Game Picks: 1st Round Playoffs

Leave your Round 1 picks in the comment section, and we'll see who deserves the title of "Mr. Pick 'Em." Plus you can see what everyone else thinks about your teams chances. This is it. Forget about the regular season... IT'S PLAYOFF TIME!

Bailey (1-7) vs. Wright (1-7)
Regular Season: DNP
This matchup is the benefit of a random draw, as two last place teams face eachother in round one. With two consistently inconsistent and unpredictable teams, it could go either way, but I think Team Wright will pull it out in the end on heart and hustle.
Wright 47 Bailey 45

Calderan (8-0) vs. MacLeod (2-6)
Regular Season: Calderan 60-- MacLeod 46 (Week 5)
As the biggest mismatch on paper, its easy to say that Team Calderan would win a blowout. But I think Team MacLeod will come ready to play and put in a good effort, and if someone can step up and help out Tynan MacLeod they should be able to keep it close for a while. Yet, it won't be enough, Team Calderan should pull away late and advance to the second round.
Calderan 57 MacLeod 47

Dawson (6-2) vs. Dion (1-7)
Regular Season: Dawson 49-- Dion 29 (Week 3)
Based on each team's record it looks like a huge mismatch. But after last week's 30 point win, Team Dion has shown the inspired style of play that makes them competitive with anyone. Meanwhile, Team Dawson has been on a six game winning streak driven by unselfish play and solid defense by the team as a whole. I think this game comes down to the wire, and Team Dion pulls out an overtime victory for the big upset.
Dion 52 Dawson 51 (OT)

Smith (5-3) vs. Debreceni (6-2)
Regular Season: DNP
Ryan Langell's ankle injury left him on crutches the past few days, but he's going to try to weather the storm and put together a gutsy effort, which could help or hurt his team. On the other side, Team Smith has been rolling along behind solid efforts from Aaron Honkonen and Doug Smith. I'm really having a tough time picking this game, but I'll say that Langell's effort, though it might not be pretty, will inspire his team to pull out a tight win.
Debreceni 54 Smith 52

Lavallee (4-4) vs. Burke (7-1)
Regular Season: DNP
These could be the two most defensive minded, slower paced teams in the league-- meaning this one should come down to which team's offense is more productive. Team Burke would love to get physical down low with Big Ben Icenogle, which I think they can successfully do. When it's all said and done, Team Burke should control the game most of the way, and pull out a fairly comfortable win.
Burke 41 Lavallee 34

Stevens (2-6) vs. Fotino (4-4)
Regular Season: DNP
Ahhhhh, the most important game of all. I think Team Stevens matches up really well with Team Fotino, which should translate to an interesting game. If Team Stevens can attack the basket and play their aggressive style of defense, they should be able to pull out a win over an extremely inconsistent Team Fotino.
Stevens 45 Fotino 40

Hegeman (3-5) vs. Jarboe (6-2)
Regular Season: Jarboe 52-- Hegeman 42 (Week 5)
Anthony Cotoni of Team Hegeman has the ability to both shoot the outside jumper, as well as attack the basket, and potentially get Zack Dhionis into foul trouble. Team Jarboe's Zack Dhionis on the other side, has been a beast on the boards all year, and could be unstoppable down low. These two should offset eachother in the scoring column, but Dhionis' presence in the paint, coupled with a solid supporting cast should lead Team Jarboe to victory.
Jarboe 49 Hegeman 46