We’ve reached the post-season! Here’s a preview of the first round games for the EBBL
A 1st Vs 2nd game between Arsenal 98 and Optic Fibres on the final day determined that Arsenal 98 claimed top spot in the Big 8 conference with a 18-4 record. They will face (one of) England’s oldest franchises, Gauson. Arsenal will be without star PF Henningsen due to Injury while Gauson have had some roster turnover recently.
The other big 8 tie sees Optic Fibres host MexicanTaxiDriver. 35yo Baro has led the Fibres this season averaging 24ppg, including a 46 point game against MTD in their most recent matchup. MTD are going to need to slow him down if they want to produce an upset.
Over in e Great 8, Team Nook became only the 4th team to go 22-0 in a EBBL regular season, the first since season 28. They will face Bromley-By-Bow for the second season in a row. Bromley have made a recent purchase of Justiniano who is a Ghanaian NT player, but have since lost English NT Catty.
Back to back champions Mortal Wobmats will start their quest for a 3-peat on the road to Isca Centurians after they finished as the 3rd seed after focusing on their cup campaign. A 469k salary advantage suggests the Wombats are still favourites for this tie despite being away.
BC Zalgiris beat Roaring Lions on the final game of the season to earn the 7th seed and a chance of survival. They will face T20 Cricketers who have recently sold 4 of their top 6 players so this series could go either way.
Camden Kings also picked up a win on the final day of the season to jump up to the 7th seed, where they will face Reds BC. Reds BC will be without Kasiura for game 1 and possibly game 2 and 3. Reds BC won the sole matchup this season by 39 points.
The final relegation series sees CWA Fury host Bournemouth Drunkers. CWA Fury started the season well with a 3-1 record, but struggled from there going 4-14 to finish 7-15, including a home loss to the Drunkers. But the Drunkers also come in on poor form with only 2 wins in their last 10 games.
Roaring Lions and Expatriots have been relegated back to division II after finishing as the 8th seeds. The Lions will get the first pick in the draft.
Here is the rankings for the final automatic promotion spot, given to the division 2 #1 seed with the best record not to win their playoffs:
Porzigod 22-0 +987 PD (II.2)
MILF Hunters 21-1 +846 PD (II.3)
Gophers 21-1 +811 PD (II.4)
Durham Wasps 21-1 +741 PD (II.2)
Borac Basket 20-2 +484 PD (II.1)
Toral Castro 18-4 +526 PD (II.1)
JA Miami 18-4 +491 PD (II.3)
BC Lietkabelis 1964 16-6 +460 PD (II.4)
Notable-
BC Black Dragans finished as 2nd seed in II.4 with a 21-1 record but behind Gophers by 2 PD. So if they don’t win the playoffs, Porzigod and MILF do win then they’ll have missed out on promotion by 2 points!