Mar 21

Mar 21 The English Football League Meets March Madness

This is the melding of two perfect entities, the first three tiers of the English Football League (Premier League, EFL Championship, and League 1) and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Most Americans are very familiar with the 68-team NCAA Division-1 Basketball tournament that takes place every March and bleeds into April. It’s one of the greatest sporting events in the world. You get a mix of the best teams in the country which makes up about 75% of the tournament, and then you get another 25% of scrappy, small conference champions that regularly find ways to upset the big names. It’s a tournament unlike any other… sort of.

Over the Atlantic in the United Kingdom, they hold an annual competition called the FA Cup or the Football Association Challenge Cup. The FA Cup pits all eligible clubs (teams) down to Level 9 of the English football league system against each other. The tournament consists of 14 rounds, compare that to the 6 rounds in a 64 team NCAA tourney. Entrants are not seeded, although a system of byes based on league level ensures higher ranked teams enter in later rounds. For instance, Premier League clubs don’t enter the fray until round 9, which happens to be the equivalent of the round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.

So, what we’ve done is match-up the top 68 English football clubs (as they are currently ranked as of March 19, 2024) with the 68 men’s teams in this year’s 2024 Big Dance… and we found some striking similarities. We’ll follow each team throughout the tournament, and fingers crossed, this might be Tottenham’s best chance to win some hardware.

1-Seed: Purdue (Boilermakers) Big Ten; Indiana- Arsenal (The Gunners) 1st in Premier League; North London, England

Arsenal has a great squad year-in and year-out. They’re always near the top of the table and competing for a league championship. They’re 2nd most all time in top-flight (level 1) wins and haven’t played in any division lower than the first tier since 1919. This team has had (and currently has) some of the greatest players of all time on their roster, but they might be even more famous for their coaches like Arsene (smells something stinky) Wenger (22 seasons) and George Graham (9 seasons). Purdue, much like Arsenal, are always flirting with a championship. They haven’t missed the NCAA Tournament in 9 years and have been to the last 15 of 17. They also have a rich history of coaches including the 25-year Gene Keady Era and the current Matt Painter Era which is now in its 19th season... a few more and he’ll be at Grey’s Anatomy status.

1-Seed: North Carolina (Tar Heels) ACC; Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Liverpool (The Reds) 2nd in Premier League; Liverpool, England

Liverpool have won 19 league titles (2nd most) and 8 FA Cups (3rd most), which would stack them up against any English squad. However, their international prowess sets them apart. The Reds have won 6 Champions League titles, 3 Europa Cups, and 4 Super Cups which are all English records. Uncoincidentally, Liverpool has one of the largest international fan bases in English football., they’re nearly as popular as The Beatles. Likewise, the Tar Heels have averaged more wins per season (20.7) than any other college basketball program, they’ve won 18 ACC Tournament titles (2nd most), they’ve won 33 ACC regular season titles (most), and they’ve won 6 national championships (3rd most). But what makes this team one of the most popular teams in the world is their alumni - Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Bob McAdoo, etc. etc.

1-Seed: Connecticut (Huskies, UConn) Big East; Storrs, Connecticut - Manchester City (City, The Citizens, The Sky Blues) Premier League; Manchester England

City has won nine league titles in their 144 year history… 7 of those titles have come in the last twelve years. It’s simple, this is the hottest team around with the most talent in England and arguably the World. Last year, City wunderkind Erling Haaland (23-years-old) scored a Premier League record 36 goals in just 35 games, and have you seen his magnificent flowing locks! He’s currently having an off-year and only has a league high 18 goals in 24 games. UConn is unquestionably the hottest team in men’s college basketball with 5 national titles all within the last 25 years, including last year’s championship. They’re also stacked with star power. The Huskies have five players averaging 10 or more points a game.

1-Seed: Houston (Cougars) Big 12; Houston, Texas - Aston Villa (The Villans, The Lions) 4th in Premier League; Aston, Birmingham, England

Aston Villa has a sneaky good history having won the top-flight 7 times, which is the fifth most of any club and more than Chelsea, Newcastle, and Tottenham. The Villans’ key to success is staying power; they've played 110 seasons in the top-flight which is the second highest of any club. Houston Cougars have a sneaky good NCAA Tournament resume including 6 appearances in the Final Four which is 10th most all-time and more than teams like Florida, Illinois, and Arizona. Houston is missing a National Championship, but this might be their year.

2-Seed: Arizona (Wildcats) Pac-12; Tuscsa, Arizona- Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs, The Lilywhites) 5th in Premier League; North London, England

Tottenham has finished in the top half of the Premier League every season since 2008 and on average finished in the top 5 (4.94) in those years, but they haven’t won the top-flight since 1961. They’re perennially the bridesmaid and never the bride. And yet, this team is still a fan favorite with exciting international stars like Son Heung-min and local talent like Coventry’s own James Madison (not the President or the University). In fact, Spurs have produced more players (78) than any other club to represent the English National team. Similarly, Arizona always seems to find itself flirting with a National Championship, but their only title came in 1997 despite sending the 6th most players all time to the NBA (65).

2-Seed: Marquette (Golden Eagles) Big East; Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Manchester United (The Red Devils, ManU, United) 6th in Premier League; Manchester, England

United is the winningest team in the first tier of English football having won 20 top-flight titles. However, their last title was more than a decade ago in 2013 and local rival Manchester City has sat atop the table more times than not in these last 10 years. Marquette has made 35 NCAA Tournament appearances, has 7 Elite Eights, 3 Final Fours, and a National Championship. Yet, they’re suddenly second fiddle having joined the same conference as new blue blood UConn (Man City).

2-Seed: Iowa State (Cyclones) Big 12; Ames, Iowa - West Ham United (The Hammers, The Irons) 7th in Premier League; East London, England

West Ham United is one of eight clubs to have never fallen below the second tier of English football, spending 66 of 98 league seasons in the first tier, and yet, it has never won the top flight. But despite a lack of hardware, West Ham has a rabid fanbase with a plethora of rally songs and bubble making machines. Likewise, Iowa State is always finding themselves in the mix. They’ve been to 23 NCAA Tourneys and 8 of the last 10, but haven’t made it past the Sweet Sixteen since 2000. However, they still have some of the most passionate fans and their home court, The Hilton Coliseum, is considered one of the toughest venues to play in in the nation.

