Editor’s Note: Fr. Ben Daghir recently had the opportunity to attend the Kentucky vs. Oakland March Madness college basketball game in Pittsburgh. He reflects on the upset from the perspective of David vs. Goliath.
Why do we love the underdog during March Madness?
I recently had the opportunity to watch one of these upsets in person when Oakland defeated Kentucky. It was a #14 seed defeating a #3 seed. It was fun to watch!
As the game progressed and the possibility of an upset became realistic, the atmosphere of the arena dramatically changed. The PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh can fit over 19,000 fans. It became clear that thousands and thousands of fans, who at the start of the game appeared neutral, began rooting for the underdog.
Again, why do we love the underdog?
Even though Kentucky had a better field goal percentage than Oakland (43% compared to 41%) and was far better from the free-throw line (75% compared to 57%), there were a few statistics that made the difference.
Oakland shot 48% from behind the arc (15-31) compared to Kentucky’s 32% (9-28). 45 of Oakland’s 80 points were from 3-pointers.
Oakland’s Jack Gohlke made 10 of these 3-pointers. He finished the game with 32 points.
Now, it would be unfair to only attribute Oakland’s upset over Kentucky to Gohlke’s 3-pointers. Other players for Oakland also had an excellent game. Trey Townsend had 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 17 points. DQ Cole had 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 12 points. These two players, along with the entire Oakland team, found ways for Jack Gohlke to get open.
Oakland also played excellent defense.
Oakland made Kentucky turn the ball over 11 times. They out-rebounded a more athletic and stronger Kentucky team (40 to 39). Oakland also had 14 offensive rebounds, three more than Kentucky. Oakland’s defense had five steals compared to Kentucky’s two.
The blend of Gohlke’s 3-pointers, the rebounding of Townsend and Cole, and Oakland’s entire defensive effort proved to be too much for Kentucky.
The underdog won. Thousands of fans in person, along with millions watching on television, absolutely loved it.
Why do we love the underdog? I think there are a few answers to this question.
1.) We love that underdogs see the world differently.
Do you think Oakland viewed themselves as a #13 seed? I doubt it.
Do you think that Gohlke viewed himself as someone who wouldn’t be able to get open and hit 3-pointers? I doubt it.
Do you think that Townsend viewed himself as someone who couldn’t get rebounds and offensive put-backs? I doubt it.
These Oakland players see things differently. They are competitors.
This mentality reminds me of an important moment in the David vs. Goliath story. Although it is a well-known story, details can often be overlooked.
Goliath, the powerful Philistine warrior, challenged the entire Israelite army. He stated, “Choose one of your men, and have him come down to me. If he beats me in combat and kills me, we will be your vassals; but if I beat him and kill him, you shall be our vassals and serve us” (1 Samuel 17:8-9).
Goliath views himself as the higher seed, the more powerful warrior. The Israelite soldiers and King Saul fall victim to Goliath’s words. The Bible tells us, “When Saul and all Israel heard this challenge of the Philistine, they were stunned and terrified” (1 Samuel 17:10).
Despite this, there was one Israelite who viewed things differently. His name was David. He was a shepherd boy.
David approached King Saul and said, “Let your servant go and fight this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:32). King Saul then tried to prevent David from battling Goliath. Saul said, “You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth” (1 Samuel 17:33).
Here is where we encounter the underdog viewing the world differently. David looks at King Saul and responds, “Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock, I would chase after it, attack it, and snatch the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the throat, strike it, and kill it. Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them” (1 Samuel 17:34-36).
King Saul and the Israelite army saw Goliath as an unbeatable opponent. King Saul saw David as someone too young and too weak.
Yet, David viewed Goliath differently. Even better, David viewed himself differently.
Why do we love the underdog?
2.) Underdogs don’t try to be someone else. They remain themselves.
Did Oakland try to play Kentucky-style basketball? No. Oakland played Oakland-style basketball. Gohlke made ten 3-pointers and shot without hesitation, and several of these shots were not the type that other players would launch. Even though Kentucky was better, Oakland played Oakland-style basketball.
This mentality reminds me of an important moment in the David vs. Goliath story. As I stated previously, details can often be overlooked.
Before David fought Goliath, King Saul placed his military armor on David. Now, David was uncomfortable wearing the tunic, the bronze helmet, the coat of mail, and the sword. Therefore, David “walked with difficulty…since he had never worn armor before” (1 Samuel 17: 38-39).
David, knowing himself well, said to Saul, “I cannot go in these, because I am not used to them” (1 Samuel 17: 39). David then took Saul’s armor off and prepared for battle against Goliath according to his shepherd style.
As a shepherd, David took his staff in hand. He then “selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag. With his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine” (1 Samuel 17: 40).
Even though every soldier in the battle expected David to use a sword against Goliath, David knew himself. David knew that he must stick to the style he learned in defending his sheep by killing lions and bears. David knew himself, which was a major advantage as he approached Goliath.
Why do we love the underdog?
3.) Underdogs don’t listen to all the noise. They just compete.
The David vs. Goliath story provides another example of this underdog principle. As Goliath approached, he sized up David. Goliath noticed that David “was youthful, ruddy, and handsome in appearance” (1 Samuel 17:42). Goliath then started mocking David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with a staff?” Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods and said to him, “Come here to me, and I will feed your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field” (1 Samuel 17: 43-45).
Goliath then moved to attack David with hand-to-hand combat. David then “put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell on his face to the ground (1 Samuel 17: 49).
The underdog won.
There are many ways to interpret and try to understand why we love upsets during March Madness. I found myself loving every minute of the Oakland upset over Kentucky. Before that game, I knew nothing of Oakland. Yet, I started rooting for them.
As several days have passed since the game, I’ve reflected on why I joined the crowd in rooting for the underdog even though I knew nothing about Oakland.
I’m convinced the reason is found in the Bible, it’s the David phenomenon. We love seeing an underdog view the world and oneself differently. We love to see this underdog stick to his style. We love to see this underdog block out the noise and just compete.
That is exactly what Oakland did against Kentucky. That’s March Madness, and we love it.
+ Fr. Ben Daghir