WE BATTLED THE WEATHER AND WON…..7 OF THE TOP 8 TEAMS ADVANCE TO THE ELITE 8!!!!!

Okay, we got all the games got played, only one upset in the Davidson 56-30 shellacking of Wolfe.  Now it gets fun!!!!!!

Predictions coming Monday.

Over the years, the Friday night play-in games have a reputation for being a formality where lower seeded teams often roll over and end their season gracefully.  This years opening play-in game was different.

17th seeded Owens (1-14) showed a balanced scoring attack where all player scored, including Liam MacCarroll and Devin Owens, while beating 16th seeded Bolster (4-11) 49-42 to advance to the Sweet 16 against top seeded Brown on Saturday at 7:00 PM.  Also, as expected, 15th seeded Coelho (4-11) bested 18th seed (1-14) 39-33 to advance to a date with Hillman on Saturday at 6:00 PM.

Now we rock the “Burg” with 16 great teams and 8 great matchups all looking to advance to the Elite 8!!!

Here is what I think is going to happen:

Haines by 12…….1-0

This one is simple.  It is about attendance.  When the McGhin brothers and Tanner Kane show up, they win.  Since week 3, when this group plays, they are undefeated.  Math so simple, even a cave man can do it.  On the other hand, when Forbes plays defense, they are tough.  If they can hold the white team to around 40, they can pull off the upset.  I think Haines by 10 points.  This will not be the 12-5 upset people look for in every draw.

Thomas by alot ……. 2-0

Thomas is snake bit over the past couple of weeks winning only 2 of 4 but seems primed for a playoff run.  Their offense is anchored by sophomore phenom Grant Hinton and Junior Danilo Jaksic and is more balanced than most in the league.  Anyone on this team can score.  Wolfe has been shorthanded all season so the question is this….can Chase Miller, #2 scorer in the league, carry his team to the next round?…well he has scored over 30 points 3 times this season!!!  With a little support, the upset can happen.  But, I am not picking that to happen.  Thomas wins by a dozen.

We all make mistakes…..championship experience pays off for black…..2-1

These coaches have a ton of playoff experience, both having recently won the FABL Showtime championship.  Wolfe’s balance attack features three players who average double figures, Braeden Chubb (10.55), Quentin Duncan (11.25) and Jaxon Vanderhoff (12.54) but they have been struggling of late backing into the playoffs winning 3 of 6, 2 by forfeit….(some say other teams would rather forfeit than face them).  Davidson’s offense features Jackson Ricks (19.45) and Jayden Venable (10.82) who are capable of putting up big numbers.  This one is a toss up.  Hold Ricks under 25 and the defending champs win by 5 points.  Pick Wolfe.

Right score, wrong winner ……. nice win for Frey…… 2-2

Bufano was one of the hottest teams in the league, having won 6 in a row, before losing the season finally to Haines in a blowout 61-44.  I say it is good for Cinderella to break her heel while practicing for the big dance….now she is primed to tear up the dance floor.  Frey, on the other hand, is unpredictable and dangerous at the same time.  One game they score 55 points and the next they put up 28 points.  This is like offense mental illness.  If they can find an even keel, they can be dangerous.  Until then, I don’t risk my parley on them.  Bufano wins a close one 48-43.

Must have been a lid on the backet…but a win is a win….3-2

This may be the toughest game to call this weekend.  Both teams have been improving game by game.  Kimmett, after slumping mid season have won 3 of 4, including a tough overtime loss to Hillman in week 14.  They feature the league’s scoring champ, Charlie Hitzel (20.71) and Jacob Klein (16.67) who represent the best scoring duo in the league.  This team can make a championship run if they show up to play.  McCain is no slouch winning 4 of 5 riding an offense featuring Lucas McCain (12.93) and Jake Dexter (14.79).  Their only loss in the last 5 came at the hands of a hot shooting Bufano 65-55.  If they play defense, McCain can play with anyone.  That said, I like Kimmett in a shootout 60-56.

Hmmmmm…..52-38+14 points….44-29=15 points…..I’m just sayin’…..4-2

DEFENSE…FREE THROWS….LAYUPS!!!!  This is how you win a championship.  Hillman does all of this and more.  They press too!!!  Stephen Puckett (13.50), Colin Grimsley (12.00) and Zachary Rose (9.69) lead the offensive charge but maybe their key factor is that they play both ends of the floor.  Coelho sometimes lacks in offensive output and will have to win with defense.  This game will be decided on the boards…Hillman 52-38.

Another win for the good guy, ME!!!!!  5-2

The upstart red team has found some offensive swagger, approaching 50 points in 4 of their last 5 games.  The best way to describe Brown’s team is “Bombs Away”!!!  At 14-1, they still don’t get the respect they deserve but they know how to win.  We have never had a 17-1 upset in league history.  Will that happen here?  I think not.  Owens makes a run early by Brown pulls away in the end 54-42.

OK, Colton has got his boys playing good ball….better take notice!!!! 6-2

As we discussed in earlier columns, Smith is dangerous and capable of big things.  Rexrode might be too big!!!!  After losing 2 straight toward the end of the season, Coach Rexrode did not panic, righted the ship ad won three straight, including knocking off top seed Brown, to have serious momentum going into the playoffs.  Smith plays in a lot of close games and this is going to be hard to keep close.  I pick pink to win impressively in a statement game 57-41.