Some Thoughts..

    I should not be awake right now, or at least while I'm awake i should be doing some studying for an Italian test tomorrow, but I'd rather write about sports. If your reading that's where you need to say HOLLA! But first things first I want to congratulate the Duke Blue Devils on their 4th National Championship in school history. I am well aware that there are a plethora of haters, sometimes including myself, however they got it done. The core of Scheyer, Zoubek, Smith, Thomas, and Kyle Singler are just a great thing to watch when they are on. The big 3 scores the points while Thomas and Zoubek, the two Jersey boys, do the dirty work. Kyle Singler is like the NCAA's version of Dirk Nowitzki. The guy just knows where the basket is and has an incredible touch, not to mention how he fills out a stat sheet night in and night out. Coach K once again did a remarkable job directing this orchestra throughout the season and tournament despite doubt from critics and fans.

    Butler should be commended with high praise with their effort throughout the season and especially tonight's game. At no time did they feel like the underdog going shot for shot with Duke for basically the entire affair. Gordon Heyward very nearly accomplished the unthinkable half court heave at the buzzer, however they did come up on the short end, but Butler did not do anything to lose this game. Both teams that squared off were deserving of a championship and Duke did what it needed to do. Butler has a bright future behind an incredibly talented young coach. Butler will be no longer a bracket-buster, but a mainstay with the big boys. 

    

    As for the Yankees, not quite what fans had in mind. You're up 5-1 in the 5th inning with CC Sabathia on the hill. Even in Fenway Park, you still have to think good things. However the Red Sox displayed their resilience as they have been known to do in April against the Yanks. A 9-7 win it was for the BoSox. The Yanks and Red Sox both have things to look at for good and for ill. The acquisitions of Mike Cameron and Marco Scutaro seem to look like good moves as they both had a hand in the win. It's been since the '04 season that the Red Sox have had a good shortstop (Orlando Cabrera) and they're hoping Scutaro can be that guy. Since Cabrera the Red Sox have tried Edgar Renteria who never fit in, Jed Lowrie who can never stay healthy, Nick Green who should never be a starting shortstop on a "contending" team, and Alex Gonzalez who is downright mediocre. With the absence of Jason Bay and a declining David Ortiz, guys like Youkilis, Pedroia, and Victor Martinez will need to pick up the slack, as they did Sunday night. You can bet the AL East will be won the hard way this year. 

    The Yankees bullpen sure didn't look as good as they planned. Chan Ho Park didn't know Pedroia can turn on an inside fastball, and Joba kept up his inconsistancy. It is way to early to put the microscope on things, however from what i got out of game 1 of 162, the bullpen could be a downfall. The Yankees proved they're going to score runs, and it was nice to see Granderson take one deep right away, as well as Gardner having multiple hits. For what's left of this first series, it surely favors Boston with matchups of Lester/Burnett and Lackey/Pettitte, however I think these ballgames will all be decided by the bullpens, and the Yanks should hit. There is a lot to look forward to.