MML Elite 8 Postscript…

Now it’s time to take a look at what has happened thus far, since most teams have had at least 6 guys play their first game. Averages in parentheses are their lineup totals going into the playoff, NOT what they are currently averaging in their first-round games.

Upper Bracket
#1 Gator Bait (179.1) vs. #9 Hoosiers (164.3)
As you know, I stated that this could be an interesting matchup…but, I also noted that for some reason, the Hoosiers put Strawther in the lineup…hmm…Strawther put in ONE point…so much for the interesting matchup. They couldn’t afford Strawther, because Gradey Dick went for a ZERO, Clarence Daniels got just 16, and, Gates reverted and put up just 14. GB tried to match Strawther by putting Nowell in the lineup (just 7 for him), but is comfortably ahead, although again, for them, having a subpar first round of games for their lineup…which is scary, because if this winds up being the case at the end of this round, their Final Four opponent is going to be seeing the real Gator Bait.

#5 Saluki YRD’s (151.8) vs. #13 KC Warthogs (150.5)
This one is still too close to call, but KC has the edge and is looking pretty good. Frosh Jarace Walker has not yet played and he is the key to whether or not the YRD’s can rally. Walker needs to score about 20 for them to have any chance, and, Shannon needs to upgrade his first round 7 with a 20+, because Jordan Brown’s scoring figures to go down. For the surprisingly feisty Warthogs, Although Edey and Moore both figure to score less, the other players were either all in their range and/or figure to probably bump up. The “Edey Factor,” is now a massive thing to contend with.

Lower Bracket
#2 Deep Valley Grouchos (171.2) vs. #7 House of Sparky (153.7) With Estrada ill and a DNP for his first game, Grouchos will likely go with another guard to replace him for the week. Only Soriano (just got 21 minutes in a rout) performed poorly for the DVG’s. HOS meanwhile, inserted Manny Bates and he went for 6. Otherwise, their other four players performed well and they still have 2 first round games to be played, including one by their stud, Enrique Freeman. This is about the steadiness of the DVG lineup/vs. the ability of the HOS lineup to maintain and/or improve their stats. So yes, this one is very much in doubt.

#6 Prozac Pups (151.8) vs. #14 Hardwood Heroes (154.7)
Despite the fact that the Pups are still waiting on three players to play their first game, this is looking like a rout for HH. For the Pups, Knecht couldn’t have chosen a worse time to record a horrendous 6 points. Of course, all of their players can bump up, but, it’s a long way to go. HH has two players who each have just one game this week and they are locked in with 29 & 26. So, game, set, and match (yes, I’m looking forward to the French Open!) to Hardwood.