Week 1 Results:
Extreme Cues def. Straight Shots 5-2 - We all knew EC would be good this season, but dayum Straight Shots, better hope Gary starts playing.
Pool Fiction def. Break and Run 5-3 - Based off the rosters, it really could have gone either way, the rematch will be a tasty one.
Freedom def. Sexy Poolerz 5-1 - While everyone may be thinking Brice is a fool, Freedom simply came out firing in this one. Once he gets his team together, SP will be one to look out for.
Streak Breakerz def. 8Ball Crushers 5-3 - Got this one wrong, fire me please!
Latin Pool Legends def. Pool Dragonz 5-3 - Can't bring 3 players to every match, not sure how you can only bring 3 when it takes 4 to run a swiss only hours earlier.
Monday @ 6pm - Freedom [1-0] vs Straight Shots [0-1]
Freedom had the biggest win in week 1, and may very well once again in week 2. With players like Andy and Mike yet to play for Petey, he certainly has a rotation to thump teams every week, should they actually show. Straight Shots on the other hand, not much of a rotation, yet anyways. Hopefully Gary, Shelle, Pita or whoever is running that show, have some tricks up their sleeves because their week 1 effort wasn't that great, and while it's only one week, they better make sure it doesn't continue. Freedom always have great starts to interleagues, while Straight Shots seem to always start slow, so based off that very meaningful observation, Freedom should win, unless Pita continues his hot form to this season. 3/3 in tournaments so far? DAYUM PITA YOU DA MAN!
Prediction - Freedom 5-3, Pita 3-1.
Tuesday @ 6pm - 8Ball Crushers [0-1] vs Sexy Poolerz [0-1]
These two teams lost last week, and sadly, one will do so again, stunning observation amirite? The crushers, who were once my dark horses of IPA once upon a time, have the talent to come back and win without a doubt, but so does SP if Brice gets all his boys to the yard cause damn right, his milkshake is better then yours. Kev can carry against just about any team, so getting him is almost as necessary as internet these days. For 8bc, the same lineup can very well take out SP. They have a solid 5 players that can win 2-3 on any night as long as luck is on their side.
Prediction - Sexy Poolerz 5-3
Tuesday @ 7pm - Streak Breakers [1-0] vs Pool Fiction [1-0]
These two undefeated sides square off in a match that isn't match of the week. THRILLING! Streak Breakers were able to get past 8bc last week in thanks to Matt and Joe, who apparently is going to win MVP, look out Chris. Pool Fiction is a bit tougher then 8bc some might say, and Joe will need help if he looks to lead his side, past a side of his past. Pool Fiction has rebuilt since some poor season on their behalf, and rebuilt they have. After being the reigning champions, you could put forth an early but useless argument that the championship will come down to either PFN or LPL. Valid, but useless. Pool Fiction have a small but consistent line-up, and that shouldn't be an issue at all this week.
Prediction - Pool Fiction 5-2
Wednesday @ 7pm - Pool Dragonz [0-1] vs Break and Run [0-1]
After reaching the finals last season, both teams haven't got off to a start to put them back on track, but a win here could. Pool Dragonz failed pretty hard last week, unable to take advantage of a 3-man LPL squad last week, while Break and Run just didn't have the fire power to play with Pool Fiction. Pool Dragonz will need Pom and his marbles to show up for the match if they look to do what they did in Match 1 of the finals last season. For Break and Run, they're missing their playoff MVP who helped beat Pool Dragonz so they'll be looking a tad different this season, but should still have the upper hand if they're able to bring their top 5.
Prediction - Break and Run 5-3
Thursday @ 7pm - Latin Pool Legends [1-0] vs Extreme Cues [1-0]
In the final match of the week we see two teams who won with ease last week. LPL were able to win with only 3 players, while EC made quick work of SS. Daru & co. will need to bring more then 3 if they want to win this week though. Extreme Cues is certainly a team that, with a bit of luck, can make a run to the title match this season. They have a solid core that can each pick up 2 wins a night, but at the same time, with no "superstar" on the team, every night will need to be a team effort, so falling behind early against LPL may be lights out. For LPL, they'd be able to snatch a top 2 spot in the conference playing all season with only Tino, Kev and Daru, but it's certainly not the safe way to do so. There's no question Daru & co. will be able to pick up a few more players, which is pretty bad news for everyone else.
