Slap the Sign
Fansided

2017 NCAA Tournament: Notre Dame Fans Should Root For Xavier

By Noah Strackbein

Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Malcolm Bernard (left) and guard Trevon Bluiett (5) celebrate after defeating the Arizona Wildcats during the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Malcolm Bernard (left) and guard Trevon Bluiett (5) celebrate after defeating the Arizona Wildcats during the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the 2017 NCAA Tournament narrowing down to the Elite Eight, fans are looking for a team to root for. Well, if you’re a Notre Dame fan, Xavier is that team.

Listen: Calling Out LaVar Ball

As an eleven seed, no one believed Xavier would make it out of the first round of the tournament. Heading into March, the Musketeers lost six in a row before winning their first three. Against #6 Maryland in the opening round, some believed they had a shot, but the majority never gave them a chance.

Now, they’re heading into the Elite Eight after beating #6 Maryland, #3 Florida State, and #2 Arizona. If they defeat #1 Gonzaga, there’ll be little doubt they can take on the winner of the East Region.

As much as Notre Dame fans would have loved to see the Fighting Irish in the Elite Eight, we all have to get over our heartbreak and enjoy March Madness. There hasn’t been much this year; besides watching Duke, Florida State and Louisville lose, Irish fans haven’t had many upsets to look forward to.

Must Read: Jahvon Quinerly is The Perfect Notre Dame Fit

We got to watch Xavier, though. A former conference opponent of the Irish, and one of the most underrated teams in college basketball year after year. Since Notre Dame could be the one busting brackets this season, it’s nice to see a team that never gave the Irish much to fuss over.

There isn’t much to think about. When you look at it, you have two teams to really consider rooting for at this point in time. Xavier is just fun to watch and has one of the best shots to be the first eleven seed in the National Championship. Outside of them, South Carolina is there out of pure respect for beating Duke. And if you thought about Michigan before they lost, don’t say anything to anyone, because other Notre Dame fans are going to get angry.

No one will blame you for choosing South Carolina. The problem is that it’s a little bit of a stretch to assume they’re going to beat Baylor or even get to the Final Four. Xavier has one more game against a team very beatable. If you want a better bet, pick Xavier.

Watching them blow FSU out was one of the more enjoyable moments for Notre Dame fans. Everyone knows the Irish should not have been a five seed, but were snubbed and ended up where Florida State should have been. So, if they couldn’t take out the Seminoles, we’re just glad someone could.

Next: What Should Bonzie Colson Do?

At this point in the tournament, no one is cheering for a one seed. Everyone wants upsets, and the biggest one out there is Xavier. It’s time to stop feeling down about the loss, poor seeding, and Steve Vasturia graduating and watch more madness happen.