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With the playoffs only 5 games away, I thought I'd get this thread going. Lot's of story lines going into the post season.

The Chase for the #1 Seed
This really comes down to 2 teams after the Swanson loss to Door Mats debacle. Mashers carry a 1 game lead currently, but Liberty and Power will take over the spot with his PD advantage (currently 66 points). So, it's really the Masher's spot to lose. They're fortunate to have the Traptors at home late in the season, as that would be their biggest test. Not sure the Traptors will have any reason to throw out a CT there, as they're pretty much locked into the 2 seed in the Big 8. The biggest test will likely come in the last, with the Mashers finishing with 2 away games against Extra Crispy and Eclypze, both of whom could be fighting for the playoffs. Liberty and Power in the meantime, has to win out, but gets Swanson at home.

My prediction: Flash Mashers hang on to #1 seed.

Big 8 Playoff Race
You've got 4 teams fighting for 2 spots who are only 2 games apart from each other. This will get interesting. Eclypze has won 3 out of his last 4, and has surged into the #4 spot. Extra Crispy holds the biggest advantage right now, but still has Eclypze and Lake Charles away games coming up, plus has Flash Masher coming to town. Not an easy 3 out of 5 games there. Eclypze probably has the toughest schedule to finish, but do have the majority of home games. They still host Natellio on TV, host the Mashers and Extra Crispy, and have to go to the Traptors place. Lake Charles have just hung around that 6 spot all season, but look threatening all of a sudden. They get a 25 point walkover coming up this weekend, and get to host Extra Crispy and the Traptors. An away game against Natellio on 4-24 will be very interesting. Natellio has dropped 4 of his last 5 games, but has made some additions which should assure an avoidance of relegation, at the very least. They finish at home as well with 3 of the final 5 in friendly confines. Saturday's game at Eclypze, and the 4-24 game against Lake Charles are the important ones.

My prediction: Extra Crispy holds on to the #3 seed as the other 3 guys beat the crap out of each other. Natellio emerges at #4 after winning their last 4. No bias, of course.

2 Left Feet vs East Gary Eagles for #4
The question of course, does either team really want the #4 spot, or do they want to save money from the #5? Similar to the #1 seed race, the Eagles have the record advantage, while 2 Left Feet carry a significant PD advantage. The Eagles took them down in their last head to head bout, which may have sealed the deal. 2 left Feet still has to host the top 3 seeds in the conference, while the Eagles only have 2.

My prediction: East Gary hangs on, only to get destroyed by Liberty in round 1.

Fighting Relegation
The 6 seed out of the Big 8, whoever it ends up being, should be able to stay in the league without trouble. The Door Mats reeled off 3 straight, and after Broken Arrow has sold off everyone, it looks like there could be a fight for 7th in the Great 8. The Door Mats may have to win 2 more games though, which could be tough. Regardless, not sure either team can survive a series with the Big 8's #6, without home court. The interesting relegation series will probably be the other matchup, which as it stands today would be Updog vs. Cresleys. Updog was a semi-finalist last season, so it could be interesting to see what they bring to the table to stay in the league.

My prediction: Lake Charles takes down BAT in 2 games, Cresley's takes down Updog in 3 games.

Now we get so see if these predictions were as bad as my NCAA predictions.

Games to watch

Chase for the number one seed
4/14 Toronto Traptors @ Flash Mashers
4/24 Flash Mashers @ Extra Crispy
4/24 Ron Swanson Allstars @ Liberty and Power
4/28 Flash Mashers @ Eclypze

Big 8 Playoff Race
4/14 Natellio @ Eclypze
4/17 Extra Crispy @ LCC
4/21 Extra Crispy @ Eclypze
4/24 LCC @ Natellio

Fight for Great 8 #4 Seed
4/17 Connecticut Cresleys @ East Gary Eagles
4/24 2 left feet @ Connecticut Cresleys

Relegation Battle
4/28 LCC @ Updog Brewers (TV)
4/21 BAT @ Door Mats

I see it like this: Nobody has a reason to try an beat my team, the extra effort it would cost them would ruin what ever chances they had in the playoffs. Traptors is the one team that has hopes for a playoff run but putting forth more than a TIE won't help them even if they win. They already have the #2 seed. On the other hand the Great 8 has a three way race going on. I predict Ron Swanson will win in the semifinals with more effort, just like they did on the road against me.

