So here’s the deal:
The top 4 ranked
teams receive a bye, sending them automatically to the second round. The
remaining 8 teams will play in 4 first round games. This year’s house playoffs,
like last year’s, are SINGLE ELIMINATION.
Overview of the Top
Seeds:
1. Wizards: The #1 seeded team is also the #1 team
in the power rankings, the Wiz. No introduction is needed for this year’s top
squad. The clear post-season favorites have a plethora of talent.
Key Players: Senior Graham Helgans, juniors
Mikey Maccarone, Peter Archey, and Jack Garfield.
2. Nuggets: The #2 ranked team has suffered three
losses in a row, losing each game by large margins as well. Look for senior Austin
Crane to roar back in the second round with sights on a ring.
Key Players: Seniors Crane and Brad
Magnusson.
3. Mavericks: The Mavs claim the #3 spot this year
after tremendous play all year long. This team’s fundamentals and genuine
basketball IQ could lead them to House Basketball glory.
Key Players: Senior Myles Ridder, juniors
Danny Siemers and Sam Bowtell
4. Nets: This year’s Nets squad is loaded with
talent and eager to perform down the stretch. The #4 ranked team is home to
many solid scorers, including myself, George Reed (coming off 5 straight 20
point performances), as well as complementary sharpshooting by junior Anthony DiMeglio
and senior Dan Murphy.
Key Players: Seniors Murphy and Christian
Cochran, juniors DiMeglio and Yours Truly.
First-Round Predictions:
#5
Lakers vs. #12 Thunder
The
Lakers were the closest thing to a “bubble-team” this year as they just missed
the all-important first-round bye. A matchup with a struggling Thunder squad
could be the antidote for the Lake-Show. Seniors Brendan Donahue and Zach Basu will
pit their up-tempo style of play to against talented juniors Jamie Schwartz and
Conor Davey. Although the Thunder will have obvious issues containing the
fast-break game of Basu and the Lakers, if the jumpers fall like they have
begun to down the stretch, this one could be much closer than anticipated.
Prediction:
Lakers top the Thunder, 38-31
#6
Cavs vs. #11 Bulls
The
Cavs have had a strong surge lately in the House League. Spearheaded by juniors
Brian Walsh and Alex Hager, as well as senior Colin Meier, the Cavs have put
together a solid crew. If I had a pick as to my sleeper team in this year’s
playoffs, it would most likely be the Cavs. The Bulls, who have relied on
steady play from junior Calvin Crosby all year, need a big outing from him next
week. Without the Pendos working together as expected, Crosby needs to match Walsh’s
scoring streaks in order to secure progression to the second round.
Prediction:
Cavs best the Bulls 43-41, fending off a strong Crosby performance.
#7
Jazz vs. #10 Celtics
The
#7 seed Jazz have relied on production from senior Harry Gillespie and junior Dylan
Cunningham. Gillespie has shot a consistent percentage all winter, but let’s be
honest, without supporting play from other juniors, Gillespie is in a world of
hurt. On the other hand, I have liked the play of the juniors on the Celtics
all year. If junior Phillip Rech can command the Celtics offense, I predict
another postseason run for him and the C’s. Look for fellow junior Jack Feeley
to hit some mid-range jumpers to lead the Celtics to an upset.
Prediction:
Celtics over Jazz, 38-36
#8
Knicks vs. #9 Heat
It
is time. Senior Dylan Carruthers does not know what is going to hit him and the
veteran Knicks. A strong, healthy Charlie Travers (junior) and the rest of the
Heat squad have clear intentions to gather a postseason ring. Senior Chris Rehm
has held steady 20-point performances all year, and that combo can be deadly. The
eight vs. nine matchup is always a guarantee for a spectacular matchup, and
don’t expect anything less here.
Prediction: Heat over Knicks, 46-42
No comments:
Post a Comment