Well, I picked these prior to the tournament so I'll go with the only two that made it. Fuck Kentucky and Sparty!
I am not sure the "once a blue blood, always a blue blood" sticks. UCLA and Indiana not so much in the past few years.
Not that much, the way Loyola plays they are more likely (win or lose) to have a close games.
Let' be fair about Loyola's Championship and UCLA under Wooden. Both were excellent accomplishments but UCLA's run was in a different time and setting. For some of the run there were only 24 teams (with a first round bye) and for some only 32. The Regions were very much geographical in set up (East, Mideast, Midwest and West). UCLA was the only long run dominate team in the west for a long time. The power resided in the East and Mideast along with Kansas in the Midwest. The road to the final four was (while not denigrating UCLA) much easier. The other regions were much more of a meat grinder, not just for the NCAAs but the regular season. Wooden was genius for getting a dominant team ready for the final four while not having much competition. They had minimal injuries and did not get worn out. Seven of the top teams would often be bunched in the EAST as opposed to being sent out across the country as 2 and 3 seeds. Kind of similar to the World Series (Yankees), NFL (Bears, Giants, Packers and Red Skins) , NBA (Celtics) and NHL (Canadians) before expanded playoffs.
Don't follow them close enough, so I accept the information at face value. Not trying to eliminate anyone, just hoping teams deserve the accolades if they are given.
