IBL | Season 10 | Division 3 Playoff Preview

 

 

#8 A.D.A.N vs. #9 Burger Kings

Last season’s Division 3 runners-up, the Burger Kings will begin their Season 10 post season run. The journey will start when they take on the #8 seeded A.D.A.N team who have had their recent struggles. A.D.A.N was 4-2 before dropping their last two games. The Burger Kings season has been far from spectacular as well. Due to personnel issues earlier in the season, the team got off to a rough start but they have since rebounded and have played .500 basketball over their last few games. The duo of Jamaine Lee and Jamaal Logan will try to outduel the tandem of Tony Banta and David Aguilera when these two teams take the court.

 

#7 Slaughterhouse vs. #10 Those Guys

In a battle of two offensively challenged teams. #7 Slaughterhouse will take on the #10 seed Those Guys with a trip to the 2^nd round on the line. Both teams don’t really excel in any category as a team, but individual players on each team will be the story of the game. Jairo Lopez will need a lot of help from his teammates if Those Guys want to move on. For Slaughterhouse, their offense has been running through Aaron Gaulding Jr. the last few weeks and it has been effective for the most part. Gaulding is a defensive spark plug whose active hands on the defensive end lead to many opportunities on the offensive end.

 

#6 California Swag Bears vs. #11 X-Men

The Swag Bears embark on their quest to their 2^nd Division championship when they square off with the #11 seed the X-Men. The two teams met in the opening round of last season’s playoffs with the Swag Bears coming out on top. In a match-up earlier this season, the X-Men pulled out to an 18-2 lead only to fall behind late in the second half after a huge run by CSB. If the X-Men can control the tempo from the opening tap and convert at an efficient rate on their 3-point shot, I could see the X-Men advancing. However, if the X-Men fail to contain the flailing talents of CSB’s leading scorer Charles Grays, then this will be a very long game for the X-Men. The advantage goes to CSB who have a huge advantage in the paint with the season ending injury of Darrin Bitterolf of the X-Men.

 

#4 Mad Villains vs. #5 AM/PM TMGS

Last season’s #1 seed the Mad Villians will kick off this post season as the #4 seed when they take on the #5 seed AM/PM Too Much Good Stuff. When playing the MadVillians you kind of know what to expect.  A shooting exhibition.  AM/PM on the other hand will be playing inspired after the tragic loss of their teammate Ethan Gray. AM/PM will be fired up as they are not playing for themselves, they are playing for their fallen teammate. Look for a run n’ gun type of game with AM/PM moving on to the semi’s.

IBL | Season 10 | Division 1 Playoff Preview

 

After what has seemed to be about 15+ weeks of regular season play. The playoffs have dawned upon us in the New Year. The reigning champions

#1 Most Hated vs. #8 Mercenaries

After coaching their first couple of games while sitting out with an injury. Larry Dew has returned in full form, while leading the surging Most Hated to the playoffs and the #1 overall seed. Most Hated secured the #1 seed after clinching the tie breaker. With a win in their final regular season game. They will take on the #8 seeded Mercenaries, who have had a rough season to date. The Mercenaries have had a few flashes of brilliance, with the uber athletic Darnell Banks. They however have just not gotten it together for 4 full quarters. Most Hated is on a mission to repeat and as a group that has been together for 3+ seasons, I don’t see this team falling to an 8 seed

#2 UnderRated vs. #7 Wolfpack

Under Rated sits at #2 and in prime position to capture the gold ball when things are said and done. Their first test will be the #7 seed the Wolfpack, who have struggled as of late. The Wolfpack have lost their last few games, their last win coming over the men of Under Rated in a 74-70 Week 4 win. Both teams are hungry for a win. Gary McNellys and Tyler Poullard will have their hands full with the Under Rated team who will be playing very confident, due to their previous 4 point loss to the Wolfpack without the services of their top 3 scorers (Jaime Villalobos, Mike Stricker and Max  Barkeley). If McNellys can get and stay hot early. Poullard will be able to get open shots.

#4 The Pack vs. #5 Washed Up
The Pack vs. Washed Up. Now we have seen this story play out over the past few seasons. Washed Up has won 2 division championships and on both of those runs to the golden ball, they have faced the Pack. In Washed Up’s first couple of seasons, they would in essence be the “Big Brother” and bully the little brother The Pack. Last season, the tables turned and the Pack defeated their rival in the opening round. Convinced that his team would have won if they had 5 players. The two teams met earlier this season, with The Pack coming out victorious yet again.

#3 Dynasty vs. #6 Knicee

the #3 v. #6 match-up is quite intriguing. This is a match-up that would suffice in latter rounds, but Dynasty and Knicee have all the makings of a good ol’ fashion Barn Burner. Both teams posses high-powered offenses, who can fill it up in bunches. Knicee has picked up their play lately but due to players not showing up as they once did, they fell into the #6 seed. Looking back to earlier in the season, Dynasty was the #1 seed with a 4-0 record and was the last undefeated team in the division, but they dropped 2 of their last 3 and almost dropped their game to the winless Mercenaries. Every season GM Keith Hatter says his team will win the championship, and every season his team falls short. This is another season where Dynasty falls short.

IBL | Season 10 | Division 2 Playoff Preview

 

#7 UNDFTD vs. #10 Bromantic

In what was considered to be their redeem season after a disappointing semi finals loss to the eventual champs Quiksilver in last season’s playoffs has been all but redemption. The former champs and division powerhouse UNDFTD have stunk it up this season on the hardwood, which has landed them in the #7 spot with a 3-4 record. They open the post season taking on the #10 seeded Bromantic who is coming off a win in their opening round game over the #11 seed Dipset.  UNDFTD’s GM has confirmed that regardless of how this post seasons run ends; the team will not be returning next season.  With the emergence of Jazz Freeman as a potent scorer for Bromantic, UNDFTD’s defense will have their hands full. The game will be played according to who shows up. Literally. If UNDFTD can get all their players in the gym then this game is theirs. However if they don’t we will be looking at a #2 vs. #10 match up in the semi’s.

 

#8 Special Delivery vs. #9 MMG

In the 8 v. 9 matchup we have Special Delivery led by Lester Cole taking on the #9 seeded rookie team MMG. Special Delivery has regressed since last season’s disappointing playoff run where they fell to eventual runner-up HighLife. MMG has flown under the radar much of the season and haven’t really had any signature wins to date. Special Delivery should win this game just based off experience. They’ve been to the playoffs before and they know what it takes. Regardless of not having the team’s two key players from last season’s run (Alwyn Jordan & Sammeon Waller).

 

#3 American Deficit vs. #6 HOOPAHOLICS

The reigning champs of Division 2 will kick off their latest post season run when they take on the #6 seeded HOOPAHOLICS in the 2^nd round of the Division 2 playoffs. American Deficit has played under the radar for the most part of the season, and managed to secure the #3 seed with a 5-2 regular season record. With the core of last season’s championship team returning, GM Richard Hak added former BYU Point Guard Lamont Morgan to the mix for their race to the repeat.  On the other side of things, we have the HOOPAHOLICS, who are a well oiled fundamentally sound machine.  This team may not have the most athletic players, but they have been known to punish opponents with their execution, and selfless team play. If any team is capable of upsetting the champs and kicking off the post season with a bang it would be the HOOPAHOLICS.