2-Seed: Tennessee (Volunteers) SEC; Knoxville, Tennessee - Brighton & Hove Albion (Brighton, Seagulls, The Albion) 8th in Premier League; Brighton and Hove, England

Brighton’s current stint of 14 years in the Premier League is their longest in their 122 year history, and their 6th place finish last year was their highest ever. In EFL standards, Brighton is a fun up-and-coming club with a ton of potential that matches well with a Tennessee team who made it to the Sweet Sixteen last year and won the SEC regular season title this year. It would be a surprise if either of these teams didn’t continue to rise even further next year.

3-Seed: Baylor (Bears); Big 12; Waco, Texas - Wolverhampton (Wolves, The Wanderers) 9th in Premier League; Wolverhampton, England

The Wolves’ traditional colors of gold and black allude to the city of Wolverhampton’s motto "out of darkness cometh light" with the two colors representing light and darkness respectively. Baylor is known for ignoring the darkness part of duality and just focusing on the light… like super duper light, like too light, highlighter yellow.

3-Seed: Creighton (Bluejays) Big East; Omaha, Nebraska- Newcastle (Magpies) 10th in Premier League; Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England

Newcastle situated in the far North of England has some of the most passionate and eccentric supporters in the UK. Everything they do is just a little bit above and beyond, and they’ve attracted a ton of attention including some from Billionaire investors… and more power to them. They finished in the top 4 last year. Omaha, Nebraska, home of the Creighton Bluejays, also seems like an unlikely place for eccentric and passionate fandom, but they fit that mold. For the last 9 years, Creighton has been among the nation’s top-25 in home attendance, and they too have benefitted from the attention of Billionaires, Warren Buffett. The Bluejays made it to the Elite Eight last year. Note to all other teams, attract Billionaires.

3-Seed: Kentucky (Wildcats) SEC Lexington, Kentucky - Chelsea (The Blues) 11th in Premier League; West London, England

In all competitions, Chelsea is the fourth most successful English club and have won major trophies recently such as the UEFA Champions League in 2021, the FA Cup in 2018, and the Premier League in 2017. The Blues are a blue blood club with tons of talent but not necessarily well loved. Their reputation is overly-arrogant and on the posh and snobby side of the spectrum. Similarly, Kentucky is undoubtedly a blue blood with the most Elite Eight appearances (38), the most Sweet Sixteen appearances (45), and has won 8 national titles (2nd most all time). And much like Chelsea, although the Wildcats (or maybe because the Wildcats) are saturated year after year with talent, they are not well loved by others around the nation. Easy teams to root against, but fun to watch nonetheless.

3-Seed: Illinois (Fighting Illini) Big 10; Champagne, Illinois- Fulham (Cottagers) 12th in Premier League; West London, England

Fulham is London’s oldest professional club and because they have an affinity for American born talent, they’re one of America’s favorites. Currently, there are two Americans on Fulham, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson, but it’s the past Americans that really pull on our heart strings. Clint Dempsey (2007-2012) had 50 goals for the club and was Fulham Player of the Season in 2011 and 2012. Then there’s Brian McBride (2004-2008) who had 33 goals for the Cottagers and was Player of the Season in 2006 and 2007. Illinois has a long and fairly successful history, but they’ve never won a national title. Despite the lack of team hardware, Illinois has an illustrious record of individual achievements, most notable All-Americans. There have been 15 Illinois census first-team All-Americans, which is more than schools like Syracuse, UConn, LSU, Oklahoma, and Michigan.

4-Seed: Auburn (Tigers) SEC; Auburn, Alabama - AFC Bournemouth (The Cherries, Boscombe) 13th in Premier League; Bournemouth, Dorset, England

In 2015, Bournemouth won three promotions in six years to win a spot in the first tier of English football for the first time in their history… 116 years after they were founded. Bournemouth, a tiny little club on the southern coast of England, barely had the infrastructure to host Premier League games. The Cherries stadium “Dean Court” only holds 11,307 which is about 15% the size of Manchester United’s “Old Trafford” stadium holding 74,310. Auburn, a big school in a huge conference, actually plays at a relatively small arena. The Neville Arena has a capacity of just 9,121, which is about 26% the size of Syracuse’s Carrier Dome (34,616). And like Bournemouth, much of Auburn’s basketball history is characterized by dramatic spikes. In the 80s, the Tigers were a force with players like Charles Barkley and Chuck Person, and in the last five years they’ve had another surge under coach Bruce Pearl.

4-Seed: Kansas (Jayhawks) Big 12; Lawrence, Kansas - Crystal Palace (Eagles, Palace) 14th in Premier League; South London, England

The "Crystals" or "Crystal Girls" are the official cheerleading squad of Crystal Palace F.C. which is the only club in English football that has NFL-style cheerleaders. For a while, they also had a live eagle mascot. Let’s be honest here, Kansas doesn’t really fit with any of these bottom of the table Premier League squads because Kansas is usually a 1 or 2 seed, but we’re gonna give this relationship the old college try. Like Palace, Kansas goes above and beyond for the fan experience. They sing the alma mater before every game followed by the Rock Chalk chant. And at the end of the game, the band plays the state song “Home on the Range”. The Jayhawks also have an annual talent show during the first practice of the season… Maybe Kansas is a bottom of the table premier league squad?

4-Seed: Alabama (Crimson Tide) SEC; Tuscaloosa, Alabama - Brentford (Bees) 15th in Premier League; West London, England

The Bees have historically been a tier 2 or lower club. In fact, before their promotion to the Premier League in 2022, they hadn’t been in the top flight since 1947. But last year they showed they’re something different with an impressive finish in the top half of the Premier League. Bama has historically been a football school and didn’t make their first NCAA Tournament until 1975. However, in the last six years they’ve made the tournament 5 times and have been to the Sweet Sixteen twice.

