Play-In Game: Mikuzis 68 v. Bernard 47
I am sure by now everyone knows that Mikuzis trounced Bernard in the play-in game and looked real good in the process. Some surprising performances by Matt McDonough (20 points- 4 3s)-the MVP of the game, Tim Linane 13 points, McGuffrage 11 points. They also did tis without Sexton and without Gullotta.
Team Bernard played like they could not wait to get the season over and were without McEldowney. Smallbone continued his stellar season and finished with a double-double 20 points and 10 rebounds and several blocked shots.
Keith announced his retirement during the game but something tells me he will be back.
April 30th First Round
This is the last week that we have a full slate of games so everyone should make an extra effort to go up to Dingers after their game win or lose. It would nice to see some guys make their first and only appearance guys like ……………… You know who you are and you are probably nt reading the website any way. You probably don’t know we have a website or a sponsor for that matter.
I am anticipating some very “spirited” games – hopefully we can police ourselves and keep the nonsense down to a minimum. I am predicted at least 2 technicals tonight. Just remember the refs do not decide the games- calls will be missed- rise above it-say your peace respectfully and moved on to the next play. The refs have been instructed not to hesitate to control the game by calling technical-hopefully it will not come to that.
Moving onto the games, all of the match-ups are good and I expect the games to be close. It would not surprise me one bit if all the lower seeds moved on.
6:00- Shimko v. Wagner -3 (upset special #1) – Team Wagner will be at full-strength (other than PJ who has been basically out all year). Team Shimko will be missing their veteran leadership with Abe and George not showing up. There could be a story here. These two teams split their regular season games and was probably more of a product of who was or was not there on that particular night.
The key to this game will be who wins the battle between Carroll-Shimko and Packy and Bendo. Both Carroll and Shimko will have to avoid the temptation to put their teams on their respective shoulders and let the game come to them and keep their teammates involved. At times, team Wagner has looked like an unstoppable offensive force and at other times they have looked completely lost and have ben unable to get to the ball in the hands of the right people at the right time. Bendo is as steady as it comes and has a knack for coming up big in big moments. If he has success getting to the basket and finishing(and fight through the non-calls) it will bode well for Team Shimko. Alex will get his- you just don’t want him putting up 40. It would be smart if Team Wags put McCarthy on Shimko but they might go with Carroll to keep McCarthy out of foul trouble. Alex will need to get the ball inside and absorb a lot of physical lay and some non-calls. If he lets the physical play get to him he is playing right into Team Wag’s hands. Packy was the MVP of the 1st half but he has not been the same player the second half. Team Wags is going to need a big game from him. Chris Hayes will be an “x” factor for Team Wags as will Troy. If they can knock down their shots it will be a long night for Team Shimko.
Gainer will be the “x” factor for Team Shimko- he will need to hit his shots down low and control the boards against McCarthy and Baker. Dan Bedell will also be an “x” factor- they will count on him for his defense but he will also have to knock down a couple 3s. He needs to be that 3rd scorer that Team Shimko has lacked all year.
INTANGIBLES- Team Wagner is a deeper team an that just might be enough to give them a slight edge. I still maintain that Alex’s is a top 3 player in this league and that if he maintains his composure he has the talent to single-handedly win this game for his team.
7: 00 – Healy -3 v. Spadoni – Team Healy will be playing with only 7 guys and will be without their top two draft picks. Badon has filled in admirably for Mariner but it may be a little to much to ask to be able to take the place of both Derrick and Jeff. If Team Healy is going to advance it will be up to the Bash brothers to exploit the weakness of Team Spadoni which is their lack of size. Team Healy will also have to get some offense out of Alkofer and Mustafa.
Team Spadoni has been on cruise control all season and playing way below the talent level on their team. Missing Harrigan a potential 25 point score on any night will be hard to overcome but this could allow Team Spadano to keep the ball in the hands of Koll and he is capable of taking over a game. He is a tough match-up for Team Healy and it will take an heroic effort on Badon’s part to guard the other team’s best player and carry the offensive load for his own team. It maybe too much to ask.
Spadoni could be the “x” factor for his own team and he and Neil will need to put 10+points a piece if Team Spadani is going to have any chance of the upset.
