The National League Central

A vacuum of power exists in the chaotic National League Central. Five teams from the Central have qualified for the playoffs over the past eight seasons. The Brewers have assumed leadership in the division in name only. They may have won the division crown, but the Cardinals beat their division rivals on their way to the World Championship. Both teams, however, lost important pieces of last season's success. The hefty masher Prince Fielder left the Brewers for Detroit, while the irreplaceable Albert Pujols, perhaps the greatest hitter of his generation, found haven in Anaheim. In the wake of the departure of the perennial MVP candidates, the Reds reemerge as contenders behind the steady hitting of theirs. Joey Votto inked a ten year, $225 million deal to remain a Red. The contract emphasizes the Cincinnati club's commitment to success, and their attempt to establish a stronghold on the weakening division. Let's not forget about the Pirates either. Pittsburgh has trodded through nineteen straight losing summers, but they led the division through one hundred games in 2011. With young talent such as Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez, and solid performances from reclamation projects AJ Burnett and Erik Bedard, the Pirates could challenge the tentative powers that be in the division. Things are even looking up in Chicago. While eighty wins would be deemed a success this year, new GM Theo Epstein should establish a culture of winning going forward for the Cubs. Starlin Castro looks like the real deal at short and could bring the Cubbies to the metaphorical hump if not over it just yet.
Subtle optimism permeates all these teams, but hasn't yet made its way to Houston. The Astros will celebrate their fiftieth season by making it their last in the National League. The American League is their destination next year, this year it's the cellar.

How it should finish
1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Houston Astros

Aces Zach Greinke and Yovani Gallardo supplement a still formidable Brewers lineup. MVP Ryan Braun consistently puts up tremendous offensive numbers, while Corey Hart and newly acquired third baseman Aramis Ramirez should make up some of the power lost with Prince Fielder. PED allegations should only inspire Braun to new heights. Despite losing to the eventual champion Cardinals, the Brewers gained invaluable experience during last season's success. They should utilize that experience to hold off at least three other division contenders.

How it could finish
1. Reds
2. Pirates
3. Brewers
4. Cubs
5. Cardinals
6. Astros

The Reds are just one year removed from the division title, and bolstered an improving pitching staff this off season with the addition of Mat Latos. The switch from cavernous Petco Park to the Great American Small Park could prove troublesome for the young ace. However, Latos should also be relieved of ace pressures by the sporadically brilliant Johnny Cueto. If Cueto can string together quality starts, that one-two punch could pitch the Reds into October.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Cardinals could free fall into fourth, fifth, or even last place. The Indianapolis Colts provide a nice parallel for St. Louis. Both franchises relied heavily on the presence of Hall of Fame leadership as well as each sport's best player. The Colts lost Tony Dungy and then Peyton Manning and limped their way to last place. Although I recognize there are distinct differences between football and baseball, the point I'm making is losing Tony La Russa and Albert Pujols in a matter of months is not a harbinger of success. Adam Wainwright could keep them afloat, but only in offsetting the injury loss of veteran Chris Carpenter.

How it will finish
1. Reds
2. Brewers
3. Pirates
4.Cardinals
5. Cubs
6. Astros

Joey Votto is the kind of high character talent that all teams wish they could build around. Votto will meet the demands of his gargantuan contract to the tune of .300 40 home runs and 120 rbis. Moreover, the Reds possess strong leadership in manager Dusty Baker as well as in the aforementioned Votto and gregarious second baseman Brandon Phillips. I expect some resistance from the reigning winners the Brewers, but they will ultimately fall short; the enigmatic Greinke the epitome of the Brewers' shortcomings.





MVP: Joey Votto
Cy Young: Adam Wainwright
Bold Prediction: The Pittsburgh Pirates will finish above .500 at 82-80

Dillon Friday

2012 National League East Preview

The National League East received the heaviest dose of intrigue following the 2011 season. The seemingly invincible Phillies lost in the divisional round of the playoffs to the eventual champion Cardinals, the Florida Marlins changed their name and, ghasp, spent money in free agency, and the Washington Nationals, with the return of budding ace Stephen Strasburg and phenom in waiting Bryce Harper, may steal the headlines in the capital come November 2012. With Bud Selig's introduction of a second wild card team as many as three NL East teams could make the playoffs. The Braves and Phillies have won nineteen of the last twenty division titles. This year, it could be anyone's division... except the Mets. New York's off field problems have overshadowed their general mediocrity on the field. The fans have left in droves, leaving their shiny new ballpark well short of capacity in Queens. The four other teams, however, have to like where their teams sit.

