(3) NYC GRITTY COMMITTEE

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(6) GAME 7

This match-up was an instant classic for each team’s final game of the regular season. NYC Gritty Committee narrowly lost, but also had to play without (C) Victor Chia. Assuming he is back in the lineup, he’ll be a major factor in this game, as NGC struggled to keep GA7 out of the paint in that loss. On offense, stand out (G) Teddy Oh showed some growing pains as well, unable to figure out GA7’s zone D. These are two very crafty teams so the veterans will have to step up and take control.

Veteran (G) Elliott Curtis posted a great all around game in their reg season match-up, particularly from behind the arc. But their success came from a healthy dose of Curtis, (G) Mike Hamane & (F) Jamerson Green attacking the paint and finding shooters. If NGC has Chia in the paint, he can erase a lot of those opportunities, which may force GA7 to convert more from mid-range. Still, Green and Hamane will have to stay in attack mode to get NGC’s defense moving.

The veteran Lee has won more than his share of big games, they’ll need another vintage outing from him tonight against a tough GA7 squad. Lee took a step back this season to let Oh to step up offensively, but come playoff time, it’s the most experienced champions who take the reins.

Much like Lee for NGC, as long as Curtis is on the floor, GA7 has a chance to win. He is the focal point on offense in both scoring and as the team’s orchestrator, basically a player coach. Curtis has been lights out from behind the arc lately so look for a big night from the veteran guard.

(1) D.A.W.

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(9) TRIBE

After an opening season loss to a team that was eventually moved up to D1, D.A.W. has not lost another. This is a tough, physical team led by the dynamic duo of (G) Jason Meija and (C) Lou Nikki. There may not be a more formidable pair in D2. And they’re a tested team as well, winning close games all season long. They’re ready to compete for a title in their first season.

Tribe gets in by winning the play-in game, in which both teams played short-handed. So there is a possibility that TRI may be coming in with some tired legs. Still, there are key veteran players on this roster who have been here before, and won. If DAW sleeps on them, they certainly have the fortitude to pull off another upset and keep this run going.

Meija may be the toughest guard to stay in front of in D2. With an array of moves, and tough finishes, he’s able to create plenty of scoring opportunities for himself and for his teammates. His only shortcoming may be shot selection, but TRI doesn’t really have a player who can match up with his speed.

Chen is the kind of player that if you lose sight of him, he can hurt you. His game does not extend very far out on the perimeter, but he’s crafty, plays hard, and has a penchant for finding open spots on the floor. He should be a factor vs a DAW help D that occasionally falls asleep.

(2) DON’T EVER PLAY YOURSELF

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(7) UNCLE BOUGHT A COW

The two-time defending champs are still the favorite to win it all despite a season full of players needing time off for injury and for personal reasons. Their two losses seemed to have two things in common, young legs that move well off the ball, and reliable 3-point shooting. DPY’s physical style of defense can be exploited with those two things, and UBC has both. But with a full roster ready for the playoffs, and now a healthy (G) Emery Clark, DPY should still be considered the favorite here.

UBC lost their first four games to start the season. It looked hopeless, but a mid-season add of (F) Jacob Leizman turned it all around. This team has always played hard, but it didn’t always get the consistent offense to back up their effort. Leizman bring in 27.7 ppg, and that’s been good enough to finish 2-1 and enter the post-season with momentum. But getting DPY in the 1st rd is just about as tough a match-up as they could pull, especially with DPY wanting revenge for a reg season loss.

With Clark out of the lineup for most of the season, McFarlane was unleashed this season posting a career-best 22 ppg. Which takes nothing away from his bread & butter defense. Though his defensive #s are down, there are few players that defend like he does at his position.

Leizman is a natural scorer, finding any way to the put the ball in the bucket inside and out. The rookie gunner scored 34 on DPY in their reg season match-up, thanks to his tireless movement off the ball to get open and a knockdown jumper. DPY struggled to stay with him and paid the price.

(4) HONEY BADGERS

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(5) YOLO

It was the best regular season finish for the Honey Badgers, but their only interest here is to get back to the chip and win it. It’s all the same usual suspects, but with notable addition (F) Adam Powell who provides added scoring from the wing. Which has been HON’s weakness in the playoffs due to the amount of energy they expend on defense. YOLO, which is trying overcome it’s own playoff hump, will be a good test.

The addition of (F) Matt Birtwell and (G) Effie Klein, combined with the improved play of (F) Samson Adelaja has given YOL much more balanced scoring. And better overall rebounding and defense as well. YOLO isn’t one of D1’s flashier teams, so they could be poised for an upset here should teams want to sleep on them. But YOLO has not historically matched up very well with HON.

Zach Moretti’s nickname in this league is “Crash” because we can’t think of another player more willing to put his body on the line for every single play. Sometimes we worry about his health, but he makes for a great teammate–and a catalyst for HON–as no one is willing to let him crash alone.

The veteran Promax hasn’t shot efficiently this season, but if he can get it going early, it will challenge HON to focus their energy on defending him, which should open the lane up for Birtwell and Adelaja. Promax is the focal point, but will need to be crafty vs a tough defensive team.