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Milo's sweet 16 picks
Welcome to NCBL May Madness where teams prepare for battle. Coaches have put the final touches on their team's game plan, players have spent hours in the gym fine tuning their game, and fans rally for what should be an exciting and fun filled tournament. This year we saw 3 teams lose only one game just missing perfection by the bounce of the ball. We saw new rivalries formed and battle tested teams struggle. We saw a first time team soar to new heights to take a high seed; we saw another team fall from the graces where they are probably enjoying the good weather fishing.
We lost a fallen official and gained a much needed respect for the league's hierarchy. Now it's show time and only those who are focused, willing to sacrifice for the cause of their team, and execute their game plan would see the promise land. This will be intense competition for many are called but only one would be crowned. Who will it be, well many can make a case that they are the one, but the battle is won on the court and that is where all the chips must fall. With that said here is what Milo thinks of the first week of elimination where you win and move on or lose and go fishing.
Linden vs. Mt. Vernon:
Linden all year proved why they should be the #1 seed. They played every game as if it was their last and maintained it throughout the year. Say what you want but they are always prepared for battle and that is an attribute of their coaching staff and court leaders.
They have in my mind one of the more complete teams in this tournament and everyone has bought into the system. Being the #1 Seed does have its perks and playing a team out of the dance is one of them. Don't tell me about their easy path to the championship because they busted their butts all season and proved even me wrong a few times and they should be rewarded. It's not their fault that Mt. Vernon is out and I don't believe they should feel sorry about it. Just know one thing their scouts will be at the other games preparing for whom ever else they face next. This is my easiest prediction of the tournament #1 Seed Linden moves on to the Elite 8.
Bethel vs. Ebenezer:
Battle of #8 seed Bethel and #9 seed Ebenezer; this match up would be a lot closer than expected because both teams possess different styles of attack. Bethel has a coach that pays attention to detail and like to share the wealth for a balanced attack. They use sets to get favorable match ups and try to exploit their opponent's weakness.
Ebenezer on the other hand plays from outside in and have the guards that could light it up. They ran the table at the end of the season playing their style and now they would like to inflict their will on the Bethel.
Bethel need a good game from their guards and must play to their strength. Ebenezer don't have the size to stop any team with a formidable big man but will battle and give a good effort. The advantage I give Ebenezer is their shooters. They can hit the outside shots and are good free throw shooters. If they get into an up tempo game their chances are good. If they allow Bethel to get their sets and dictate the pace then look for Bethel to pull it off.
Both teams would be ready for battle but I give the edge to Bethel this game and expect them to pull it out by 6 points as they prepare to face #1 Seed Linden in the Elite 8.
Bronx vs. Mt. Sinai:
This is a rematch of week two; Bronx defeated Mt. Sinai by 4 points in that encounter. Bronx had the game in the bag mounting a 20 point lead at one point but Mt. Sinai battled and chipped away at what many might call an unbelievable climb. They ended up losing by 4 points but gained much respect from their opponent and found themselves in the process.
Now they would like to return the favor to the Bronx team and send them fishing for the summer. Bronx had a great season one of their best in a while; and Coach Marvin have his team ready to battle. Both teams like to run and have the guards to make plays, the question you ask is who will make the necessary stops at crunch time.
Mt. Sinai knows they could play with the Bronx and I know Bronx feels the same way, but it's the heart of a champion that will prevail in this game. Bronx has the depth and shooters to do damage but must play within themselves.
Mt. Sinai can score in bunches and Bronx would have to be ready for their press. Look for a high scoring game but in the end I feel Bronx would prove why they lost only one game all season and defeat Mt. Sinai by 4 points advancing to the Elite 8.
Hanson Place vs. South Brooklyn:
Hanson Place defeated South Brooklyn during the regular season by 8 points. South Brooklyn would like to use the same game plan in hopes of getting an edge on one of the league's power house teams.
South Brooklyn had an up and down season but come to play when facing stronger opponents. They will have their hands full with Hanson Place because of their interior presence. Hanson Place have guards and forwards who can shoot and a dominant big man who demands attention.
