In this week’s edition, Greg Rossino and Michael Rodgers rant and rave about the March Madness, crown the winner of the World Series, say whether or not Kobe Bryant is be MVP worthy and whether the Trojans can overcome their early-season struggles and win the Sun Belt Conference once again. 1. The Red Sox will win the World Series this season.
Greg R.: Fact. This might have even been true before the addition of Japanese phenom pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. From top to bottom, the Sox are loaded. Along with future Hall of Famers like David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett the Sox also have All-Star players like pitchers Jonathan Papelbon and Tim Wakefield, catcher Jason Variteck and outfielders J.D. Drew and Coco Crisp. Terry Francona knows how to successfully a run high profile team and is without a doubt one of the best managers in the league. The American League, as usual, will be a very tough league to get through, however the Sox have the firepower and experience to make it through the grueling 162-game schedule. For everyone saying the Yankees will win it, ask yourself where the Yankees have been for the past six years. Last year may have been their best chance at winning it all, and they lost in the first round of the playoffs. This year, their rotation is weak to say the least and their bullpen is not much better. It’s going to be a long season, but when it’s all said and done, the Sox will be holding the World Series trophy over their heads.
Michael: Fiction. I love the Red Sox. I really do. However, I’m just not sure at this point whether or not they’re going to go all the way. They certainly have the talent, but that’s true most years. But a good baseball club is more than just individual talent – it’s a team. From what I can gather, it seems that this is already falling into place. Varitek and Matsuzaka have already bonded, and that can only open the door for other players to connect with their new pitcher. I’d love to say that the Sox are going all the way this year, but I’ve got to wait to see how the Cardinals, Tigers, Yankees, Braves, Twins and other premier teams look first.
2. The NCAA tournament has been a letdown so far this year.
Greg R: Fiction. Yes, some fans might be a little disappointed with the lack of a George Mason like team dancing its way through the tournament, but we the people have seen some of the best match ups the tournament has to offer. In a way it is exciting to see the top seeds make their way through the brackets. Some of the most exciting games in tournament history have happened this year, including Ohio State vs. Tennessee and Georgetown vs. Vanderbilt. The Final Four is also one of the best in recent memory. Both of Saturday’s games are rematches from last year’s tournament and should go the same way as well with Florida and Georgetown advancing. One of my fondest memories from this tournament occurred on the first day when the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth University took down the Duke Blue Devils. I’m pretty sure everyone in America, with the exception of the Duke fans, was going crazy after that finish. I know I was.
Michael: Fiction. Looking at the bracket, you might be tempted to think that. The higher-seeded team has won almost all of its games in the first two rounds, with the only notable exceptions being Winthrop, Virginia Commonwealth University and UNLV. UNLV didn’t pull off its big upset until the second round. Despite the notable lack of Cinderellas, it’s still been a very exciting tournament. Look at Georgetown’s overtime domination of North Carolina. How about those very same Hoyas barely edging out the Vanderbilt Commodores by one point? Ohio State also needed an overtime miracle to win against Xavier and then a last-second block from Greg Oden to beat the Tennessee Volunteers. Then you’ve got mid-major Southern Illinois giving Kansas all it could handle. The list goes on. Although the team that was “supposed” to win has won almost every time, it’s still been exciting to watch.3. Kobe Bryant should be the MVP of the NBA this year.
Greg R: Fact. Kobe Bryant is single handedly keeping the Lakers in the playoff hunt. Recently, his team has needed Bryant to step up and he has answered the call. Bryant just had a five game run of 40 points or more. In fact, he has scored over 50 points seven times this season. However, Bryant has also helped his team members become better players throughout the course of the season. Bryant has helped his teammates get better, especially forward Luke Walton and youngster Andrew Bynum. Bryant has been getting everyone involved all throughout the season. Yes, players like Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash have had excellent seasons, but they are on very good teams. Bryant does not have that luxury. He has been every bit the definition of the “Most Valuable Player” and deserves to be recognized as it.
Michael: Fiction. You can make a very good case for Kobe. Someone commented that the Lakers would be a lottery team without him, and that may be true. However, there are many other players around the league who are having fantastic seasons. Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Tim Duncan are always in the running. You can also say that LeBron James is having an MVP season. Whether it’s fair or not, part of the MVP formula is how well the player’s team is playing. Right now the Cavaliers are in second place in the Eastern Conference. Granted, that’s not saying much, but they’re still in second place. With LeBron leading the way, the Cavs nearly took down the Dallas Mavericks, and that’s saying something. Even though I’m spending a lot of time talking about LeBron, I really can’t decide on one person to take the prize. Heck, it could even be Dikembe Mutombo. Ok, maybe not Dikembe, but you get my point.4. The Troy baseball team will repeat as Sun Belt Champions.
Greg R: Fact. No doubt in my mind, the Troy baseball team will be atop the conference at season’s end. Granted, with the team right now at 16-10, many people may seriously doubt that. However, last year around this time, the team began that record breaking winning streak on its way to a 47-16 record. Now, I do not think they will have that good of a record again, but make no mistake–this team is a team to reckon with. Seniors Josh Dew and Clint Robinson are getting hot at the right time, and the bullpen is finally settling down. The next two weekend series against Western Kentucky and Coastal Carolina will be important ones, yet ones I believe Troy can win. This team is too good count out. In a mere few weeks, this current mediocre play will all but be forgotten.
Michael: Fact. This is a tentative answer. This team most certainly has the potential to win the Belt. However, this team is not as good as last year’s, so it has not dominated the Sun Belt like the Trojans did last year. However, this team is in a tie for third place in the standings, and it’s only two games behind league-leading Louisiana-Monroe. What I’m waiting on is what Coach Pierce mentioned in the article this week a hot streak. So far this season, this team hasn’t hit a red hot winning streak. They’ve had warm periods and cold spells, but nothing blazing. I’m counting on them to get it in gear and start tearing through the Sun Belt. Clint Robinson is on fire, and maybe this will rub off on the rest of the team.