TEMPE, AZ: Week 3 Preview | Is Omar Waller the Best Big Man in Tempe Now?
Omar Waller has his eyes on the Splash Brothers this Week.
The summer heat is upon us in Tempe. Walking outside feels like an oven has been opened in your face! Week 3 of Ultimate Hoops is sure to keep things sizzling inside the gym as well!
BULLS VS WOLVES 630PM:
This week our first matchup will be an animalistic clash between the Wolves and the Bulls. The Wolves are coming off of a crushing defeat at the hands of Team Hashtag in Week 2. Their 42 point shellacking was definitely trending on twitter…#ohthehumanity. Although guard Matt Shahin aka Matty Ice contributed 21 points and forward Brandon Host also gave a 21 point effort, the rest of the team didn’t contribute enough to make it competitive. One has to believe that they will be looking for #redemption this week against the Bulls. The Bulls are coming off of a bye and much needed rest after dropping their Week 1 game to the Splash Brothers. If the Bulls can corral their entire roster for this matchup, they should be in a great position for a win.
Prediction: Running of the Bulls (see what I did there!), Bulls by 20
TEMPE FA VS BAD GUYS 630PM:
The second matchup of the week pits the Tempe FA team against the Bad Guys. Both teams had a disappointing second week with a loss each. The Bad Guys have lost two very close games and are hungry to get their first win of the season. The Bad Guys team dynamic is perplexing because the scoring is relatively balanced with everyone chipping in, but I think the issue is point totals. They have not found a way to get above the 80 point mark and scoring greater than 90 is necessary with the caliber of teams this session. If they can find a way to bolster their point production they will also find themselves in a winning position. Michael Rose has emerged as the team leader, maybe he can find a way to take control…
The free agent team will yet again have a tough time scrapping together a win while trying to build some kind of chemistry. Team FA also has a point total problem as evidenced by their dismal 42 point effort in week 2. The wheels seem to be falling of the cart as the weeks pass by. Can Scott Tinagero rally his troops? We shall see in Week 3…
Prediction: While the gambler in me wants to bet on the longshot and upset, smart money says Bad Guys get their first win by 10 points
HASHTAG VS MONSTARS 730PM:
The first of the 7:30 matchups should be exciting to watch, as Team Hashtag takes on the Monstars. Both teams are high powered and considered finals worthy. Both teams are also riding high on week 2 victories. Hashtag is filled with weapons from the outside, while the Monstars are a bit more balanced with great guard play and a solid front-court. This should be an exciting matchup…what will the Monstars do to try and contain three point assassin Joseph Hormes, stellar guard Brad Carroll and forward Nick Witherill? Will Hashtag have enough to stop Francisco Ahumada and Kenny Mahone from going off? Can’t wait to see this matchup!
Prediction: Hashtag is firing on all cylinders right now, #Hashtagby12
DOWNTOWN VS SPLASH BROTHERS 730PM:
The fourth and final matchup for week 3 sees Splash Brothers trying to continue their dominance against Downtown. Splash Brothers are fresh off an exciting literal last second victory that saw Dale Samson sink “Ray Allen-like” three ball a la game six in the 2013 NBA finals. The victory came without team captain and major point producer Nick Tomsick as guard Brett Bernbaum dominated with a spectacular 38-point performance. This teams guard play has been outstanding thus far and will be tough to stop for the aged backcourt of the Downtown. That being said, Downtown may have enough experience and veteran know how to pull off another victory. The fact that they are 2-0 should not be overlooked as well as the fact that they have been led by big man/guard Omar Waller. Waller put in a dominant 22-point performance last week as Downtown cruised to a victory. If former NBAer Isaiah Rider shows this week, as well as Gerald Williams, Downtown may have enough to pull off what most would consider to be an upset.
Prediction: Splash Brothers by 9
See you on the court!
Brandon Walker
Follow me on Twitter: @BeeEmDubya
|