Which Final Four team is most likable? Which is easiest to hate? Let Pat Forde break it down for you.

First thought upon surveying the Final Four field: This is about as big-time as it gets.

Second thought: The Big Ten has never been and will never be more popular than Saturday night.

Michigan State takes on a Duke program people love to hate. Wisconsin takes on a Kentucky program people love to hate. While lovers of theater and storylines would revel in a Duke-Kentucky national title game next Monday, more people are likely to be rooting against the Evil Empires of college basketball.

Last Saturday in Syracuse, when Jerian Grant’s desperation shot missed everything and Kentucky hung on to beat Notre Dame, Faegan’s Cafe & Pub instantly deflated. Not a single celebratory voice was heard amid a crowd of a couple hundred. When Notre Dame is the more lovable entity, that tells you where a lot of people stand on Kentucky.

The Wildcats’ NBA assembly-line resurgence under John Calipari has allowed UK to shoulder in on the Most Despised Program Status that Duke has claimed for at least a decade. The Blue Devils were holier-than-thou and better-than-thou for long enough that it all became too much for a vast swath of the country, which turned on Mike Krzyzewski’s program with startling fervor.

View photos John Calipari does not understand why fouls are called on Kentucky. (USAT) More

Given the presence of both Duke and Kentucky in the same Final Four for the first time since 1978, and given the suddenly embraceable Badgers and Spartans arrayed against them, this seemed like a great time to dust off an old favorite, the Final Four Likability Index. Keeping score on who to cheer for:

If your team has zero McDonald’s All-Americans, add five points for overachieving.

If your team has one McDonald’s All-American, add three points for achieving.

If your team has eight or more McDonald’s All-Americans, deduct five points for hoarding.

Likability Index: Wisconsin 5, Michigan State 3, Duke -5, Kentucky -5.

If your team has a starting guard whose first name is a mashup of the first and last names of a famous singer, add five points.

If your team has a starting guard whose nickname is “Tum Tum,” add five points.

If your team has a starting guard with both the above name and nickname, add five points.

If your team has a starting guard with both those names and he is a “Jr.,” add five points.

If your team has a starting guard named Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr., and his mother’s first name is Monalisa, add five points.

Likability Index: Michigan State 28, Wisconsin 5, Duke -5, Kentucky -5.

If your team’s head coach plays the accordion, add five points.

If your team’s head coach played himself in an American Express commercial, deduct five points.

If your team’s head coach resembles the school mascot, in appearance and mentality, add five points.

If your team’s head coach resembles a mob boss, in appearance and mentality, deduct five points.

Likability Index: Michigan State 33, Wisconsin 10, Duke -10, Kentucky -10.

If your team’s best player is an endearing giant with a lively personality, add five points.

If your team’s two best players are endearing giants with lively personalities, add 10 points.

Likability Index: Michigan State 33, Wisconsin 15, Kentucky 0, Duke -5.

View photos Mike Krzyzewski does not appreciate Pat Forde's insolence. (USAT) More

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