4-Seed: Duke (Blue Devils) ACC; Durham, North Carolina - Everton (The Toffees, The People's Club, The School of Science) 16th in Premier League; Liverpool, England

The Toffees have competed in the top division for a record 121 seasons, having missed only four top-flight seasons. The club has won nine league titles (tied 4th all time) and five FA Cups, but despite all that success, they live in the shadow of their biggest rival, Liverpool, whose stadium is less than a mile away. It also doesn’t help that they find themselves in trouble with UEFA from time to time for various financial violations. Which brings me to Duke. Duke could never be described as “The People’s Club”, but aside from that, they share quite a few similarities with Everton. They have an impressive history with a closet full of trophies (and a few skeletons), but they also live in the shadow of the team down the road, the Tarheels.

5-Seed: Saint Mary’s (Gaels) WCC; Moraga, California - Luton Town (The Hatters) 17th in Premier League; Luton, Bedfordshire, England

Luton Town have had a wild ride in the last 30-years. Before this season, they were last in the Premier League in 1992. Between ‘92 and now, they were relegated all the way down to the 5th tier and were ranked as low as the 97th in the EFL… the 5th tier is considered non-professional football. They play at the smallest stadium “Kenilworth Road” in Premier League history, it has a capacity of just 10,265. Saint Mary’s of the West Coast Conference plays at a teeny tiny arena, University Credit Union Pavilion, that has a capacity of just 3,500. Much like Luton Town, the Gaels have had a meandering journey. Between 1960 and 1988, the Gaels didn’t make the Big Dance; however, in the last 7 years they’ve made the tournament 5 times. On top of that, they’ve won the WCC regular season two years in a row.

5-Seed: San Diego State (Aztecs) Mountain West; San Diego, California- Nottingham Forest (Tricky Trees, Forest, The Garibaldi) 18th in Premier League; West Bridgford, Nottingham, England

At one point Nottingham Forest was the best team not only in England but in all of Europe. The Tricky Trees won back-to-back Champions Leagues (a tournament between all the best club teams in Europe) in 1979 and 1980. Now a days, they're a decent squad usually on the fence between the Premier League and the EFL Championship, but they’re still an easy team to root for. Nottingham currently has two Americans on their squad, goalkeeper Matt Turner and midfielder Gio Reyna. In comparison, last Year, San Diego State nearly won it all as a 5-seed losing in the Natty to UCONN. Once again, they’re a 5-seed and even if they don’t get as far as last year, you won’t want to miss their games with talent like Jaedon LeDee on the court.

5-Seed: Wisconsin (Badgers) Big 10; Madison, Wisconsin - Burnley (The Clarets) 19th in Premier League; Burnley, Lancashire, England

Former US Women’s National Team player Kealia Watt and her husband former NFL star J.J. Watt are minority owners along with YouTube stars Dude Perfect. Not quite as cool as Wrexham's ownership, but Burnley is thinking outside the box. Wisconsin has also been known to think out of the box. They hired former coach Bo Ryean (2001-2015) from DIII University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The other and obviously most important connection between these two teams is that Burnley owner J.J. Watt also happens to be an alumnus of the Wisconsin Badgers.

5-Seed: Gonzaga (Bulldogs) WCC; Spokane, Washington - Sheffield United (The Blades) 20th in Premier League; Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

Sheffield is nicknamed the Steel City so it only makes sense that they would be paired up with a gritty team like the Zags. The Blades also have a fan base that’s been ranked the “most obsessed” in England, and there's not many communities more obsessed with their sports than those Bulldog fans out in Spokane.

6-Seed: Texas Tech (Red Raiders) Big 12; Lubbock, Texas - Leeds United (The Whites) 1st in EFL Championship; Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Leeds are three-time top-flight champions most recently in 1992. More recently, Leeds United has been home to a number of American players - Brenden Aaronson (now at Union Berlin) Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), and Weston McKennie (Juventus). Leeds even had an American coach for a hot second - Jesse Marsch. Unlike Leeds, Texas Tech has never won the championship, but man, they were close. In 2019 they lost the title game in overtime to Virginia. Like Leeds, Tech has also had memorable head coaches including the legend Bob Knight (7 seasons, retired), his son Pat Knight (3 seasons, sacked), Billy Gillispie (1 season, resigned), the legend Tubby Smith (3 seasons, resigned), and Chris Beard (5 seasons, went to rival Texas).

6-Seed: South Carolina (Gamecocks) SEC; Columbia, South Carolina - Leicester City (Foxes) 2nd in EFL Championship; Leicester, England

Leicester City has one of the greatest underdog stories in recent history. Before the 2015-16 Premier League season, they had 5000-1 odds to win the league having almost been relegated the year before. Of course, the Foxes defied all the odds and brought home the title. South Carolina didn’t have quite as improbable a climb as Leicester, but last year they finished 12th of 14 in the SEC and missed all post season tournaments. This year they finished 5th in the SEC and are a 6-seed in the Big Dance. Their odds of winning the Championship are just* 200-1.

6-Seed: Brigham Young University (BYU, Cougars) Big 12; Provo, Utah - Ipswich Town (The Blues, The Tractor Boys) 3rd in EFL Championship; Ipswich, Suffolk, England

Ipswich Town has competed in all three major European club competitions (Champions League, Europa Cup, and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup) and holds the record as being the only British side to have never lost at home in European competition, having defeated teams such as Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Lazio, and Barcelona. BYU has similarly found success whoever they go up against and wherever they’re placed. As members of the WAC (1962 - 1999) they won 13 conference titles and played in 13 NCAA Tournaments, as members of the Mountain West (1999 - 2011) they won 6 conference titles and made the NCAA Tournament 8 times, as members of the WCC (2011-2023) the made the NCAA tourney 4 times, and in their first year in a very competitive Big 12 Conference they punched their ticket to the Big Dance.

