2014 IRI Predictions

[nicholsjj]

It's that time of year again! IRI is just around the corner with many teams that are gearing up for, IMO, the toughest event in FRC history. I say this only because this year's game makes it extremely difficult for any one team to stand out above the rest. I believe that a strong autonomous combined with a perfect execution of proper match strategy will be the key to winning IRI this year. Missed auto shots and alliance balls being scooted around the field will hurt many teams this year. The best part about IRI is that it's more than just a competition due to the great charity work that the planning committee puts on through the event. Here's to hope for another 115+ backpacks for students in the Indianapolis area! I also want to note that I tried not to leave any team out but there are seventy elite teams and only thirty-two of them can make eliminations so please do not feel slighted as I am usually very wrong with my predictions.

Seeds
1. 254-469-27-1241
2. 2056-1114-2337-1310
3. 16-33-368-2468
4. 1718-118-330-1806
5. 359-67-1640-340
6. 2590-1477-1625-910
7. 624-233-3683-4334
8. 2481-148-399-1024

1 beats 8 in 2
2 beats 7 in 3
3 beats 6 in 2
5 beats 4 in 3

1 beats 5 in 2
3 beats 2 in 3

1 beats 3 in 3

So who does everyone else have and again please do not feel bad at all, but instead prove how wrong I really am.

[AdamHeard]

I would really like to see 254 and 1114 play together.

EDIT: With 330 as a the 3rd. Unsure on 4th.

[Tyler2517]

Everyone forgets about 4488 they are supper consistent i would not be surprised to see them ranked extremely high.

[Thad House]

254 and 469 were basically the perfect combo of teams, and I wouldn't be surprised if they team up again because they know how to win together.

[nicholsjj]

Thad you shouldn't count yourselves out at all. I just wanted to say that I didn't know enough about your robot to see where you would best fit into an alliance even though I had you up high on my picks. I agree that a 254/469 combo a second time is kinda a scary thought.

[waialua359]

How does 1 beat 4 if 5 beats 4?:)

[Thad House]

I just don't like promoting my own team, and always like talking about other teams. We have made some cool new upgrades that should help us out alot over the course of the weekend. I can't wait for IRI, and I'm going so Ill try to meet as many people as I can.

[nicholsjj]

How does 1 beat 4 if 5 beats 4?:)

Thanks, nice catch Glen and I look forward to really getting to know you all at Arkansas.

[waialua359]

Thanks, nice catch Glen and I look forward to really getting to know you all at Arkansas.
Same here. Looking forward to hanging out with everyone at the event as well.

[Adam Freeman]

Seeds
...
5. 359-67-1640-340
...
1 beats 5 in 2



Doesn't 359 always win IRI? They can't get beat in the semi's...;)

[BrendanB]

Alliance no. 6 all the way!

[AlecMataloni]

Ouch, no 2451?

[Kevin Leonard]

My misguided, crazy predictions:
1) 1114-254-1024-2175
2) 1718-469-2481-1806
3) 225-2056-2337-359
4) 27-33-447-16
5) 1625-2451-1477-195
6) 2590-4039-107-368
7) 4488-910-330-67
8) 573-624-148-118

1 beats 8 in 2
2 beats 7 in 3
3 beats 6 in 3
5 beats 4 in 2

5 beats 1 in 3
3 beats 2 in 3

5 beats 3 in 3

The Midwest/Archimedes alliance is crowned champion because the 5 alliance got to know the 3 alliance's lineup and used 195's goalie stick and switched up strategies at the right times.

EDIT: I removed the 5 team alliance and changed a little order around.

[bkahl]

4) 27-33-447-359-16


Alliance 4 has 5 robots...?

[AdamHeard]

Alliance 4 has 5 robots...?

Alliance 4 is OP.

[Clinton Bolinger]

Alliance 4 is OP.

Alliance 3 ... has OP.

[Boe]

Ill give it a try

1. 27 - 254 - 368 - 330
2. 16 - 469 - 359 - 195
3. 1718 - 1114 - 148 - 179
4. 2056 - 67 - 2590 - 1640
5. 118 - 2451 - 3683 - 1310
6. 1625 - 2337 - 2481 - 1241
7. 33 - 1477 - 910 - 1806
8. 4488 - 4039 - 624 - 125

1 beats 8 in 2
2 beats 7 in 3
6 beats 3 in 3
5 beats 4 in 3

1 beats 5 in 2
2 beats 6 in 3

1 beats 2 in 3

Good luck to all the teams competing at iri see you there.

