ERIC HAWKINS: My predictions for the Elite 8 Minnesota Summer Season Playoffs | Mendez best PG in MN

By Eric Hawkins Follow on Twitter at @conanhawk

I missed on two games last week. Well, you could say one as my head was right on the Rebels/Unicorns game. The one thing I did get right was that no Plymouth teams were going to make it this far. They did have a better showing then I thought they would though, so I guess I didn’t give them enough credit line wise.

1 Avengers vs. 9 Greenhorns 4 Riddlers vs. 5 Rebels 2 St. Baul vs. 7 Timberpuppies 3 Celtics vs. 11 Bobcats

1 Avengers Vs. 9 Greenhorns

On paper this game should be an easy win for the Avengers. They have the advantage at almost every position on the court. But even though they are all very good shooters the Avengers seem to be having problems playing versus a zone and the Greenhorns play a very good zone.

The problem for the Greenhorns is going to be on offense. If they don’t find someone to take over on offense they are not going to get enough points to win this game. This is the reason I’m going to take the Avengers over the Greenhorns but it should be closer than other will think it should be.

Avengers by 8

4 Riddlers Vs. 5 Rebels

These two teams met earlier this year and the Rebels came out with the victory 60-41. After watching the two teams last Thursday in Fridley the Rebels impressed me while the Riddlers had a hard time stopping Robert Hayes (19 points) and were out rebounded 34 to 25.

I expect the Rebels to repeat their earlier performance out hustle the Riddlers to a victory very similar to the 60-41 victory earlier this year.

Rebels by 17

2 St. Baul Vs. 7 Timberpuppies

The Timberpuppies looked like two different teams last week. They went on runs that looked like they couldn’t be stopped and got to the basket at will and then couldn’t get a golf ball through a hula hoop. In the end they squeaked by a good “on paper” Bulls team. In order to beat St. Baul the Timberpuppies are going to need the defense they played last week paired with the good side of their offense. The fire power that St. Baul has is a lot to deal with. There are so many good offensive players that you leave anyone open you are going to pay for it. I don’t think that with how off and on the Timberpuppies were during last game that they will put a full game together versus St. Baul.

St. Baul by 12

3 Celtics Vs. 11 Bobcats

Even though this game seed wise should be a blow out I think this will be the best game of the night. As I stated in last Thursday’s predictions the Bobcats are very similar to the Avengers of Fridley. The Avengers of Fridley beat the Celtics during the regular season in a game that went down to the last shot. The Celtics have improved since then though with the addition of defensive specialist Alex Skaja.

These two teams also share the same point guard which is going to go along way to deciding this game. Noe Mendez is, in my opinion, the best true point guard in Rec. ball. I think he will be playing with the Celtics as that seems to be how it usually happens. If the Celtics have him I see them winning this game by a good margin, but if he plays for the Bobcats the Bobcats should make it a very close game and maybe even pull off the upset. But like I said, I expect the Celtics to have Noe.

Celtics by 9