How it should finish
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Miami Marlins
3.Atlanta Braves
4. Washington Nationals
5. New York Mets

Pitching wins championships is the mantra of this division and the reigning division champs still have the strongest staff. Halladay, Lee, and Hamels posted era's well under 3.00 last year, while rookie Vance Worley finished out at 3.01. Phillies pitchers posted a miniscule 3.02 number as a team. If Worley can even close repeating his freshman numbers the Phils should win the division for a sixth time running, and comfortably so.

How it could finish
1. Miami Marlins
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. Washington Nationals
5. New York Mets

The Phillies' lineup is aging at best, old and fragile at worst. Perennial MVP candidate Chase Utley has missed 106 games over the last two years, and will start the season on the DL with a knee ailment (I struggle to keep that singular). Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Placido Polanco have all had their share of injury problems over the past few seasons, Howard's ruptured achilles tendon the most pressing as the season starts. Only John Mayberry, Jr. and Hunter Pence are under thirty. In other words, they could struggle to score runs. Miami on the other has established an identity in South Florida. Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez should terrorize opposing pitchers both at the plate and on the base paths, while Giancarlo Stanton fka Mike will threaten the forty home run mark. They will score runs. With the addition of Chicago imports Carlos Zambrano and Mark Buerhle, the Marlins bolstered an already formidable pitching staff. Josh Johnson's health remains a concern, but he's healthy now and is a bona fide ace. New manager Ozzie Guillen will provide guidance for the volatile Zambrano. If he can coax fifteen wins from the former Cub watch out, 95 wins is not out of the question for the Marlins.
Don't count out the Braves either. They were a historic late season collapse away from nabbing the wild card spot last year. Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens front an underrated rotation, and they have sentimental advantage of playing for Chipper Jones in his last season. 

How it will finish
1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Marlins
4. Nationals
5. Mets

Ultimately the Phillies pitching will win them the division. Expect around 93 wins from the Fightin' Phils. The Marlins, though talented, will struggle to gel in the early going but will secure the second wild card in September. The Braves defy explanation year after year. They'll repeat the act this season. Ninety wins gets them into the playoffs.

MVP: Brian McCann
Runner up: Hunter Pence

Cy Young: Roy Halladay
Runner up: Cole Hamels


Bold Prediction: Stephen Strasburg will lead the league in strikeouts with over 250.

-Dillon Friday

American League East Preview

Champion: New York Yankees

I am not a Yankees fan, but it is hard to ignore this year's Bronx edition. This winter saw another pin striped splash as pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda we're moved in from the PST (Pacific Standard Time). The former Dodger Kuroda had been coveted by Brian Cashman for over a year. Cashman finally had the chance to add him this off-season through free agency and didn't lose his grip on this opportunity. Kuroda is a crafty Japanese veteran with an arsenal of pitches. He induces groundballs and should find success, despite moving from the NL to the AL. Pineda was acquired from Seattle in exchange for super-prospect Jesus Montero. Typically, the Yankees mortgage their futures to get proven stars, but this time they sacrificed their system's best prospect for a fireball pitcher in Pineda - who has youth to boot. The 23 year-old Pineda has an arm that is alive, but showing up to Spring Training 25 pounds over weight will not sit well with Joe Girardi. Despite the additions, the dominance doesn't lie in the staff, it lies in the lineup. The lineup in New York is the most feared in all of baseball. Robby Cano is arguably one of the top pure hitters in baseball. He can hit to all parts of the park - for power and average. This lineup is flat out scary. They also signed Raul Ibanez, hoping for a bounce back from a 2011 in which he struggled. Ibanez, at age 39, will fit in great with the cribbage games and crocheting in the Yankee locker room. 

I love Tampa's rotation and I love Boston's lineup, but I don't see either team putting it together enough to catch the Yankees. 


