I see three primary factors in "rooting for your opponent" in the NCAAs:
 
1. "Conference Pride" only factors in when necessary.  Right now the ECAC
needs it, and to an extent the WCHA needs it.  Based on the last few years,
Hockey East fans probably have little fear of defending their conference's
claim as the top or one of the top in the NCAA.  Because they needn't defend
their conference as much, its easier for Hockey East fans to root against
their own.
 
2.  Balance of power in the rivalry.  If the fans of the team not playing
believes itself to be superior or equal to the participant, they are more
likely to root for the opponent.  Thus, although they are in a down cycle,
it is less difficult for Minnesota fans to root for UND, Wisconsin or St.
Cloud.  They expect their team to rebound and despite poor showings against
those teams this year, don't feel "inferior".  On the other hand, I expect
that fans of teams who don't feel that they get deserved respect from the
other would be more inclined to root against their conference.  Much of what
I hear is that (for example) St. Cloud fans do not feel that Minnesota fans
respect their program.  Thus, as long as they feel that way they probably
would have no trouble pulling for Minnesota's opponent.
 
3.  Status of my team and NCAA berth.  If your team is a perennial "in", it
is easier to root against your own.  After all, would Michigan fans rather
lose the NCAA final to Michigan State or to RPI/SLU/Providence?  If your
team is in, you have vindicated your program and have less of a stake in the
conference's fortunes.  "Bubble teams" have more reason to root for the
conference since it reinforces conference strength and their argument for
NCAA inclusion (although we all know that PWR means that this is irrelevant.
 
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