Big Ten Pride Has Me Rooting For … Michigan?

Today’s column from CBS Chicago

(CBS) Ever since Sean Higgins’ putback with just two seconds left on the clock buried Illinois 83-81 in the 1989 Final Four, I haven’t had any love for the University of Michigan.

But yet, here I am this week, rooting for the University of Michigan.

How’d that happen?

Well, in a fascinating twist of fandom, this year’s NCAA Basketball Tournament has turned the rooting interests for many Midwestern hoops followers on its head as Big Ten pride has outweighed school pride.

And, in many cases, biases.

Tom Izzo knows what I’m talking about.

Throughout March, Michigan State’s coach said that he was supporting all Big Ten teams in the NCAA Tournament. And on Tuesday, the Detroit Free Press reported that Izzo was still singing the same tune, even with archrival Michigan the only conference team remaining and just two victories away from winning a national championship.

“I do have great respect for John (Beilein) and the job he’s done,” Izzo explained. “You know, I’ll stick by my stance that nobody pulls for their rival. Mike (Krzyzewski) doesn’t pull for Carolina, and Roy (Williams) doesn’t pull for Duke. I’m not sure, but Urban Meyer’s probably not pulling for Michigan’s swim team to win, the way that thing is and everything.

“I have stood by that. I’m pulling for our conference, number one.”

Even when that conference’s only one is Michigan.

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