     Division MVP: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays


 In 2010, after a record breaking season, the Blue Jays decided to sign Bautista to a 5 year $64 million extension. Across the league, it was considered an overreaction to a fluke season. Debate was raised as to whether or not the deal was smart, considering his previous career high of home runs before 2010 was 16. Bautista confirmed the deal's validity, by not only again hitting 40 homers (43), but also increasing his batting average 40 points (.302 from .260). Bautista is an anchor to an up-and-coming Blue Jays team on the cusp of contention in baseball's best division. 


   
Division CY Young: James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays
   
    It is fair to say James Shields could be the American League's most overlooked pitcher. His tireless work ethic has made him one of baseball's durable horses. 2011 saw Shields log almost 250 innings and posting an ERA under 3 at 2.82. He struggled in 2010, but re-gained his old form plus some. His 2009 and 2010 seasons witnessed a combined total of zero complete games. Last season, Shields had 11 of them. Many say he isn't the best pitcher on his own team, but his value to this team cannot be overstated. He'll push towards 20 wins, finishing with about 17 due to a lack of run support. His ERA will be scratch and he will log another 200+ innings. 


  


Division Bold Prediction: Alex Rodriguez will bat .300, hit 30 HRs and drive in 100 RBIs
   It would be great to pose this prediction in 2003 at a Fantasy Baseball draft and watch the glasses fog up with laughter. Not funnyyyy, because this isn't 2003, it's 2012 and Alex Rodriguez is coming off one of his worst statistical seasons of his career. He hit a measly 16 homers and only had 428 plate appearances - his lowest totals since 1995. At age 36, he is still owed nearly $145 million dollars over the next 6 years. He will not produce for that long, but at 36 he can still produce. If a player can't hit with the type of protection in the order A-Rod will have in New York, a player can't hit at all. A-Rod will prove his value to the Bombers again in 2012. 


Oh yeah, and the Baltimore Orioles will finish in last place. 


Troy Klongerbo III

Friday (Unassisted)- Crosby's back...again

I will tell you the news whether or not you've already heard it: Sidney Crosby will make his return to the ice Thursday night against the New York Rangers after a lengthy bout with post concussion symptoms. He joins a Penguins team that has strung together nine straight wins, sits fourth in the Eastern Conference, and has the aforementioned first place Rangers nervously inching towards the finish line with an eye on the rearview mirror. The Penguins' success so far is a testament to their tremendous depth. Marc-Andre Fleury has been a rock in net. Their d-core has been steady even without Norris-caliber Kris Letang for long stretches of time. James Neal has been a revelation up front, and Evgeni Malkin has been nothing short of a maestro, rendering the Art Ross and Hart races moot points. With a healthy Crosby, look out National Hockey League.
 
With the "When Healthy, Best Player in the world" in the lineup the Penguins change from contenders to favorites. The Rangers certainly have reason to boast- they've been splendid this year, playing the kind of hockey that wins in the playoffs: balanced scoring, gritty checking, consistent defensive play, and world class goaltending. Henrik Lundqvist has already prepared his Vezina speech. The Penguins are a matchup nightmare however. Six foot four Jordan Staal plays and scores in all three situations (even strength, power play, and shorthanded), and he happily shuts down the opposing team's best forward. Claude Giroux should invite Jordan to his house for awhile if only to get used to the Thuder Bay native's ever-presence should a first round series come to fruition. On second thought, Zach Parise and even Alex Ovechkin should prepare similarly just in case. On most teams, Staal would center the first line. With a healthy Crosby, he plays third line for the Penguins. Let's play "if the season ended right now." The Penguins would host a first round series against the Flyers. When possible, the Flyers would matchup their big pair of Nicklas Grossmann and Brayden Coburn against the formidable Malkin. Timonen and whomever he's paired with would likely take Crosby. Even if the Flyers' d-men limit the Pens attack (2 or 3 goals given their attacking prowess), they will surely spend the majority of the game in their defensive zone. And we haven't even brought up Staal yet, whose size and puck possession ability saps minutes from opposing defensemen. In the Flyers case, the time spent in the d-zone will severely limit the effectiveness of Claude Giroux (ditto for the easily frustrated Ovechkin), an effect we've already seen recently with the absence of the puck moving Timonen and the Slovak Andrej Meszaros.

