Miners and Explosion Game Predictions

[major4_4]

I just wanted to have some fun and see what the board thinks.
I thinks the miners will win 118 to 113. I know some (or one) will disgree .



GO Miners!!!!

[Kev the Cav]

Miners 95- 85

[PikevilleOT]

113-102 Miners.... Any Miners fans making the trip up?

[heavesrock]

Miners will likely nick it after Pitt's uninspired performance last time against a poor Butte team.

[panchess]

..the more likely the Miners will win. EK is the most erratic of the playoff teams, but if there jump shooters are hot, they will roll.

Pittsburgh 102 EK 95

I don't think the game against Butte means much of anything. Albany lost to the 8-40 Michigan Mayhem to end the season two years ago, then almost won the conference playoffs...

[psbf]

I'm going to reserve my prediction until after the X game today. It is indeed, a meaningless game in Butte and I'm sure the Daredevils want to win it on their fan appreciation day. But a win by the Xplosion would give them some momentum going into the do or die game on Tuesday. I'm sure the Miners will have a lot of support which means the more support the X get the more motivation the players will have. Either way, it will be a close game, if the last one is any indication. I would think the Steelers will help bring more fans. Naturally, I hope the X win and advance, but I know how good the Miners are also. Even coach Knox was saying that we need to have our best team playing(performance-wise) in order to move on.

[psbf]

what happened with Chaz McCrimmon, he was listed in the game dakstats, but never saw action.
But the X won, so my prediction is, Xplosion 120, Miners 116.

[PikevilleOT]

from what I hear Chaz was just rested for the play-in game... I hope the MIners have made some defensive adjustments to step up on the corner 3's. Albert White killed us from the left side last time up in Pitt as the X were knocking down the outside shot unopposed for most of the game. I expect it to be highly competitive and I hope to see Minot the 13th

[psbf]

Whatever happens in the outcome on Tuesday, I would think that Coach Knox should be voted coach of the year in the CBA. With due respect to the others who are all good, compared to where we were last season, I don't think anyone else can compare. If he does not get it, I'll consider that the league short changed us. I don't expect anyone to share my view, but with the season we had, we should get something out of it if we don't move on.

[PikevilleOT]

it is just to hard to argue against Woolpert as coach of the year who seems to be most of the other's choices with the overall Yakima season... they had such team chemistry season-long.... Knox got him team to the postseason which was great, but I would be surprised if he finishes in the top 3 in voting.

[psbf]

Paul Woolpert is a great coach. But the Sun Kings have been in the Champiionship year after year. I don't see anything new about what he has done.
Chris Daleo is also a great coach, having dominated us last season but just missing out and headed for the Division(or Conference) title this season.
Your coach is a great one as well, leading an expansion team to the playoffs.
I'm not taking anything away from any of them, or the coaches of the first year teams. But if the Xplosion don't come away with some kind of achievement by the league, I'll consider this all for not in the way of recognition. I think the X are just as deserving as the Miners are.

[PikevilleOT]

good post..agree that several coaches did nice jobs this year, but feel Woolpert will win it.
the only year end award I had mentioned on here before has been player of the year where I did say Josh Pace's numbers would be hard to argue as POY candidate.

[SUNKINGS]

Of course setting setting records for highest winning % and qt pt's per game avg. ALL TIME RECORDS. Ho hum Carl Knox rocks. Think about it.

[skippy]

Xplosion 974
Miners 108 Final OT
Ditka 975

[psbf]

The X should come out of this with some kind of recognition or it will give me another reason to hate the league.

[SUNKINGS]

PBSF is there an X player deserving of rookie of the year or MVP. Does Carl Knox deserve coach of the year. Nothing against the X, but statistically it doesnt appear that way. Keep in mind Carl didnt win all these games with last years players. Both Woolpert and Knox won their respective games with mostly all new players. So how can they be judged differently.

[psbf]

Kings, when comparing Knox and last season to this, keep in mind that he never made the playoffs when leading the Alley Cats, like he has here. And you're right, none of our players have been what you would call 'on fire'. But the X as a team should get some kind of consideration and I feel Knox has done an outstanding job here. John DeGroat has been our main man, since Antonio Graves left(and Shawn Fountain has been missing). DeGroat has been overlooked by many on here. He has been leading in some league stats and should get his due. Remember DeGroat? Obviously not. You may want to re-look at the stats, king.

[SUNKINGS]

Degroat definitly deserves to be all league first team, and will be. But Pace is MVP.

[panchess]

Indiana had a 28-4 record in the ABA in their only season there, and I thought Knox was the coach. Indiana didn't make the playoffs in the CBA last season, but did in the ABA.

There isn't a "group achievement" award in a pro league, other than the playoffs and championship. That is the group achievement, and Pittsburgh achieved it with a 17-victory (really 18 when you consider they got a symbolic win in a split-point "makeup" against Albany last year) jump in the standings from 10-38 to 27-19. They won more road games (12) this year than total games last year. Quite an accomplishment.

[psbf]

Kings, as I've said, the Miners are a good team. But to me, they are stil our rival and DeGroat is just as good as Pace(imo). Pace has been getting all the attention, regardless of the reasons.

You are correct about Knox, Panchess. Both the Alley Cats and the Xplosion made the ABA playoffs, although Indiana had a better transaction to this league than we had. And it is a good accomplishment. But just saying that means nothing without something to show for it(imo).

[Cazzzmo]

love the Ditka/Superfans reference, Skippy!!

---------------------------------------------

let's see . . . . gee . . . . E.K. 102, Xpulsion 90........ I don't think it'll be too close but our friend in Pittstown will likely require an "E.K.G." either way when its all said and done. Luv Ya pb!!!

