Loving to hate
Posted on March 25th, 2008 – 12:16 PMBy Michael Rand
It appears the server has been a little spotty again. Terrific. We’re going to soldier on in hopes that, at some point, people will be able to consistently read this. In any event, we point you to our guy Local Quipster’s weekly appearance over at 10,000 Takes and his vitriol toward Stanford. It’s been a keen topic of conversation among our circle of friends — or at least LQ and our guy Applecherry, who might or might not have attended the Harvard of the West (and who might say, instead, that Harvard is the Stanford of the East). It’s made for great theater. From LQ’s piece:
On Saturday night the Stanford Cardinal should have embarrassed everyone who has ever worn a maroon and white sweatshirt, including my close personal friend Kris Atteberry. Head coach Trent Johnson was ejected from a NCAA tournament game in the first half. How in the hell can you get ejected from the tournament? I don’t care who you are, you can control your emotions enough when you get a technical foul and realize 300 million people are watching you throw a temper tantrum halfway out on the court.
Applecherry responded, as he is wont to do, with a hilarious diatribe that we have not sought permission to print and therefore will not. Suffice to say, it was high comedy and defended the honor of the Lopez sisters brothers.
The questions, then, are obvious: why do people develop a hatred for teams they have no real business hating? Jealousy? Intangibles? Genuine transgressions? Helium-related accidents? Old grudges from The War of 1812? We don’t quite get it. But:
*What is the one team out of the 16 left in NCAA hoops that you are rooting hardest against?
*Why are you rooting against that team?
*Are these questions harder because Duke has already lost?
19 Responses to "Loving to hate"
My list of three:
1. Wisconsin
2. Wisconsin
3. Wisconsin
Do you have to ask why?
OK, outside of Wisconsin.
Quit changing the rules…
Probably Kansas. My impression of Kansas fans (n=2) is one of “we’re entitled to everything we can get because we’re one of the cradles of college basketball”. But that could just be the two people I know.
Are these questions harder because Duke has already lost?
Undoubtedly. I don’t believe any of the remaining 16 institutions can lay claim to forces of pure, unfettered douchebaggery equal to Richard Milhous Nixon, Kenneth Starr or Christian Laettner.
Since Jon has researched this thoroughly, though, I’ll agree with him.
RandBall: Exposing the forces of pure, unfettered douchebaggery since 2006.
Fine…
1. Michigan State
2. Because Big Ten teams other than the Gophers can go to hell, and I don’t like their stupid student section and their white shirts…
3. Yes, the questions are harder because Duke is eliminated and Wisconsin apparently isn’t an acceptable answer.
I think there is a perfectly good reason to hate Duke. They are salivated over by just about every sports media member, they get credit for being a better team than they usually are (this year being the prime example). And I find it absolutely impossible to believe that they don’t ever have academically related suspensions because someone isn’t keeping his grades up. They just cheat better than we do up Nort here. Minnesotans have a visceral reaction to the idea of cheating, where other states probably don’t care as long as the team wins…
Have I mentioned I like the new RandBall feature where you can access the site, read the articles and comments, and even leave your own comments? Thumbs up!
Stu, that last comment is cow-worthy. But we’ll have to wait and see whether we can publish any posts.
The tournament matters to everyone and it’s easier to hate teams because there are a series of, well, “points” that matter when you have certain things on the line.
I believe Puff Daddy said it was “all about the Benjamins”. Then Ice Cube made it official by starring in the movie.
But I hate Stanford because I can’t stand Sideshow Lopez.
But I think people hate Duke because those are the good kids in high school that (blank) blocked you.
I had WV beating them for that exact reason. Go Mountaineers! Final Four!
But I hate Stanford because I can’t stand Sideshow Lopez.
Seems I’m not the only one who expects him to step on a rake when he runs downcourt.
It’s the googley eyes that creep me out the most. And that character is dating Michelle Wie, my associate Applecherry has informed me.
This seems like a great chance to remind everyone of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYOgC2Qbqh4
There might be some bad language if you are at work, 8 years old, or otherwise easily offended.
Here, Here Jon!! Down with the Cheeseheads!
Out side of not wanting Wisconsin to win I would have to say Washington State. I don’t know why but I have always disliked anything from the Northwest. I had an old girlfriend who was from Seattle, maybe that has something to do with it?
I don’t know much about college basketball. Does anyone have a French Canadian on their team? I really hate French Canadians.
It may also have something to do with the 83 different Oregon uniforms for each sport.
LQ: And that character is dating Michelle Wie, my associate Applecherry has informed me.
Should it ever come to that, they will make athletically-gifted but funny-looking babies.
