Week 8 Preview

This week is a little different than last: the top 8 teams are matched up against each other in 4 very good games.

#1 Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face (-7) vs. #8 Mallard Magic

Team Barifinkle is as disjointed as they've ever been, with team chemistry at an all time low. Mallard Magic is coming off a tough loss last week to Ortega, but with just 2 losses, is a lock for the A Bracket.
If favorites win: Barifinkle will be the 2 seed behind The Express in the tournament (tiebreak to 8 win express versus 7 win Barifinkle), and Mallard Magic would be the 11 seed, playing the 6 seed in the first round, which could be anybody. We might see a logjam at 3 losses with potentially: Ortega (with loss to Bomb Squad), Mallard Magic, Tallula (with loss to The Express), Judge Jim, Medieval Times, and Boo Radley.

#2 The Express (-2) vs. #5 Tallula

Alex Wetzel is out with a broken ankle, and Jeremy Rosenfeld will be at a hockey game in Orland Park. That means an injured James Knight is going to have to rely on Teddy Challenger, Mac Tucker, and Connor O'Halleran just like back in 7th and 8th grade. This should be a good one, but because of injuries, The Express get a slight edge.
If favorites win: The Express will be the 1 seed in the tournament, and Tallula will be in that logjam at 3 losses. Tallula's losses will have been to Barifinkle, AD, and The Express, potentially 3 of the top 4 seeds, and they've beaten Ortega, so they should hold up well in a tiebreak.

#3 The Bomb Squad (-8) vs. #7 Ortega

Ortega is coming off a win essentially given to them by Mallard Magic's missed free throws. The Bomb Squad will be the toughest team they've faced all year, and I don't think they can match the size of The Bomb Squad.
If favorites win: The Bomb Squad will be the 3 or 4 seed in the tournament depending on the tiebreaker. Ortega will be in that 3 loss bunch of teams.

#4 AD (-5) vs. #6 Theo

Team Theo showed they are probably the worst team in the league without Walt Lyon, Joe Lankford, Nick Nykaza, and Harry Furse. Fortunately for Theo, Walt is back for the rest of the year, as is Nykaza, and Lankford is expected to play in the postseason. This will make Theo a tough team to beat come playoff time, but this week against AD, I don't know if Lyon will be enough.
If favorites win: AD will be the 3 or 4 seed while Theo will be 5 seed.

#9 Medieval Times (-22) vs. #17 Supreme Court

Medieval Times is 7-0 against the spread this year. This is a big spread, but after last week's performance against Phase 4, they've shown they can run up the score well.
If favorites win: Medieval Times moves into the pile of teams at 3 losses, Supreme Court heads to the loser's bracket.

#10 Boo Radley and Friends (-11) vs. #15 Off In The Woods

Off In The Woods almost pulled off the miracle last week. This week is another opportunity to win a game, which would be their first of the year. However, Boo Radley should be able to take care of business.
If favorites win: Boo Radley is 5-3, right in the mix for seeds 6-11. Off In The Woods will have been beaten for the 8th straight week, and will try their luck in the loser's bracket.

#11 Re-Elect Judge Jim Wascher (-21) vs. #18 NWA

Judge Jim has had a rough 3 game slide, but should be able to beat NWA to get a good start heading into the A Bracket. NWA's Heisler is looking good, but they're 0-6.
If favorites win: 6-11 seed for Judge Jim. B Bracket for the Nice White Athletes.

#12 McGarry Dangles Inc. (-6) vs. #14 Coot's Coot

McGarry Dangles almost pulled off a different miracle last week against Barifinkle. Danny "Diesel" Malkin has been making a name for himself all season, but who knows if he can stand up to the Coot's Coot chant.
If favorites win: McGarry Dangles and Coot's Coot both head to the loser's bracket, McGarry Dangles as a 1 or 2 seed.

#13 The Bullets (-13) vs. #16 Phase 4

Robert Gorodetsky has let his team slip from a contender last year, to a B Bracket team this year. Phase 4 has been "getting better" all year long according to team captain Sam Shapiro, but they will still be in the B Bracket.
If favorites win: The Bullets will be a 1 seed, and Phase 4 will be a middle seed in the loser's bracket.