[Poptartguy]

Miners 118 X 95
The only reason it will be this close is because the Miners will give up on 4th quarter defense allowing easy lay ups and open 3's, but the lead will be secured thanks to the talent they have going into the playoffs.
I would like to think that Kyle Macy had something to do with this, but I just haven't seen him have an impact on the team. Is he here for PR or what?

[psbf]

Your lack of respect for the Xplosion amazes me, guy.

[cat1bb1]

EK 103 - X 96

[SUNKINGS]

X 104 - Ek 101

[FrontOffice]

EK 124 - X 120 in OT

[psbf]

Failing Defense in the 4th?? Where did you get that from? The Xplosion have been the strongest in the second half(especially in the fourth), as they proved last night.

[skippy]

The X won't be able to contain the offensive capabilities of the Miners in the fourth.

Del Bayshore will be raining 3's from all over the court.
Geoff Crompton will make his presence felt in the middle
Marvin "Bad News" Barnes will be blocking shots left and right.
And in a surprising development, Purvis Miller will have a triple-double.

And no one, not even Carlos Knox, can outcoach Bill Klucas.

[cat1bb1]

Failing Defense in the 4th?? Where did you get that from? The Xplosion have been the strongest in the second half(especially in the fourth), as they proved last night.

"D" was on the case of EK not the Xplosion. Why do you feel you have to be so defensive (no pun intended) on ever blog psbf????

[psbf]

In your dreams, skippy.

Cat, not all, but most. Why? Because I don't know what is in the minds of other posters.

[boom_goes_the_dynamite]

does anyone else (other than psbf) think its a little unfair that the team who has wrapped up 2nd place not only has to play in a "play in" game (i've never seen a format when one division does something completely different than the other division in the same league. i mean, the western confrence in the nba is considerably stronger than the east, but new orleans and denver aren't going to have a play in game), but has to travel across the country and play the next day? i mean, they are the higher seed but they have to play this odd game, and travel the day before from montana while the 3rd place team has had a week off? how is this fair?

[FrontOffice]

If the league stuck with the original format of 4 teams from each conference like they promised the owners in the first place, then this wouldn't be an issue.

[PikevilleOT]

i think psbf should be cba fan of the year for his undying X love... oh wait, he said something in earlier post about another reason to hate this league.... I'm the SUPERFAN by default.... thanks to all you little people for your support. I couldn't have achieved this honor without being the good person that I am... thanks all around to me.... YEAH ME!

[boom_goes_the_dynamite]

you're right, if the league would've stuck with their format it wouldn't be an issue. but how can two conferences have different playoff formats? it makes absolutly sense. this looks just as bad as having teams fold.

[FrontOffice]

In the end I guess it ends up being all teams that finished above .500 so the playoffs are a reward. Not saying I agree but this is the way it is

[boom_goes_the_dynamite]

ya that's what it looks like. and i don't agree with it either. it just doesn't look right. and there are clearly 5 teams that are above the others. but that doesn't mean they all have to make the playoffs.

[psbf]

I'm a fan of the Xplosion first. I think we got short changed by the league. But as has been posted, it's done now.

[psbf]

by the way, nice spelling in the headline:rolleyes:

[Poptartguy]

Failing Defense in the 4th?? Where did you get that from? The Xplosion have been the strongest in the second half(especially in the fourth), as they proved last night.

I was referring to the Miner's fourth quarter play. For some reason, opposing teams find their shots fall much easier against EK late in the game. I don't think that the Miners are tired, but the intensity is different. However, with this being a do-or-die situation, the normal rules don't apply. There's no telling what type of offense and/or defense is going to show up for either team.
MINERS ROCK!!!!

[skippy]

In your dreams, skippy.

Cat, not all, but most. Why? Because I don't know what is in the minds of other posters.

Yes, PSBF, that would be a dream, because the players I named haven't played organized basketball in close to twenty years...

EK Miners 191
The X 1 { Goaltending call on the Miner mascot on an airball free throw by DeGroat}


After the game the streets of Pittsburgh will be overrun with hoodlums smashing cars and taking down traffic lights, or at least ONE guy doing that.

[bomber29]

I hope Pitt then Minot is guarenteed 2 home games to start the series due to scheduling problems in Pitt. Minot has had some decent crowds lately. Last Thursday vs Kentucky over a 1,000 and Minot High Boys and Girls BB at State Tournament. Bishop Ryan (Private School) in title game of region to go to their state. I think in the playoffs you'll see some home court advantage with the crowd. Go Pitt

[panchess]

..the playoff structure is a bit strange, but it does do the best job of rewarding the winners.

[boom_goes_the_dynamite]

but is it really rewarding the winners? the xplosion are the winners of the 2 spot. they beat east kentucky to pretty much secure it during their last meeting. how are they being rewarded?

[FrontOffice]

Miners won the season series against Pitt 4-3 and four of those games Pitt had the home court. They're pretty evenly matched. Besides, what's the point of leaving questions... just go out and win the games you're supposed to win

[boom_goes_the_dynamite]

they are evenly matched. that's not the point though. one team is in 2nd, one team is in 3rd. bottom line

[Chuck the Writer]

Considering that they picked up another 4.5 qp's by taking a forfeit victory over Albany because a snowed-out game that was supposed to be played in Pittsburgh could not be rescheduled. So the Xplos are picking up more points even after the season ends.

[FrontOffice]

And 3rd makes the playoffs so I don't understand why you're all up in arms. If they had kept the original format the Miners and X would be playing a 3 game series anyway, so what's the difference.