As happens every year in the playoffs, we have some wild rides, big swings, suck wads having the best game/week of their life, studs struggling…
#1 Deep Valley Grouchos (156.0) vs. #16 Saluki YRD’s (147.0)
The DVG’s received a 56-point game from Pember, which should have meant that the fat lady was going on stage. However, Pember’s 2nd game was not a 30, a 25, or, even a 20, but a 19. So, hold on to your butts (apologies to Samuel L. Jackson’s character in “Jurassic Park”). However, Broome and especially Tyson rode to the rescue, salvaging what could have been an 18.5 dip, to just a 7-point dip. The YRD’s can still take this thing. They suffered a first game 7 from Durogordon, but he could easily go for 30-he’s a high-volume scorer & he boards. It will all hinge on him since both Saint Thomas & Ajayi performed well their first time around and don’t figure to be able to do much more. For the DVG’s, they just need for the freshman Traore to get double figures after going for 4 in his first game. He is still averaging 17 fppg on the season but with a freshman you never know.
EDGE>DVG’s.
#8 KC Warthogs (166.0) vs. #9 Gator Bait (115.0)
Not much to say about this one. I thought that GB would put up a much better fight but…even if the overcome a 3 and a 7 first round scores, and, get something from the freshman position they can’t make up a 51-point margin.
MOVING ON: KC
#4 Maize and Blue Bloods (143.5) vs. #13 Vindaloos (135.5)
Vin’s needed this to be a low scoring affair to have a chance. But, despite the margin only being 8 points it does not appear that the ‘Loos can get it done. Duncan Powell might be able to give them a boost but Derkack & Townsend are at their ceiling, in fact, their heads are through the ceiling. Chaplin has been sub-standard this week but MBB doesn’t need that much from him. That leaves Jones, who runs hot and cold but has been much better since mid-January. It’s close but I think I can call it.
MOVING ON: MBB
#5 Prozac Pups (141.5) vs. #12 Sam Jacobson Went To Class (163.0)
The Sammies are looking good for an upset, but Prozac has a window of opportunity. DaRon Holmes notched just 8 his first time around and is certainly capable of putting up 30. If he did, that would be an 11-point gain for PP. On top of that, Gross-Bullock is a high volume up and down son of a gun, but, since he was “down” with just an 11 in his first game, could he be due to put up maybe, 25 or so? On the other hand, the Sams have mainly downside. Timberlake (no relation to Justin) put up 36 and figures to drop. Allen-Eikens put up 30 and also figures to drop. Traore, who had just 11 is the wild card. This could be a fascinating ride to the wire.
EDGE>Sammy.
#2 Hoosiers (195.0) vs. #15 Hardwood Heroes (144.5)
Well, you didn’t really think that the Hoosiers would maintain that 219.0 that they initially had, did you? LOL! 195 is close enough. And, that 195 is counting two 16-point games and one 18-point game. That’s what I meant when I talked about their amazing firepower. Aimaq went 7-25 last night and still put-up 25+. Daniels with a first round 46. Hardwood was betrayed by Filipowski who followed up his first round 18 with a 15. Dude was a stud during the season. Milton was also disappointing. HH’s recent winning playoff magic is over.
MOVING ON: Hoosiers
#7 North Pole Fightin’ Reindeer (162.5) vs. #10 Psychos (158.5)
Best first round matchup. Mayo played just one game and has a 12 locked in but that was countered by Kevin Cross locking in a 33. Brown-Jones went for just 20 in his first game and that’s below his normal output so that’s good news countered by the fact that Cisse, who went for 29 figures to drop-but, just a little. Matt Cross came back from an injury for UMass which meant that his teammate Josh Cohen, who plays for the Psychos would suck…which he did, averaging 11.5 for the week-that hurts. However, frosh Dillingham countered that with a 34.5 for the week. Psychos can match the Brown-Jones upside with Ledee upside, who has a 3rd game to improve on his 20.5.
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
#3 Virginia Gentlemen (179.5) vs. #14 Hillbilly Maulers (117.5)
The Gentlemen’s lineup is hitting on all cylinders so there’s no chance for Hillbilly to escape the mauling they are currently receiving.
MOVING ON: VG
#6 House of Sparky (150.5) vs. #11 The Hoop Guru (106.0)
I don’t know what the weather is like in Nepal right now, but I trust that The Hoop Guru, who hopefully, are flying charter, know how to dress for their audience with the Lama. That’s Lama, not llama. Now, HG does have room to improve greatly. James had a 4 and Carlson had a 5 in the first round. But Garcia, the reluctant rebounder is locked in at 12 fppg, and, R.J. Davis, a team killer (both for HG & UNC) managed to average just 18.5 fppg despite jacking up 36 fga’s. HOS can come down a little but HG can’t come up enough.
MOVING ON: HOS