6-Seed: Clemson (Tigers) ACC; Clemson, South Carolina - Southampton (The Saints) 4th in EFL Championship; Southampton, Hampshire, England

The Saints got their nickname from the club’s beginning as a church football team at St. Mary’s Church, they eventually became Southampton St. Mary’s and then just Southampton. Clemson was originally an agricultural college “Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina” and until 1955 was an all-white male military school. In 1955 the school underwent a major restructuring and was transformed into "civilian" status for students and began admitting white women. In 1963 , the school admitted its first African-American student. And in 1964, they changed their name to Clemson University.

7-Seed: Florida (Gators) SEC; Gainesville, Florida - West Bromwich Albion (Baggies, Albion, West Brom) 5th in EFL Championship; West Bromwich, West Midlands, England

The Baggies have spent most of their existence in the top-flight and have won the FA Cup 5 times. However, they haven’t won a major tournament since 1968. Their home stadium is called The Hawthornes and was built in 1900, it’s one of the most iconic stadiums in the EFL. The Gators had a ton of success in the early 2000’s winning back-to-back National Titles in 2006 and 2007. They’ve had success since their last title with a Final Four appearance in 2014, but they haven’t made it past the second round since 2017. The Gators play at the O’Dome”, but it’s also been known as the “House of Horrors”.

7-Seed: Dayton (Flyers) Atlantic 10; Dayton, Ohio - Norwich City (Canaries) 6th in EFL Championship; Norwich, Norfolk, England

Norwich has been relegated from the Premier League more than any other team, a classic mid-major, not safe to bet on, but they are an easy team to root for. American forward/winger Josh Sargent currently has 13 goals in just 18 games for the Canaries this year. The Dayton Flyers have a problem staying on top as well. They’ve made it to the NCAA Tournament 19 times but have only made it out of the first round 5 times. And already this year, they were bounced early from the Atlantic-10 tournament, but don’t get me wrong, this is a fun team. The 6' 10”, 235 lbs DaRon Holmes II is averaging 20.4 ppg, 8.4 rebs, and 2.1 blks.

7-Seed: Texas (Longhorns) Big 12; Austin, Texas - Hull City (Tigers) 7th in EFL Championship; Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

The Hull City Tigers have historically had some of the best and worst jerseys of all time. They don’t hold back, and yes, a few have featured tiger print. Similarly, the Longhorns have some of the most iconic jerseys. Did burnt orange exist before the University of Texas? Both of these teams stand out in a crowd (sometimes this is a bad thing), and so they attract a lot of eyes. Unfortunately, neither have any major wins to show off along with their swag.

7-Seed: Washington State (Cougars) Pac-12; Pullman, Washington - Coventry City (The Sky Blues, Singers, City) 8th in EFL Championship; Coventry, England

Coventry haven’t been in the Premier League since 2001, but they’re a breeding ground for talent. Some of their notable academy graduates include - Daniel Sturridge (formerly of Chelsea and Liverpool), James Maddison (Tottenham… not the President or the University), and Callum Wilson (Newcastle). Washington State has a very bleak NCAA Tournament history especially for a Power 5 school. They’ve only made the Dance 7 times and the last time they were in was 2008. And yet, like Coventry, they produce a lot of talent including Klay Thompson (Golden State), Malachi Flynn (Pistons), and Aron Baynes (who’s played on just about every team in the NBA and now Australia).

8-Seed: Florida Atlantic (FAU, Owls) American Athletic; Boca Raton, Florida - Preston North End (The Invincibles, The Lilywhites) 9th in EFL Championship; Preston, Lancashire, England

Preston North End haven’t been in the top-flight (Premier League) since 1961, but they were the first ever champions of the top-flight in 1889… they went undefeated and had six more wins than runner up Aston Villa. Before last year, Florida Atlantic had only made the NCAA Tournament once (2002) as a 15-seed. Last year, they made it all the way to the Final Four as a 9-seed, and now they’re an 8-seed. Like Preston North End, on the rare occasion when FAU shows up to the party, they show up with style.

8-Seed: Mississippi State (Bulldogs) SEC; Starkville, Mississippi - Middlesbrough (Boro) 10th in EFL Championship; Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England

Boro’s highest league finish to date was third place in the top-flight in the 1913–14 season (the year after the Titanic sunk), whilst the club have only spent two seasons outside the top two divisions of English football. Middlesbrough is always in the mix, but they don’t have much to show for it. Likewise, Mississippi State haven’t had much to show despite having a basketball program since 1908. The Bulldogs have been to the NCAA Tournament just 13 times, the first time in 1963. Prior to 1963 Mississippi State chose not to accept NCAA Tournament bids because state officials viewed African-Americans as inferior and would not allow Mississippi State to play against teams with black players. The 1963 team, however, famously snuck out of the state in the dead of night to play in what has since been dubbed the "Game of Change".

8-Seed: Utah State (Aggies) Mountain West; Logan, Utah - Cardiff City (The Bluebirds) 11th in EFL Championship; Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff is the only team from outside England (Wales) to have won the FA Cup, doing so in 1927. They have a fiercely loyal fan base and a huge rivalry with other Welsh side Swansea City. Utah State also has some rare accolades. From 1998 -2015, the Aggies had the 4th highest winning percentage in the nation at home only trailing Kansas, Duke, and Gonzaga. They have fierce rivalries with nearby (and like minded) University of Utah and BYU.

8-Seed: Nebraska (Cornhuskers) Big 10; Lincoln, Nebraska - Sunderland (Black Cats) 12th in EFL Championship; Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England

Sunderland has a long-standing rivalry with Newcastle United (Creighton). In 2018, Netflix released an eight-part documentary called “Sunderland 'Til I Die”. It documented the events around Sunderland's 2017–18 season which saw them relegated from the EFL Championship. But despite recent failures, Sunderland has spent 86 of their 123 seasons in the top-flight. Nebraska has not been nearly as successful as Sunderland… or anyone. The Huskers have never NEVER won an NCAA Tournament game and their last appearance was 10 years ago. What makes this relationship to Sunderland work is that Nebraska has a fierce rivalry with in-state foe Creighton, who’s already been matched up with Sunderland’s greatest foe Newcastle.

