Good Juju Alert: UConn's New Mascot Jonathan XV Is Already Being Called A 'Natural', Won A Title His First Day On The Job

If you try to argue that live mascots, specifically dogs, aren't awesome, well, you're an idiot. Even better is when we get a changing of the collar. It doesn't matter if it's Butler, Washington or UConn. We've seen a few and they make even Eddie get excited about dogs. 

How can you not be romantic about college basketball? Not a dry eye in the stands yesterday with a changing of the collar! But there's more to it than just being a mascot. You have to embrace it. Luckily I found this article talking about Jonathan XV: 

[Source] - “He’s truly a natural when it comes to games,” Centanni says. “The first time I took him to a game, it was like I could see him absorbing the energy of the crowd, and he immediately stood up straighter and had this intense light in his eyes.

“I’ve never seen him more focused than when he’s courtside at a basketball game – except maybe when he’s waiting for his dinner,” she adds.

The dog is a natural! That's gotta be worth something. We're in March when we try to analyze every little thing to figure out who is going to make a Final Four and win a title. We get deep into analytics, we get deep into matchups, locations, whatever it might be. But now we have to talk mascots. I know UConn is coming off a national title, but they can for sure win again. However, you have to replace a legend. 

Look at those stats. You better be a natural if that's who you're replacing. Can't have a mascot who is afraid of the limelight and bright lights. Can't have a mascot acting up when it comes time to the Big East Tournament or a must-win game. This is about everyone on the team adapting to their role. You could argue no one did it better than Jonathan XIV, who left this note: 

I'd maybe down on UConn if he wasn't a natural. If we heard he was acting up or didn't win the Big East title on Changing of the Collar day, I'd say UConn is in trouble. But my hands are tied. UConn should be the No. 1 overall seed strictly because of this report. Lesson as always is to give us more live animal mascots. Ralphie, Jonathan, Blue, they are all awesome.