[Woolly]

6. 1625 - 2337 - 2481 - 1241
7. 33 - 1477 - 910 - 1241

While 1241 may have a clone, I still don't think they're allowed to run both robots as separate entries. :P

[Boe]

While 1241 may have a clone, I still don't think they're allowed to run both robots as separate entries. :P

Oops, fixed that

[Alpha Beta]

While 1241 may have a clone, I still don't think they're allowed to run both robots as separate entries. :P

What ever it takes to get selected in the draft. :p


6. 1625 - 2337 - 2481 - 1241
7. 33 - 1477 - 910 - 1806
.

[KeatonM]

Ill give it a try

1. 27 - 254 - 368 - 330
2. 16 - 469 - 359 - 195
3. 1718 - 1114 - 148 - 179
4. 2056 - 67 - 2590 - 1640
5. 118 - 2451 - 3683 - 1310
6. 1625 - 2337 - 2481 - 1241
7. 33 - 1477 - 910 - 1806
8. 4488 - 4039 - 624 - 125

1 beats 8 in 2
2 beats 7 in 3
6 beats 3 in 3
5 beats 4 in 3

1 beats 5 in 2
2 beats 6 in 3

1 beats 2 in 3

Good luck to all the teams competing at iri see you there.

I would waste so much time at work watching the webcast if this happens.

EDIT: WAIT! Elims are Saturday. Please let this happen. :P

[ks68]

Here's my predictions:

1- 254, 469, 2590, 1806
2-1114, 2056, 624, 2468
3- 33, 27, 125, 2175
4- 67, 359, 195, 4039
5- 1625, 2481, 1023, 1640
6- 4488, 148, 225, 399
7- 118, 1718, 340, 368
8- 16, 1730, 1241, 11

1 beats 8
2 beats 7
6 beats 3
5 beats 4

1 beats 5
2 beats 6

1 beats 2 in 3

[Alpha Beta]

Here's my predictions:
5- 1625, 1986, 1023, 1640


We'd be honored to accept.

Must be present to win.

Maybe next time.

[Iaquinto.Joe]

I can't see 27 being anything but an alliance captain or early 1st round pick. But hey this is IRI so anything can happen!

[Botsup]

It was a privilege to be able to attend the IRI last year. The talent represented at this competition has no parallel. The scheduling gods rule, and just because a team is better statistically than other teams means nothing.

Anything can happen at the IRI. Trying to predict outcomes is a fool's errand.

Get your popcorn ready because it's going to be quite a show.

I for one, can't wait to eat an ear of corn with Frank! You are coming to the IRI, right Frank?

[Mitchell1714]

A different set of predictions
1. 469, 254, 4334, 107
2. 2451, 2481, 368, 195
3. 1114, 2056, 2590, 233
4. 33, 27, 1718, 573
5. 118, 148, 359, 1732
6. 67, 16, 2337, 2928
7. 1625, 1477, 125, 4039
8. 4488, 624, 1024, 399

quarters
1 beats 8 in 2
2 beats 7 in 3
6 beats 3 in 3
5 beats 4 in 3
semis
1 beats 5 in 3
2 beats 6 in 3
finals
2 beats 1 in 3

[bkahl]

2. 2451, 2481, 368, 195


We made some changes to our robot for IRI... I think we forgot to add swerve though. :D

[Jack S.]

Finals Match Predictions:

The closely matched #1 (254 469 233) and #2 (1114 2056 1241) alliances duke it out through two matches, each posting scores above 450 and bringing the set to the tiebreaker match. Then, in a twist of national pride, the Canadians sub in their fourth bot, Tim Howard, who successfully blocks Teh Chezy Pofs previously 100% accurate 4 ball auto. Final score is a blowout, 624 to 118 in favor of the #2 alliance.

In all seriousness however, can't wait for IRI. I'm really looking forward to meeting all the fantastic teams as well as watching events even more unpredictable than those I listed above unfold.

[Thad House]

#ThingsTimHowardCouldSave

[brennonbrimhall]

I would really like to see 254 and 1114 play together.

I share your sentiments. It's a shame they only got to play one match (http://www.watchfirstnow.com/archives/89716228) together this (official) season.

[AdamHeard]

I share your sentiments. It's a shame they only got to play one match (http://www.watchfirstnow.com/archives/89716228) together this (official) season.

Not quite the strategy you'd see in elims though :(

[brennonbrimhall]

Not quite the strategy you'd see in elims though :(

Agreed. Not going to lie, of all four matches this season that included both 254 and 1114, this one is my least favorite.