9-Seed: Michigan State (Spartans) Big 10; East Lansing, Michigan - Watford (The Hornets, Yellow Army, The 'Orns) 13th in EFL Championship; Watford, Hertfordshire, England

Watford has had recent success including a 5-year stint in the Premier League from 2015-2020, but their greatest years were in the 1980s. They finished 2nd in the top-flight in 1983 much to the thanks of midfielder John Barnes who is often considered one of the greatest England National players of all time. Michigan State is one of those teams you can count on to be in the Tournament every year. In fact, they haven’t missed the Big Dance since 1997! They’ve had a lot of good players come through in that time, but the common denominator is coach Tom Izzo. Izzo started coaching the Spartans in 1995 and since then they’ve won a National Title and have been to 8 Final Fours. Sometimes it just takes one integral piece.

9-Seed: Texas Christian (TCU, Horned Frogs) Big 12; Fort Worth, Texas - Bristol City (The Robins, Cider Army) 14th in EFL Championship; Bristol, England

Bristol City has a heated rivalry with Bristol Rovers. The Robins are a solid tier 2 squad playing in the EFL Championship 14 of the last 15 years. TCU is a solid squad who have now made the Tournament 3 years in a row after only making the Tournament once in the previous 23 years. What likely spurred this good form is a rekindling of an old rivalry. TCU joined the Big 12 in 2012 where they now get to play one of their biggest rivals, Baylor, at least two times a year. Iron sharpens iron.

9-Seed: Northwestern (Wildcats) Big 10; Evanston, Illinois - Swansea City (Swans, The Jacks) 15th in EFL Championship; Swansea, Wales

In recent years, Swansea has been the face of Welsh football. They had a solid run in the Premier League from 2011-2018 and even snagged a spot in the Europa League for the 2013-14 season. Wales is lacking representation in the upper tiers of the EFL, but not from a lack of effort from Swansea. The Chicago area has a similar lack of representation in the NCAA Tournament. Even their adopted Notre Dame has been absent recently. However, Northwestern, who made their first tournament ever in 2017, have now made the Big Dance 3 of the last 7 years. Only Loyola Chicago can say the same.

9-Seed: Texas A&M (Aggies) SEC; College Station, Texas - Millwall (Lions) 16th in EFL Championship; South East London, England

Millwall's supporters have often been associated with hooliganism, with numerous films exaggerating their notoriety. Their fans have embraced it and are renowned for their terrace chant "No one likes us, we don't care". Millwall have a long-standing rivalry with Premier League club West Ham United. Texas A&M is not necessarily associated with hooligan fans, but they are associated with uncomfortably eccentric fans. And like Millwall, Aggie fans have embraced their reputation and leaned into it. You don’t have to like these teams, but it would be wise to respect them.

10-Seed: Virginia (Cavaliers) ACC; Charlottesville, Virginia - Blackburn Rovers (Rovers, Riversiders) 17th in EFL Championship; Blackburn, Lancashire, England

Blackburn might have the sexiest flash of dominance in EFL history. After promotion to the Premier League in 1992, Rovers signed 22-year-old forward Alan Shearer to the squad. They then went on to finish 4th in 1993, 2nd in 1994, and then won the Premier League title in 1995. Shearer left the team in 1996, but not before scoring 112 goals in just 138 games. Virginia also has a very sexy rise to prominence… if your definition of sexy is grotesque and painful. Virginia was the first ever 1-seed to lose to a 16-seed and it wasn’t close. They lost by 20 points to a school most had never heard of - University of Maryland Baltimore County. However, one year later the Cavaliers would redeem themselves and win their first and only National Title.

10-Seed: Boise State (Broncos) Mountain West; Boise, Idaho - Plymouth Argyle (The Pilgrims) 18th in EFL Championship; Plymouth, Devon, England

They’re nicknamed the Pilgrims from the religious group that left Plymouth for the New World in 1620 on the Mayflower. So essentially, Argyle named themselves after a group of people fleeing from their government. Plymouth has never been in the top-flight of the EFL and have only had spurts in the Championship, but over the last 4 years they’ve gone from League 2 (70th place) to middle of the table in the Championship (35th). Similar to the Pilgrims, the people of Idaho (Boise included) have been attempting to flee their government. And Similar to Plymouth Argyle, Boise State has never made much noise on the big stage. In fact, they’ve never won an NCAA Tournament game in 10 tries.

10-Seed: Colorado (Buffaloes, Buffs) Pac-12; Boulder, Colorado - Stoke City (The Potters) 19th in EFL Championship; Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England

Stoke was in the Premier League as recently as 2018, and they’ve spent most of their existence in the top-flight. In their latest stint in the Premier League, 2008-2018, much of their success came from the dynamic duo Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch who both scored 62 goals for The Potters. Colorado has found similar success in recent years on the shoulders of dynamic duos. Between 2012 and 2016, the Buffs made the Tournament 4 times thanks to the combination punch of Spencer Dinwiddie (now a 10-year NBA vet with a career 13.6 ppg) and Andre Roberson (2nd all-time in rebounds at Colorado and 2017 NBA All-Defense 2nd Team for the Oklahoma Thunder). The Buffs are hoping their power couple KJ Simpson (19.6 ppg, 4.6 apg) and Tristan da Silva (15.8 ppg) will add to the dynamic duo tradition.

10-Seed: Nevada (Wolf Pack) Mountain West; Reno, Nevada - Queens Park Rangers (QPR, The Hoops, The Rs, The Rangers) 20th in EFL Championship; West London, England

QPR has a punk-rock/ post-punk image thanks in part to their goal song “Papas Got a Brand New Pigbag” by post-punk band Pigbag, and also due to their famous supporters Robert Smith of The Cure, Mick Jones of The Clash, and Glen Matlock of The Sex Pistols. It’s hard to say if the Nevada Wolf Pack are similarly punk rock, but Reno holds that torch high and proud! Their claim to be the “Biggest Little City in the World” is as punk rock as it gets.

