As usual, interesting developments, or, very interesting according to a certain character Arte Johnson portrayed -if you are of a certain generation that watched “Laugh-In.”
#3 South Austin Horns (NCAA) vs. #3 Virginia Gentlemen (MML)
What I said: “The South Austin Horns have had a really good season, since they won their NCAA division, which, again, in general, I consider to be the best division in all the four leagues, year after year with rare exception. So, they’re legit. But I feel that they are out-gunned and will have to rely on the Virginia Gentlemen getting some sub-par performances to advance to the final.”
What’s happening during 1st round play: Well, the South Austin Horns (SAH) is getting some of those “sub-par” performances from the Virginia Gentlemen (VG) that they need to advance. Xavier Johnson missed a triple-double getting 12/10 rebs/8 a’s but shot 3-12 and had just 19 points-not a killer, but roughly 6 points lower than his fppg average. Ditto for Dillon Jones who had 17 & 10 but it only translated to 19 fantasy points. Matt Cross’s 6 was very painful, no doubt. But he and Robert Ford (just 13) will each have another chance and should bump up.
What I said: “For SAH, while they do have what I call the “Edey factor” (Edey almost always counts for 1.5 players and sometimes 2-3), they have more concerns than the VG’s going in.”
What’s happening during 1st round play: The “Edey factor” kicked in to the max as he went for 52 in his first-round game! That 52 carries Xavier Lee’s 16 & Kimani Hamilton’s 13…AND, Edey only had one game, so his 52 is LOCKED IN!!!
RESULT: Devin Carter has just one game this week for the VG’s and he would have to put up another 50 fantasy points for them to have a chance. I am calling this game, set, and, match for the South Austin Horns as they had the “Edey factor” kick in at the perfect time. SAH advances to the final where they will play…(see below)
#1 Strokin 3’s (IBL) vs. #5 Bean Counters (FCBL4)
What I said: “…Well, to me it appears that there is a definite favorite and that would be the Strokin 3’s (why do they not have an apostrophe after Strokin?). Not only do they have Edey (see analysis above for the “Edey factor”) but they have Riley Minix. Conservatively, just having those two makes them 75% better than any other team.
What’s happening during 1st round play: Edey went for 52, and it’s locked in, ’nuff said. Kalkbrenner just missed getting a triple-double (12/10 & 8 blocks) in going for 29 fantasy points. Minix has yet to play his game and they are already at 175.0. Bean Counters are still waiting for Mermack to play his 1st round game but a 2 by Missi (aptly named?) sinks them along with the fact that they had some great 1st round games from Brown, Bacot, Broome, and, Ike…however, all figure to probably not do as well in their 2nd round games.
RESULT: South Austin Horns will face the Strokin un-apostrophe’s 3′ in the Big 64 final.