March Madness Sweet 16 2017: Likability rankings

Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (12) celebrates with forward D.J. Wilson (5) after defeating the Louisville Cardinals in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports /

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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 18: J.P. Macura #55, Trevon Bluiett #5 and Malcolm Bernard #11 of the Xavier Musketeers celebrate in the second half against the the Florida State Seminoles during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Amway Center on March 18, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Xavier Musketeers won 91-66. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

4. Xavier Musketeers

Another key element to a team being likable is when they outplay the ranking they are given. As a No. 11 seed, the Xavier Musketeers have clearly been better than the seed that they were given. Seeding isn’t perfect in the NCAA and this is just another classic example.

To be fair to the selection committee, the loss of Edmond Sumner is a big reason they were seeded as low as they were. Had he not torn his ACL and still been with the team, they likely end up as one of the high seeds.

Nonetheless, the team proved they have the depth without him to make a serious run in this tournament. Blowing out Florida State was a sign of their strength and a reminder that they know a thing or two about the tournament.

Oh and there’s also the fact that Bill Murray supports the team. His son Luke is an assistant for the program and quite frankly, there isn’t a cooler fan to have in sports. We saw what happens when Murray showed up at the World Series last year.

Perhaps he could end up being the lucky charm to an Xavier run. Him being in the stands shoots the Musketeers up into the top five of likable times alone.

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