10-Seed: Drake (Bulldogs) Missouri Valley; Des Moines, Iowa - Birmingham City (Blues) 21st in EFL Championship; Birmingham, England

Just a few short months ago, the Wayne Rooney coached Blues were in a lot of trouble with only 2 wins in 15 games. Since Rooney’s sacking, Birmingham has recorded 10 wins in 38 games and have been very competitive. They might just be able to fight their way into staying in the EFL Championship. The Drake Bulldogs have also had an impressive go at it lately. Before 2020, Drake had only made four NCAA Tournament appearances dating back to 1969. In the last four years, they’ve made the Tournament three times. This turnaround coincides with the hiring of Darian DeVries.

10-Seed: Colorado State (Rams) Mountain West; Fort Collins, Colorado - Huddersfield Town (Terriers) 22nd in EFL Championship; Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England

In 1926, Huddersfield Town became the first English team to win the First Division title in three consecutive seasons, a feat not surpassed to this day, although it has been equaled by Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and twice by Manchester United. Actor Sir Patrick Stewart best known for portraying Professor X in the X-Men movies and Captain Jean-Lc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the Terriers biggest fans. Colorado State doesn’t have the illustrious history of Huddersfield Town, but they do have a few famous fans: Becky Hammon head coach of the Las Vegas Aces and previously an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Leslie Jones former SNL cast member, and Derek Theler actor/model.

11-Seed: North Carolina State (NC State, Wolfpack) ACC; Raleigh, North Carolina - Sheffield Wednesday (Wednesday, The Owls) 23rd in EFL Championship; Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

Wednesday is the second-oldest professional association football club in England. The Owls are one of the most successful teams in English football, having won four top-flight league titles and three FA Cups, but they haven’t been in the Premier League since 2000. NC State is one of the seven founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. As a member of the ACC, the Wolfpack have won eleven conference championships, as well as two National Championships in 1974 and 1983. Their 1983 Championship squad got the nickname the Cardiac Pack due to their affinity for close, exciting finishes. They won the Tourney as a 6-seed. The Wolfpack still find their way into the Tournament regularly, but they haven’t made it past the Sweet Sixteen since 1986.

11-Seed: Duquesne (Dukes) Atlantic 10; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Rotherham United (The Millers) 24th in EFL Championship; Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England

Rotherham is a bit of an enigma. There isn’t a ton of interesting history with this club. Their Stadium is called the New York Stadium (that’s sort of interesting). They’ve never been in the top flight, but they’ve also never dropped below the 4th tier (less interesting). Duquesne is also a bit of an unknown recently. This is their first tournament since 1977 and they have only made the Big Dance 6 times since the Tourney began in 1939. However, if you dig deep enough, the Dukes have a pretty remarkable past and it’s a surprise they’ve been so irrelevant in the last 50 years. Duquesne is the only school to have back-to-back first overall picks in the NBA Draft (Dick Ricketts in 1955 and Sihugo Green in 1956). The Dukes can also claim the first African-American player selected in an NBA draft (Chuck Cooper by the Boston Celtics in 1950).

11-Seed: Oregon (Ducks) Pac-12; Eugene, Oregon - Portsmouth (Pompey) 1st in League One; Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

Portsmouth has two top-flight championships - 1949 and 1950 and two FA Cup championships - 1939 and 2008. Portsmouth are one of only five English football clubs to have been champions of all four top tiers of the professional English football pyramid. Oregon has been a powerhouse in the Pac-12 the last 25 years winning 5 regular season championships and 6 Pac-12 Tournament championships. They’ve also had solid NCAA Tournament runs including a Final Four appearance in 2017. But after winning the first ever NCAA Tournament in 1939, the Ducks haven’t been able to repeat the feat. Maybe a change of scenery in the Big 10 next year will spur them onward.

11-Seed: New Mexico (Lobos) Mountain West; Albuquerque, New Mexico - Derby County (Rams) 2nd in League One; Derby, England

Derby County is one of only 10 clubs to have competed in every season of the English football league system, with all but six of those being in the top two divisions. Derby County has had two very notable coaches within the last few years - Chelsea great, Frank Lampard (2017-2018) and Manchester United great, Wayne Rooney (2020-2022). Similarly, New Mexico is one of those great mid-major teams that’s always in the peripherals. They’ve produced great players like Luc Longley and Danny Granger, and the Lobos always seem to be a sought-out steppingstone for some of the best coaches. Steve Alford (2007-2013) won 75% of his games at the helm of New Mexico before moving on to UCLA and now Nevada. Dave Bliss (1988-1999) won nearly 70% of his games with the Lobos before heading to Baylor.

12-Seed: Alabama Birmingham (UAB, Blazers) The American; Birmingham, Alabama - Bolton Wanderers (The Trotters, The Wanderers, The Whites) 3rd in League One; Horwich, Greater Manchester, England

Bolton is one of those clubs your parents and grandparents will reminisce about. They’ve actually been in the top-flight more often than they haven’t been. Bolton recently had an 11-year stint from 2001-2012. Additionally, they have quite a bit of hardware including winning the FA Cup four times: 1923, 1926, 1929, and 1958. UAB has had some great Tournament runs in the past. The made the Big Bance every year between 1981 and 1987 and got all the way to the Elite Eight in 1982. They’ve also been to the Sweet Sixteen 3 times. They haven’t had quite as much success in recent years, but if time is just a flat circle, they’ll return to greatness.

12-Seed: James Madison (Dukes) Sun Belt; Harrisonburg, Virginia - Peterborough United (The Posh) 4th in League One; Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England

Peterborough United are nicknamed "The Posh", a moniker coined in 1921, after their manager was reported to say he was "Looking for posh players for a posh new team". Victoria Beckham tried to stop the club from merchandising the nickname Posh in 2002, but she was unsuccessful. James Madison University plays in Harrisonburg, Virginia, a mountain town perfect for the outdoorsmen and about as far from “posh” as you can imagine… And yet, the University is named after our fourth (and poshiest) President. James Madison was raised on one of the biggest plantations in Virginia and owned up to 100 slaves. He had a pretty privileged life.

12-Seed: McNeese State (Cowboys) Southland; Lake Charles, Louisiana - Barnsley (The Tykes) 5th in League One; Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England

Barnsley have spent more seasons and played more games at the second level of English football than any other team - a classic mid-major. McNeese is a program that could be very dangerous. They don’t have a great record in the Tournament, but this is a team poised to make the next step. They went 30-3 in the regular season and are coached by former VCU and LSU coach Will Wade. This is a mid-major with power 5 talent.

