League IV.28 Season 23 Playoffs are upon us!
Since the fun kicks off tomorrow I figured I’d put together some random facts and a preview of the matches.
In the Big 8 the playoff bound teams held a combined record of 60-28 compared to a combined record of 69-19 in the Great 8. The Big 8 playoff contenders scored 8558 points and allowed 6601; the Great 8 scored 8668 and allowed 6716. Points alone doesn’t mean much, but this statistic certainly shows that the conference’s best teams are pretty evenly matched heading into the post season.
Preview of the matches:
Big 8:
Springfield Storm @ Charlotte Hornetss:
Springfield Storm have made it to the IV.28 finals for the past two seasons in a row and, no doubt, crave to finish out a post season right and earn their way into D.III. The Hornetss were a promotion team, from V.30, new to IV.28 but proved they belong and certainly have a team capable of a serious run at the championship. These teams met twice during the regular season where the Hornetss came away victorious both times. My prediction is Hornetss win this game due to their utterly amazing defense, HCA, and historic record against this particular opponent.
Wuju Style @ Kole Krushers:
Wuju Style is a Div. V promotion team that found success immediately in IV.28 with their fast high powered offense that managed to outscore every other team in the league during the regular season. The Krushers are a team that tasted D.III in season 16 and relegated to IV.28 and have hung around since season 17. The Krushers have one of the largest arenas in the league to seat all their loyal fans and they are definitely a crowd favorite, particularly when at home. I predict their HCA will seal the deal and they advance despite having split the season series with Wuju 1-1.
Great 8:
Big Dawgs @ Hunterz:
The Big Dawgs fought hard and avoided relegation from IV.28 last season (and sent away the beloved Closet Men :P) and proved to their fans and the league that they belong as they secured a ticket to the post season action this time around. The Hunterz have been in IV.28 since season 18 after a short stint in D.III the team was very ill prepared for. These teams have faced off 4 times over the past 2 season and the Hunterz have won every single time. The playoffs would be a great time for the Dawgs to break that trend but my prediction is the Hunterz take this game with a deeper well balanced team.
Delpra @ Miu & Co. :
Miu & Co. came to IV.28 last season as a promotion team and landed in that uneventful fifth spot last season. This season they came back stronger and recorded the 2nd best record in the entire league. Delpra has resided in IV.28 since season 18 and have been a perennial playoff team since season 20. These teams have faced off 4 times in 2 seasons resulting in 2 wins each, always the home team coming away victorious. Personally, I think this will be the best/closest game of round 1.
Timothy Fuller[player=19251705 ]VS.
Wade Osborn(24734856) is one of the keys to this game. I predict the HCA Miu has will be just enough to eke out a win but honestly it’s too close a match up to predict.
Regardless of my predictions, BEST OF LUCK to all the playoff/relegation teams!