Semifinals – Tuesday (3/20) 8:30pm @ Fashion High
(1) PREMATURE SHOOTERS (6-1)
Scouting Report: Rookie (F) Bobby Bruns is a versatile 6-3 swingman who has been the toughest match-up in D2 this season. Their front-court is one of D2’s biggest, and going up against UBC, who’s front-court is one of the smallest, they should dominate the glass. PRE are helmed by point (G) Shane Gillelle, who has been as solid as they come in this division.
Key Players: (F) Bobby Bruns (19 ppg, 11.3 rpg), (G) Shane Gillelle (17.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 spg)
(4) UNCLE BOUGHT A COW (5-3)
Scouting Report: UBC lost a 25+ ppg scorer before the season even started, but it’s “next man up” all season as the Uncles (or is it the Cows?), have found ways to win by scrapping in every game. That fighting spirit is best encapsulated in the play of veterans (G) David Weiss and (F) Ben Hoynes. Rookies (F) Sam Elias and (F) David Levy are All-Rookie Team candidates.
Key Players: (G) David Weiss (10.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.9 apg), (F) Sam Elias (9.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.1 apg)
Semifinals – Tuesday (3/20) 9:30pm @ Fashion High
(2) TRIBE (5-2)
Scouting Report: TRI is the most balanced offensive team in D2, and could have been the #1 seed if not for a surprising loss in their last game of the season. They were the only team to beat PRE in the regular season. Tribe gets after it on the offensive glass, and can score from any spot on the floor. They are a veteran-led team that has plenty of playoff experience.
Key Players: (F) Sherwin Salar (9.8 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 6.5 apg), (F) Saad Saad (12.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1 bpg)
(3) NYC GRITTY COMMITTEE (6-2)
Scouting Report: While it is true that TRI has a veteran-laden roster, every player on NGC has logged several seasons together as a unit. Not only that, they’re in the middle of a renaissance, a resurgence of the Gritty dynasty of years past. To say this team is battle-tested is a joke of an understatement. Gritty should be considered the favorite in every playoff match-up until proven otherwise.
Key Players: (G) Ace Watanasuparp (14.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3 spg), (G) David Chu (14.3 ppg, 2.6 apg)