Now onto the conference that historically produces our tournament winner and, as we shall see, is likely to do so this season:
Utopia Brunswiek Magicians an unfortunate team, winner of three games in a bit more than two seasons in Utopia. but the time has not been wasted, as two players, Windwehr and Teschi, have been the focus of training and are on the verge of overwhelming opposition teams at the G position. Coach Horni sacrifices everything -- including arena size, GS and developing depth -- to training his future stars. is it significant that both youngsters are German?
Burly Lumberjacks the first team i've looked at that is developing an entirely Utopian squad. since i'm doing the same thing, i know the difficulties -- no talented veterans are available, and decent high-potential players are rare and valuable. bsmooth89 has made it even more difficult because he has not yet resorted to the TL. a large roster -- 15 players -- and many of them play, so i am guessing many players are being nudged forward. the salary structure suggests this, as well. a large stadium -- over 7500 seats -- suggests a manager biding his time, developing his base.
Utopia Brainstormers compared to the Lumberjacks, IgnassThugg is a wheeler-dealer: made a couple of hundred thousand off TL transactions, and hit a home run with the draft (Leon, a HoF potential). along with Donev, he has the core of a team, but i wonder if he will move these players after a certain amount of training? good sized stadium, a competitive team with an unclear future.
echoes in eternity another all-Utopia squad, not as rigorous as the Lumberjacks (Grant33 has tapped the TL a couple of times and there is one non-Utopian player on the roster. maybe he is in the process of changing citizenship.), and a handful of decent trainees. no single player leaps out, and Qizhong, relatively high potential, is 21 and only making $2200 a week. a large stadium, however, so money is probably coming in by the wheelbarrow.
Academic excellence judging from the national ranking, a very talented newcomer to DIV50. he got relegated after a season in DIII, but that looked to be a very competitive league. a very distinctive squad -- 4 very promising trainees, including Little Fisher, who has one of the very best names i've seen in BB -- and six veterans over 35. his plans are not clear -- Emteemaster sold two very promising players, and i would think with that roster that having the youngsters gain as many skills as those veterans are losing would be a successful training week.
RBC Pyszczyn a team whose record is much better than its national ranking. this squad has gone 16-6, 19-3, and is now 3-0 since Utopia began. largest stadium, largest attendance revenues, but modest roster costs. rav413 must have an eye for talent, for from what i can tell, his training efforts have gone into three guards (who make 60% of his team's salary). an interesting squad: proven track record, must be printing money (unless he has a world-class trainer), and an impressive core.
The Magnificent Warriors the way i see it, TMW has made it clear he does not want to be in DIV next season: his team salary dwarfs all the other teams in this league, with an average player costing twice the average of the next closest team. but TMW also got a magnificent trainee out of last season's draft. i think the challenge here is balancing the development of Blalock with securing HCA for the playoffs, as Academic and RBC will not go down without a fight. don't hand the crown to TMW quite yet -- there are injuries and other teams are getting better week by week -- but right now they look to be the favorites to advance after this season.