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Column: 'Creed' delivers as an underdog story
MATT HOFFMANN
@MattHoffmannUDK
We tend to love a good underdog story. Whether it's Georgia State upsetting Baylor during March Madness, or rebels chucking tea into the Boston Harbor in 1773, Americans are always cheering for the underdog. And perhaps no sports movie embodies the underdog theme as much as the newest Rocky installment, "Creed."
nity built in — presto, another classic is born.
At it's core, "Creed" is the simple story of a kid from the streets hitting the big time and winning over the hearts of those around him, while taking on the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
@MattHoffmannUDK Contains everything folks love about the Rocky franchise
"Creed" takes everything people around the world love about the underdog story and packs it into two hours and 15 minutes of theatrical genius. It contains many of the same elements as the original "Rocky," but with a new twist on character relationships and a little bit of moder-
- @David_LaVaque
There's something we've come to embrace about that underdog, the 100-1 longshot not expected to make it out of the first round.
It's the idea that sports aren't a math test, and you can't put a value on heart and determination. We cheer for the down-and-out like Michael Jordan's "Flu Game" or a Cinderella-like Boise State trying to prove they belonged on the same stage as Oklahoma in 2007.
tionships. Tessa Thompson also delivers in her supporting role as the supportive girlfriend who isn't easily wooded by the famous Creed family name. Thompson's character, Bianca, is fighting his own battle, which often seems as poignant as the action inside the ring.
BARRY WEICHER/AP This photo provided by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Michael B. Jordan, right, as Adonis Johnson and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Baibao in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures', Warner Bros. Pictures' and New Line Cinema's drama "Creed."
"Creed" feeds on these ideas and delivers a knockout punch.
RARRY WETCHER/ΔP
The relationship between reluctant trainer Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) and a young Adonis Johnson/Creed (Michael B. Jordan) seems more genuine than many actual father/son rela-
In a more physical sense, "Creed" nails down boxing as a sport riddled with trouble. The best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, "Pretty" Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew) is going away for gun possession charges, and he needs one last fight before going to prison. "Creed" uses real world segments like ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" with the real Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon, and uses HBO coverage of the fights to give the film an authentic feel, like you're watching a superfight 10 times better than Mayweather-Pacquiao.
The story of Adonis may not be real, but like the U.S. men's hockey team upsetting the Soviet Union in 1980, or Mario
Chalmers hitting a miracle shot at the buzzer in 2008, the film plays on those very same emotions, so much so that "Creeed" is worth mentioning in the same breath as the original "Rocky."
Maybe, just maybe, "Creed" can come out of nowhere like the story it tells and become a classic. It'll just have to knockout other title contending movies in the process. But given the story
and journey it takes the viewer on, that's not too much of a long shot at all.
Edited by Madeline Umali
KU volleyball's Big 12 postseason awards: Ray Bechard named Coach of the Year; Havili wins Setter of the Year
AMIE JUST
@Amie_Just
When a team like Kansas has a successful season, it's easy to celebrate. It's also easy to rake in the awards.
The Big 12 volleyball awards came out on Monday, and Kansas carried its weight. Of the five individual awards, Kansas came home with two: Coach of the Year and Setter of the Year.
the only Jayhawks honored with postseason awards. Three Jayhawks, including Havill, were tabbed to the All-Big 12 First Team.
Havili was a unanimous selection to the first team. Last season, Havili was slated to the All-Big 12 Second Team and the All-Big 12 First-Freshman Team.
Kelsie Payne and junior middle blocker Tayler Soucie also garnered All-Big 12 First Team honors. Payne was a unanimous selection. Last season, Payne was on the All-Big 12 All-Freshman Team. Soucie repeated her All-Big 12 First Team selection from last season.
Sophomore right side hitter
Sophomore outside hitter Madison Rigdon was tabbed to
the All-Big 12 Second Team.
the All-Big 12 Second Team. Kansas was second in the conference for most people earning postseason awards with six. Texas had seven.
Player of the week
Player of the Week Throughout the season, Kansas had several of its athletes recognized with Big 12 Player of the Week honors. Out of the
14 weeks in the regular season, Kansas had at least one player recognized in nine.
During the final week, junior libero Cassie Wait earned Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts against Kansas State and Texas Tech. Wait recorded 36 digs at Kansas State — a new program record for digs in a four-set match. Wait earned the
award twice on the season.
Counting Wait, Kansas had four players take home player of the week honors. Payne led the league with four Offensive Player of the Week nods. Havili earned the award twice. Rigdon earned the award once.
- Edited by Dani Malakoff
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