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We're down to the round of 16: (/BBWeb/cup.aspx) Look at those fancy new division graphics... nice! Makes it easy to see that we just lost the remaining III and IV teams, and we're down to 6 Naismith and 10 II teams.

I'm going to try to run a few mini-previews of this round in this thread, trying to focus on the lesser-known teams. We'll see how that goes. Feel free to post your own tourney ramblings here.

P.S. For those still in the cup, remember that the game is Tuesday this week, and that you get a second cup game Thursday if you win. So plan accordingly.


Last edited by Mod-oeuftete at 1/3/2009 12:46:28 PM

(Edit: Updated with Saturday's game and new stats.)

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Suomen Kovikset (24926), topi6v

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5-8, 7th place (Big 8, II.3, Canada)
(Differential -55, Pythagorean record: 5.2-7.8)

Game strategy (19 competitive matches):
* Offense: Run and Gun 10, Look Inside 7, Motion 2
* Defense: 2-3 Zone 11, 3-2 Zone 4, 1-3-1 Zone 3, Full Court Press 1
* Enthusiasm: 3 less (0 TIE vs CT), 13 equal, 3 more (0 CT vs TIE)

Overall stats:
* SUO: 43.2 FG%, 37.0 3P%, 54.9 REB (15.5 O), 19.4 A, 3.4 ST, 7.6 TO, 16.4 PF
* Opp: 46.1 FG%, 32.6 3P%, 51.1 REB (12.3 O), 21.5 A, 4.7 ST, 6.3 TO, 18.3 PF

Operates with a fairly small roster in a tough division. Top power forward Gradimir Bodiroga (5334909) is out injured, and virtually the entire roster is in poor game shape as a result of overuse. Was outclassed ratingswise in the last tournament round (10320224), but pulled it out solely on the strength of a decent outside offense and a non-existent opponent perimeter D.

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Ballattack (24890), rainman

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10-3, 2nd place (Great 8, II.4, Canada)
(Differential +122, Pythagorean record: 9.3-3.7)

Game strategy (19 competitive matches):
* Offense: Look Inside 19
* Defense: Man to Man 19
* Enthusiasm: 2 less (0 TIE vs CT), 15 equal, 2 more (1 CT vs TIE)

Overall stats:
* BAL: 51.3 FG%, 26.6 3P%, 52.1 REB (14.1 O), 24.0 A, 4.8 ST, 6.4 TO, 15.2 PF
* Opp: 44.1 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 42.4 REB (12.5 O), 19.2 A, 3.5 ST, 7.6 TO, 18.3 PF


One of the older Canadian franchises around. Started in Season 2, spent a couple of seasons in the Naismith. Best previous Tournament appearance was a round of 16 loss to Montréal Shooters: (6034204). No single dominant scorer with 5 players averaging between 14 and 17 ppg, including recent $1M guard purchase Jack Moss (2586569). No tactical variety, and the Look Inside choice is a little puzzling with not particularly dominant inside scoring ratings.

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Prediction: Ballattack's predictability and awful perimeter defense provides the same conditions that saw Suomen Kovikset sneak through the last round. Even that one was very lucky, and adding in another week of game shape hits, expect a comfortable Ballattack win.


Last edited by Mod-oeuftete at 1/5/2009 7:50:19 AM

expect a comfortable Ballattack win.

Although I still expect him to win, the crunch he pulled on me today is going to hurt. I don't know if he is planning to follow it with a TIE on Tuesday.

Thanks in advance for these previews. I anticipate that they will all be fun to read.


Last edited by HeadPaperPusher at 1/3/2009 9:11:22 PM

(Edit: Added new stats.)

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Angels of Pwnage (24875), Jenamen24

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11-2, 2nd place (Great 8, II.1, Canada)
(Differential +154, Pythagorean record: 10.0-3.0)

Game strategy (19 competitive matches):
* Offense: Run and Gun 12, Look Inside 5, Push the Ball 1, Low Post 1
* Defense: Man to Man 7, Full Court Press 6, 2-3 Zone 3, 3-2 Zone 2, 1-3-1 Zone 1
* Enthusiasm: 17 less (0 TIE vs CT), 2 equal, 0 more (0 CT vs TIE)

Overall stats:
* ANG: 44.8 FG%, 31.1 3P%, 63.9 REB (18.7 O), 20.3 A, 6.9 ST, 11.7 TO, 17.6 PF
* Opp: 40.2 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 45.5 REB (10.3 O), 18.8 A, 8.4 ST, 10.4 TO, 16.5 PF

A Season 2 team, who had their longest tournament run end last season at this stage (8112158) in a perhaps undeserved loss to Kelowna Ballers. Carries two players with salaries in the mid-40K range, SF Attila Özduran (2453179) and PF Hermes Andrizi (854271). Transfer list watchers may remember Özduran for being the first player of a particular milestone skill level to come up for sale. Starting SG Apolonas Kochanavicius (748039) has fouled out of 6 of his 10 league games so far. Looks to favour a RnG by default, but will adjust against teams with an obvious inside weakness. Based on the enthusiasm numbers above, may have TIE'd every game so far.

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MaltonHG (24908), MaltonHG

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8-5, 3rd place (Big 8, II.1, Canada)
(Differential +33, Pythagorean record: 7.4-5.6)

Game strategy (19 competitive matches):
* Offense: Look Inside 17, Base Offense 2
* Defense: Man to Man 19
* Enthusiasm: 1 less (0 TIE vs CT), 16 equal, 2 more (0 CT vs TIE)

Overall stats:
* MAL: 49.6 FG%, 21.9 3P%, 53.5 REB (13.0 O), 19.9 A, 5.2 ST, 7.1 TO, 14.4 PF
* Opp: 41.6 FG%, 32.1 3P%, 46.9 REB (13.4 O), 18.5 A, 3.9 ST, 8.3 TO, 21.2 PF

This team has been around since Season 2, and once previously reached the round of 16, losing to Keiths: (3977287). No stars on this team, with no salaries over 10K. Best player is probably original player PF Yann Forestier (717233), who plays big minutes and often leads the team in scoring and boards. Very predictable in enthusiasm and tactics, and top players are in poor game shape from overuse. No particular strength or weakness in their ratings.

