Tom Sanders, former Celtic star and coach of a minor sport at Harvard: "The finals! That's too far above my head. Normally speaking, I go with the team that's had the experience, the players that believe they belong there, you know, the ones with the winning habit. So, I'll go with UCLA. Winning championships is an attitude, you know. When you're in the habit of taking 'em, you get that attitude, believe me."
James M. Jones, assistant professor of Psychology and Social Relations and teacher of Psych and Soc Rel 1860, "Sport, Play and Society": "I see Kentucky and UCLA in the finals, and I have a feeling that Kentucky will go all the way, though I prefer UCLA. Mainly because my respect for Wooden. But I'm very, very impressed with the enthusiasm and court pressure Kentucky combines. Do I wish we had big-time college basketball around here? Sure, it's unfortunate that we don't. It's healthy to get excited about the performance, the skill involved, the competition, the crowds, all those things are good."
Barney Daly, equipment manager for the Athletic Department: "UCLA and Kentucky. Kentucky could beat them in the finals. Now, I really think that Princeton did the best job of anybody around by winning the NIT. That's cause I'm an Ivy League fan, you know."
Charles U. Daly, vice president for government and community affairs: "Who's that now, Kentucky, UCLA, Louisville, Syracuse? Well, there's no use my looking at those four teams, since I'm not interested in professional sports. Now, what I really care about is the all-Ireland hurling final this fall, I'm confident Cork will win."
John Harvey, assistant director of General Education and former freshman coach: "UCLA. The crucial game is UL-UCLA in the West. Kentucky did its job getting past Indiana last week and I just can't see them getting by the Bruins."
Daniel Steiner '54, former benchwarmer for Floyd Wilson's '51 Yardling squad: "UCLA and Kentucky in the finals. Kentucky has all the enthusiasm of the country boys but not all of the finesse needed."
Joe Hurley, deskman at the IAB: "Either UCLA or Kentucky."
Baaron Pittinger, assistant director of athletics: "Kentucky over Syracuse, though Syracuse is playing very good ball now...In the West, I go for the upset--Louisville. This is not a vintage UCLA team...And who knows what could happen in an all-Kentucky final? UK on tradition."
Dan Clift, head sectionman for John Finley and an alumnus of North Carolina: "Kentucky and UCLA, and I'll go with Kentucky on momentum. Still, the best ball in the country is ACC--they just kill each other before the NCAAs, though. Come to think of it, Louisville's strong. They beat Maryland. Maybe I should go with them..."
Alexander L. Theroux, Briggs-Copeland Lecturer on English: "I haven't been following it very closely. Is Providence out it yet? I'll say this: I'm against UCLA. You could say I'm disinclined to see anything from California be successful. That's where I hear funeral parlors stay open all night."