(03-03-2017 04:31 PM)bricksnivy Wrote:  

(03-03-2017 04:00 PM)dan10 Wrote:  The only game that was interesting on this list was the Butler/VCU one. The other ones I guarantee the ratings were high because of Louisville, Michigan and Florida, not the Shockers, Bulldogs or Patriots

That argument falls apart quickly when you realize that L'ville/WSU had better rating than L'ville/UK the year before. Louisville vs Kentucky provides two great programs and a great rivalry, but L'ville/WSU had better ratings.

Maybe slightly. At the same time that is only a rivalry people who like those two teams care about (which granted, both have large fanbases), that arena was likely ful versus watching on tv. Also come tournament time rivalries don't matter nearly as much for ratings and viewership especially since those teams play each other regularly in the regular season. I wouldnt be surprised, without looking it up, that UofL and UK had better regular season ratings than in the tournament. Rivalries are a bit more stale late in the tournament if it is two familliar teams. But it is still a good point