The field is set for the 2019 NCAA Tournament, which means it's time once again for us to determine the most awkward, unnerving and downright terrifying mascots in this year's field of 68.
This is March. This is Madness. This is the time of year when we’re all reminded just how unnerving the entire enterprise of costumed characters representing sports teams is.
In case you missed last year’s list, we do have a few repeat offenders. But with plenty of new schools in the field this year, that means plenty of fresh, uh, things on the list, as well as a new “top” mascot. So with no further ado, enjoy, and apologies.
10. Willie The Wildcat (Kansas State)
Hey, look who’s back. I see you guys are a 4-seed in the field this year. Cool, cool. Still not enough money in the athletic department budget to, you know, actually stitch you an entire costume, instead of just a furry, wildcat head, floating alarmingly atop a regular human body? Hey, whatever works, so long as you can sleep at night. Because the rest of us won’t be.
(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images
9. Landshark Tony (Ole Miss)
Yes, Ole Miss is the Rebels. No, so far as I know, the South wasn’t using carnivorous fish to fight the Civil War, though my 19th Century U.S. history is a little rusty at this point. I’m told this is a call back to their football team, which is very SEC of them, but not very NCAA Tournament friendly. Also, Landshark Tony is not to be confused with Loanshark Tony, the official mascot of Rutgers*.
*This may not be accurate
(AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
No. 17: Prairie View A&M (SWAC) and Panther Pete and Sasha. Prairie View's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998 and second all-time. The Panthers have won 21 of their last 22 games. pic.twitter.com/iwB3m9MDlm
5. The Tiger (Clemson)
I’ve been sleeping on The Tiger, to be honest. But maybe that’s a good thing, since it’s pretty clear the Tiger hasn’t slept since sometime last month. Do I agree that there’s also something incredibly unsettling about the way its neck folds over that basketball jersey? Absolutely. But this is really all about those yellow, addled eyes.
Ed. Note: Clemson was in our preliminary field of creepy mascots, but fell on the wrong side of the bubble for the NCAAs. Consider the Tiger an honorary bid.
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
4. Killian (Iona)
Oh look, Killian’s back, because evidently the New Rochelle Police Department has more pressing matters on their hands? The guy’s got “kill” right in his name. It won’t take Jack McCoy to persuade a jury that this he’s the guilty party to any number of unspeakable crimes. How is he still allowed to roam the streets?
(Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)
Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images
3. Purdue Pete (Purdue)
When he’s not terrorizing young children along the sidelines in West Lafayette, I’m fairly certain Purdue Pete is out in the corn fields harvesting souls. If you have no regard for your mental health, here’s a 14-minute video that shows that literally every incarnation of the mascot is somehow more disturbing than the last. I honestly just want to know who looked at that mask and said, “Yeah, sure, this works.”
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images
2. Gael Force One (Saint Mary’s)
If you can believe it, Killian isn’t even the creepiest Gael on this list. After getting jobbed out of an NCAA Tournament bid despite a 30-win season, Saint Mary’s left no doubt for the committee this year by winning the WCC Tournament and earning an automatic bid. Not only are they the highest seeded Gaels, they’re also the creepiest. Happy St. Paddy’s Day, everyone!
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
1. The Billiken (Saint Louis)
Why? Why is it smiling? Is it even smiling? Is that what’s happening? Literally no incarnation of this mascot is acceptable. The Billiken doesn’t need a name – there is only one of it, and now that you’ve seen it, you’ll never forget it. One of the last teams to punch their ticket to the Dance, Saint Louis may be a 13-seed in the bracket, but their horrifying mascot is No. 1 in disturbing our REM cycles.
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
