Tuesday @ 7pm - Straight Shots [3-3] @ Sexy Poolerz [3-3]
Both sides enter the new year falling below expectations in PRO. Both sides have talented rosters and will look to start the new year off on the right foot to assure themselves a spot in the playoffs. Straight Shots are headlined by Ant and Scott, with the common SS duo of Jon and Pita hardly living up to their own expectations. Seasons past have shown us that Straight Shots are a second half team leaving Sexy Poolerz worrying about falling below .500. SP did quite well in WSOP this season taking the conference, but have quite a bit of work to do if they look to do the same here in PRO. WSOP MVP Sean has done little to nothing in PRO, and the stars SP have just haven't stepped up. Kevin is having the only decent season thus far, and with such talent you can never leave it up to just one player. If Brice is able to get Carlos more game time along with the rest of their stars, they should be able to take this the distance, but without their best, it's hard to bet against Straight Shots here.
Prediction - 5-3 Straight Shots
Wednesday @ 7pm - Break and Run [4-2] @ Freedom [6-0]
I haven't heard of drama between these two leagues in ages which makes these predictions dull these days. Break and Run come in as top dogs in the Atlantic and it's pretty clear why. The qierky phenom has been just that, carrying Break and Run like usual with his 9-1 record. Not to be outdone though is his opponent this week in Freedoms captain, who has gotten his record to 9-0. Two maybe three seasons prior Petey was in the MVP race til the end but lost out to I believe Jordy which makes this tasty. Beyond the two 9 game winners, Andy has helped provide Freedom with that support keeping Freedoms season-winning streak at a number I have no idea of. Players like Adam, Travis, Nish and Mike have yet to be counted on to carry, which is a scary thing. Break and Run have relied on Jim and Croz a lot this season, but neither have been able to get it going. Both will need to if they look to defeat Freedom this week.
Prediction - 5-3 Freedom
Thursday @ 7pm - 8Ball Crushers [4-2] @ Latin Pool Legends [3-3]
These two last faced off in PRO last season in the quarter finals where Latin Pool Legends made them their first of 3 victims en route to their championship. Last season LPL started on fire with a 7-3 record, but dozed off having clinched a playoff spot (I assume), this season however is different. LPL started dreadfully this season but have since picked it up and will look to pressure Straight Shots all season long. 8Ball Crushers are sitting pretty at the moment as they're in the final playoff spot, and while LPL have defeated everyone else in their conference, a win this week gives 8bc a leg up heading into the final stretch of games. LPL will have Daru, Gus, Tino and who knows who else to finish up the roster. The likes of Raj, Jay, JJ, and Matt need to be able to help Rocky out with his great run this season if they look to take down LPL. If LPL brings 5 they should take this, otherwise 8bc may have more quality, based on quantity.
Prediction - 5-4 Latin Pool Legends
Thursday @ 7pm - Dead Strokes [1-5] @ Simply Pool Souls [0-6]
Despite their poor records, this could turn out to be a great match. Dead Strokes come in basically needing to win out to make the playoffs, something that is possible for them but starts this week. The likes of Scott, Ashton and Eddie need to carry the way for DS. On the flip side, did you hear Joe became MVP of WSOP? Unfortunately, PRO has talent in both divisions and while he is a skilled player, he is no where close to MVP form this season, he could always carry the next 4 weeks and take home MVP, but that's his call. Players like Monte, Duro, Jason and Becky are capable of knocking down a win or two every week, but the team as a whole just hasn't been able to get it going. 2012 is a new year though, we'll see what happens.
Prediction 5-2 Dead Strokes