Prediction - Latin Pool Legends 5-3
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Week One
Monday @ 6pm - Straight Shots vs Extreme Cues
The opening match-up for Season 12 is an interesting one to say the least. Neither team has had much success in PRO, and neither have much expectations this season, so both will be fighting to earn the respect of PRO. Straight Shots come into this match as the favorites one can imagine, and while it's not a bad idea to note their poor starts in PRO, they have a much different look this season compared to seasons past. Players like Dave, Nish, and Mike are gone, and the likes of Jon and Pita aren't being counted on to play every week. Gary will be leading the way and he'll need to lead by example at the tables. Straight Shots usually have a roster of 67 every season, but Gary will need to find a consistent core to play every week or he'll be leading Straight Shots down a path many other captains have in the past. For EC, Maria will be leading a team with minimal expectations, but have already shown great results in other interleagues. PRO is something special though where the stakes are raised and she'll need to raise her game just as much. I predicted these teams 4th and 3rd respectively, and I'm feeling a close match going down to the end, it just depends on which team brings more talent in the opener.
Prediction - 5-4 Straight Shots
Monday @ 7pm - Break and Run vs Pool Fiction
Now here is a headliner. Break and Run come into the season with a target on their back being the reigning champions. As such, everyone is gunning for you, and with a revamped roster, Kerry & co. might be in great shape to spoil your opener. With Joe back, Dina & co. will have a nice replacement for Gus should he wonder back to LPL, but if he stays then Break and Run may once again be the team to beat, even if Kerry tries to say otherwise. With Mattski, Brent, Brian and Trey, Pool Fiction has all the tools necessary to rise back to the top, and having a statement match in their opener is the way to go. With so many heavy hitters in this match it'll obviously go far, but Pool Fiction may just have one too many for Break and Run.
Prediction - 5-3 Pool Fiction
Tuesday @ 7pm - Sexy Poolerz vs Freedom
In the first cross-conference match of the season, we ironically see the two teams who choked playoff spots away last season. Both teams have reloaded, and while Freedom has been predicted to finish along side LPL at the top, SP has had a different fate, being predicted at the bottom, which is not to the pleasure of Brice. SP have a good roster that's not questionable, this season of PRO may very well boast the most talent in recent seasons. But with carry format, going up 3-2 is never enough, even being up 4-0 is never safe depending on who your opponents 5th is. Sexy Poolerz lack that bang and will need to be great from top to bottom every match if they look to win, except against inconsistent squads like Freedom. Freedom has brought in new talent which will come in handy since a) Trav has disappeared since his departure from the real world into the world of middle eastern food, and b) they could use it. With added depth, Petey will be able to pick players each week instead of chase them around, which should help them, unless they all run away.
Prediction - 5-3 Freedom
Wednesday @ 7pm - 8Ball Crushers vs Streak Breakerz
Time to make up another story-line for yet another opening match. Two teams who have never played a PRO match before, will do so against each other midweek. 8bc are led by Brandon, who I will assume is new to PRO, possibly altogether, but has players who have experience in carry format which will help. Streak Breakerz are led by Tyson who might be new to PRO altogether as well, but has a co-captain in Joe who has experience in PRO and should help quite a bit. 8bc hasn't played too many interleagues lately outside of UIC, while SB have been in and out of interleagues all around. While neither team has too many players signed up, going off UIC rosters, 8 Ball Crushers should have the better line up, but it doesn't mean Streak Breakerz will be an easy opponent. I can't comment on much else but it'll be interesting to see who shows for each squad and how they do, good luck both!
Prediction - 5-4 8Ball Crushers
Thursday @ 7pm - Latin Pool Legends vs Pool Dragonz
In the final match up, we have the Season 10 champs against the Season 11 runner ups, correlation? That should be good enough. LPL return to PRO with what I imagine will be the same line-up they won with, but without Ant. Will that hurt them? Seeing as how they slapped everyone around that season, it shouldn't hurt too much, but if they are without Gus as well then LPL may actually have trouble with some teams, which hasn't been the issue since the days of MLD when there were many stacked teams. For Pool Dragonz, it may be a very long season, and not long like last season. With a roster that will probably have gotten smaller, somehow, DJ will need to carry the load once again, and someone else, probably Drew, will have too as well if Pool Dragonz wish to crack the playoffs. If Pommy takes a break from marbles, and Gus sticks with Break and Run, Pool Dragonz has a chance, but if Gus comes back and throws marbles at Pommy, it should be a fair welcome back for LPL.
