Sunday, July 13, 2008
Week #1 Predictions
Welcome to week 1 all leagues! First off, congrats to tpl_seven_ball3d (Craig) on winning the first BLT of the season - well done! I'm sure whoever your captain is (I'm sure he's sexy as hell), he's very proud. Alright, welcome to my weekly predictions. My format is simple: Who's Playing, Where, What Time, Which players will be key to the match, and a final score. Now, a lot of people tend to not care as much about the early parts of a season, and place a much greater emphasis on the matches after Week 7 or so - however, while it's true that you may not wrap up a playoff spot this early in the season, you can definitely put yourself in a hell of a hole the climb out of for the latter half. Here's hoping those leagues I predicted to be bubble teams, pay even greater attention to those words. Onto the matches!
-Monday Night-
7pm - Pool Pals (0-0) @ Extreme Cues (0-0)
Location: Social Lounge 7
Watch List: pp_trustneo & ec_spin.technician
Outlook: One of the new leagues this season (EC) versus one of the greater disappointments last season (PP). They'll be kicking off the new season. Both would love to get off to a positive start in season 12, unfortunately, only one of them can. I feel like this should play out to be a fairly even match, probably not being decided until the late stages (game 6 or 7). I'm gunna go with my gut on this one, and say EC starts their MLP season off on the right track.
Prediction: 4-3 EC
8pm - Straightshots (0-0) @ Pool Legends (0-0)
Location: Afraid to Lose
Watch List: ss_tbl.runner & pl_xlx_psukhe_xlx
Outlook: This is one of those important early regular season games that I was talking about previously. For PL, they're going to have to knock off these half-decent teams to maintain a spot in the top 3/4 of the conference, while for SS, a win against a playoff-caliber team like PL can provide the morale boost a team needs to ride off of for a couple of weeks. Sadly for SS, this just isn't going to happen. PL is just too deep.
Prediction: 5-2 PL
9pm - Pool Loverz (0-0) @ Devine Cuez (0-0)
Location: Advanced Lounge
Watch List: pz_shootalready69 & dc_uber.geeky
Outlook: A match-up between 2 "new" leagues in MLP. DC has already made a name for itself in other interleagues such as PRO, but on the otherhand I know very, very little about Pz. I'd expect a fairly competitive match here with DC pulling out the win - AS LONG as Zach doesn't go on some spree calling all of the admins in MLP racists and questioning their abilities to do their jobs :) In the end, DC's depth should be enough to take PZ out.
Prediction: 5-2 DC
-Tuesday Night-
6pm - Luckyshots (0-0) @ Poolfiction (0-0)
Location: Bad Times
Watch List: ls_simon.kitto & pfn_cue.ball
Outlook: Fresh off of their World Series win, will we see Poolfiction come out of the gate w/ a WS hangover? Hell No. Their roster is loaded from top-to-bottom just like last season and I just dont see LS being able to keep up. Not to mention Kerry will be the home captain, and have the advantage of matching up players against the stronger LS ones.
Prediction: 5-2 PFN
-Wednesday Night-
***Match of the Week***
7pm - United Pool (0-0) @ Cheapshotz (0-0)
Location: Custard Pie
Watch List: up_united.pool & cz_mvp_cz
Outlook: A great looking match-up between two playoff teams from Season 11. United Pool has always done well with the same cast and I expect that to continue this season; however, CZ has stocked up on old CKP and 8BR players and look ready to make a legitimate run to the championship this season. Team-wise, this is match of the week. When the match gets played? Probably not going to be as close as expected.
Prediction: CZ wins this in a walk 6-1.
-Thursday Night-
7pm - 8 Ball Scratch (0-0) @ True Pool Legends (0-0)
Location: Blurry
Watch List: 8bs_omy_2ez & tpl_cue.ctrl
Outlook: ... not much to say about this one. TPL shouldn't have any trouble at all dispatching these guys. The only thing that leaves any suspense here is whether they will use this as a chance to get some of their lesser players eligible or go all-out and try to bury 8BS to make an impression. Knowing TPL as well as I do - I see them making the classy decision in this case.