South Brooklyn will have to push the rock and try to get Hanson Place into an up tempo game. If they can do that then they may cause some problems for Hanson Place big men. Look for a close game the first half but come second half I expect Hanson Place to pull away and wear down South Brooklyn's interior. Hanson Place wins this match up by 10 points as they prepare for their next opponent.
Coney Island vs. New Dimension:
Last year's champs are coming into the playoffs on a losing streak. They lost their last three games albeit some to forfeit but they are clearly a different team this year. They are playing without one of their top scorers and need contributions from others if they are to go to the next round.
They are facing in my mind the toughest matchup possible in Coney Island. Coney Island is on a 7 game winning streak and has not lost a game in over 2 months. Not only that they lost to New Dime by 2 points during the regular season and would like nothing better than returning the favor.
New Dime must play smart ball and attack as much as possible. Coney Island has the advantage on the glass and in the bench but must be aware of New Dime's big man. If he gets off I can see the young guns of Coney Island get cautious, start pump faking even on jump shots and lose their aggressiveness. The key for this game would be who executes in the paint, hits their free throws, and play ball control. Coney Island is gelling at the right time and that could spell trouble for New Dime. I expect a close game but Coney Island is on a mission and they should be able to do some things. Coney Island defeats New Dime in a close game by 3 points moving on to the Elite 8.
Flatbush vs. City Tabernacle:
Flatbush defeated City Tab by 5 points back in February; however, they are facing a different battle tested young team who plays with their emotions on their sleeves. Flatbush knows that this time of year is not for excuses or promises but execution. They have a strong team and have been in every game this year; they have what it takes but have to start believing it.
City Tab I know will come to play and should be able to get to the rim. They would have to show character when they are down and fight and claw the way they did against White Plains. They are facing a Flatbush team that have experienced success and a coach that knows what it takes.
Flatbush have to learn how to close out games better and play within themselves. City Tab has to come to play and play with controlled emotions if they are to make a run. I expect to see a high scoring game with lots of free throws but I like what I saw from Flatbush all season and for that reason I'm picking them to defeat City Tab by 6 points. Flatbush moves on to the Elite 8.
Shiloh vs. GNYC Ebenezer:
First year in the league check, have a winning record at the end of the regular season check, #7 seed in the dance check, number of people who took them serious outside their fans and themselves, none. My point exactly, now they face a GNYC team that played subpar ball all year just making it to 500.
GNYC however, won their last 2 games and have experience in the dance so they should be ready. Shiloh first time and what do they have to lose? That is why this is a dangerous game for GNYC because they haven't faced Shiloh before and would not know what to expect. Scouting a game is one thing but out playing a team is another.
The same could be said for Shiloh. Can they play with poise and make good decisions? Or will they wilt under the bright lights and be satisfied with their accomplishments? I expect a close game with both teams feeling out each other, but second half I expect Shiloh to make a push and upset GNYC in a nail bitter by 2 points thus moving on to the Elite 8.
White Plains vs. Ephesus:
White Plains this year’s #2 seed could have easily been #1 but they don't mind. They have proven all year that discipline, hard work, and making a conscious effort to stop opponents’ best scorers is a trade mark. Now they face an Ephesus team who didn't play to their capabilities all year but showed up when they faced White Plains in March only losing by 6 points.
Now its payback time and I hope for their sake they come to play. White Plains have a point to prove to the league and feel that they are the true #1 team. They demolished teams all year until they met Linden. They have the largest winning margins of any team in the dance and have the players to back it up. They have one of the best guard tandems and good size in the middle. They would be facing a nice point guard for Ephesus and would need to shut him down or fear getting exposed.
Look for a high scoring game but this time it would be White Plains doing the scoring. Ephesus would put up a fight but in the end White Plains have too much size and skilled players coming at them to with stand the storm. White Plains blows out Ephesus as they prepare for the Elite 8.
Well that's all for the Sweet 16 games where the competition would be fierce. Congrats to all teams in the dance and looking forward to some exciting games. Players are you ready; practice with a purpose because on the court there is only one purpose and that is to win a title. Stay Tuned for Milo Elite 8 picks. God Bless and Play Safe.
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