In truth, the only team that could matchup with Pittsburgh is the team they're chasing. In Ryan McDonugh and Dan Girardi, and Marc Staal and Michael Del Zotto, the Rangers have two mobile, shut down pairs that could stifle the Penguins attack while stimulating their own. Captain Ryan Callahan's gritty two-way game suits playoff hockey perfectly. Big signing Brad Richards has a Stanley Cup as well as a Conn Smythe trophy on his resume. Marian Gaborik scores in droves when he's playing well. Not surprisingly, the Pens and Rangers have split their season series thus far, each winning two with Crosby playing in one game, a 4-3 Rangers win. Conveniently enough, the rubber match (though not really, the teams will play once more in early April) comes in Sidney Crosby's return this Thursday. At the least, the winner will grab control of the Atlantic Division and as a result the Eastern Conference, at the most they will assert themselves as cup favorites.

We should note at this point that Crosby's success, nor his health, is not guaranteed. Although his abbreviated return yielded  twelve points in only eight games, one hit could end Crosby's season. It doesn't help that that his next two opponents are arguably the Penguins two biggest rivals. The Rangers and Flyers both physical games with an emphasis on finishing checks. Then again, he'll face similar challenges come playoff time and as long as hitting exists in hockey every game poses a threat. On the other hand, Crosby has been seemingly more careful this time around, and he's more rested than he's ever been as a professional. That is a scary notion for all teams.


-Dillon Friday

Jonathon Papelbon: Philly Fans > Boston Fans

He's been in a Phillies uniform for less than year, in Spring Training a mere few weeks, and he's never taken the mound in regular season game for the Phightin's, and yet he already has a grasp on the city's phans. Thursday on a Philly radio station Jonathon Papelbon had an interesting comparison to make between his former fans and his current ones. The enigmatic closer caused a stir when he claimed "Philly fans tend to know the game a little better" than Red Sox fans.

This little quip could work on a variety of levels:
1. A jab to the ribs of a city that cast out one of its once beloved characters.
2. A preemptive strike to prevent some boos come May and June.
3. A sincere statement of Jonathon's intellectual analysis of both fan bases.

Whichever of the three seems most plausible, two things are certain. One, Red Sox fans will continue to hurl epithets at their ex-closer and dream of an October match up. And two, Phillies fans will nod in unison, saying someone finally gets us; any victory against Boston, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating.


Is Papelbon right?

Having grown up as a Phillies fan, an intelligent Phillies fan mind you, and going to school with what seems like hundreds of students from "just outside Boston" or other places in New England, I like to think I have some insight into Papelbon's comparison.

Red Sox fans tend towards habitual hypocrisy. Their success over the last decade has been well documented; two world series, eight playoff appearances, and the end of the "Curse of the Bambino." Yet hundreds of millions of dollars in salary later, Sox fans still see themselves as good guys to the Yankees' evil empire. In New England, "Woe is perpetually me."

Red Sox "nation" is not unlike the Holy Roman Empire, which was neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire (Professor Ambrose). They misnomer contents them as they try to convince the rest of the world that we're missing out. Still, Red Sox fans challenge you to empathize with them. "Try being a Sox fan," I hear far too often in the Spring and Summer. With all of their success, including the fourth most championships of all time, how hard could it be?

Papelbon dismisses the fan base as "hysterical." They are hysterical in that their emotions blind them from their own success. For eighty-six years they bequeathed a curse, but failed to remind their sons and daughters that they dominated Major League Baseball for its first twenty years of existence. Now they've created a farce: a fan base that's loyal only because it's the cool thing to do, hysterical because they need to prove how passionate they are, massive because Johnny Damon, David Ortiz, and Manny Ramirez drove a band wagon through the country in the peak of the Yankee hating era. The results have watered down the quality of the fan base. Certainly "intelligent" fans still exist in Boston. The problem is they are grossly outnumbered by these baseball neophytes.

