WESTMINSTER, CO: Playoff Preview | And then there were eight

With the blink of an eye, the fall regular season has come and gone in Ultimate Hoops Westminster. One team has been dominant throughout the season while the rest of league has been lurking in their shadow. Here's a look at the playoffs in Westminster.

IMPACT Basketball vs. Havoc

Ironically, IMPACT basketball has been wreaking havoc on the whole ultimate hoops league. They are undefeated on the season and are coming into these playoffs as the clear cut favorite to win it all. Havoc has improved drastically since week one, but they’re still far away from being expected to compete with a team like IMPACT basketball. IMPACT will likely slow play this game and preserve energy for the second game of the night should they win this game. This is just a typical 1 seed vs 8 seed matchup and unless something drastic happens, IMPACT should coast to an easy victory.

OFFICIAL VEGAS SPREAD: IMPACT -35

FireSquad Vs. The Bad Boys

The basketball gods are were on our side when the brackets were announced, as the two teams that despise each other more than any get a first round matchup. In their regular season match up, the game got intense enough for The Bad Boys to lose Chad Smith in what appears to be a “life time” ban in this Ultimate Hoops league (see what I did there). The Bad Boys are still a very good team in this league and have started to find their stride again here in the closing parts of the season. History tells us that the Bad Boys are a playoff team, so expect them to have a good chance of making it deep into the bracket. FireSquad, led by Richard Peterson and Alfredo Garcia are the youngest team in the league, but play well beyond their years. The Bad Boys will look to pound the ball into both Reggie Jackson and Matt Lloyd, where they will clearly have the size advantage. FireSquad will likely employ the run and gun style of play, where the 3 ball will either be their greatest ally or detriment. This game will have a championship type feeling as both teams pride are on the line.

OFFICIAL VEGAS SPREAD: Fire Squad -3.5

Eat, Sleep, Ball, Repeat vs. The Kardashians

In another great matchup, two teams that played each other to a close game last week will match up again. ESBR was able to squeak out a win last week and fend off a late push from the Kardashians. The Kardashians were without Marquise Scott but he is expected to be back for this game. With the big man in the middle for the Kardashians, they are a completely different team than we saw last week. To add to the drama, “sources” say that ESBR Blake Mahler is going to be MIA, which is a huge blow to ESBR. Without Mahler, someone from ESBR will have their hands full in making up for his absence on both the offensive and defensive end of the court. Even though ESBR won last week, with the addition of Scott and subtraction of Mahler, this Kardashian team could prove to be a little too much for ESBR. This should still be a good game but we have to give the slight advantage to Khloe and the family.

OFFICIAL VEGAS SPREAD: Kardashians -8

White Iverson’s vs. The Gladiators

White Iverson’s had a solid regular season and will look to carry that success straight into the playoffs. White Iverson’s are a unique team in that they always win the games they are supposed to win, but then seem to fall slightly short in the games when they aren’t the heavy favorite. The Gladiators are one team that has been a surprise all season and they expect to surprise some more people in the playoffs. If Saul Chavira gets hot, these Gladiators can beat anyone. This is going to be a fast passed game where both teams like to get out and push the ball. Derek Elliot has been the Iverson’s go to player all season, so expect the same this game. Both teams are stellar on offense, so it will come down to who is willing to step up on the defensive end of the court.

OFFICIAL VEGAS SPREAD: White Iversons -10.5