Gym Cracks By Jim July 13, 2004 UNDERDOGS ON TOP Recent victories by underdogs bring much pleasure By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com Underdog. My friend Webster's definition of an underdog is a predicted loser in a struggle or contest. In the past couple months I have rooted for two underdogs. Much to my delight, both of these underdogs won. Usually teams with the big payroll wins. But the Detroit Pistons with a group of players I did not recognize blew out the highly touted Lakers. Before the NBA finals started I only knew where one Detroit player had played his college ball. The Lakers, with four future hall-of-famers, were completely outplayed in every aspect of this five-game series. Now the Lakers are in turmoil. Usually I will root for a Big 12 team to beat a team from another conference. But this year I was cheering for the University of California-Fullerton team to beat the Texas Longhorns. The local media carried articles on the difference in financing between the two schools. The California team was on a very austere budget. The Longhorns went first-class. But the Longhorns did not show their class, as they failed to make an appearance after the game to pick up the second-place trophy. After much criticism from the press in Nebraska, Texas and nationally, the Texas coach did make an Omaha appearance to apologize for their boorish behavior. Thus having the money and the glamour athletes doesn't necessary make a team first-class. I'm glad my two underdogs won against the better- financed and more publicized teams. Post/Read Feedback PREVIOUS GYM CRACKS: Click Here