 Interestingly, Philadelphia faces the same problem. Philly fans may appear more intelligent to Papelbon because the fan base isn't quite at "nation" status just yet. They've long suffered through losing season after losing season, through Curt Schilling and Scott Rolen wanting to get the hell out, through JD Drew refusing to sign there. After ten thousand losses, the Phillies finely whet their palate with repeated success winning back to back pennants in 2008-9, and five straight East Division titles dating back to 2007. B.W.S. (Before World Series) Philly fans cheered their baseball club only because it represented their city. Not because they were good, or because they found baseball entertaining (they don't), but because when Philly is on the national stage they want the city to be behind it. In many ways they still cheer for the same reasons, only now they want to be a part of the fun when they get to shove the championship into other cities' faces, most notably New York and Boston. The second cousins have come to the family reunion in droves. That is to say, these fans want to say they have a tie to the team, regardless of whether or not they've been there for the past twenty years.

I guess what I'm getting at, is it's difficult to judge either fan base at this point because both have been so diluted by success. What is intelligence to Jonathon Papelbon? He explains the Philly fans might know the game better because of "being in the National League;" they really appreciate a good sacrifice bunt in other words.

My advice to Papelbon: wait until you blow your first save before you judge intelligence. In Boston, the Red Sox clubhouse was famous for "booze"- while in Philly, he'll need some of that to deal with the "boo's."

Dillon Friday

Oh Peyton, Where Art Thou?

Peyton Manning is no longer an Indianapolis Colt. As Indy fans across the state are crying like Nancy Kerrigan, screaming “Whyyy!!!”, Peyton is cleaning his locker and heading out (assuming he even had anything in his locker after not playing all year). The news hit us this morning, with the feeling being hit on the head by an apple when standing under an apple tree – it was evident (not that I ever done that). Peyton wasn’t staying in Indy and even if you wanted to deny it, it was almost impossible ignore. It was the Joe Montana-Steve Young and Brett Favre-Aaron Rodgers scenario. Despite a Hall of Fame career in Indianapolis, speculation now begins as to where he will finish off his career. A decision must be made. As we are all excited, let’s keep in mind that Peyton Manning’s choice in the coming days, weeks and months will be just another decision. Not the decision. Just a decision. Take notes LeBron, this is how great athletes make free agent decisions.

Destinations:

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans were pulling people off the street to fill their injury plagued quarterback position last year. Why should it be any different this year? Pull another guy off the street, only this time it will be a legend. Matt Schaub is still considered to be a solid starter in the league – showing the ability to win games and put up gaudy statistics – but he is not the QB that Peyton is, zero questions asked. Schaub himself is already 30 years old and a 36 year-old Peyton for 3 years is much better than a good Schaub for 7. The Texans are a team on the rise, making the playoffs for the first time in history last season, and they won a game! Granted it was the Bengals, but a playoff win is a playoff win.

Allow me to be honest. Everyone wants to see healthy Peyton slinging it to healthy Andre.

San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh would be the only man that could be comparably close to as lucky as the Indianapolis Colts. He gets Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. The new age Ray Lewis, i.e. Patrick Willis, led this defense to the tops of the league. They have a fantastic offensive line that could protect Peyton’s fragile elderly frame and his golden mind/arm. They run the ball enough to be balanced and we’ve seen Peyton’s success with a talented TE in Dallas Clark. He has another one similar in the Bay Area.

Allow me to be honest. Everyone wants to see if Vernon Davis would break all of Rob Gronkowski’s TE receiving records.

Arizona Cardinals

An intriguing notion is seeing Peyton in a situation like Arizona. Arizona was an irrelevant franchise before the arrival of their last former Super Bowl MVP quarterback, but upon signing Kurt Warner, they booked a trip to the Super Bowl. They could do it again with Manning. I know they just traded for Kolb, but I frankly don’t care. Kolb can still be the future, after Manning. The Cardinals gave a lot to bring in Kevin Kolb, but he didn’t stay on the field. Its no guarantee Peyton is staying healthy, so Kolb may get action anyways.

This was completely biased, because to be honest, I want Larry Fitzgerald to flourish. He has flourished with Triple A quarterbacks – if football had a Triple A – and with Manning he would hit mythical status. (Come to think of it, the quarterbacks he’s had have been closer to Double A quarterbacks.)

WHERE HE SHOULD GO…..