Prediction: 6-1 TPL
9pm - Break and Run (0-0) @ Dreampool (0-0)
Location: Advanced Lounge III
Watch List: bnr_kccwc1 & dp_pro.ashley
Outlook: Nothing like capping off the week with the 2 leagues I picked to finish 7th and 8th in the National League respectively, lol. Basically, I feel that Dreampool is in decline, and Break and Run is on it's way up to a more respectable level. BNR has always been full of great people, just not great shooters, and hopefully for them this season that will start to pay off a little bit.
Prediction: 4-3 BNR
Alright - now I know some of you are looking at the above predictions and going "WTF - what an IDIOT - he TOTALLY forgot one....NOOB! Alright, maybe that's just Sophie speaking out loud. However, this season, with each of my predictions will also be included my UPSET SPECIAL OF THE WEEK! By no means do I think there's a 100% chance of the match I pick for this section being correct, it's just more of the game I think has the greatest chance for a surprising result.
***Upset Special****
Tuesday Night
7 pm - Magic Pool (0-0) @ Tourney Pool (0-0)
Location: Crossed Cues
Watch List: mp_xlx_skill_xlx & tp_deep_cerebro
Outlook: Alright. TP is CLEARLY the favourite, at least in my opinion, considering the depth they have; Luis, Ross, ball_brilliance, etc. While I do believe TP will finish this season w/ a record of about 10 wins and 4 losses and the #2 seed in the National League, a team like MP could be in prime position to throw them off balance. With the exception of Jordan and man.killer01, few, if any, of the other MP players are very well known, and that is why I'm expecting TP to come into this match a little over-confident. Will this result happen for sure? No way to know until Wednesday. Do I think all of the marbles are in place for an upset to occur? I Sure Do!
Prediction: 4-3 MP
Thanks for taking the time to read the predictions for Week 1 of this MLP season. I'll be back later in the week with, "hopefully," a recap of either the "Match of the Week" or "Upset Special." Until Next time MLP'ers :)
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Last Week: 0-0 Overall: 0-0
-Monday Night-
7pm - Pool Pals (0-0) @ Extreme Cues (0-0)
Location: Social Lounge 7
Watch List: pp_trustneo & ec_spin.technician
Outlook: One of the new leagues this season (EC) versus one of the greater disappointments last season (PP). They'll be kicking off the new season. Both would love to get off to a positive start in season 12, unfortunately, only one of them can. I feel like this should play out to be a fairly even match, probably not being decided until the late stages (game 6 or 7). I'm gunna go with my gut on this one, and say EC starts their MLP season off on the right track.
Prediction: 4-3 EC
8pm - Straightshots (0-0) @ Pool Legends (0-0)
Location: Afraid to Lose
Watch List: ss_tbl.runner & pl_xlx_psukhe_xlx
Outlook: This is one of those important early regular season games that I was talking about previously. For PL, they're going to have to knock off these half-decent teams to maintain a spot in the top 3/4 of the conference, while for SS, a win against a playoff-caliber team like PL can provide the morale boost a team needs to ride off of for a couple of weeks. Sadly for SS, this just isn't going to happen. PL is just too deep.
Prediction: 5-2 PL
9pm - Pool Loverz (0-0) @ Devine Cuez (0-0)
Location: Advanced Lounge
Watch List: pz_shootalready69 & dc_uber.geeky
Outlook: A match-up between 2 "new" leagues in MLP. DC has already made a name for itself in other interleagues such as PRO, but on the otherhand I know very, very little about Pz. I'd expect a fairly competitive match here with DC pulling out the win - AS LONG as Zach doesn't go on some spree calling all of the admins in MLP racists and questioning their abilities to do their jobs :) In the end, DC's depth should be enough to take PZ out.
Prediction: 5-2 DC
-Tuesday Night-
6pm - Luckyshots (0-0) @ Poolfiction (0-0)
Location: Bad Times
Watch List: ls_simon.kitto & pfn_cue.ball
Outlook: Fresh off of their World Series win, will we see Poolfiction come out of the gate w/ a WS hangover? Hell No. Their roster is loaded from top-to-bottom just like last season and I just dont see LS being able to keep up. Not to mention Kerry will be the home captain, and have the advantage of matching up players against the stronger LS ones.
