No free WiFi, no free breakfast, and no option to get BD miles instead of Marriott points ...

Two nail-biters. Ugh, I was planning to go to bed...

Texas / Wake is going to OT. SDSU / TN might as well.

And a boring, predictable room.

Isn't that the case with virtually every hotel chain?

If the Marriott Downtown Knoxville is anywhere near the quality of the Hilton Downtown Knoxville, I would have no complaints.

this and all above is exactly why my e-statement has: 0 nights this year

not really, some elements should remain the same, like bedding and amenities, but the decors and structure should have character.
I've found the IC Group hotels, IC, indigo, staybridge all do that while the candlewood, HIE, HI, Crown Plaza properties are more cookiecutter or older.

To a certain extent, yes. IMO, Marriott seem to deviate from their standard the least. Obviously some people like this about Marriott while others use it as a reason to pick a different chain. I've always felt like SPG offers the right amount of variety for my taste.

W?

Outside of Element and Aloft, I'd say all other SPG brands have certain features that will differ from property to property to create a different mood/character.

Honestly, across Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, and Intercontinental (can't say much for Hyatt as I've only been in a handful of their properties), the number of unique properties versus the cookie-cutter ones isn't all that different. A lot of it depends on location. You're far more likely to find properties with more unique character in large urban downtown areas, more scenic destinations, historic districts of older cities, or resort destinations. But for the vast majority of hotels of any particular brand, the rooms are going to look and feel pretty much the same regardless of where you are, and if you're in a suburban area or smaller market, it's even more so. The main variations I see across individual chains are more related to when the property was built than anything else.

Sure, there are exceptions, but even with the oft-quoted exceptions to this (W, some of the other Starwood brands), the vast majority of rooms are virtual clones.

For those distracted by overtime (Wake / Texas), 3 seed New Mexico as forgetton how to play basketball again.

Hyatt is one of the most cookie cutter of all :D Even on the high end properties.

Somewhat, but it's not much more variation than I see across full-service Hilton and Marriott locations.