BuzzerBeater Forums

Three D2 teams have won the Cup in England. In season 2 (first season in England) Tony Utd won the cup before going bot. In season 5 The Random Dunkers won; they lasted until season 9 before going bot. In season 23 Risk and Reward became the third D2 team to win a cup, though interestingly, they did so without facing an EBBL team from the quarter final onwards. That was the season D2 teams filled all the semi final slots. It should be noted that in the early seasons there wouldn't have been as big a gap between the EBBL and D2 (if any, especially in season 2), so Risk and Reward's achievement is the greater.

In season 8, Fat Lever Leechers made the final as a D2 team. They also made the semi final the year after, a feat not repeated until season 23, when my own Durham Wasps did the same, though the Wasps lost both their semi finals.

Los Mikitos, made the final as a D2 team in Season 9. They of course went on to grace the EBBL for many seasons.

There was quite a long wait before another D2 team appeared in a final. Vitamin Power, soon to be a D2 opponent of mine, did it in season 17, before inevitably succumbing to the dominant Swindon Bulls. The Bulls had actually earlier made a final as a D3 team.

Season 24 saw Bolo Towers of D2 lose to Ashington Showboaters, the last time a D2 team made the final.

Other notable D2 cup runs include my Wasps' three consecutive quarter finals from season 22 to 24; JR Knights who did the same from 24-26; and most recently Stinkilemons' from 29-31. While that run is current, "unfortunately" Stinkilemons are now in the EBBL and though they may make the QF again, it won't be as a D2 team. The Wasps and the Knights have both made another QF appearance since their hat tricks.

Since season 5 when a D3 team made the final, there have been few D3 teams that have featured in the later rounds. Angel Tigers in season 13, BC Giants in season 17, Detroit Pistons UK in season 18, Droxford (The) Admirals in season 20, JA Miami in season 26, M Dogs in season 27, and lastly Shandies Dandies (now sadly a bot) last season (season 31).

The difficulty once you get to the quarter finals for D2 teams in the loss of the chance of having home court advantage. The last D2 team to shock an EBBL opponent on neutral ground was our NT coach's Myrmidons in season 28, when they knocked out Los Mikitos. Prior to that, it hadn't been done since season 23 when two teams did it. Of course the dwindling number of EBBL teams left might make it easier for a D2 team to perhaps make the semi final, but all it really does is help the few EBBL teams that are left by giving them easier draws.

Last edited by Gully Foyle at 9/11/2015 12:34:06 PM

Fantastic report on the history of the tournament for us all to acknowledge the achievements of previous managers and give managers left in the competition the motivation to add their name to the records books.

Agreed, great stuff Gully.

SIXTH ROUND SUMMARY
Prior to the round, the two all-EBBL clashes were definitely the standout games however both ended in slight anti-climaxes with Galaxy Walkers and The Myrmidons convincingly beating new jersey2 and The Arrelles respectively. Both of England's top two sides also advanced with relative ease with Tide of Fire thrashing the Admirals and Tatatallfella cruising past Halucagenic Dayglo. Division II side, JR Knights, caused the upset of the round defeating EBBL side Sabre of Valiente in overtime by a score of 85-76; however in my opinion, the pick of the games saw two II.2 sides in BC Snaiperiai and Doncaster Hawks which saw the latter snatch the win within the last minute.

The last 16 draw does no favours to the division II teams with all EBBL sides avoiding each other. Despite this, some enthralling match ups still remain with The Myrmidons hosting Durham Wasps the pick of them. Galaxy Walkers is also in for another tough shift travelling to the home of Bc Giants whilst Stinkilemons will face off against Vector BC. The last division III side remaining, BC Hermis will bid for a spot in the last 8 with a home game against JR Knights.

Teams are as follows:
EBBL (5/16)
II.1 (1/16)
II.2 (3/16)
II.3 (4/16)
II.4 (2/16)

Last edited by js8 at 9/17/2015 5:42:58 PM

I was looking forward to at least 80k next week from the Cup but it looks like its not going to happen now.

Great history report Gully! really enjoyed that. I will be cheering you on in this round of the tourney as well mate. Keep up the great work!

Great game Sabre in the last round, well played and good luck to everyone else in the tourney in this next round.

FIX. The top teams using their financial muscle to keep themselves separate I bet. Awful stuff.

LAST 16 SUMMARY
The pick of the match ups for the last 16 saw EBBL high flyers The Myrmidons take on promotion contenders Durham Wasps which saw the latter book their place in the quarter finals thanks to a 8 point victory. Division II side Bc Giants gave a good showing against Galaxy Walkers but the EBBL side proved to be too good, winning 92-74. The other EBBL teams in that round all progressed with Tatatallfella defeating OLYMPIACOS 1925, Stinkilemons overcoming Vector BC and Tide of Fire victorious against Lithuania BC. The last remaining division III side was also knocked out by JR Knights.

The quarter final draw saw the top four rated sides in England represent the EBBL whilst the four remaining division II teams will each represent a different league. The fixtures will which take place on Thursday will see Durham Wasps take on Tatatallfella, former EBBL side Wrose Warriors battle it out against holders Tide of Fire, Stinkilemons matched up against Doncaster Hawks and Galaxy Walkers drawn against JR Knights.

Teams are as follows:
EBBL (4/16)
II.1 (1/16)
II.2 (1/16)
II.3 (1/16)
II.4 (1/16)

Good luck to all teams on Thursday.


@Lemonshine: Thank you for reminding the community that games are on Tuesday, I totally forgot so it's appreciated.

FIX. The top teams using their financial muscle to keep themselves separate I bet. Awful stuff.

Seconded!