Last week's first round of the NCBL Sweet 16 games had some exciting matchups. There were some surprises with regards to how some teams played but overall it was competitive. Last year's champ New Dime was defeated and is now fishing, Shiloh this year sensation lost to a battle tested GNYC, and White Plains this year power house was pushed to the limit by Ephesus just barely holding on. Now it's the Elite 8 and teams must execute their game plans and fine tune their games in order to move on to the Final 4.
All of the higher seeds won with exception to GNYC a #10 seed and that is what makes this week's game exciting. With that said here are Milo's Picks for the Elite 8 games which would be totally intense.
Linden vs. Bethel:
Number one seed Linden battles eight seed Bethel in a rematch from week 3 where Linden defeated Bethel by 4 points. Now it's for real and the winner takes the spoils while the other goes fishing. Linden is coming off a bye week and I know they were in the gym practicing for this week.
Bethel defeated Ebenezer and is confident they would show up this game. Bethel knows they are facing one of the best teams in the league and will have to play a complete game if they are to win. Linden would like to send a message early and crush any hope or confidence Bethel has this game. The problem is that all teams in this round would not be intimidated by any opponent because of the familiarity they have with each other.
That means teams would have to execute and take advantage of their opponent's mistakes in order to win. There are three keys to this game that would determine the winner. Which team shoots the ball better and hit more free throws; which team rebounds better both offensively and defensively; and who has the better point guard play.
Linden needs to play their game and attack the interior of Bethel; they have to play ball control and make Bethel work on the defensive end. Bethel needs to have a dominant performance from their center Don and good contributions from their bench. They have to make Linden work and pressure their guards in order to have a chance. Look for a close game with lots of lead changes but I feel this game would come down to the wire with Linden defeating Bethel by 3 points moving on to the Final 4.
Bronx vs. Hanson Place:
Bronx the #5 seed played one of their better games last week in defeating Mt. Sinai. Hanson Place the #4 seed defeated South Brooklyn in a tune up for this week. Bronx will have to come out strong this game because they played Hanson Place back in February and defeated them by 4 points.
Hanson Place should be motivated this game because they felt they beat themselves that game and will be ready for whatever Bronx has to throw at them. Bronx had a 17 point lead at one point in that game and Hanson Place cut it to 7 points by half time. They came within 1 point in the second half only to lose it on the foul line. Hanson Place in order to win must keep their big men on the floor and out of foul trouble. Bronx will have to run as much as possible and hit the open shots whenever available. This game should be close and intense but I feel Hanson Place would make the necessary adjustments to match Bronx good guard play. I expect lots of fouls and free throws but in the end Hanson Place would be too much on the interior for Bronx to match. Hanson Place defeats Bronx in a close game by 5 points moving on to the Final 4.
Coney Island vs. Flatbush:
Last year both teams faced off in the Elite 8 only Coney Island was Calvary and Flatbush was Flatbush. Coney Island #6 seed defeated Flatbush #3 seed in overtime back in March only to lose the division by one game. Now they face off again only this time the stakes are higher.
Both teams are battle tested and knows each other well.
Flatbush defeated City Tab in a convincing way and is ready for battle. Coney Island defeated last year champs New Dime and is primed for a run at the title. Both teams are similar in the fact that they experienced success early and often and both have good coaches.
Coney Island hasn’t lost a game since January and is playing lights out basketball. Some would say they are due a bad game but if you look into the eyes of their coach and players they would differ.
Flatbush on the other hand seem to play better when their backs are against the wall and trust me it is this game. They play with heart and have the players to back it up; however, they will have to play a complete game in order to win this matchup.
Flatbush keys to winning this game are simple. Hit the open shots, play good team defense, rebound the ball on both ends and don't have any mental lapses.
While the key for Coney Island would be to attack Flatbush interior, force turnovers, hit foul shots and slow it down as much as possible. Coney Island has size and players who can light it up. Flatbush might be limited on the bench as far as bodies but they make it up in effort and heart. This will be for me at least, "the game of the week" because both teams have what it takes to win it all. I feel both teams will come out slow as they assess each other game plan, but come 2nd half things would get interesting and that's when the real competition begins. Look for a tough game with lots of fouls and score changes. Coney Island must play for 40 minutes if not they will be in trouble.
Flatbush has to play smart and pick their spots in order to win. This is a pick-em game for me because both teams are close but my gut tells me that Coney Island will pull it out in the last second and defeat Flatbush by 2 points. Coney Island moves on to the Final 4.
White Plains vs. GNYC Ebenezer:
White Plains #2 seed had their hands full last week against Ephesus. Ephesus had a good game plan but couldn't get over the hump. GNYC defeated 1st year sensation Shiloh last week and know they have to play this week or face a blow out. White Plains has been the team to beat all season and in the playoffs teams are ready for them. They need to get that swagger back and demolish teams from the jump ball. The problem is teams are confident in their abilities and come to play.
GNYC can cause some matchup problems for White Plains because they have some good shooting guards. If they hit some shots and cause White Plains to match then it could get interesting. The advantage should go to White Plains in the paint and rebounding. I like the fact that GNYC proved me wrong last week and took it to Shiloh however, this is a different beast and they are hungry. “I don't want to take anything away from Ephesus game last week they came to play but I feel White Plains took them lightly and that resulted in them almost losing.”
GNYC will have their hands full and need to play with a controlled aggression and play smart. They can't match toe to toe with White Plains interior and will need to shoot the ball to open up the inside. I know GNYC lost to White Plains back in February in blowout fashion but that game should prepare them better on how to attach a giant.
Know one thing White Plains will turn up the dial and try and pressure GNYC into making turnovers. GNYC must control the ball, play good team defense, and push as much as possible. I like GNYC team and players but how would they respond if down by double digits. Look for a close game but I feel White Plains will make a late run and pull away from GNYC. White Plains wins this matchup by 8 points thus moving on to the Final 4.
Well that's Milo's Picks for the Elite 8 where you win and move on or lose and go fishing. Who will take the torch left by New Dime and carry it into the night. Let's see but one thing is for sure no game will be easy from this point on. Play Safe but hard and give the fans a show. Good Luck to all remaining teams. God Bless.
