Last week I gave you a list of some of the most common and popular methods of Bracketology. From using stats and figures to just picking the team with hottest players, people have dozens of ways of filling out their March Madness brackets. I touched upon Mascotology a little during that post but now I’d like to dig a little bit deeper into the minds of a Mascotologist.
Mascotology refer to the study of teams mascots, nicknames and logos and their effect on a team’s chances in the tournament. Some consider this a very imprecise methodology while others base their entire brackets on this. In Mascotology, one assumes that a Tiger could clearly beat a Terrapin,aka a turtle. Therefore, one who follows the mascotology method (and incorporating no other method or stats) would automatically advance the Memphis Tigers over the Maryland Terrapins in Round 2. And this year, it turns out that their assumption would have paid off.
However, what happens, when a Memphis Tiger meets a Missouri Tiger? Or a Connecticut Husky meets a Washington Husky? How do Mascotoligists determine who the winner will be?
I cannot pretend I’m the Tom Cruise of Mascotology or anything but I do have my own formula!
I’m going to back up a few steps from the Sweet 16 to give you the bigger picture because this year in the tournament, there were 4 eagles, 4 tigers, 3 bulldogs, 2 wildcats, 2 huskies, 2 vikings, and 2 Aggies. I’m going to pit them head to head and see who would come out the winner according to Mascotology.
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Eagles: Amercian, Boston College, Marquette, Morehead
Boston College
Marquette
American
Morehead
For the record, Marquette is actually the Golden Eagles.
Here we have four very fierce and proud Eagle mascot logos. Even those in profile show a fierceness that most top models can’t achieve. This is probably the hardest decision to make out of all of the competing mascots. You have to really look closely and I think it really comes down to personal tastes.
To me, Boston College looks a little perplexed. American, I feel, lacks depth and looks like any other Eagle representing America or the U.S. that I have ever seen. Lacks orginality
That brings me to the battle of Morehead and Marquette. Both gold and blue, both regal and give the feel that they would totally peck your eyes out. I love the way Morehead’s Eagle seems to jump off the page at me. The little details like the shine on the nose really make this one pop. But, Marquette’s Eagle manages to look strong and fierce in profile, a very difficult thing to achieve.
You’ll have to decide this one!
Loading ...Tiger: Memphis, Missouri, LSU, Clemson
Ah, the Tigers. Very interesting category. Personally I’m a Memphis fan in the brackets. But, if I were using just Mascotology I’m not so sure I’d advance them. Let’s take a look:
Memphis
Missouri
LSU
Clemson
Right off the bat, I’m going to toss out Clemson. I mean, the paw with the little hook cut out of it at the bottom might be a licensed and registerd tradmarked patent for Clemson only and made from an actual Begal Tiger, but really, that could be the pawprint of any cat-like animal. I’m sure it’s a furry-ocious catlike animal but yeah….
As for Memphis, this poor tiger is cartooned up and down and looks like its trying to jump out and hug someone. Not scary at all.
LSU’s tiger is good. I like all the realistic detailing. The only problem is he is showing no fierceness. He is actually using the smiling with the eyes approach instead of the angry but pretty method to modeling. It makes his roar look like a meow.
Missouri on the other hand nails this one. Even in profile there is a startling ferocious fierceness. I believe that roar! Makes the other cats look like little kittens.
Loading ...Bulldogs: Mississippi State, Butler, Gonzaga
 Mississippi State  Butler  Gonzaga |
Poor Miss State, their bulldog looks more like an old man with saggy jowls, wandering around campus in his alumni sweater. Not scary at all.
Butler makes a pretty mean bulldog. It even looks like he could hypnotize with those eyes in the still photo. Creepy.
But I have to give this one to Gonzaga. The studded collar and the lip snarl definitely make this one the meanest and baddest dog in the junkyard.
Loading ...Wildcats: Arizona, Villanova
 Arizona  Villanova |
Hands down going to give this one to ‘Nova. ‘Zona’s cat sure is pretty but she looks an awful like my little kitten. Granted she can be a furry monster but she is scared to death of everything around her. Unless she is going up against a lizard, forget it. ‘Nova’s cat looks straight up deranged like it has rabies.
Loading ...Huskies: UConn, Washington
 UConn  Washington |
This is where things get really tough. I don’t want to say it but I’m going to have to give this to Washington. Their Husky’s sleek profile gives him a regal look that says at least he is trained. UConn’s looks like a shaggy dog with its tongue hanging out running to meet its master after a day all alone.
Loading ...Aggies: Utah State, Texas A & M
For those of you who haven’t read my Girl’s Guide to Bracketology: West Region, an Aggie is just a slang expression for someone who goes go an Agricultural school.
 Utah State  Texas A&M |
Personally I think both teams fail to really represent their nickname. Texas A&M’s logo is just a T with an A and M, no creature on it. Their mascot, is a tongue-waving, tail wagging puppy. Utah State has a proud bull that looks like it’s saying “yeah, what” on it’s logo. Neither really tells me what an Aggie is.
However, the bull could totally eat that dog in like one mouthful so we are just going to give this one to Utah State.
Loading ...Vikings: Portland State, Cleveland State
 Portland State  Cleveland State |
The Vikings. The noble savages that sweep through, pillaging the towns and plundering the women. Big, hulky scary men that can throw you over their shoulder and carry you off into the sunset where you will live happily ever after…..
Oh sorry, got a bit carried away there. Anyway, Vikings strike fear into the heart of the townsfolk. Strong and dominating, they take whatever they want, without asking and accept no excuses.
Or, they are weird little green cartoon characters that look like a cross between a Smurf that was dyed green and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, who took its shell off and uses it as a blocking shield in front.
In other words, Portland State’s Viking would totally beat the crap out that wussy cartoon from Cleveland State.
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About the author: Jennifer Taglione is the owner of this fabulous website Stiletto Sports. Despite writing well over 500 posts, she still maintains that she is not a sports writer! She is however a huge fan of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Sanchez, the Celtics, and totally kicks butt on March Madness brackets! Connect with her by following her on Twitter @StilettoSportsJ and subscribing to her weekly newsletter. For more info check out the About the Editor page!
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