Prediction: 5-2 PFN
-Wednesday Night-
***Match of the Week***
7pm - United Pool (0-0) @ Cheapshotz (0-0)
Location: Custard Pie
Watch List: up_united.pool & cz_mvp_cz
Outlook: A great looking match-up between two playoff teams from Season 11. United Pool has always done well with the same cast and I expect that to continue this season; however, CZ has stocked up on old CKP and 8BR players and look ready to make a legitimate run to the championship this season. Team-wise, this is match of the week. When the match gets played? Probably not going to be as close as expected.
Prediction: CZ wins this in a walk 6-1.
-Thursday Night-
7pm - 8 Ball Scratch (0-0) @ True Pool Legends (0-0)
Location: Blurry
Watch List: 8bs_omy_2ez & tpl_cue.ctrl
Outlook: ... not much to say about this one. TPL shouldn't have any trouble at all dispatching these guys. The only thing that leaves any suspense here is whether they will use this as a chance to get some of their lesser players eligible or go all-out and try to bury 8BS to make an impression. Knowing TPL as well as I do - I see them making the classy decision in this case.
Prediction: 6-1 TPL
9pm - Break and Run (0-0) @ Dreampool (0-0)
Location: Advanced Lounge III
Watch List: bnr_kccwc1 & dp_pro.ashley
Outlook: Nothing like capping off the week with the 2 leagues I picked to finish 7th and 8th in the National League respectively, lol. Basically, I feel that Dreampool is in decline, and Break and Run is on it's way up to a more respectable level. BNR has always been full of great people, just not great shooters, and hopefully for them this season that will start to pay off a little bit.
Prediction: 4-3 BNR
Alright - now I know some of you are looking at the above predictions and going "WTF - what an IDIOT - he TOTALLY forgot one....NOOB! Alright, maybe that's just Sophie speaking out loud. However, this season, with each of my predictions will also be included my UPSET SPECIAL OF THE WEEK! By no means do I think there's a 100% chance of the match I pick for this section being correct, it's just more of the game I think has the greatest chance for a surprising result.
***Upset Special****
Tuesday Night
7 pm - Magic Pool (0-0) @ Tourney Pool (0-0)
Location: Crossed Cues
Watch List: mp_xlx_skill_xlx & tp_deep_cerebro
Outlook: Alright. TP is CLEARLY the favourite, at least in my opinion, considering the depth they have; Luis, Ross, ball_brilliance, etc. While I do believe TP will finish this season w/ a record of about 10 wins and 4 losses and the #2 seed in the National League, a team like MP could be in prime position to throw them off balance. With the exception of Jordan and man.killer01, few, if any, of the other MP players are very well known, and that is why I'm expecting TP to come into this match a little over-confident. Will this result happen for sure? No way to know until Wednesday. Do I think all of the marbles are in place for an upset to occur? I Sure Do!
Prediction: 4-3 MP
Thanks for taking the time to read the predictions for Week 1 of this MLP season. I'll be back later in the week with, "hopefully," a recap of either the "Match of the Week" or "Upset Special." Until Next time MLP'ers :)
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Last Week: 0-0 Overall: 0-0
Season 12 - National League Team Profiles
Alright, so after staying up until 6:30 this morning finishing my AL Profiles, I apologize if their NL counter-parts come off as - well - half-ass lol. League-wise the National League is without a doubt weaker, but the playoff picture should end up being murkier. In my opinion, Poolfiction will romp through their competition this season, as will new-comer Tourney Pool, leaving a log-jam near the middle for spots 3-6. Weeks 12-14 should be especially interesting in this conference, as there will definitely be a wild-card chase and, if we're lucky, a battle for #1. Let's get to the teams!
National League
Break and Run (BNR)
Captain: Dina & David (miz_trouble & redhot_2oo3)
Key Players: bnr_teacher, lxl_jerm_lxl & kccwc1
Last Season's Record: 5-9 (1 game back of wild-card spot)
Outlook: Not so hot. Every season these guys define what interleagues are supposed to be about - that is, they show up to their matchs, compete and - most importantly - have fun. I expect them to finish up season 12 with about the same record as they finished Season 11.
