#1 Quiksilver vs. #4 Secret Agents
It’s the fourth seeded Secret Agents (5-2) against the number one seed Quiksilver (6-1) in a match-up that looks to be even on paper. The Secret Agents have been unable to beat Quiksilver in IBL play since their inception in Season 5. The Secret Agents are riding a 2 game win streak entering the game and seem poised to avenge last season’s loss to Quiksilver in the quarterfinal round.
The #1 seeded Quiksilver team is loaded with point scorers. Point guard Brandon Kinard (14.3 ppg. 3.9 rpg, 3.0 apg) is nursing his bad knees but thus far has not let that slow him down. Shooting guard Justin Virgil (10.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.9 apg) brings some good hands to the team, averaging 1.1 spg. Center Harry Yoo (14.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.4 apg) can bang inside, while forward Anthony Barajas (9.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, ) offers exceptional a back bone for Yoo in the post.
The point guard edge definitely goes to the Secret Agents with Terrail Thomas (16.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, and 1.3 spg), who has managed throughout the regular season and playoffs to figure out how to score. However against the Quiksilver this season, Thomas had a sub par game. Can he break through in this game? Behind Thomas is Teron Mack, Mack is averaging 13.1 ppg, and 4.0 rpg, and has played his best basketball as of late. Darryiall Morris (10.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.9 apg and 1.9 spg) and Lonnie Bradshaw (11.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.3 APG) brings quickness and sound rebounding skills to the court. He’ll have his hands full with the big men of Quiksilver.
Prediction:
- The Secret Agents features a flexible front-court, with a couple of guys who can hit from just about anywhere. They are fast and bold. Their back-court knows how to play defense. Quiksilver possesses some good firepower and fine upfront defense. The question is—can the Secret Agents stop Quiksilvers streak?
- The depth of Quiksilver will prove to be more than the Secret Agents can handle and Quiksilver will return to the Championship game when it is all said and done.
#2 Double Dribble vs. #3 Wonton Soup
This will be a heated rivalry match-up between two of the divisions powerhouses. These two teams have met in the past 3 post seasons with Wonton Soup coming away with victories in all 3 meetings. None more hurtful than the first which was in the Divisions championship game. Wonton Soup won the game and has had a strangle hold on the division since.
Double Dribble seeks retribution for their past 3 post season exits and are the favorite to come away with the win. Wonton Soup seems to be confused, their 68-65 victory over Happy Hour in the quarterfinals in the narrowest margin of victory for this team in any playoff match-up.
Alone Diahnte Pickett, Derrick Pickett, or Andrae Lockett are tough to contain; together, they’re nearly impossible to shut down. Both Pickett’s have the ability to create their own shot, and by doing so they lure in extra defenders which leaves Lockett open for the 3 point shot. Sure Double Dribble can score; they did that all season, but late in the season they proved that they could also play “D.”
Diahnte Pickett is a stellar, big play guy. At guard, he’s sure handed and able to see and create scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity. He leads the team in scoring, entering this contest averaging 18.6 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. Derrick Pickett, at forward-guard, is a dynamic player. Pickett enters this match-up averaging 16.7 ppg., 9.4 rpg, and 1.6 apg. Guard Andrae Lockett offers some additional scoring, but for Double Dribble their game lives and dies by the play of the Pickett’s. Key contributors would be Jesse Jimenez (8.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.4 apg) and Giovanni Valentine (10.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
It’s clear to everyone that the best power forward in the division is Aaron Sanchez (18.8 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 1.6 apg), behind Sanchez would be the best player on the court Jaime Villalobos. Villalobos actually had an average regular season averaging 12.3 ppg and 5.9 rpg. Villalobos came alive in the teams last playoff game with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Villalobos is very versatile. If he’s not hitting shots, he’s an exceptional playmaker and will get the ball to the open guy. On defense, Villalobos possesses the quickness of a “minute-man” and the reflexes of a cat. All kidding aside, these qualities will be extremely helpful against Double Dribbles Derrick Pickett. Jamaal Logan is the teams third scoring option, Logan is averaging 10.1 ppg and 1.8 apg. Trevor Sankey to the line-up proved to be crucial as his 12 points and 8 rebounds were key to Wonton Soup escaping the previous round with a win.
Prediction:
- These teams match-up nicely, but Wonton Soup has a much better three-point game and they are a cohesive unit, with many of these guys having played together for numerous seasons. With both teams boasting of sound defenses, this should be a very intense and chippy game withe the developing on/off court feud with Jesse Jimenez and Josh Johnson, expect a lot of jawing back and forth.
- I see Double-Dribble finally getting over the hump and defeating the reigning champs in a close game.
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