Sectionals Preview

The short version: we have a job to do. It won’t be easy, but it won’t be hard. If we take care of business, we’ll emerge on top.

The long version:

Being the top seed has its advantages. Our pool contains one less team, so we get a mid-day buy. Also, no other team in our pool comes close to our level of play. Our toughest competitor at this tournament will be hubris. If we look past one game this weekend, we could find ourselves in an unfavorable position when we travel to Detroit.

The weather will be sour to say the least. Some of the close throws and plays that we make in the sun won’t be there this weekend. Let other teams try to force tight situations. If we stay cool, calm, and professional, the points will come to us.

We start off against Purdue. I don’t know much about these boys, which means there probably isn’t anything worth knowing.

We meet Valparaiso in round two. Second and third string guys, get ready to gain some experience in the wind and cold.

During the mid-day bye, we get a chance to size up our next competitor: Boomland. Boys, our honor is at stake. We cannot let them get inside our heads. They will come out on fire. I have a feeling this game means more to them than any other game this weekend. Run through all your in cuts. It’s just poor form if Keenan gets a lay out D. Also, beware their guile. If they get down, they may resort to the “puppy dog eyes” strategy. Don’t look into their eyes. No heart is hard enough to resist their cute little faces (especially Chrysler), so don’t even try. Forget the fact that they are our friends and hold this bag of puppies underwater until the bubbles stop coming out of the bag..

We end the day with UIC. This should be the toughest game on Saturday.

My predictions for Sunday: the top of the pools will go to seed except for pool D. I’m gonna put my money on Wheaton to pull that one out. Either way, our first two games on Sunday should go like clock work. Don’t get cocky, and they won’t get chances to score.

Our last game of the day will be our biggest challenge. I’m pretty sure Notre Dame will be gunnin for us all weekend. They see themselves as the underdogs who have a chance to unseat mighty Illinois. They also have the boost of a lot of favorable internet chatter. “Watch out for Notre Dame” seems to be the theme. I say, “Watch out Notre Dame” nobody has ever won a tournament with just hype.

The Dark Horse: North Park. Sure, they are a top seed in their pool, but no one has really seen them play. They haven’t been to a lot of big tournaments, so I don’t know what to expect. I do remember them from glory days. They were tall with two good throwers and at least one receiver that knew what he was doing. My squad didn’t have an answer for them, but I know our championship team did. If we face them again, expect Pavan and Chuck to get a lot of work.