12-Seed: Grand Canyon (Antelopes) WAC; Phoenix, Arizona - Oxford United (The U’s, Yellows) 6th in League One; Oxford, England

Oxford had an amazing stretch from 1983-1986. They won the third tier championship in 1983-84, they then won the second tier championship in 1984-85, and then while in the top flight in 1985-86 they won the Carabao Cup (sort of like the NIT to the FA Cups NCAA tournament). The Grand Canyon Antelopes are in the midst of a great run. The Antelopes have won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) 3 out of the last 4 years and this year they finished with a 29-4 record which included a win over San Diego State. It’s only a matter of time before they take the next step.

13-Seed: Yale (Bulldogs) Ivy League; New Haven, Coonecticut - Lincoln City (Imps) 7th in League One; Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England

Nicknamed the "Imps" after the legend of the Lincoln Imp, a creature sent to the Lincoln Cathedral by Satan, only to be turned into stone by an angel where it remains as a “grotesque” (gargoyle). Unfortunately, Yale gave their school a pretty domestic nickname with the Bulldogs because there was a lot of potential to do something creepier, like an imp. There's a rich heritage of ghost stories in New Haven and its surrounding towns. The most popular ghost story is the legend of Mary Hart. In 1872, Mary Hart was supposedly buried alive. According to local legend, Midnight Mary wanders around the Evergreen Cemetery at night and will attack if you’re near her grave at midnight.

13-Seed: Charleston (Cougars) CAA; Charleston, South Carolina - Stevenage (The Boro) 8th in League One; Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England

Only a 48-year-old club founded in 1976. Stevenage may be small and young, but they have a few notable FA Cup results including beating top flight Newcastle and top flight Aston Villa and tying top flight Tottenham. This team comes up big in the tournament. Charleston is a fairly young Division-I squad, having only moved up in 1991. However, since moving up they’ve made a name for themselves. Charleston has made the Tournament 7 times and had a big win over 5-seed Maryland in 1997.

13-Seed: Vermont (Catamounts) American East; Burlington, Vermont - Blackpool (Seasiders, Tangerines) 9th in League One; Blackpool, Lancashire, England

Blackpool has spent 30 years in the top flight mostly in the 50’s and 60’s, and finished as high as 2nd in 1956 to Manchester United. Their most recent appearance was in 2011. Vermont has been a regular in the NCAA Tournament since the early 2000s. They’ve made 10 Tournament appearances since 2003 and have been to 5 of the last 6. Recently, they haven’t had much success within the Tournament, but in 2005 they had a huge win over 4-seeded Syracuse in overtime.

13-Seed: Samford (Bulldogs) SoCon; Homewood, Alabama - Leyton Orient (The Os) 10th in League One; East London, England

The Os have played home matches at their stadium, Brisbane Road, since 1937. Their crest contains two wyverns, two legged dragons mythologised to be protectors of the Thames River. Samford University’s crest contains a lit oil lamp resting on top of an open book with the motto Deo Doctrinae Aeternitati (For God, For Learning, Forever... or at least until the oil lamp sets your book on fire).

14-Seed: Morehead State (Eagles) Ohio Valley; Morehead; Kentucky - Wigan Athletic (The Latics, The Tics) 11th in League One; Wigan, Greater Manchester, England

Wigan played eight seasons in the Premier League from 2005 - 2013 and more impressively, they won the FA Cup in 2013 beating Manchester City in the final. During Wigan’s heyday, they were managed by Roberto Martinez who has since managed Everton, Belgium, and is currently the manager of the Portuguese national team. Likewise, Morehead has seen success at the highest level making the Tournament 9 times, recording 6 wins in the Tournament, and reaching the Sweet Sixteen twice. They’ve had talented players like Kenneth Faried, but much of their success can be attributed to past coaches like Donnie Tyndall who after Morehead State moved on to Southern Miss, Tennessee, and then the NBA G League.

14-Seed: Colgate (Raiders) Patriot League; Hamilton, New York - Wycombe Wanderers (Chairboys, Blues) 12th in League One; High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England

Wycombe are called the Chairboys because of the tradition of chair-making in the town of High Wycombe… and the chair museum appears to be the most exciting thing in this town. Colgate University was named after devout Baptist and early donor William Colgate, founder of the Colgate Company. At the time, Colgate Co. was better known for starch, soap, and candle production but later on became one of the biggest names in toothpaste. Who would have thought chair making and toothpaste could be the most prominent community characteristics.

14-Seed: Akron (Zips) Mid-American; Akron, Ohio - Bristol Rovers (The Pirates, The Gas) 13th in League One; Bristol, England

The Bristol Rovers’ nickname "The Gas" was originally coined as a derogatory term by the supporters of rivals Bristol City, and was in reference to the large gas works adjacent to the old Bristol Rovers stadium, which wafted the sometimes overpowering odor of town gas across the crowd. Similarly, Akron is an industrial city and has shaped the persona of their sports teams. The “Zips” got their nickname from “Zippers” which were popular rubber overshoes that zipped up sold by the Akron rubber company B.F. Goodrich. Of course, B.F. Goodrich became more well known for their tire production than their water-proofing shoe production.

14-Seed: Oakland (Golden Grizzlies) Horizon League; Auburn Hills, Michigan - Northampton Town (The Cobblers) 14th in League One; Derby, England

Northampton Town hold the record for the shortest time taken to be promoted from the fourth tier (League 2) to the top tier (Premier League) and relegated back down to the fourth tier again. It happened all in the space of nine years. Oakland has also had a mercurial rise from a mediocre Division II program to a winning D-II program, to a mediocre Division I team, and finally to a successful D-I squad. As of right now, they’ve been able to stay on top, and a win or two in the NCAA Tournament might cement their place.

