to go all the way :)

Cornell is playing 40 miles from home and should have good crowd support. However, Kentucky qualified several hours earlier and their fans had a headstart on the tickets.

But I think St. Mary's is my favorite.

Quote: Originally Posted By tkimble on 3/21/2010Northern Iowa for the simple fact I had never heard of them before this year. Cornell is a great story and I'll be rooting for them, but if you had told me northern Iowa was even a D1 school last year I might not have beleived it. When a school comes out of NOWHERE to bust almost half the brackets in the country (and Canada, too!)how can you not go all out behind them

Northern Iowa has been in the Dance 5 times in the last 10 years but this is the first time they've won a game. So it's understandable they were overlooked. It's also the first time since 1979 that a Missouri Valley team has made the Sweet 16. That's surprising since that conference has had some very good teams recently, like Drake last year.

Cornell, come on, beat Kentucky

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oldave - just a point of clarification - the Ivy League does not give athletic scholarships, but a great many of their athletes in all sports get "academic" scholarships that pay their way the same way an athletic scholarship would. It's the dirty little secret of Ivy League sports.

The only true "no scholarship" conference is the Patriot League.

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I believe the stat was the Ivy hadn't made the S16 since '79 (Penn).

Quote: Originally Posted By dacj501 on 3/22/2010for all the crap the Pac 10 took, you've got to give Washington some love. I'm not surprised by Cornell, they played well here in the Cuse and I expected good things for them. As a SU fan, I've found a lotta love for 6 seed Xavier, but not because I expect them to go all the way :

Not to take anything away from Washington, but they played about the weakest 3 seed I can remember. I had a tough decision in my bracket between Marq and Wash (I picked wrong), but I had zero doubt that I was going to pick either of them over NM.