The field of 68 for the 2016 NCAA tournament is now set, with the first set of “First Four” games coming Tuesday night. It’s hard to wish a loss on anyone, given the nature of March Madness, but here are five teams that everyone should be (or will be) rooting against in this year’s tournament.
5. Cincinnati
Getty ImagesCincinnati is the first team on this list that was on the bubble, then got an at-large bid that helped push some accomplished mid-major schools out of the tournament. The Bearcats may make a quick exit, with a first-round matchup against St. Joseph's Friday night, but rooting interest is unlikely to be on their side.
4. North Carolina
Rob Carr Getty Images
North Carolina is one of college basketball's "blue bloods" that is an upper tier seed every year, which is enough to make fans root against them. The Tar Heels could be the first No. 1 seed to lose in this year's tournament, and fan sentiment will be on the side of USC or Providence in a second-round matchup.
3. Kentucky
Andy Lyons Getty ImagesJohn Calipari and his team are the lead example of fully embracing the one-and-done era in college basketball. That divides fans on its own, and those who think Calipari bends the rules won't be rooting for Kentucky.
2. Syracuse
Getty ImagesSyracuse got an at-large bid at the expense of some deserving mid-majors, which will surely inspire some people to root against them. Add in a Round of 64 matchup against No. 7 seed Dayton, which is led by a more likable coach in Archie Miller, and the Orange won't carry a lot of fan sentiment.
1. Duke
Rob Carr Getty ImagesThe No. 4 seed in the West Region is a team that inspires constant hatred, and Grayson Allen has emerged as the latest Duke antagonist. I'm not sure what else there is to say, but the Blue Devils clearly deserve the No. 1 spot on this list.