Prediction: 7th (5-9)
Dreampool (DP)
Captain: Mario & Ashley (lvlr_DegrassiSlam@sbcglobal.net & pro.ashley)
Key Players: n0thza, themvp66 & pro.ashley
Last Season's Record: 3-11 (Did not make playoff)
Outlook: Very poor - I just don't feel confident about the things this team is going to do this season. As bad as last season was, I just don't see these guys making any progress come season 12; however, a couple of wins versus the upper-half of this conference, and DP might just find themselves chasing a wild-card spot come weeks 13 & 14. I'm not holding my breath for that to happen.
Prediction: 8th (3-11)
Extreme Cues (EC)
Captain: Paul (sleepyman619)
Key Players: Paul, xlx_english_professor_xlx and Dan (tw.ista)
Last Season's Record: N/A
Outlook: Modest. With the exception of TP and PFN, the national league is full of mediocre teams, and EC is one of them. They may just be able to take advantage of this and sneak into the playoffs with either a 4 seed, or the wildcard.
Prediction: 5th (7-7)
Luckyshots (LS)
Captain: Tony (luckyshots_tony)
Key Players: Simon (simon.kitto), Chris (tonzmaniac) & JD (xcanuckleheadx)
Last Season's Record: 6-8 (Lost vs Poolfiction in Conference Semi-finals)
Outlook: Safe. Luckyshots, in my opinion, is probably the strongest of all the "mediocre teams" in the NL. As long as they minimize their losses to the lesser teams in this conference, they should see themselves securely into the playoffs.
Prediction: 3rd (8-6)
Magic Pool (MP)
Captain: Jordan (xlx_skill_xlx)
Key Players: Jordan & man.killer01
Last Season's Record: 8-6 (Lost to SS in Wildcard round)
Outlook: Bubble-bound. In short, they're just like basically every other team in this conference - a couple decent players, but no one else you can really count on for a win week in and week out. I see them just missing out on playoffs this season.
Prediction: 6th (6-8)
Poolfiction (PFN)
Captain: Kerry (kerryanne_24)
Key Players: Jamies (xlx_bpk_xlx), James (cue.ball) & Stu (zl_stu_lz)
Last Season's Record: 11-3 (Won 2nd straight World Series)
Outlook: Dominant. First PLC and now MLP - I don't know how much money Kerry has but she's paying the admins of PLC and MLP well - PFN the easier conference in BOTH interleagues now lol. With the team they have, Poolfiction can cruise through the first 15 weeks of the season - I'm looking forward to the PFN-TP Conference Championship match already :)
Prediction: 1st (13-1)
Pool Pals (PP)
Captain: Neo & David (trustneo / buckme.bootiful)
Key Players: Marky (marky_loves_becky), Alex (lvlister_alex) & spc_elite
Last Season's Record: 5-9 (Did not make playoffs)
Outlook: Steady. After a strong 'regular' season in PRO (and a terrible display in playoffs), PP is looking to feed off of that as they come into this season of MLP. I expect it to be and up-and-down season for them, but they should squeak into the playoffs.
Prediction: 4th (7-7)
Tourney Pool (TP)
Captain: Lisa (sweet_and_sassy_lisa)
Key Players: Luis (deep_cerebro), Ross (kingvaughan) and ball_brilliance
Last Season's Record: N/A
Outlook: Very Strong. Without a doubt, TP and PFN are the run-away favourites in this conference. No other teams have players with skill-levels that these two teams can bring to the table on a weekly basis. I'm guessing that by Week 6, these two leagues will be wishing MLP had "interleague" games. They might be bored out of their minds.
Prediction: 2nd (10-4)
Alright, so to recap, my final standings in the National League this season look like the following:
1. Poolfiction (13-1)
2. Tourney Pool (10-4)
3. Luckyshots (8-6)
4. Pool Pals (7-7)
5.* Extreme Cues (7-7)
--------------------------------
6. Magic Pool (6-8)
7. Break and Run (5-9)
8. Dreampool (3-11)
*Denotes Wildcard
And there you have it! Let the games begin. I'll be posting my Weekly Predictions sometime later tonight, which will include my "Match of the Week" as well as my "Upset Special of the Week" - which I will, undoubtedly, go 0-14 picking :( Take care all, and good luck in tonights BLT!