As for the big 8, I think Natellio and Extra Crispy will make the playoffs, but at a cost of effort and possibly gameshape. 5th seed isn't a bad option at this point in the season. Of course that carries the risk of missing by one seed and ending up in a relegation battle.

I also agree with Natellio on the relegation battle - both number seven seeds will be hard pressed to beat the six seed on the road. I think the Cresleys are gonna manage another season of D.III, question is are they making use of it by helping their economy.

I really am just ready for this season to be over.

Great analysis fellas!

Toronto I swear, if you CT'd...

Part of me wants to throw the rest of the season. But, the #2 pick is probably out of reach after tonight.

Two games to go for the regular season, so I thought I'd do a quick update.

Chase for the #1 Seed

Mashers still holding strong. Two TOUGH away games coming up though (@ Extra Crispy and @Eclypze). Both teams are in the playoff race. I expect Extra Crispy to go after this one a little bit, as he's a in a little trouble and has an Ozark walkover to finish and bank enthusiasm. Eclypze's effort will likely depend on what happens Tuesday, as he only wants to assure 5th place. L & P meanwhile has Swnason coming to town, who has no apparent reason not to TIE and work on gameshape. Cresley's on TV shouldn't be a problem even with a CT.

Big 8 Playoff Race
What a mess. 4 teams separated by a game. Big game Tuesday with Lake Charles and Natellio. A win for Natellio will guarantee 5th as a worst case, and could put him in the running for the #3 seed all of a sudden. Eclypze gets a walkover to prep for Natellio this weekend. As mentioned above, Extra Crispy has the Mashers at home. A win would guarantee the 3 seed with Ozark next on the schedule.

Great 8 #4 race
Still only a game separating East Gary and 2 Left Feet. PD is tight as well. However, East Gary has an easier finish.

Fighting Relegation
How about the Door Mats??? Unreal finish. They've now won 6 of their last 7. Most amazingly, they've done it without any major acquisitions. They're assured a relegation series at this point, but all of a sudden have a legit shot at 5th place. I'm cheering for them. In the meantime, Updog is locked in at the #7 spot, and will await to see who he gets. Regardless, I expect a 3 game series there. Still don't think the Great 8 #7 has any chance at beating the Big 8 #6.

Well hopefully I'm not paying my center 100k a week just to drop the ball now... It's promotion or bust for the Flash Mashers

Hope you don't come down with another injury anywhere. When healthy, i think you're the slight favorite over L & P. Should be quite a series with you and either L & P or Swanson.

I'm hoping the fact that I'll have HCA, enthusiasm, and Gameshape advantages will give me the upper hand... that is if I can beat EC and Eclypze. If either of them CT me it will kill their playoffs hopes.

One game to go! Lots of possiblities still, but here's my analysis.

Chase for the #1 Seed
Really only a half game lead here for Flash Mashers since Liberty will have the PD tie breaker and a much more winnable game than the Mashers. All the Mashers need to do is win one more, and they've got homecourt. Not a gimmie by any means @ Eclypze, but with the better team, and Eclypze guarunteed the 5 seed at worst, I expect the Mashers to win with relative ease and hang on to homecourt.

Big 8 Playoff Race
Still lots of scenarios here. Lake Charles has been eliminated from the race. Extra Crispy fell to teh #5 spot, but has a 25 point win coming Saturday. This assures him of finishing 11-11 with a +9 PD. So, if the Flash Mashers take down Eclypze, and the Traptors take down Natellio, Crispy will slide back into the #3 spot, and Natellio taking the 4 spot. However, a win from either Natellio or Eclypze will make it impossible for Extra Crispy to move up. I expect the #1 and #2 seeds to take care of business though, leaving Extra Crispy as #3, Natellio as #4 and Eclypze as #5.

2 Left Feet vs. EGE for #4
East Gary now owns a one game lead and the PD advantage. And with 2 Left Feet having to go Ron Swanson, not sure they can overcome it. #5 is not a bad place to be though.

Fighting Relegation
Door Mats almost made it to #5. It does look like, though, they will be able to hang on to the #6 spot (barring a massive Cresleys upset over Liberty) and have home court for the relegation series. Updog will not be an easy out though. That could be a 3 game bloodbath. Lake Charles is locked into the #6 spot on the other side, and will likely go up against the Cresleys. Could be another good series, but I expect Lake Charles to win that one it two games.

Good luck everyone!