What's up NCBL family we have finally arrived at the time of year that counts. Last week we had a great last push by some teams to solidify their playoff chances. Although I went 5-3 in my picks last week it was to try and give some teams a chance to prove me right. We had Bronx run express squeezing the life out of New Life; ROL rolled to victory over the vipers of Mt Vernon; the sharp shooters rained jumpers stopping the kingsmen in their tracks; QB had a prophetic win against the hustlers of Horeb; the professors of WP showed the ballers how to ball, the kings of T&T climbed Mt Sinai at least twice in a blow out, and the game of the week the volunteers of Spring Valley ended the year with a bang over GNYC. Now the stage is set and it's one and done for teams. Who will come out and show they want it? Only time would tell but let’s see what Milo thinks about this week games which for some would be a step closer to the finish line and for others it's time to go fishing. Let's go.
New Life Rejuvenators vs Triumphant Tabernacle Kings:
The kings are coming; the kings are coming can you hear the drum beat in the distance. Best in the southwest battle 4th in the west as the kings start their quest to the finals against the rejuvenators who are looking for pay back. T&T battled New Life back in March and they defeated them by 13 points. Now they square off and the winner gets to advance. T&T have been waiting for the playoffs because they know this is their time of year. What are the keys to victory for both teams? New Life must have a good game plan and execute it to perfection, they must minimize the turnovers, shoot well from the field, and attack the interior of T&T. T&T on the other hand must play solid defense, shoot well from the line, attack the rim, and pressure their opponent into turnovers. Look for a close game the first half but in the end I can't see how T&T losses. T&T wins this match up by at least 15 points as they gear up for the next round.
Mt Sinai Tigers vs Bronx Hawks Express:
East meets northeast as the tigers of MT Sinai try and slow down the Bronx express and derail them out the playoffs. I checked the schedule and both teams didn't face each other this year. The tigers lost last week and need to recharge against the Bronx. Bronx ran express all night last week and showed they are a team ready for a long push. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Mt Sinai must play solid defense, slow down the guards of Bronx, minimize the turnovers, and out rebound their opponent. Bronx on the other hand must play their style and attack the paint, shoot well from the field, get bench contributions and minimize the turnovers. Look for a close game because both teams are familiar with each other, but in the end I feel the Bronx have been playing for this time of year and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by at least 10 points.
Corona Crusaders vs White Plains Professors:
Last in the east battles best in the northeast as the defending champs WP try and repeat history they set by making it back to the championship game. Corona was off last week but I know they were eagerly looking at the election committee hoping they made it to the dance. I could see the joy and pride felt throughout their church family and fans. What they didn't know was who they were playing. Well, now they know and that feeling of joy suddenly turned to panic. Wait a minute Milo “PANIC “? Yes panic, because they are facing a death sentence and they know it. Corona played well at times during the year but against top teams they are winless. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Corona must play solid defense, win the loose ball category, shoot well from everywhere, and minimize the turnovers. WP on the other hand will play their style and attack the rim, get guard penetration at will, play solid defense, and out rebound their opponent. Look for a close game the first 5 minutes but I feel the champs are primed and ready to defend their chip and for that reason I'm picking them to win this battle blow out style.
Queensboro Prophets vs Christian Fellowship Hawks:
West meets southwest as the prophets of QB try and rebound against the hawks of Fellowship and advance. Both teams lost last week and now they face a one and done game this week. QB despite their record is tied for the top spot in the west. Fellowship on the other hand played better this year and would like to continue on in the dance. What are the keys to victory for both teams? QB must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, get bench contributions, and minimize the turnovers. Fellowship on the other hand must out rebound their opponent, shoot well from the line, make stops, and attack the rim. Look for a close game because both teams are close. I feel this one would come down to the final possession and I can see Fellowship pulling it out in the closing seconds by 2 points as they move on.
New Jerusalem Juggernauts vs Bethany Ballers:
Rematch from January as the juggernauts look to repay the ballers in Milo's “Game of the Week ". Battle in the east as the arch rivals square off in what should be an interesting game. Both teams are tied in the top of the division, and both teams have players. The only difference this year is that 4 point victory that the ballers handed them back in January. Now the stage is set and to the winner goes the spoils. What are the keys to victory for both teams? NJ must play solid defense, stop guard penetration of the ballers, shoot well from the field, and minimize the turnovers. Bethany on the other hand must play loose and attack the rim, shoot lights out from the arc, minimize the turnovers, and out rebound their opponent. Look for another close game because both teams want it. I like the ballers chances but can they defeat a team twice in one year. I see this game coming down to the wire with the juggernauts making the last stop and winning this match and repaying the ballers for January.
Ebenezer Sharp Shooter vs Ephesus Eliminators:
East meets northeast as the sharp shooter look to continue their solid play and eliminate the eliminators out the dance. Both teams played last week and both teams won. Now they face each other for the first time and this one counts. Ebenezer played a complete game last week and show how well they can play if they put it together. Ephesus on the other hand has been destroying opponents and did so last week against Fellowship. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Ebenezer must play solid defense, out rebound their opponent, have a good game plan, and execute down the stretch. Ephesus on the other hand must use their size in the middle, shoot well from the field, get bench contributions, and attack the paint. Look for a close game but in the end I feel the eliminators would have a little more in the tank and for that reason I'm picking them to move on to the next round.
Horeb Hustlers vs River of Life Sustainers:
South west rivals square off as the hustlers of Horeb try and stop the sustainers and advance. Both teams played last week and despite me picking against them they came out on top. Now the battle is set and the winner advances. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Horeb must push the rock, shoot well from the field, get every loose ball, and minimize the turnovers. ROL on the other hand must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and attack the rim. Look for a close game throughout because both teams are close in make-up. However in the end I feel the hustlers with their experience would out hustle the sustainers and win this match up by 4 points as they move on to the next round.
Kingsboro Kingsmen vs Cornerstone Crushers:
Battle in the west and rematch from March as the kingsmen try and continue their winning ways against the crushers of Cornerstone in Milo's second “Game of the Week ". Yes two games of the week and both teams were tied in the standing for the top spot. Kingsboro defeated the crushers by 5 points their first match and the game was close than the score indicated. Both teams played well for the most part but this one counts this week. Kingsboro proved they could bounce back from adversity and showed they have toughness. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Kingsboro must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, and get inside points. Cornerstone on the other hand must play solid defense, out rebound their opponent, shoot well from the line, and get bench contributions. This game would be close throughout and with some drama, but if the kingsmen can repeat what they did last time the faced each other then they would win. But if Cornerstone guards can pick when to push, stop forcing shots, and play under control then this is their game to lose. I expect to see another close game but this time I feel the crushers would play better down the stretch and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by 4 points as they move on to the next round.