National League
Break and Run (BNR)
Captain: Dina & David (miz_trouble & redhot_2oo3)
Key Players: bnr_teacher, lxl_jerm_lxl & kccwc1
Last Season's Record: 5-9 (1 game back of wild-card spot)
Outlook: Not so hot. Every season these guys define what interleagues are supposed to be about - that is, they show up to their matchs, compete and - most importantly - have fun. I expect them to finish up season 12 with about the same record as they finished Season 11.
Prediction: 7th (5-9)
Dreampool (DP)
Captain: Mario & Ashley (lvlr_DegrassiSlam@sbcglobal.net & pro.ashley)
Key Players: n0thza, themvp66 & pro.ashley
Last Season's Record: 3-11 (Did not make playoff)
Outlook: Very poor - I just don't feel confident about the things this team is going to do this season. As bad as last season was, I just don't see these guys making any progress come season 12; however, a couple of wins versus the upper-half of this conference, and DP might just find themselves chasing a wild-card spot come weeks 13 & 14. I'm not holding my breath for that to happen.
Prediction: 8th (3-11)
Extreme Cues (EC)
Captain: Paul (sleepyman619)
Key Players: Paul, xlx_english_professor_xlx and Dan (tw.ista)
Last Season's Record: N/A
Outlook: Modest. With the exception of TP and PFN, the national league is full of mediocre teams, and EC is one of them. They may just be able to take advantage of this and sneak into the playoffs with either a 4 seed, or the wildcard.
Prediction: 5th (7-7)
Luckyshots (LS)
Captain: Tony (luckyshots_tony)
Key Players: Simon (simon.kitto), Chris (tonzmaniac) & JD (xcanuckleheadx)
Last Season's Record: 6-8 (Lost vs Poolfiction in Conference Semi-finals)
Outlook: Safe. Luckyshots, in my opinion, is probably the strongest of all the "mediocre teams" in the NL. As long as they minimize their losses to the lesser teams in this conference, they should see themselves securely into the playoffs.
Prediction: 3rd (8-6)
Magic Pool (MP)
Captain: Jordan (xlx_skill_xlx)
Key Players: Jordan & man.killer01
Last Season's Record: 8-6 (Lost to SS in Wildcard round)
Outlook: Bubble-bound. In short, they're just like basically every other team in this conference - a couple decent players, but no one else you can really count on for a win week in and week out. I see them just missing out on playoffs this season.
Prediction: 6th (6-8)
Poolfiction (PFN)
Captain: Kerry (kerryanne_24)
Key Players: Jamies (xlx_bpk_xlx), James (cue.ball) & Stu (zl_stu_lz)
Last Season's Record: 11-3 (Won 2nd straight World Series)
Outlook: Dominant. First PLC and now MLP - I don't know how much money Kerry has but she's paying the admins of PLC and MLP well - PFN the easier conference in BOTH interleagues now lol. With the team they have, Poolfiction can cruise through the first 15 weeks of the season - I'm looking forward to the PFN-TP Conference Championship match already :)
Prediction: 1st (13-1)
Pool Pals (PP)
Captain: Neo & David (trustneo / buckme.bootiful)
Key Players: Marky (marky_loves_becky), Alex (lvlister_alex) & spc_elite
Last Season's Record: 5-9 (Did not make playoffs)
Outlook: Steady. After a strong 'regular' season in PRO (and a terrible display in playoffs), PP is looking to feed off of that as they come into this season of MLP. I expect it to be and up-and-down season for them, but they should squeak into the playoffs.
Prediction: 4th (7-7)
Tourney Pool (TP)
Captain: Lisa (sweet_and_sassy_lisa)
Key Players: Luis (deep_cerebro), Ross (kingvaughan) and ball_brilliance
Last Season's Record: N/A
Outlook: Very Strong. Without a doubt, TP and PFN are the run-away favourites in this conference. No other teams have players with skill-levels that these two teams can bring to the table on a weekly basis. I'm guessing that by Week 6, these two leagues will be wishing MLP had "interleague" games. They might be bored out of their minds.
