Finally, it’s playoff time! I find this year’s playoffs particularly interesting. Several teams have made enough moves to transform themselves into teams that are far more dangerous than their records indicate. Let’s start with the matchups. Numbers in parentheses is the scoring average of their listed playoff lineup and/or best lineup (NL) if the l1st round lineup was not listed on our site.
Upper Bracket
#1 Gator Bait (179.1) vs. #16 The Hoop Guru (NL/144.5)
Gator Bait is who they are: Loaded. To their credit The Hoop Guru is one of those teams that has really improved their lineup but I do not believe that even on their best day they can pull off an upset. And, that’s because their GM basically decided to add a bunch of forwards and neglect the guard position. Their best lineup averages 144.5. Only two of their players have shown any ability to occasionally have a much bigger game than their average, or, “explode” if you will. Gator Bait checks in at 179.1. The gap between the two lineup averages is just too severe.
#8 North Pole Fightin’ Reindeer (153.9) vs. #9 Hoosiers (164.3)
Edge to the Hoosiers but there is a chance of an upset. North Pole just added guard Rayj Dennis and is hoping that he can improve the guard production. Edwards & Dickinson have been highly productive all season. The Hoosiers feature a career 2000-point scorer in Trayce Jackson-Davis, Tubelis, who has lifted his game this year, and, rebounding stud Clarence Daniels. Hoosiers have an edge at the freshman position.
#4 Maize & Blue Bloods (162.2) vs. #13 KC Warthogs (150.5)
KC is another team that made some nice additions but I fear it’s too little too late to produce an upset vs. a loaded MBB squad. MBB does have a “freshman issue,” which is why they added a 3rd to their roster. But, in this first game they have the “solid six” in their lineup, guys who practically never, ever, take a deep dip in production and are steady from game to game. KC still has serious guard issues that it could not get fixed. MBB should advance.
#5 Saluki YRD’s (151.8) vs. #12 Virginia Gentlemen (159.8)
Will the Virginia Gentlemen, whom I’ve been touting all year as dangerous finally be dangerous? While it’s a #5 vs. #12, this is the most intriguing of the upper bracket matches. On paper it’s VG. But they have not been able to put together a solid lineup all year, although their stats are good. Heck, they have the best guard combo in Miller and Pickett by far. The Saluki’s have some real feast or famine guys in Davis and McGhee. Bates has to play 3 games this week. That likely means one real good game, one not so good game and one who knows what game.
Lower Bracket
#2 Deep Valley Grouchos (171.2) vs. #15 Hillbilly Maulers (151.8)
Well, St. Peter’s did beat Kentucky, didn’t they? No team has improved their roster more than the Maulers did, and, that’s even considering that they traded their best player (Bacot) to the DVG’s. The Hillbilly GM has been able to not only build for the future (next year) but also has built for the playoffs and now has a much-improved lineup. Of course, on paper the Maulers don’t have nearly enough firepower, but, with their new and improved lineup if their players hit their peak and the DVG’s hit a few lows, it’s possible.
#7 House of Sparky (153.7) vs. #10 Vindaloos (154.4)
Well, the lineup stats can’t get much closer than this, can they? Of course, the Vins have probably the only high producer among the highest that consistently gets his numbers game to game. The gap between him and Saxen cannot be too big. Saxen has to get his 20 or so to enable HOS to stay in this contest. But, the Vins are the team that needs their other starters to hit their averages because there is a huge drop after Tshiebwe, and, while the freshman Arturo Dean just had a very nice game, that’s a big position of concern as well. HOS has better scoring distribution throughout their lineup and a much stronger frosh. Edge to HOS here.
#3 Psychos (167.8) vs. #14 Hardwood Heroes (154.7)
Forget the records and look at the stats. The league is about stats! The Psychos may be a 17-16 team but their stats say that they are a strong playoff team, one of the strongest. HH meanwhile, made a few changes before the deadline as they have done in the past and are hoping to again capture that proverbial lighting in a bottle. I love Filipowski, who, along with Miller is one of the top two freshmen. Who has Miller? Uh, the Psychos do. HH has a good frontline. Who else has a good frontline? The Psychos. This one will likely come down to guard production. Iffy for HH, questionable-which is better, for the Psychos. The Psychos should advance.
#6 Prozac Pups (151.8) vs. #11 Sam Jacobson Went To Class (139.8)
The Pups are in the hearts and minds of the entire fantasy community after losing Jake Stephens to injury! However, they have the perfect first round opponent for a Stephens-less team. Of course, since Stephens is out, the “Sammies” have a chance…but, I still have to favor PP in this game.