That being said, the other three were on Einstein, so...

[Link07]

Here's how I see it:

1. 254 - 1114 - 2451 - 179
2. 1718 - 67 - 125 - 2337
3. 4488 - 1625 - 1477 - 1241
4. 33 - 2056 - 624 - 51
5. 16 - 27- 195 - 330
6. 2590 - 368 - 225 - 2175
7. 359 - 148 - 233 - 910
8. 118 - 469 - 4039 - 1310

1 beats 8
2 beats 7
6 beats 3
5 beats 4

1 beats 5
2 beats 6

1 beats 2

[Joe Ross]

Who knows how many times a championship winner won IRI the same year?

[AdamHeard]

Who knows how many times a championship winner won IRI the same year?

Only a handful of times right, last time was 04 with 71? 469 03?

[Chris Fultz]

Who knows how many times a championship winner won IRI the same year?

Here are the IRI winners - if someone wants to check!

2000 1
65
240
2001 308
111
469
85
2002 201
469
68
2003 308
27
469
2004 71
980
269
2005 33
233
868
2006 71
1625
910
2007 111
1114
494
2056
2008 67
330
987
68
2009 1625
68
469
16
2010 330
469
359
399
2011 33
2056
217
359
2012 2826
1114
4334
245
2013 1114
2056
1334
2337

[nicholsjj]

Going back to 2003 when IRI had over 30 teams I only count two according to the blue alliance. 469 in 2003 and 71 in 2004.

[Joe Ross]

Only a handful of times right, last time was 04 with 71? 469 03?

You got it. Even the most dominant championship winning teams in FRC history (71 - 2001, 71 - 2002, 1114 - 2008) don't win at IRI. 254 should just stay home ;)

[brennonbrimhall]

Here's how I see it:

1. 254 - 1114 - 2451 - 179
2. 1718 - 67 - 125 - 2337
3. 4488 - 1625 - 1477 - 1241
4. 33 - 2056 - 624 - 51
5. 16 - 27- 195 - 330
6. 2590 - 368 - 225 - 2175
7. 359 - 148 - 233 - 910
8. 118 - 469 - 4039 - 1310

1 beats 8
2 beats 7
6 beats 3
5 beats 4

1 beats 5
2 beats 6

1 beats 2

I think that 33 and 2056 are too close in design to effectively fill separate niches on an alliance. My 2 cents.

[jeremy callahan]

Here are the IRI winners - if someone wants to check!

2000 1
65
240
2001 308
111
469
85
2002 201
469
68
2003 308
27
469
2004 71
980
269
2005 33
233
868
2006 71
1625
910
2007 111
1114
494
2056
2008 67
330
987
68
2009 1625
68
469
16
2010 330
469
359
399
2011 33
2056
217
359
2012 2826
1114
4334
245
2013 1114
2056
1334
2337
Every year from 2001 you have a team from Michigan in all the winning alliances maybe its a sign? just my 2 cents

[BriteBacon]

Every year from 2001 you have a team from Michigan in all the winning alliances maybe its a sign? just my 2 cents

2004?

[brennonbrimhall]

Here are the IRI winners - if someone wants to check!

Put in CODE blocks for readability.


2000 1
65
240

2001 308
111
469
85

2002 201
469
68

2003 308
27
469

2004 71
980
269

2005 33
233
868

2006 71
1625
910

2007 111
1114
494
2056

2008 67
330
987
68

2009 1625
68
469
16

2010 330
469
359
399

2011 33
2056
217
359

2012 2826
1114
4334
245

2013 1114
2056
1334
2337

[MechEng83]

Every year from 2001 you have a team from Michigan in all the winning alliances maybe its a sign? just my 2 cents

Indiana is adjacent to Michigan. Michigan has a plethora of teams. A large percentage of teams attending IRI are from Michigan (more than Indiana teams).

[AdamHeard]

Indiana is adjacent to Michigan. Michigan has a plethora of teams. A large percentage of teams attending IRI are from Michigan (more than Indiana teams).

It's also fair to say Michigan teams are darn good (by many metrics).

[MechEng83]

It's also fair to say Michigan teams are darn good (by many metrics).

I didn't say they weren't. Though I wonder why that is. Do we only ever see the top Michigan teams, since they have to score well enough in their state to make it to World's? Is the district system enhancing the level of play because teams get to do multiple events and build on experience/improvements? Are the tech industries in Michigan more apt to help fund/mentor/support FRC teams? Is it that good teams bring up the level of play in their vicinity? [side story, the best defense I've ever seen on us was from a rookie, W.A.F.F.L.E.S., at world's in 2013. Their driver said they practiced defense by playing against 1114 and 2056...]

