Winter 2017: B1 5v5 League Champs: Make A Swish

Final Four Preview
Richmond Oilers 60 The Water Bears 57

B1 Final Four Preview

And we are down to four. Somewhat representative of the Final four that wrecked most of our brackets, we have some blue bloods and the couple first timers.

Richmond Oilers reach the second to last week in a typical Great Hair close, low scoring affair. GWSW shocked the #1 seeded ACC on what looks like the performance of the year by Morse. Water Bears finds itself back in familiar waters as a top seed after a balanced viceroy of the Keough’less Cobwebs. And lastly and not surprisingly for anyone actually paying attention, Make A Swish is coming in hot as the defending champion and under seeded #6 after a game of runs left the down at half but ultimately in the victors circle at the end.

With 3 of the 4 games in the opening round being decided by 6 points or less, we are sure to have another set of close games. And again, it just further underlines the parody in the league. Only one of the top 4 finishers is getting to play one more week of free basketball. 

So lets just ahead and look at tonights matchups.

Game 1: Richmond Oilers vs. The Water Bears

Go with what you now right? In that sense, The Water Bears are somewhat of a walk away pick for me. I know the Oilers are winners of 7 straight but they are still somewhat of an unknown as backwards as that seems.

In review of the schedule, it appears that The Bears and Oilers never had the pleasure of squaring off. So without a previous matchup to gauge tonight’s prospects, I’m a bit limited. But I do believe in the balance of the Bears. They’re like the team that starts 3 seniors and two juniors. Experience and depth all over the place. But lack that one freshman with first round talent. (Sorry Sam)

Salis and Deegan are two of the better all around scorers in the league for sure. Both equally effective against man or zone, with their ability to stretch the floor but also exploit the middle of the zone with penetration or elbow jumpers. But the bears have always been good at not necessarily limiting big time scorers but keeping them just enough at bay that they don’t totally take over. Kinda a bend but don’t break defensive style. 

I just think that the front line of of the Bears will be too imposing. King, Tenney, and McCarthur have the potential to have a big night. Belloti and the unnamed big for Oilers are top rebounders for their size but will struggle to keep the ball out of the painted area. The Bears are about as good as anyone at running their offense through the low block, drawing help and then finding the open man.

It appears that the Oilers struggled a bit last week. But Great Hair will make you play messy. And The Bears beat a strong ball club in the Cobwebs, but without this years MVP. So its kinda a wash in basing tonight on who showed more last week.

If the Oilers can get up and down in make it a track meet, they have a real shot. But I think the Bears take care of the ball and execute down the stretch for the 6 point win.

Game 2: Make A Swish vs GWSW

We might need to get some new nets after this one. This has all the ingredients to be an absolute shoot out. Its Somerville vs the Heights. Tufts intramural champs vs the BC intramural champs. And I’m actually a bit bummed I won’t be in attendance. 

After reviewing the schedule, like our first game these two clubs never squared up during the regular season. Not really a big issue for either side because they’ve played enough times in the past to be familiar with all characters involved.

GWSW won last week in an upset over the top ranked ACC. Mainly due to the exploits of Morse, but possibly because this may be the first time they’ve had a full roster. And Make A Swish won despite the absence of big man Brendan Connolly, meaning other forwards Dave McVeety, Tyler Bouchard, and Sean Concannon stepped up on the glass.

Connelly makes this squad as daunting as a team as there is with his ability to get offensive rebounds and challenge shots on the other end, but this team is all about their guards. And so is GWSW.

Caleb Pykkonen has had a great season averaging 16 plus and Scott Blumenthal seems to be back and healthy for another playoff run. Those two guys set the table for MAS. When they getting going themselves, they have this innate ability to find Bochard, Concannon, and McVeety for kick out or trailing 3’s in semi transition. Concannon had 22 last week on 3-7 from deep. It will be key for GWSW to limit long rebounds and live ball turnovers to prevent MAS fast break.  

Make A Swish is first in points per game, for reasons suggested before. But they also are very capable of defending at a high level. And they will need to because GWSW can fill it up. They are great at providing help. But will need to make much quicker rotations to limit space for the basically all of GWSW.

Cahill and Morse are obvious playmakers. But you don’t get here just on the backs of two guys. Havens had a big 17 last week and both Gabe and McDonough are equally capable of putting up 20. And maybe no one in the league is as capable a post defender as Lints is. 

GWSW is prone to playing a little to free and loose so they will could benefit from being a tad more judicious with their shot selection. Wait, F* that. What am I saying. Let it fly boys. Their ability to create space and have Morse/Cahill attack off of guard to guard screens is borderline masterful.

I don’t have a lot of analysis or break down to offer here. I just know that it could be a fun one. 

Because it’s Playoffs we might not see as high a number as we would for a regular season run and gun, so Im setting the over under at 150. Any takers?

Make A Swish with Connelly by 7. Without, GWSW by 1.  

Scores, Box Scores & Write-Ups

Playoff: week 12

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