Prediction - 5-2 Latin Pool Legends
The opening match-up for Season 12 is an interesting one to say the least. Neither team has had much success in PRO, and neither have much expectations this season, so both will be fighting to earn the respect of PRO. Straight Shots come into this match as the favorites one can imagine, and while it's not a bad idea to note their poor starts in PRO, they have a much different look this season compared to seasons past. Players like Dave, Nish, and Mike are gone, and the likes of Jon and Pita aren't being counted on to play every week. Gary will be leading the way and he'll need to lead by example at the tables. Straight Shots usually have a roster of 67 every season, but Gary will need to find a consistent core to play every week or he'll be leading Straight Shots down a path many other captains have in the past. For EC, Maria will be leading a team with minimal expectations, but have already shown great results in other interleagues. PRO is something special though where the stakes are raised and she'll need to raise her game just as much. I predicted these teams 4th and 3rd respectively, and I'm feeling a close match going down to the end, it just depends on which team brings more talent in the opener.
Prediction - 5-4 Straight Shots
Monday @ 7pm - Break and Run vs Pool Fiction
Now here is a headliner. Break and Run come into the season with a target on their back being the reigning champions. As such, everyone is gunning for you, and with a revamped roster, Kerry & co. might be in great shape to spoil your opener. With Joe back, Dina & co. will have a nice replacement for Gus should he wonder back to LPL, but if he stays then Break and Run may once again be the team to beat, even if Kerry tries to say otherwise. With Mattski, Brent, Brian and Trey, Pool Fiction has all the tools necessary to rise back to the top, and having a statement match in their opener is the way to go. With so many heavy hitters in this match it'll obviously go far, but Pool Fiction may just have one too many for Break and Run.
Prediction - 5-3 Pool Fiction
Tuesday @ 7pm - Sexy Poolerz vs Freedom
In the first cross-conference match of the season, we ironically see the two teams who choked playoff spots away last season. Both teams have reloaded, and while Freedom has been predicted to finish along side LPL at the top, SP has had a different fate, being predicted at the bottom, which is not to the pleasure of Brice. SP have a good roster that's not questionable, this season of PRO may very well boast the most talent in recent seasons. But with carry format, going up 3-2 is never enough, even being up 4-0 is never safe depending on who your opponents 5th is. Sexy Poolerz lack that bang and will need to be great from top to bottom every match if they look to win, except against inconsistent squads like Freedom. Freedom has brought in new talent which will come in handy since a) Trav has disappeared since his departure from the real world into the world of middle eastern food, and b) they could use it. With added depth, Petey will be able to pick players each week instead of chase them around, which should help them, unless they all run away.
Prediction - 5-3 Freedom
Wednesday @ 7pm - 8Ball Crushers vs Streak Breakerz
Time to make up another story-line for yet another opening match. Two teams who have never played a PRO match before, will do so against each other midweek. 8bc are led by Brandon, who I will assume is new to PRO, possibly altogether, but has players who have experience in carry format which will help. Streak Breakerz are led by Tyson who might be new to PRO altogether as well, but has a co-captain in Joe who has experience in PRO and should help quite a bit. 8bc hasn't played too many interleagues lately outside of UIC, while SB have been in and out of interleagues all around. While neither team has too many players signed up, going off UIC rosters, 8 Ball Crushers should have the better line up, but it doesn't mean Streak Breakerz will be an easy opponent. I can't comment on much else but it'll be interesting to see who shows for each squad and how they do, good luck both!
Prediction - 5-4 8Ball Crushers
Thursday @ 7pm - Latin Pool Legends vs Pool Dragonz
In the final match up, we have the Season 10 champs against the Season 11 runner ups, correlation? That should be good enough. LPL return to PRO with what I imagine will be the same line-up they won with, but without Ant. Will that hurt them? Seeing as how they slapped everyone around that season, it shouldn't hurt too much, but if they are without Gus as well then LPL may actually have trouble with some teams, which hasn't been the issue since the days of MLD when there were many stacked teams. For Pool Dragonz, it may be a very long season, and not long like last season. With a roster that will probably have gotten smaller, somehow, DJ will need to carry the load once again, and someone else, probably Drew, will have too as well if Pool Dragonz wish to crack the playoffs. If Pommy takes a break from marbles, and Gus sticks with Break and Run, Pool Dragonz has a chance, but if Gus comes back and throws marbles at Pommy, it should be a fair welcome back for LPL.
Prediction - 5-2 Latin Pool Legends
Friday, June 17, 2011
Season 12
Welcome to Season 12 everyone! After being persuaded to come back, I agreed to do another season, thankfully the quality of predictions was non-negotiable.
Welcome to new leagues, thanks for playing leagues that left, and welcome back to leagues that stayed. Congrats winners, better luck next time those who were defeated. Welcome new admins and rules, bye bye old admins and rules.
On to predictions!