Baltimore Ravens

Move over Joey-boy, Peyton is coming to town. I don’t much care for the whole Flacco hate talk, but he’s not Peyton. Flacco over the course of his career hasn’t proven the ability to be elite in this league. He is a sufficient quarterback. Is sufficient enough? Super Bowls as of late have not been won with sufficient. Ray Lewis’ days are limited. Ed Reed’s days are limited. With the touches Ray Rice gets, he will not be able to perform at this level forever. The defense is aging. They only have a few more chances to again raise the Lombardi Trophy. Ray Lewis deserves the chance to have an elite player at the helm of the offense. Think, this team was 31 yards from making a trip to the Super Bowl.

Allow me to be honest. Everyone wants to see Ray and Peyton lead the Ravens into a Super Bowl.

Taking a twist from the Field of Dreams, If you sign him, a ring will come.

Troy ‘Bobo Manning” Klongerbo the III

One Term to remove from March Madness

Appropriately enough, I just saw ESPN's most recent poll question: Who will be this year's Cinderella?
The question is: Why do we continue to call underdog teams Cinderella teams? How has no one complained about this yet? Rags to riches aside, let's break down the analogy:

Notice the ... dress

What defines Cinderella (Disney version): 
1. She's a young woman tormented by vicious step sisters and evil step mother
2. She cleans her kitchen with the help of mice
3. She rides in a pumpkin coach to a ball
4. She loses a slipper after meeting a dreamy young man
5. The slipper fits, happily ever after, yada, yada, yada

Notice the tats

What defines College Basketball teams:
1. They are made up of twelve young men from a variety of backgrounds
2. They play basketball with and against other human beings
3. They do not attend balls, they play with them
4. They wear sneakers that fit quite snugly and meet many dreamy women after games
5. See four.

I admit that both lists are far from comprehensive, but I feel my point has been made: Cinderella has nothing in common with College basketball teams let alone players, and yet announcers, analysts, pundits, talking heads, what have you still throw out the term liberally. I'm sure that's what high school players, many from the so called 'hood' mind you, strive for when they sign for the likes of Gonzaga, Butler, VCU, or other mid-Majors (another cringe worthy term): to be a part of Cinderella teams.

At first it was kind of cute: "O these teams go the 'Big Dance.' No one expects them to do well, and surprisingly they do. It's a real Cinderella story!" Don't these announcers know that "Caddyshack" is a comedy?

Are unlikely pairs between rough, rugged players and their more graceful teammates, think Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell or Derek Rose and Joakim Noah, Beauty and the Beast?

Should we call Girard Pique Snow White just because seven of his Barcelona teammates stand 5'8" or shorter?

Is Dan Bylsma waiting for his Sleeping Beauty to wake up? (On second thought, this one works quite well. Go Flyers!).

In a word, no. Yet every March we have to sort through this year's Cinderellas, waiting to see if, as Gus Johnson once said about the "original" Cinderella Gonzaga, "The slipper still fits!!!!!!!!!!"

Perhaps, as with many other problems in our country, we can blame the Great Depression. The Depression era boxer James J. Braddock rose from the shipping docks of New York to prominence as the Heavyweight Champion of the World. He held the title until a young Joe Louis defeated Braddock in 1937. His biography and the accompanying movie starring Russel Crowe are titled "Cinderella Man." The term should've died with the man (I'm afraid to say anything too harsh about this nickname given that although he's been dead for nearly forty years, Braddock could still kick my ass).

I challenge sports fans to boycott "Cinderella" not only this March, but for all Marches (fingers crossed 2012) to come. Don't say it, don't allow your friends to say it, and curse at every announcer who mutters the now hackneyed term.

Let me offer an alternative: Biggie Smalls. He has a similar rags to riches story as many of the best D-I players. His song "Juicy" contains such lyrics as  "this [game] is dedicated to all the [coaches, analysts, haters] who told me I'd never amount to nothing," "it was all a dream," and "Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke I couldn't picture this." I feel that Biggie Smalls better encapsulates the hip-hop culture that defines many a basketball team. Who wouldn't love Gus Johnson screaming "V-C-U! If you don't know, now you know!" at the end of an upset? 

-Dillon "Do they call going from riches to rags a T.O.?" Friday