That way 2006 doesn’t match as well is in what would have happened after RU won.I think in time it more resembles 06. A once in a generation opportunity (with how the bracket worked out) to make a serious run. Myles missed dunk was Townsends drop.
There was real upside left in this tournament for Rutgers to get tons of attention/credit and possibly win even more.
The 2012 Louisville team got a HUGE bump in national perception by playing and beating Florida.
In 2006, the ACC also had an unexpected team win their league (Wake Forest). They threw Louisville and them together in the Orange Bowl to keep the rest of the NYD bowls reserved for the “big” programs. The Orange Bowl got limited attention and Louisville didn’t get much credit because they “only” beat Wake Forest.