Michigan teams are good. Canadian teams are good. California teams are good. Really, though, IRI teams are good.

[Steven Donow]

Are the tech industries in Michigan more apt to help fund/mentor/support FRC teams?

This is basically what I've always assumed to be the truth. Michigan is full of engineers with the auto industry being based there.

[brennonbrimhall]

This is basically what I've always assumed to be the truth. Michigan is full of engineers with the auto industry being based there.

They also have incredible support from the state government. Michigan approved a new education budget a couple of months ago that includes an additional $2 million in grants for FIRST programs from this previous year. (And their support last year was nothing to sneeze at either -- some 2013-2014 grant documents are available here (http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Robotics_Grants_431002_7.pdf) and here (http://www.techplan.org/downloads/pdfs/99h_first_rfp_20130814_105933_3.pdf).)

[barn34]

A different set of predictions
1. 469, 254, 4334, 107
2. 2451, 2481, 368, 195
3. 1114, 2056, 2590, 233
4. 33, 27, 1718, 573
5. 118, 148, 359, 1732
6. 67, 16, 2337, 2928
7. 1625, 1477, 125, 4039
8. 4488, 624, 1024, 399

quarters
1 beats 8 in 2
2 beats 7 in 3
6 beats 3 in 3
5 beats 4 in 3
semis
1 beats 5 in 3
2 beats 6 in 3
finals
2 beats 1 in 3

Now this would be completely awesome. I do have this wacky dream of an all swerve alliance, and this would definitely cure that itch...in a very impressive way. Thanks for the shout out, too! We're looking forward to the challenge and can't wait to see all these great teams again.

[barn34]

We made some changes to our robot for IRI... I think we forgot to add swerve though. :D

with that alliance, I think we all may be able to collectively help you out. between the 3 of us, I'm sure we'd have enough spare modules to rig up a frankenstein swerve for elims. ;)

[BrendanB]

We made some changes to our robot for IRI... I think we forgot to add swerve though. :D

Quick throw the 2012 modules on it!

[Pat Fairbank]

254 should just stay home ;)
We're content with our success this season. We're going to IRI to have fun!

[Chris is me]

These predictions are pretty bad, as they assume a powerful Top 8 and probably overlooks a bunch of key teams. That said, it's really easy to miss elims at IRI this year, even if you are a regional winner caliber team. It also assumes most teams are playing at full strength, which is never true.

1. 1114, 254, 4039, 3683
2. 118, 469, 2481, 1640
3. 33, 2056, 27, 1477
4. 67, 368, 148, 2175
5. 1718, 2337, 624, 1732
6. 16, 125, 1625, 233
7. 2451, 910, 195, 20
8. 4488, 2590, 399, 51

1 beats 8 in 2
2 beats 7 in 2 close ones
6 beats 3 in 3
4 beats 5 in 3

1 beats 4 in 2
2 beats 6 in 3 close matches

1 beats 2 in 2

[Meredith Novak]

Quite. 16 and 125 have a relationship. :)

[FIRST_Parent]

We're content with our success this season. We're going to IRI to have fun!


Have fun at IRI Pat, your whole organization deserves it. The 254 Team had an amazing run this year. Next time you are in town...come have dinner on Valiant Street again. (But you have to bring the brownies lol)

First_Parent.

[Mrcope9]

After watching a good bit of today's action:

1. 118, 254, 2451, 1625
2. 469, 2056, 1730, 11
3. 16, 1114, 125, 233
4. 33, 27, 1718, 1732
5. 4488, 368, 1241, 179
6. 624, 1477, 225, 1310
7. 1640, 359, 2337, 20
8. 148, 4039, 2590, 74

1 beats 8 in 2
2 beats 7 in 3
3 beats 6 in 2
4 beats 5 in 3

1 beats 4 in 3
3 beats 2 in 2

3 beats 1 in 3

Just my thoughts. Tons of great competition

[Basel A]

1, 2, and 3 are all absurdly good alliances (well they all are, but those in particular)

1.254, 1114, 330, 2013
2.2056, 469, 1625, 4039
3.118, 16, 67, 1241
4.1718, 2451, 27, 125
5.2175, 368, 1477, 233
6.51, 4488, 494, 234
7.359, 148, 910, 2337
8.624, 33, 447, 2481

1 beats 8
4 beats 5
2 beats 7
3 beats 6

1 beats 4
2 beats 3

2 beats 1

[Joe G.]