INTANGIBLES- Team Healy having a short bench could work to their advantage if the Bash Brothers stay out of foul trouble. Dan Maloney is one of the few pure point guards left in the league and he has the ability to get to the basket and get the ball to the right people. Spud needs to let him run the show and they might even consider letting him guard Badon. Who will score for Team Healy besides Badon?
8:00 – O’Malley-5 v. Winner of Play-In Game
Based on the records of both teams, you would think this would be an easy game to pick and that Team Mikusiz has no chance. If things go right and a lot thing have to go right, Team Mikuzis could easily pull-off a stunning upset of the Number 1 seed. No question Team O’Malley, will have the best player on the floor and it ain’t even close but there is something to be said for letting McCann have his and stop everyone else. You just can not let McCann have one of those games of the ages. Team O’Malley basically has 3 players who have carried the load of the offense all year and they will have to do it again tonight. If O’Malley, McCann and Glanville are hitting on all cylinders there will not be much Team Mikusiz will be able to do. If one of those has an off game and no one else steps up, Team Mikuzis has a chance to steal this one. Steve Petrak could be the “x” factor for Team O’Malley and DiCarlo could also be an “x” factor because he does all the dirty work that know one else is willing to do. Tyler will have his hands full with Linane and Sexton so I do not expect a great offensive game form him. Team O’Malley will be counting on their top 6 to get the job done and will not rely on their bench.
Team Mikusiz made a statement in the play-in game that they are not ready to pack it in for the year. They have been playing as good as anyone in the 2nd half of the season, Both Lyons and Best are under-rated players but if Team Mikuzis gets the same contributions from Linane, McDonough and Mcguffrage tonight as they did in the play-in game they have a real shot at the upset. Sexton will be the “x’ factor if he can contain Tyler and help keep McCann off the boards. It will be interesting to see who guards McCann but regardless it will take a team effort.
INTANGIBLES- Team Mikuzis has the deeper team but it remains to be seen if they have enough to overcome the McCann factor. Team Mikuzis is by far the better defensive team. The question of the night will be whether Glanville does a better job and stopping McCann from scoring than the entire Team Mikuzis.
9:00- Statham –3 v. Manzke (upset special #2- OT)- Both teams will be at full strength (except for the Elder Statham). Addition by subtraction as they say. Team Statham beat Team Manzke twice in the regular season and once without Cosme. You know what they say about it hard to beat a team 3 times in one year. Team Manzke goes as Manzke and Gierhahn go. They both have similar games-thy can score, get to the basket and guard people much bigger than them. Geirhahn appears to have shaken off his mid-season offensive slump and his firing on all cylinders. Lack of size is Team Manzke’s weakness but considering Team Statham’s relative lack of size this is not a big advantage for Team Statham. Goyke will have to be the “x'” factor for Team Manzke and he always seems to have his best games against Team Statham. Keaty will also have to be an “x” factor as Team Manzke will need hom to score some points.
Team Statham never really had the Championship MOJO this year in part because Cosme missed the first 10 games od the season. Even more troubling is that even after he came back Team Statham did not paly well. Team Statham is still one of the deepest and talented teams in the league and very capable of winning back to back Championships but they need to start playing liking Champions from the jump ball. The key to Team Statham is ball movement and shot-making especially the 3 point shot. The “x’ factor will be Kevin Statham. Team Statham has failed almost on a weekly basis to keep him involved in the offense and make sure he gets his shots. Pete Spain will also be an “x” factor- not only can he stay with Manzke and Gierhahn-he makes the show run for Team Statham. They do not need him to score(but he can)- he just need to get the ball to the shooters in a timely fashion. Team Statham has more team offense than anyone in the league and if Cosme, Alvosky, Greeno and Staham are all making their shot it could be a long night for Team Manzke.
INTANGIBLES- Can Team Statham turn it on in the paly-offs and play to their capabilities or will they resort to their regular season form. Can Team Statham get enough offense from their “BIGS” to take advantage of their slight size advantage. Will Geirhahn and Manzke get enough second chance rebounds to neutralize Team Statham’s size advantage. They say offense wins games, defense wins championships. Team Manzke’s defense and their ability to get out and run could be the difference if they can keep the game close.
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