 |  Spotlight Matches The Legion of the Avatara (#19) would be the lowest seed remaining in the tournament, if not for thier opponents, Cacrajou Circle (#25). While LoA's surprise run recieved a lot of attention, Cacra's wins in the bottom bracket have come relatively quietly. Throughout the tournament, LoA has played consistantly and beaten several top teams; I see them winning this match rather handily. Prediction: LoA 49, Cacra 16. Between controversy, ties, and just plain close matches, Monkey Island (#16) has been one of the more interesting teams in the tournament. Triple Nipple (#9), on the other hand, has been another team quietly going about it's business, winning matches and advancing further and further into the tournament.This should be a great match, especially if both teams can field a full squad. It could go either way. Prediction: Monkey Island by a nose, 32-31. Men of Rohan (#4) were expected by many to win this year's Cup, or at least come very close. Thier steamroller hit a bump in the road last week against CI, landing them in the bottom bracket to face Greek Gods (#13). In thier first meeting, MoR dominated the match from start to finish. Should we expect anything different from them this time? I'd expect GG to put up a fight, but I can't see them stopping a more talented MoR squad. Prediction: MoR 46, GG 22. In the top bracket, the top seeded Team Angry Face (#1) is still alive and kicking. This week they get to face off against Cagey Inquisition (#5), who appeared to be getting by on smoke and mirrors until they finally showed a very strong effort against MoR last week. Interestingly enough, both of these teams have snuck by as the higher seed in a tied match once already. This match will be close; don't be shocked if it happens again. However, I have a feeling that CI is stepping up it's game at the right time, and might just squeak by >:(. Prediction: In an upset, CI wins 52-48. The best match in the bottom bracket just might be Iron Chef (#15) verses Cirque de Soulblighter (#2). Cirque has been hanging around since thier last matchup with IC, and still has to be considered a contender to win it all, even considering thier struggling at times. IC remains the biggest surprise in the tournament; if not for thier poor showing against Np last week, they could be said to be playing as well as anyone in the tournament. The winner of this match will pose problems for whoever they have to face. Prediction: IC in a close one, 36-33. Spotlight Match of the Week What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? We'll find out this weekend when the Northern Paladins (#7) face off against Glue the Moose (#6). With a combined match record of 18-0, and having lost only 9 games between them, these teams are playing as well as anyone right now. Glue the Moose has had several impressive victories as of late. Both syn and LoA put up good fights against GtM, but neither could pull off the one extra win they needed to take the Moose down. Whether it's a sheer will to win or the constant mooing, GtM has always been a tough out, and might just be playing as well as they ever have right now. The Northern Paladins might be best known for thier egos, which are about as large as they come. But they can play, they have won tournaments, and they are a legitimate contender to win it all this year. It would be a lot easier to discount them if any team this year had even put up much of a fight. As of yet, Np has never even been in danger of losing a match. That might be Np's downfall, at least in this match. They might just be getting a little cocky; perhaps they think they're destined to win it all this year. In fact, they very well might win it -- but I don't think they'll win this match. In the last two years, Civil/SF came from the bottom bracket to win the tournament; Np might just do it this year. The team that loses this match could come back to face the winner in the finals of MWC2K1, and these teams are close enough in talent that the result of the 2nd encounter could be a reversal of the first. Don't look for the loser of this match to go quietly next week. Prediction: GtM is sharper and more well-prepared. They pull this one out, 63-35. |