Prediction: 2nd (10-4)
Alright, so to recap, my final standings in the National League this season look like the following:
1. Poolfiction (13-1)
2. Tourney Pool (10-4)
3. Luckyshots (8-6)
4. Pool Pals (7-7)
5.* Extreme Cues (7-7)
--------------------------------
6. Magic Pool (6-8)
7. Break and Run (5-9)
8. Dreampool (3-11)
*Denotes Wildcard
And there you have it! Let the games begin. I'll be posting my Weekly Predictions sometime later tonight, which will include my "Match of the Week" as well as my "Upset Special of the Week" - which I will, undoubtedly, go 0-14 picking :( Take care all, and good luck in tonights BLT!
Season 12 - American League Team Profiles
Well, it's upon us. Season 12 is set to kick-off with tonight's BLT in Bad Times @ 7pm hosted by Sophie, in a season which will mark the end of her "reign" (take that word whichever way you wish) as MLP Head Lady. As everyone has already noticed, I'm sure, she's provided us with yet another fine page for her farewell tour. First things first, I'd like to welcome all of the new leagues to MLP - some brand new and some returning: Devine Cuez, Pool Loverz, Extreme Cues and Tourney Pool - best of luck to all of you this season. Eligiblity-wise, everything has stayed the same; 50 games in your Home League (25 of which must be tournament games), 5 tourney games in the past 7 days for 7 v 7 matches and 1 tourney game in past 7 days to participate in the weekly BLT. On the topic of the weekly BLT, Sophie has provided players with more of a reason to take part in these tournaments because for EVERY BLT tournament this season (14 weeks = 14 tourneys), the winner will receive a 1 YEAR GOLD MEMBERSHIP. Yes folks, it's true; Sophie is either crazy, rich, or a combination of the two. Now, I doubt this will launch tourney numbers into the 100's like the old days, but it should still be reason enough to see an increase in the number of jumpers per tournament this season.
SEASON 12 OUTLOOK/TEAM PROFILES
The following will be a basic outline of all of the teams which will be competing in Season 12. You'll be introduced to their Captain, their "Key Players", Last Season's Record (where applicable) my outlook on them for this season, and where I expect them to finish up in the standings. It should also be noted that for my "Key Players" section, "TBD" simply means I don't recognize any of the names which are currently signed up on the MLP ladder, and everyone will have to wait until the season plays out to see exactly who the "clutch performers" on these teams end up being.
American League
8 Ball Scatch (8bs)
Captain: Paul (xx_pool_addict_xx / omy_2ez)
Key Players: TBD
Last Seasons Record: 3-11 (Took over for NHP early in the season)
Outlook: Bleak. Poor 8BS. Diligently took over for NHP early last season and their reward for season twelve? Being put in the same divison as perennial interleague powerhouses CZ, PL, TPL and UP. It's gunna be a long season for Paul and his gang.
Prediction: 8th (2-12)
Cheapshotz (CZ)
Captain: Josh (midwestern_pool_champ) & Ben (fhm_champion)
Key Players: Alex (dryrape), Josh and Scott (scott2883)
Last Seasons Record: 11-3 (Lost to Cuekeepers in Conference finals)
Outlook: Strong. Now here's a team that could really do some damage. With the "stacked" team they have listed - and the possible addition of Ant and PC - Cheapshotz have to be the favourite to come out of the American League on top.
Prediction: 1st (12-2)
Devine Cuez (DC)
Captain: Zach (uber.geeky)
Key Players: Zach, Lewis (eng.lishman)
Last Seasons Record: N/A
Outlook: Wildcare material. Welcome to MLP Devine Cuez! Oh - and welcome to the conference of death! Pretty much the only way this conference could be any worse is if Poolfiction was in it. DC is a league I see giving a few of the top tier teams a good match and maybe even pulling out an upset along the way. They shouldn't have much trouble snagging the wildcard spot.
Prediction: 5th (7-7)
Pool Legends (PL)
Captain: Jase (sexxxy_luckydog17)
Key Players: Jase, Trav (xlx_psukhe_xlx) and darkinc87
Last Seasons Record: 10-4 (Lost in Conference Semi-Finals to TPL)
Outlook: Good. In this conference, I expect TPL and CZ to battle for top spot, and UP and PL to battle for 3rd. Now, PL is renowned for their snooker play; I haven't seen a PL'er run-break in an interleague game in about as long as I've heard of Cubby taking a shower. In the end, this could either hurt them or allow them to steal a couple against the top 2 (TPL and CZ), which might push them up into 2nd in the conference. Until I see some proof of the latter...
