Here we are just one game away from the final series and four teams remain hopeful of keeping their ABBL dreams alive. I'll start of with a review of the Big 8' finalists.
Big 8 - Conference Championship
(1) Stone Slashers host (3) Beechy
Recap:
Stone slashers have been a real surprise package this season, taking out the regular season title in the Big 8. Many teams early on probably hadn't even picked (STO) to even reach the playoffs yet here they are defending at home in the conference final.
Last Tuesday was a real test and (STO) just managed to sneak past (CHE) in OT after a late rally, in a game that looked in great doubt. While the big boys battled for boards, it was the guards that put the points on the board. Lubowicki and Di Marco combined nicely and will no doubt have to do so again tonight against Beechy.
Beechy was another story altogether, early on tipped to take out the regular season and with home finals. This didn't turn out as expected and now (BEE) will need to bring their A game at their opponents home court in front of a hostile crowd. Interestingly (BEE) have listed two of their starters on the current trade market. Assuming they sell and (BEE) are successful tonight, they are very much likely to struggle in the final series.
On Tuesday (BEE) battled out against another highly respected team in Hopelessly Addicted. Each team won two quarters each but Beechy was able to to more damage in their winning quarters and keep things close in the others. Funny enough the two players that did the offensive damage for (BEE) are players named for transfer. This may have an effect on the players and perhaps they will struggle to perform, we will have to wait and see.
Game Preview:
In the head to head match up, each team has won a game a piece. (BEE) managed to win more comfortably at home and probably has a slight edge here. I would assume we are likely to see an inside vs outside game here and though either team can run both, I would guess (STO) for inside this time around. Both teams have consistent teams with both front court players and back court players that can get the job done. On paper I would suggest (BEE) has the more power at hand due to the salaries being paid to players. Big salaries doesn't always guarantee success and I wouldn't be too surprised to see (STO) lining up next week against the best team from the Great 8. Certainly a game to watch as this game could potentially head in a number of directions.