Atlantic Conference:
1st - Pool Fiction
While the name Pool Fiction is a name that's easy to predict at the top, Kerry & co. have had a tough go recently with many seasons of results that aren't typical of Pool Fiction, an obvious reaction to so many of her superstars moving on, something I cannot do. But her team is slowly being rebuilt and certainly has the capabilities of winning this conference. Players like Mattski, Brian and Trey can carry against anyone, their only issue will be depth but we'll see as the season goes on.
2nd - Break and Run
The returning champs became champs because of 3 players. Ross, Jordy and Gus carried the team all season, and with Gus more then likely gone to LPL, Break and Run will have a tough time matching the gap of quality. Over the past few years, depth has always been an issue for Dina & co., leaving them to hold off on many interleagues while the ones they're in, they seem to do well with such few players. Replacing Gus will be tough, but with Jordy, all you need is a bowl of popcorn and some lube.
3rd - Extreme Cues
Oh yes, Extreme Cues, predicted third. Led by a girl who defeated Pool Fiction all by herself, Extreme Cues have talent to finish the season strong with players like Aaron, Mitch, Maria, Stephen and JJ. While I doubt Maria will be able to do the same against PFN this season, they should be able to handle the rest of the leagues talent wise, with the only thing holding them back from 1st or 2nd being their captain. First time captains are always well, new. New to strategy, new to whatever else captains do, and in the toughest interleague around, it's a tough place to get your feet wet. Hopefully she sticks with it, and if she learns quickly then I see EC finishing even higher.
4th - Straight Shots
4th?! Deal with it. They have seemed to have lost a few players, which isn't good for a team that struggled last season. Gary is their captain though, which is good because they'll have him every week to play along with Jon and Pita. This squad is always a team that will either show up, or completely be gone, and even if they get lucky, a 13 week season which is unlucky, will be too much to rely on for luck.
5th - Sexy Poolerz
Someone has got to finish last, sorry. Brice will be leading a squad that has mixed expectations. Last season they started 3-2, before losing their last 5 in one hell of a fall from grace. For a moment they shook off their WSOP labels as losers, but seemed to come back into it. Sure they're doing well in UIC as one of the predictors mentioned, but that's the Emerald Division. Just about every Diamond Division team will be your opponents. You will certainly win a few, and you have the potential to win more then a few, you'll just have to show me first.
Pacific Conference:
1st - Latin Pool Legends
If you don't predict LPL to finish first, you're clearly not basing anything on talent. They've proven time after time they are the favorites just by signing up. With a line-up that should include Tino, Gus, Daru, Luis and Uriel, I can get away with saying no more..
2nd - Freedom
Like SP, Freedom choked their season away pretty hard, but have certainly refuelled for this season. They've brought in great new additions with Mike and Nish, which will help as Travis is still over seas doing what men do. Petey who finished a few chokes shy of being able to give himself MVP will have a more consistent line-up, which might be the missing pieces to his already talented, but inconsistent line-up. They can certainly win it all, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they finished last, again..
3rd - 8 Ball Crushers
A league new to PRO, full of names no one knows, finishing ahead of last seasons runners up? Sure why not. 8bc are a talented bunch, and completely unknown to just about everyone. Players like Ifran, Niks and Brandon are all capable of winning a few games each every match, and couple that with the randoms that I don't know, then they certainly have the capabilities of doing quite well.
4th - Pool Dragonz
4th?! Deal with it. Beyond Drew, DJ, Christy, Charles, and Ash, who do you really have? We all know Pom is too busy with his new set of marbles to play, and Hani hasn't been on much as of late, so depth is incredibly important for Drew & co. You had a magical run last season, and you certainly can repeat it this season, it'll just be a touch harder, but I know you guys can because hey, I predicted you 4th..
5th - Streak Breakerz
It certainly is picking a team to finish last as I do believe this SB side can and probably has defeated teams like PDZ, 8bc and FR in recent matches, but it seems SB is completely lacking the wow factor. Joe is captaining, so a team will be brought for sure. A talented bunch as well as shown in other interleagues, but carry format is something special. A 4-1 lead can turn into a loss pretty quickly against many players competing here, you'll need a blocker. Joe, bring a cock blocker onto the team or I feel you'll be losing plenty of close matches all season long.
My random predictions? Only one team will have double digit wins, no one will have double digit losses, and the MVP will need to have 17 wins (Thanks Nish for fixing the site so I do not need to scour pages to update MVP lists myself for fun, I can just steal yours!)
Welcome to new leagues, thanks for playing leagues that left, and welcome back to leagues that stayed. Congrats winners, better luck next time those who were defeated. Welcome new admins and rules, bye bye old admins and rules.