Prediction: 3rd (9-5)
Pool Loverz (PZ)
Captain: Lenny (lady.lenny / angelofmercy_tx)
Key Players: TBD
Last Seasons Record: N/A
Outlook: Eeek. Welcome BACK to MLP guys :) I don't expect to much from Lenny and her squad the first season back, but as MLP admin there's no doubt she'll get a team to each match and try her best to keep them competitive. Unfortunately, this is a tough conference and wins will be hard to pick up. The important matches for PZ will be against the lower half of this group.
Prediction: 7th (3-11)
Straightshots (SS)
Captain: Steven (steven.rules)
Key Players: tbl.runner & JEDI_38
Last Seasons Record: 6-8 (Lost in Conference Semi Finals to Cuekeepers)
Outlook: Bad. After sneaking into the playoffs with the wildcard spot last season, and upsetting Magic Pool in the first round, SS will be hard-pressed to duplicate those results this season. If they were able to pick up a solid player or two throughout the season and get a win against one of the top 3 in this conference they might have a chance at the wildcard again, but I just don't see that panning out.
Prediction: 6th (4-10)
True Pool Legends (TPL)
Captain: Steve (xlx_e_f_c_xlx)
Key Players: Steve, Pommy (aka_pomking) & Trav (lvlasse)
Last Seasons Record: 9-5 (Lost to Poolfiction in the Conference Finals)
Outlook: Very Good. TPL will be looking to improve upon their conference final loss last season to Poolfiction, and have picked up a couple of "tools" along the way (no offense Chris) to help them get the job done this season. I look for a very strong regular season and playoff run from these proven choke-artists.
Prediction: 2nd (11-3)
United Pool (UP)
Captain: Ketan (xlx_k_e_t_a_n_xlx)
Key Players: Ketan, Pas (united.pooler) & Ste (hornyscots)
Last Seasons Record: 8-6 (Lost to Poolfiction in the Conference Semi-Finals)
Outlook: Decent. As always, I'm expecting UP to make playoffs, but I don't believe that they will be as strong this season as in past seasons. They're definitely still a good enough team to have a chance in every match they play, though. If under-estimated, it's possible they could leap-frog PL for #3.
Prediction: 4th (8-6)
To recap, my final standings for the American League this season, look like the following:
1. Cheapshotz (12-2)
2. True Pool Legends (11-3)
3. Pool Legends (9-5)
4. United Pool (8-6)
*5. Devine Cuez (7-7)
--------------------------------
6. Straightshots (4-10)
7. Pool Loverz (3-11)
8. 8 Ball Scratch (2-12)
*Denotes Wildcard
That's all for now, I'll be back with the National League Profiles and this week's predictions later this afternoon!
SEASON 12 OUTLOOK/TEAM PROFILES
The following will be a basic outline of all of the teams which will be competing in Season 12. You'll be introduced to their Captain, their "Key Players", Last Season's Record (where applicable) my outlook on them for this season, and where I expect them to finish up in the standings. It should also be noted that for my "Key Players" section, "TBD" simply means I don't recognize any of the names which are currently signed up on the MLP ladder, and everyone will have to wait until the season plays out to see exactly who the "clutch performers" on these teams end up being.
American League
8 Ball Scatch (8bs)
Captain: Paul (xx_pool_addict_xx / omy_2ez)
Key Players: TBD
Last Seasons Record: 3-11 (Took over for NHP early in the season)
Outlook: Bleak. Poor 8BS. Diligently took over for NHP early last season and their reward for season twelve? Being put in the same divison as perennial interleague powerhouses CZ, PL, TPL and UP. It's gunna be a long season for Paul and his gang.
