Who should Big Blue Nation root for in the Elite Eight?

Now that Kentucky has been knocked out, who should BBN get behind?
Kansas v Houston
Kansas v Houston | Alex Slitz/GettyImages

Who Kentucky Fans Probably Won’t Be Cheering For

The NCAA Tournament is down to its final eight teams, and for Kentucky fans, the Wildcats may be out, but the drama is far from over. With bitter rivals still in the mix, the Big Blue Nation has some choices to make—who should they root for in the Elite Eight?

Let’s break it down.

Who Kentucky Fans Won’t Be Cheering For

Some teams just don’t make the cut. Whether it’s past heartbreak, heated rivalries, or just bad blood, here are the teams Kentucky fans definitely won’t be backing:

Alabama – The Tide buried BYU under a wave of 25 three-pointers, setting up a showdown with Duke. But let’s be real—Alabama beat Kentucky three times this season. No thanks.

Duke – This one needs no explanation. Kentucky took down the Blue Devils earlier this season, but Duke remains a longtime rival.

Tennessee – The team that ended Kentucky’s season? Absolutely not. Moving on.

Auburn – The Tigers not only beat Kentucky at Rupp, but their players also mimicked spanking the Wildcats with a belt celebration. Yeah… Auburn is out of the question.

That leaves three possible options: Houston, Florida, Texas Tech.

The Best of the Rest: Who’s Left to Cheer On?

1. Houston Cougars
Kelvin Sampson’s squad is tough, disciplined, and always willing to scrap for a win. Unlike some of his past Houston teams, this year’s Cougars actually have a strong offensive attack. Their close call against Purdue exposed some weaknesses, but they remain a legitimate title threat.

2. Florida Gators
The Gators are an SEC team, and while there’s a rivalry, it’s nothing compared to the hatred for Tennessee or Alabama. Plus, their matchup against Kentucky earlier this season was an instant classic. If SEC pride means anything, Florida is at least worth considering.

3. Texas Tech Red Raiders
A gritty team out of the Big 12, Texas Tech isn’t a bad option. They knocked out Cal and Arkansas, and let’s be honest—anyone who takes down the Razorbacks is worth a second look. But they don’t have any real ties to Kentucky, so the connection isn’t as strong as with the other two teams.

The Verdict: Go Cougars!
If Kentucky fans are picking a team to root for, Houston makes the most sense. They’re well-coached, tough, and unconnected to the Wildcats’ past heartbreaks.

If not Houston, then Florida is the next-best option for SEC loyalty, followed by Texas Tech as a wildcard pick.

While we won't say don’t root for Alabama, Duke, Tennessee, or Auburn, should you? If it helps your bracket, we get it.