8BC defeats SP, 4-2 (Prediction: SP 4-2)
With 2 early 8 balls during the match, SP just cannot catch a break. Fortunate win for 8BC, keep it going.
PFN defeats BNR, 4-3 (Prediction: PFN 4-3)
A good competitive match here going down to the wire. PFN just barely squeaks out taking the win against the defending champions.
FR defeats EPC, 4-2 (Prediction: FR 4-2)
In a match which started 30 minutes late, FR gets a frustrating win versus a short-handed EPC. Called it.
UO defeats SPS, 5-1 (Prediction: SPS 4-2)
I was way off with this one. UO starts the season strong versus a SPS team looking to figure out what went wrong.
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Week 1: Correct (2), Incorrect (2), Exact (2)
Overall: 2-4, 50%
--------------------As you can see, I will be keeping a tally of how many times I pick the correct winner in my predictions. This way you'll know how terrible I am at this :)
Now on to Week 2's predictions. This week features a handful of lopsided matches. Is it possible we have some upsets ahead of us? Or will the power teams win as expected?
Freedom vs 8 Ball Crushers
This first match of the week will determine who takes the early lead in the West.
Freedom is coming off of a headache match versus EPC. Not only did the match begin 30 min late, but FR fell quickly behind with an 0-2 start. Lucky for them, EPC faltered in Game 3 and had no more eligible players to use. With only 8 teams in this season, it looks like FR took advantage of it and added some depth to the line up with the Canadian duo of DJ and Drew and what would have been EB's captain, Mike. If all three of these players commit to showing each week (which I don't doubt), then this should be just what Petey needs to keep a well-balanced team through the entire season. If the same group shows up, 8BC shouldn't be too hard to handle.
Last week 8BC had luck on their side with two early 8 balls going in their favor. That being said and seeing who they brought to Week 1, I really can't say one way or the other who will be the star player on this team. It's good to see that Niks, 8BC's captain, did pick up a clinch win last week (even if it was one of the early 8's). His team will be looking to him for leadership by means of winning games himself and also coming into each match with a strategy in mind. Going against FR won't be a walk in the park, but I wouldn't be surprised if luck strikes again for 8BC considering FR has been pretty unlucky in the past.
Prediction: 4-2 FR
Break and Run vs Ultimate Outlaws
Champions versus the new kids on the block - this one may be a blow out.
BNR started off the season in a match that really could have gone either way. They ended up losing to PFN, but probably should have won. BNR had an early 2-0 lead, and once their top players were used up, the remainder of the games slipped away. I'm curious if Dina keeps this same order for the season. Jordy and Croz, arguably the two best in last night's lineup, started strong and Saf came in at the end to save the team from an early defeat. So, the top and bottom of the lineup were solid, but the match was lost in the middle. Look for those middle guys to get it together tonight and the team to bounce back in a big way versus UO.
Impressive start for UO with the biggest win of the week. Sure, it was versus a shaky SPS team, but the two teams were pretty evenly matched in my eyes. It's nice to see that the new captain Steph came in prepared with a full lineup. This gives me a bit more confidence that she and her team are in it for the long haul. Looking at their Week 1 roster, I still don't know anyone on the team, but it'll be interesting if any of them can shine tonight. Go on and pat yourselves on the back for a solid win UO, but don't get too comfortable in first place. BNR won't show any mercy, so play carefully and play smart.
Prediction: 5-1 BNR
Pool Fiction vs Simply Pool Souls
Last season's runners-up versus a team which missed the playoffs - this might be over quickly.
Last week PFN had a nail-biting match against BNR. Lucky for them, BNR slipped up in the middle and PFN capitalized, winning it 4-3. A lot of turmoil has been revolving around this PFN team over the past week. It hasn't necessarily been caused by any of the players, but surely any sorts of drama isn't healthy for a team. A stressed-out captain Kerry nearly withdrew from PRO before letting Brent take over, and she did pull out of WPA. Perhaps this is exactly what she needed to do in order to focus on bringing her WSOP team to the finals yet again. Look for PFN to still show up strong tonight and handle business.
Well someone has to start at the bottom, and unfortunately for SPS, it's them. SPS wasn't at their best last week and just couldn't get anything going versus UO. Surely this isn't the start Monte and his crew were hoping for, but I don't think they are phased by it one bit. They will show up tonight in good spirits ready to play. I may be counting them out too early, but I don't see this going very well for them at all. Perhaps Guns and Joe can pick up two wins, and some other player gets lucky. But, what's important for SPS tonight is to avoid the negative energy between Joe and PFN. They must focus on the games at hand in order to have any chance.
Prediction: 5-1 PFN
Sexy Poolerz vs Extreme Pool Competitors Straightshots
Hmm.. suppose everything changes in this one with a replacement coming in.
SP, I just don't know. I don't have any answers for what's going on with you guys. Someone must have put some sort of super voodoo curse on the team because it's just one thing after another. With not one but two early 8 balls, Bev and the rest of them must be rolling their eyes saying, "Geez, here we go again". And it even hurts more that the second early 8 happened in Game 6 when they had a chance to tie the match. Looks like Ste is back to play; perhaps he has brought some good luck charms with him. Honestly, SP had a better chance going against a short-handed EPC team. But, I wouldn't be surprised if this gets close versus a team not yet fully settled in.
Yay, SS joins us in Week 2. I was a bit worried they wouldn't play because I had thought SS had resigned. But after a simple misunderstanding was settled, I'm happy to see them back considering they have been solid competitors for the past two seasons. Nigel and Shelle are both looking forward to the season ahead, so welcome back and good luck to you and your team. All of that said, I really don't know what to expect for SS team-wise. They have a 14-player PRO roster after only 4 weeks, so it seems like SS might be in a bit of a rebuilding stage. No matter who shows up tonight and the over remaining weeks, one thing's for sure: SS will be playing to win.
Prediction: 4-3 SS
Yes, EPC has dropped from WSOP. I suppose I can squeeze some info about that here instead of making a full-blown post over it, not that anyone really cares I'm sure :)
I'm usually not one for ranting, but I feel like I can use this post as a medium to get this off my chest. So, if you don't care to read about my thoughts on how it all went down, please just stop reading now.
EPC was not removed; Jack decided to drop his team out before the match this week. I feel disappointed in seeing this happen, especially after how proud he was of himself for such a great previous season. But I also feel embarrassed in myself that I trusted him. Is anyone surprised over it? Meh, probably not. I just wish he would have put in some effort getting a team put together coming into this season. There was about a 3-month off-season and it took him this long to figure out everyone left?
So, why not withdraw in the opening week? Why not play this week and continue to fight threw it? Simple. Jack's a coward. I really hate name calling, but his messages to me sure have me lost looking for any other word to use. He could not live with himself if EPC was SP's first win in WSOP. He also claims not to have any time for this anymore. Why not tell me this like 2 months ago? Anyways, suppose the egg is on my face for trusting him again. No more.
If you've read this Jack, I'm sure I'll be getting more messages from you soon. Hopefully I didn't hurt any feelings putting you on blast, but I know facing the truth isn't easy :)
... Why did I even spend time writing all of that? =/ I don't know, but I sure do feel a whole lot better :D
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