Prediction: 8th (2-12)
Cheapshotz (CZ)
Captain: Josh (midwestern_pool_champ) & Ben (fhm_champion)
Key Players: Alex (dryrape), Josh and Scott (scott2883)
Last Seasons Record: 11-3 (Lost to Cuekeepers in Conference finals)
Outlook: Strong. Now here's a team that could really do some damage. With the "stacked" team they have listed - and the possible addition of Ant and PC - Cheapshotz have to be the favourite to come out of the American League on top.
Prediction: 1st (12-2)
Devine Cuez (DC)
Captain: Zach (uber.geeky)
Key Players: Zach, Lewis (eng.lishman)
Last Seasons Record: N/A
Outlook: Wildcare material. Welcome to MLP Devine Cuez! Oh - and welcome to the conference of death! Pretty much the only way this conference could be any worse is if Poolfiction was in it. DC is a league I see giving a few of the top tier teams a good match and maybe even pulling out an upset along the way. They shouldn't have much trouble snagging the wildcard spot.
Prediction: 5th (7-7)
Pool Legends (PL)
Captain: Jase (sexxxy_luckydog17)
Key Players: Jase, Trav (xlx_psukhe_xlx) and darkinc87
Last Seasons Record: 10-4 (Lost in Conference Semi-Finals to TPL)
Outlook: Good. In this conference, I expect TPL and CZ to battle for top spot, and UP and PL to battle for 3rd. Now, PL is renowned for their snooker play; I haven't seen a PL'er run-break in an interleague game in about as long as I've heard of Cubby taking a shower. In the end, this could either hurt them or allow them to steal a couple against the top 2 (TPL and CZ), which might push them up into 2nd in the conference. Until I see some proof of the latter...
Prediction: 3rd (9-5)
Pool Loverz (PZ)
Captain: Lenny (lady.lenny / angelofmercy_tx)
Key Players: TBD
Last Seasons Record: N/A
Outlook: Eeek. Welcome BACK to MLP guys :) I don't expect to much from Lenny and her squad the first season back, but as MLP admin there's no doubt she'll get a team to each match and try her best to keep them competitive. Unfortunately, this is a tough conference and wins will be hard to pick up. The important matches for PZ will be against the lower half of this group.
Prediction: 7th (3-11)
Straightshots (SS)
Captain: Steven (steven.rules)
Key Players: tbl.runner & JEDI_38
Last Seasons Record: 6-8 (Lost in Conference Semi Finals to Cuekeepers)
Outlook: Bad. After sneaking into the playoffs with the wildcard spot last season, and upsetting Magic Pool in the first round, SS will be hard-pressed to duplicate those results this season. If they were able to pick up a solid player or two throughout the season and get a win against one of the top 3 in this conference they might have a chance at the wildcard again, but I just don't see that panning out.
Prediction: 6th (4-10)
True Pool Legends (TPL)
Captain: Steve (xlx_e_f_c_xlx)
Key Players: Steve, Pommy (aka_pomking) & Trav (lvlasse)
Last Seasons Record: 9-5 (Lost to Poolfiction in the Conference Finals)
Outlook: Very Good. TPL will be looking to improve upon their conference final loss last season to Poolfiction, and have picked up a couple of "tools" along the way (no offense Chris) to help them get the job done this season. I look for a very strong regular season and playoff run from these proven choke-artists.
Prediction: 2nd (11-3)
United Pool (UP)
Captain: Ketan (xlx_k_e_t_a_n_xlx)
Key Players: Ketan, Pas (united.pooler) & Ste (hornyscots)
Last Seasons Record: 8-6 (Lost to Poolfiction in the Conference Semi-Finals)
Outlook: Decent. As always, I'm expecting UP to make playoffs, but I don't believe that they will be as strong this season as in past seasons. They're definitely still a good enough team to have a chance in every match they play, though. If under-estimated, it's possible they could leap-frog PL for #3.
Prediction: 4th (8-6)
To recap, my final standings for the American League this season, look like the following:
1. Cheapshotz (12-2)
2. True Pool Legends (11-3)
3. Pool Legends (9-5)
4. United Pool (8-6)
*5. Devine Cuez (7-7)
--------------------------------
6. Straightshots (4-10)
7. Pool Loverz (3-11)
8. 8 Ball Scratch (2-12)
*Denotes Wildcard
That's all for now, I'll be back with the National League Profiles and this week's predictions later this afternoon!
