Elite 8
We've officially reached the stage where there are few negative things to say about the competing logos. As such, it is with great sorrow that we must part ways with the Colorado Buffaloes. While it might not be an official criteria, we've at least mentioned an admiration for logos that succeed despite a deck stacked against them (see: Coastal Carolina). So what do you do with a name like "Colonels"? Well, there is another team named the Colonels, and their logo doesn't stack up. Eastern Kentucky took a difficult route and ended up with something strong. Welcome to the Final Four.
Winner: Eastern Kentucky
This one is a virtual coin-flip, and if you've read this far, you're well aware of our love of both logos. Villanova gets the edge, I guess, because it feels like they've got a little more ownership of their mark. Sparty is just generic enough that you're likely to see it or some variation of it used by every high school named 'Spartans' in the country. See? It's not their fault, but it does water down the brand. I just made myself throw up.
Winner: Villanova
The flaws, albeit small ones, in Creighton's logo have finally caught up with them. There's no room for such obvious flaws against the Arizona stalwart. But why is it a stalwart? They own the mark, as there was nothing like it before that logo, and we can think of nothing like it since. It can be stripped down to one color and still succeed, yet the red 'A' within the blue outline offers a sublime focal point. From a mile away, you still see all you need to see.
Winner: Arizona
It's a contrast of styles in this regional final. When your logo is as iconic as the Longhorn, it takes something special to beat it. Wheat Man is fun, he means business, he's well-drawn, and he evokes all emotion a good collegiate logo should - but he's not an icon. Simply put, Wheat Man takes more effort to get to achieve those things than the Longhorn.
Winner: Texas