On to predictions!
Atlantic Conference:
1st - Pool Fiction
While the name Pool Fiction is a name that's easy to predict at the top, Kerry & co. have had a tough go recently with many seasons of results that aren't typical of Pool Fiction, an obvious reaction to so many of her superstars moving on, something I cannot do. But her team is slowly being rebuilt and certainly has the capabilities of winning this conference. Players like Mattski, Brian and Trey can carry against anyone, their only issue will be depth but we'll see as the season goes on.
2nd - Break and Run
The returning champs became champs because of 3 players. Ross, Jordy and Gus carried the team all season, and with Gus more then likely gone to LPL, Break and Run will have a tough time matching the gap of quality. Over the past few years, depth has always been an issue for Dina & co., leaving them to hold off on many interleagues while the ones they're in, they seem to do well with such few players. Replacing Gus will be tough, but with Jordy, all you need is a bowl of popcorn and some lube.
3rd - Extreme Cues
Oh yes, Extreme Cues, predicted third. Led by a girl who defeated Pool Fiction all by herself, Extreme Cues have talent to finish the season strong with players like Aaron, Mitch, Maria, Stephen and JJ. While I doubt Maria will be able to do the same against PFN this season, they should be able to handle the rest of the leagues talent wise, with the only thing holding them back from 1st or 2nd being their captain. First time captains are always well, new. New to strategy, new to whatever else captains do, and in the toughest interleague around, it's a tough place to get your feet wet. Hopefully she sticks with it, and if she learns quickly then I see EC finishing even higher.
4th - Straight Shots
4th?! Deal with it. They have seemed to have lost a few players, which isn't good for a team that struggled last season. Gary is their captain though, which is good because they'll have him every week to play along with Jon and Pita. This squad is always a team that will either show up, or completely be gone, and even if they get lucky, a 13 week season which is unlucky, will be too much to rely on for luck.
5th - Sexy Poolerz
Someone has got to finish last, sorry. Brice will be leading a squad that has mixed expectations. Last season they started 3-2, before losing their last 5 in one hell of a fall from grace. For a moment they shook off their WSOP labels as losers, but seemed to come back into it. Sure they're doing well in UIC as one of the predictors mentioned, but that's the Emerald Division. Just about every Diamond Division team will be your opponents. You will certainly win a few, and you have the potential to win more then a few, you'll just have to show me first.
Pacific Conference:
1st - Latin Pool Legends
If you don't predict LPL to finish first, you're clearly not basing anything on talent. They've proven time after time they are the favorites just by signing up. With a line-up that should include Tino, Gus, Daru, Luis and Uriel, I can get away with saying no more..
2nd - Freedom
Like SP, Freedom choked their season away pretty hard, but have certainly refuelled for this season. They've brought in great new additions with Mike and Nish, which will help as Travis is still over seas doing what men do. Petey who finished a few chokes shy of being able to give himself MVP will have a more consistent line-up, which might be the missing pieces to his already talented, but inconsistent line-up. They can certainly win it all, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they finished last, again..
3rd - 8 Ball Crushers
A league new to PRO, full of names no one knows, finishing ahead of last seasons runners up? Sure why not. 8bc are a talented bunch, and completely unknown to just about everyone. Players like Ifran, Niks and Brandon are all capable of winning a few games each every match, and couple that with the randoms that I don't know, then they certainly have the capabilities of doing quite well.
4th - Pool Dragonz
4th?! Deal with it. Beyond Drew, DJ, Christy, Charles, and Ash, who do you really have? We all know Pom is too busy with his new set of marbles to play, and Hani hasn't been on much as of late, so depth is incredibly important for Drew & co. You had a magical run last season, and you certainly can repeat it this season, it'll just be a touch harder, but I know you guys can because hey, I predicted you 4th..
5th - Streak Breakerz
It certainly is picking a team to finish last as I do believe this SB side can and probably has defeated teams like PDZ, 8bc and FR in recent matches, but it seems SB is completely lacking the wow factor. Joe is captaining, so a team will be brought for sure. A talented bunch as well as shown in other interleagues, but carry format is something special. A 4-1 lead can turn into a loss pretty quickly against many players competing here, you'll need a blocker. Joe, bring a cock blocker onto the team or I feel you'll be losing plenty of close matches all season long.
My random predictions? Only one team will have double digit wins, no one will have double digit losses, and the MVP will need to have 17 wins (Thanks Nish for fixing the site so I do not need to scour pages to update MVP lists myself for fun, I can just steal yours!)
Hope you enjoy the predictions, best of luck to everyone this season!
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