D1 Summer Classic: The Predictions
What do we think will happen this weekend at the D1 Summer Classic? Let’s run you through our predictions as the games get started in Shakopee.
The pool winners make top bracket play. Who are our pool winners?
17 & Under. WOTN Swedburg, Heat Nelson, Comets K, Crossfire Belle, D1 Minnesota Prospects, Iowa Pump N Run, and Select Leafblad.
The three that could get in there and beat one of our selections? Heat Henderson, Iowa Barnstormers, or Fury K
Our picks would set up an Elite Round like the following:
WOTN Swedburg vs Bye (this seems to mean WOTN was the top seed which makes sense as they are the highest ranked team).
Crossfire Belle vs D1 Minnesota Prospects
Select Leafblad vs Heat Nelson
Comets K vs IA Pump N Run
Final Four? You Bet
WOTN Swedberg vs Crossfire Belle
Heat Nelson vs Comets K
Title Game? WOTN Swedburg vs Heat Nelson
Spoilers? There are many. Here are top 5
- Iowa Pump N Run has played very well in the Twin Cities, we expect them to again
- Iowa Barnstormers Silver are a mystery to me. I know they have some good players but that’s it.
- North Dakota Phenom’s ability to make a run depends on what they have. If they have most of their guys they can get you.
- North Dakota Attack is a team that I feel has a surge in them. They went 5-0 last weekend in Sioux Falls and if they have Ben Bohl with all of their guys look out.
- That Heat Henderson, Select Leafblad, ND Phenon, MN Magic pool could go many ways.
16 & Under.
There are six pools, winners of A and B are automatically semi-finalists while the other four pool winners go to the final four. Based on the pools it looks like the top seeded teams are D1 Minnesota 15U and WOTN Davis. WOTN Davis is the 4th ranked team in 16u in Minnesota, the D1 Minnesota 15s are one of several who have a claim to be the top 15u team in Minnesota. They have played the toughest schedule. Next in line would be Fury Kline. If both WOTN and Fury K are semi-finalists they would meet with D1 Minnesota 15s getting the bye and being on the other side if they should win their pool
Now, let’s get to the predictions!
Pool Winners: We say D1 Minnesota 15s, WOTN Davis, and Fury Kline (as expected) along with Minnesota Matrix, Select Cave, and Select Koch.
Who could play the spoiler? Those bottom two pools look like they could be a toss-up. Iowa Barnstormers, Iowa Prep, and Heat Presbi are spoiler candidates as is Heat West.
Quarters: Matrix vs Select Cave, Select Koch vs Fury Kline.
Before I move on to the quarters I need my quick history lesson. I know Fury Kline, D1 15s, and MN Matrix were in the Fury Shootout. Did they play? Or have common opponents? Let’s see.
- D1 Minnesota 15s beat the Matrix 60-57
- D1 Minnesota lost to Greenwood Elite 64-54
- Fury Kline lost to Greenwood Elite 73-66
Based on the previous results here, we could have a really good Final Four which we think will be: The D1 MN 15s vs Matrix rematch, and then WOTN Davis vs Fury Kline (haven’t played before).