15-Seed: Western Kentucky (Hilltoppers) C-USA; Bowling Green, Kentucky - Exeter City (The Grecians) 15th in League One; Exeter, Devon, England

Exeter City is nicknamed The Grecians, a name whose origin remains the subject of much speculation… because there are very few Greeks and no more than anywhere else in the region. Coldplay’s Chris Martin is a supporter. Western Kentucky is nicknamed the Hilltoppers, and that origin is not a mystery, but it’s a little odd nonetheless. They’re nicknamed the Hilltoppers because the majority of the campus in Bowling Green is atop a hill that overlooks the region. Their mascot, Big Red, is a big, adorable, red blob. But just because they have a funny name and a cute mascot, it does not mean this team should be taken lightly. The Hilltoppers have the 16th most victories in the history of the NCAA and have attained the eighth best winning percentage in NCAA history.

15-Seed: Long Beach State (Beach) Big West; Long Beach, California - Charlton Athletic (The Addicks, The Valiants, Red Robins) 16th in League One; South London, England

Charlton's most common nickname is The Addicks. The origin of this name is from a local fishmonger, Arthur "Ikey" Bryan, who rewarded the team with meals of haddock and chips with vinegar. Haddock got turned into Addick. Long Beach State also has an interesting nickname origin. For most of their existence, LB State was officially the 49ers, but they changed their name to “Beach” in 2020. Side note: Long Beach State’s baseball team uses neither “Beach” nor “49ers”, they go by the “Dirtbags”.

15-Seed: South Dakota State (Jackrabbits) Summit League; Brookings, South Dakota - Shrewsbury Town (Shrews, Salop, Salopians) 17th in League One; Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England

Shrewsbury has an oddly expansive fan base with large supporter groups in Milan, Italy; Portland, Oregon; and the Caribbean island nation of Grenada. South Dakota State has only been Division 1 since 2004, but they too have quite a big fanbase. The Jackrabbits have reached the NCAA Tournament now 7 times in the last 12 years. Because of their success (and because there isn’t much competition in the region), South Dakota State games are broadcast all over South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Wyoming.

15-Seed: Saint Peter’s (Peacocks) MAAC; Jersey City, New Jersey - Reading (Royals) 18th in League One; Reading, Berkshire, England

Reading used to be called the Biscuitmen due to the town's association with biscuit “cookie” maker Huntley & Palmers. Reading has seen some big success. They’ve made it to the top and played in the “Premier League” for a total of three seasons 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2012-13. The Saint Peter’s Peacocks do not have the same biscuit producing reputation as Reading, but they too have seen surprising success at the highest level. Two years ago, the Peacocks made it all the way to the Elite Eight as a 15-seed beating teams like 2-seed Kentucky, 7-seed Murray State, and 3-seed Purdue.

16-Seed: Montana State (Bobcats) Big Sky; Bozeman, Montana - Burton Albion (Brewers) 19th in League One; Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England

Burton Albion got their nickname “The Brewers” from the brewing heritage in the region. Just over a century ago, Burton was the undisputed brewing capital of the world. It was home to over thirty breweries, and the world’s most famous beer brand. Similarly, there is a plethora of breweries in the college town of Bozeman, Montana. Bozeman has 9 breweries within the city limits, and that’s not counting the numerous wineries, cideries, meaderies, and distilleries. With a population of just 50,000, Boozeman has one of the highest breweries per capita in the country.

16-Seed: Howard (Bison) MEAC; Washington, DC - Cambridge United (U’s) 20th in League One; Cambridge, England

Cambridge United goes by the “U’s”. However, with a logo that is an amber and black CU they look like the atomic symbol for copper… which brings me to Howard University in Washington, DC. The very same Washington DC where Abraham Lincoln sat as the 16th President of the United States. And this Abraham Lincoln fellow can now be found (among numerous other places) on the front of a penny, which of course is made of copper… some of these relationships write themselves.

16-Seed: Stetson (Hatters) Atlantic Sun; DeLand, Florida - Cheltenham Town (Robins) 21st in League One; Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England

Cheltenham Town have spent the majority of their 137 seasons outside of the English Football League (Premier League, EFL Championship, League One, and League 2) in what’s called “Non-League” semi-professional football. So being all the way up in League 1 is a pretty huge accomplishment. The 2024 Tournament will be Stetson’s first ever appearance in the Big Dance! Much like Cheltenham, Stetson has spent the majority of their existence outside of NCAA Tournament eligibility. They didn’t become a Division-I program until 1972.

16-Seed: Grambling State (Tigers) SWAC; Grambling, Louisiana - Fleetwood Town (The Fishermen, Cod Army) 22nd in League One; Fleetwood, Lancashire England

There is very little in common between these two teams, so I’ll just highlight some interesting facts. Supporters of Fleetwood Town are known as the Cod Army, which is also used as a nickname for the club, alongside The Fishermen, the club's traditional nickname. Grambling State is a historically black college and/or university (HBCU) in Northern Louisiana east of Shreveport. Grambling State is better known for their marching band than their sports teams. "The World Famed Tiger Marching Band" is the only HBCU marching band in the nation to perform at two consecutive U.S. presidential inaugurations.

16-Seed: Wagner (Seahawks) Northeast Conference; Staten Island, New York - Port Vale (Vale, The Valiants) 23rd in League One; Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England

Port Vale is named after the valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey Canal. They have never played top-flight football, and hold the record for the most seasons in the English Football League (112) without reaching the first tier. The Wagner Seahawks, situated in Staten Island, got their nickname from the abundance of local osprey sometimes referred to as sea hawks or river hawks. This is only Wagner’s second time in the Tournament as a D1 school.

16-Seed: Longwood (Lancers) Big South; Farmville, Virginia - Carlisle United (The Cumbrians, The Blues) 24th in League One; Carlisle, Cumbria, England

Carlisle is the closest English professional football club to the Anglo-Scottish border. Their badge (logo) has two wyverns, a mythical dragon with two legs and two wings, protecting the ancient walled city of Carlisle. Longwood is situated in Farmville, Virginia, which I would imagine does not have quite the same history as an ancient walled-city like Carlisle. However, it is situated in Cumberland County, which makes many of their supporters Cumberians. The Cumbrians and the Cumberians, this was destined.