Regionals Preview

Weather forecast for Saturday calls for morning rain with a high of 58 and wind up to 20mph.

Regionals uses a straight 16 team bracket with a backdoor bracket for second place. If you do things right, you only play four games in two days.

My predictions: Michigan, Ohio State, and the Illini will definitely make it to the final four on Saturday. Notre Dame and North Park will meet before that, and I think Notre Dame will win this time with the weather reeking havoc on North Park’s “huck it to the tall guy” strategy. But North Park is good, and I can’t completely count them out. Michigan should have little trouble with Ohio State, and the Illini will advance no matter who they play. Both will go to nationals no matter the outcome of the finals.

For the finals, I’m obviously quite biased (if you haven’t figured that out already). If the Illini bring the game they brought to Vegas, Michigan will play twice on Sunday. We cannot underestimate Magnum. They had a strong showing at Centex, and we’re playing on their home turf. The winner will be decided by whoever handles adversity better. Both sides will get runs. Both sides will get lucky. Both sides will get unlucky. If we let the adversity beat us down, then we’ll lose. Remember, we came back from 4 breaks to win the championship last weekend. Keep the breaks to a minimum and trust that the defense will get those breaks back.

We’re a good team. Trust in your ability and play your freakin heart out. I’ll see you on the field. I’m the guy with the Mohawk that just got the lay out D.