It's crunch time boys...Here are my guesses for rnd 1
Lion
D9
Pirates
The Pirates just showed just how tough they can be. It makes me wonder how close to the vest they played D9 in week 15, knowing we'd be playing again in round 1. I expect a much closer game this time, since my $ is on those sneaky Pirates not giving 100% the first go around, but I still would like to think D9 will pull it out.
CWE
Redhorns
This is the game I'm most interested in watching in round 1 of Lion. DSL's Redhorns have a way of turning it on when they need to. There's no greater need than in the POs. That said, I honestly think CWE is one of the very best 4 teams in all of APL. I suspect that they pick and choose which regular ssn battles to give it their all in, but that they will be bringing their A game all POs long. Honestly, I'm not thrilled about the idea of having to play either of these teams in round 2 (assuming we escape with the Pirates' treasure). That said, DSL, ya know I love ya man, but I think CWE will take it.
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Sahara
BBM
I can't help but believe that Sahara is planning on meeting D9 in the championship. Whether we'll both make it is another discussion, but I do believe Sahara believes it and tanked their game against D9 in the RT tourney this morning on purpose, saving their A game for what they believe will be a later match up. On the other hand, I doubt BBM is overly interested in Sahara's long term plans. Hell, I think they'd love nothing more than to ruin them. Their game against a damn good Redhorns team today shows that they are capable of doing just that. Still, when the dust settles, I think it will be Sahara moving on to the next round.
Zambezi
Uganda
And that brings us to the battle of the Silverbacks. The big ? here is if the Zambezi team that has played the last 3 weeks is the real version or the one that played the 13 games before it. My bet is that it's somewhere in between and that they did some coasting the last 3 weeks. If that's the case, I'd strongly recommend that they switch back to killer mode or Uganda just might send them home early. However, I don't think we'll have a single "upset" on the Lion's side of the POs and Zambezi moves on to round 2.
Ele
Carthage
Kiev
I like Kiev. I think they're a damn solid team. That said, I believe Hays would consider offing himself if they take first, only to lose the 1st round game. I'll go with Carthage.
Dachs
Preds
Anyway you look at it, this is one hell of a 1st round match up. 13-3 and not hosting a 1st round game?! Are you serious?!?!?!? I think the CWE/Redhorns game is the best match up on the Lion side, but I think this here is the best match up of round 1 in the entire APL POs. It's also going to be my "upset" pick, if you can even pretend to call it that. Dachs has a hell of a team and would likely win 6 of 10, but I just get a feeling this is one of the 4.
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RR
Prigos
RR rolled through their reg ssn match, but I don't believe they will roll through this one. That said, for as respectable as the Prigos are, and they are a damn respectable team, I just don't think they are quit as good as RR. They better hope Rage is right and RR struggles when Forbin tries. Still, I'm giving this one to RR
Hogs
SoA
I like the Sons. I really do. On any given day they can play with any team in APL and hand them their ass in the process. For what little it's worth, I believe they are the best 7 seed of any PL PO teams. The Hogs on the other hand are a group of still maturing youngsters. Unfortunately for SoA, those youngsters have been growing up fast and are starting to hit their stride. Toss in one of the game's best OCs and who I believe may be the best DC in the game, and I think I have to give this one to the Hogs
GL everyone!
Lion
D9
Pirates
The Pirates just showed just how tough they can be. It makes me wonder how close to the vest they played D9 in week 15, knowing we'd be playing again in round 1. I expect a much closer game this time, since my $ is on those sneaky Pirates not giving 100% the first go around, but I still would like to think D9 will pull it out.
CWE
Redhorns
This is the game I'm most interested in watching in round 1 of Lion. DSL's Redhorns have a way of turning it on when they need to. There's no greater need than in the POs. That said, I honestly think CWE is one of the very best 4 teams in all of APL. I suspect that they pick and choose which regular ssn battles to give it their all in, but that they will be bringing their A game all POs long. Honestly, I'm not thrilled about the idea of having to play either of these teams in round 2 (assuming we escape with the Pirates' treasure). That said, DSL, ya know I love ya man, but I think CWE will take it.
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Sahara
BBM
I can't help but believe that Sahara is planning on meeting D9 in the championship. Whether we'll both make it is another discussion, but I do believe Sahara believes it and tanked their game against D9 in the RT tourney this morning on purpose, saving their A game for what they believe will be a later match up. On the other hand, I doubt BBM is overly interested in Sahara's long term plans. Hell, I think they'd love nothing more than to ruin them. Their game against a damn good Redhorns team today shows that they are capable of doing just that. Still, when the dust settles, I think it will be Sahara moving on to the next round.
Zambezi
Uganda
And that brings us to the battle of the Silverbacks. The big ? here is if the Zambezi team that has played the last 3 weeks is the real version or the one that played the 13 games before it. My bet is that it's somewhere in between and that they did some coasting the last 3 weeks. If that's the case, I'd strongly recommend that they switch back to killer mode or Uganda just might send them home early. However, I don't think we'll have a single "upset" on the Lion's side of the POs and Zambezi moves on to round 2.
Ele
Carthage
Kiev
I like Kiev. I think they're a damn solid team. That said, I believe Hays would consider offing himself if they take first, only to lose the 1st round game. I'll go with Carthage.
Dachs
Preds
Anyway you look at it, this is one hell of a 1st round match up. 13-3 and not hosting a 1st round game?! Are you serious?!?!?!? I think the CWE/Redhorns game is the best match up on the Lion side, but I think this here is the best match up of round 1 in the entire APL POs. It's also going to be my "upset" pick, if you can even pretend to call it that. Dachs has a hell of a team and would likely win 6 of 10, but I just get a feeling this is one of the 4.
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RR
Prigos
RR rolled through their reg ssn match, but I don't believe they will roll through this one. That said, for as respectable as the Prigos are, and they are a damn respectable team, I just don't think they are quit as good as RR. They better hope Rage is right and RR struggles when Forbin tries. Still, I'm giving this one to RR
Hogs
SoA
I like the Sons. I really do. On any given day they can play with any team in APL and hand them their ass in the process. For what little it's worth, I believe they are the best 7 seed of any PL PO teams. The Hogs on the other hand are a group of still maturing youngsters. Unfortunately for SoA, those youngsters have been growing up fast and are starting to hit their stride. Toss in one of the game's best OCs and who I believe may be the best DC in the game, and I think I have to give this one to the Hogs
GL everyone!
Edited by PP on May 8, 2010 15:00:56