Prediction: This is a direct rematch of the previous league game (8441304) which the Angels took 80-66. Based on the superior talent and management, look for continued Pwnage.


Last edited by Mod-oeuftete at 1/5/2009 7:51:34 AM

Awesome! Not even in the tournament, but I am following it and these bio are awesome.

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Jugglers (24904), sling

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12-1, 1st place (Big 8, II.2, Canada)
(Differential +323, Pythagorean record: 12.1-0.9)

Game strategy (19 competitive matches):
* Offense: Push the Ball 19
* Defense: 2-3 Zone 10, Man to Man 9
* Enthusiasm: 16 less (2 TIE vs CT), 3 equal, 0 more (0 CT vs TIE)

Overall stats:
* JUG: 46.9 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 65.8 REB (18.4 O), 22.7 A, 6.3 ST, 8.6 TO, 14.2 PF
* Opp: 35.9 FG%, 26.1 3P%, 42.5 REB (10.6 O), 18.3 A, 5.9 ST, 9.1 TO, 17.2 PF

Another manager around since Season 2, but this is by far Jugglers' longest Tournament run. No variety in offensive tactics, but all Push all the time isn't the worst idea when dominating the ratings. Defensive ratings consistently outpace offensive ratings by a good margin. No dominant scorer, but Canadian NT big Charles Targeau (796179) is clearly their best player. Impressive home-grown roster, with the top 4 salaries on the team totalling over $100K and going all to Canadians. Has been managing enthusiasm and player game shape well.

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Binopolis Celtics (24841), gsabino

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9-4, 1st place (Great 8, II.2, Canada)
(Differential +158, Pythagorean record: 10.1-2.9)

Game strategy (19 competitive matches):
* Offense: Look Inside 19
* Defense: 2-3 Zone 19
* Enthusiasm: 0 less (0 TIE vs CT), 15 equal, 4 more (0 CT vs TIE)

Overall stats:
* BIN: 48.6 FG%, 27.2 3P%, 59.4 REB (16.2 O), 19.4 A, 4.2 ST, 7.4 TO, 15.1 PF
* Opp: 40.6 FG%, 34.4 3P%, 40.9 REB (9.0 O), 16.4 A, 5.3 ST, 7.3 TO, 19.9 PF

Like Jugglers, started in Season 2 and are making their longest Tournament run. No single dominant player in salary, at least, with the top 5 all between 10-14K. Likely ignoring enthusiasm, and tactics are obviously static and perhaps not optimal. Not surprisingly, most of their scoring occurs on the inside, led by original Celtic Stanislas Fleury (796044). The 4.2 team steals per game is very low, and consistent with the team's poor perimeter defense ratings.

Prediction: Although these teams are leading the two II.2 divisions, Jugglers are clearly superior in talent and management. The Celtics' home court advantage won't be nearly enough to compensate. Expect a comfortable Jugglers win (and expect to see them make some Naismith noise next season).

(Here's the last of the II v. II matchups. If I have time to write a preview, I'll fill this in later. Feel free to write your own on this or any other!)

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Kelowna Ballers (25119), JoshieT69

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5-8, 7th place (Big 8, II.2, Canada)
(Differential -33, Pythagorean record: 5.7-7.3)

Game strategy (19 competitive matches):
* Offense: Look Inside 19
* Defense: 2-3 Zone 19
* Enthusiasm: 1 less (0 TIE vs CT), 16 equal, 2 more (0 CT vs TIE)

Overall stats:
* KEL: 46.9 FG%, 27.2 3P%, 55.8 REB (14.3 O), 17.7 A, 2.9 ST, 7.7 TO, 15.5 PF
* Opp: 42.5 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 42.8 REB (9.5 O), 18.7 A, 4.7 ST, 6.1 TO, 19.7 PF

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Thoroughbreds (24970), Kinghaven

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12-1, 1st place (Great 8, II.1, Canada)
(Differential +175, Pythagorean record: 10.4-2.6)

Game strategy (19 competitive matches):
* Offense: Look Inside 19
* Defense: 2-3 Zone 16, 3-2 Zone 3
* Enthusiasm: 11 less (0 TIE vs CT), 6 equal, 2 more (0 CT vs TIE)

Overall stats:
* THO: 46.4 FG%, 26.8 3P%, 57.7 REB (16.2 O), 19.2 A, 4.7 ST, 7.4 TO, 15.1 PF
* Opp: 40.6 FG%, 28.2 3P%, 45.5 REB (12.7 O), 19.7 A, 4.2 ST, 7.6 TO, 18.1 PF

It's too bad for Suomen Kovikset that my minutes got messed up by my winter traveling, so I have to play the rest of my players for training and gs and delay the fan extravaganza until next week. I have been impressed by the yorts, moving to the upper quarter of the Naismith ...

Haha, I'll prolly get wrecked by the Yorts...

Dear game engine...

Four fouls in the first 17 minutes on my top big, who is averaging 1.1 fouls a game, against a Look Inside offense, in the cup quarters, is very not cool.

Your friend,

oeuftete

Dear game engine...

Four fouls in the first 17 minutes on my top big, who is averaging 1.1 fouls a game, against a Look Inside offense, in the cup quarters, is very not cool.

Your friend,

oeuftete

the game engine could at least let him stop a shot or two if he is going to keep on fouling.