Predictions:

1.254, 1114, 330, 2013
2.2056, 469, 1625, 4039
3.118, 16, 67, 1241
4.1718, 2451, 27, 125
5.2175, 368, 1477, 233
6.51, 4488, 494, 234
7.359, 148, 910, 2337
8.624, 33, 447, 2481

1 beats 8 in 2
4 beats 5 in 3
2 beats 7 in 2
3 beats 6 in 3

1 beats 4 in 2
3 beats 2 in 3

1 beats 3 in 3

[Dragonking]

1.254, 1114, 330, 2013
2.2056, 469, 1625, 4039
3.118, 16, 67, 1241
4.1718, 2451, 27, 125
5.2175, 368, 1477, 233
6.51, 4488, 494, 234
7.359, 148, 910, 2337
8.624, 33, 447, 2481

1 beats 8 in 2
4 beats 5 in 2
7 beats 2 in 3
3 beats 6 in 2

1 beats 4 in 2
3 beats 7 in 3

1 beats 3 in 3

[Anthony Galea]

1.254, 1114, 330, 2013
2.2056, 469, 1625, 4039
3.118, 16, 67, 1241
4.1718, 2451, 27, 125
5.2175, 368, 1477, 233
6.51, 4488, 494, 234
7.359, 148, 910, 2337
8.624, 33, 447, 2481

QF:

1>8 in 3
2<7 in 3
3>6 in 2
4>5 in 3

SF:
1>4 in 3
7<3 in 2

F:
1>3 in 2

[avanboekel]

1.254, 1114, 330, 2013<br />
2.2056, 469, 1625, 4039<br />
3.118, 16, 67, 1241<br />
4.1718, 2451, 27, 125<br />
5.2175, 368, 1477, 233<br />
6.51, 4488, 494, 234<br />
7.359, 148, 910, 2337<br />
8.624, 33, 447, 2481<br />
<br />
1 beats 8 in 2<br />
4 beats 5 in 2<br />
2 beats 7 in 2<br />
3 beats 6 in 2<br />
<br />
4 beats 1 in 2<br />
2 beats 3 in 2<br />
<br />
2 beats 4 in 3<br/>

[Tottanka]

1.254, 1114, 330, 2013
2.2056, 469, 1625, 4039
3.118, 16, 67, 1241
4.1718, 2451, 27, 125
5.2175, 368, 1477, 233
6.51, 4488, 494, 234
7.359, 148, 910, 2337
8.624, 33, 447, 2481

1 beats 8 in 2
4 beats 5 in 3
2 beats 7 in 2
3 beats 6 in 2

1 beats 4 in 2
2 beats 3 in 3

2 beats 1 in 3

[aphelps231]

1) 254 1114 330 2013
2) 2056 469 1625 4039
3) 118 16 67 1241
4) 1718 2451 27 125
5) 2175 368 1477 233
6) 51 4488 494 234
7) 359 148 910 2337
8) 624 33 447 3481

prediction:
qf:
1 v 8; 1 wins
2 v 7; 2 wins
3 v 6; 3 wins
4 v 5; 5 wins
sf:
1 v 5; 1 wins
2 v 3; 3 wins
f:
1 v 3; 1 wins

[CTbiker105]

After that second 1v8 quarterfinal match, I'm not convinced that 254's human player is actually human.

[Jay O'Donnell]

After that second 1v8 quarterfinal match, I'm not convinced that 254's human player is actually human.

Definitely the best human player moment of the year.

[qzrrbz]

cute new 254 trick -- camp at the low goal and inbound bounce pass off the driver station wall!

[evand4567]

After that second 1v8 quarterfinal match, I'm not convinced that 254's human player is actually human.
When I watched this I started cheering in awe. I didn't think anyone would appreciate this, but it was awesome!

[Link07]

So one of the world champs also wins IRI

[Tottanka]

1.254, 1114, 330, 2013
2.2056, 469, 1625, 4039
3.118, 16, 67, 1241
4.1718, 2451, 27, 125
5.2175, 368, 1477, 233
6.51, 4488, 494, 234
7.359, 148, 910, 2337
8.624, 33, 447, 2481

1 beats 8 in 2
4 beats 5 in 3
2 beats 7 in 2
3 beats 6 in 2

1 beats 4 in 2
2 beats 3 in 3

2 beats 1 in 3

called it =] (well, at least the winners were right, not the number of matches)

[tindleroot]

1, 2, and 3 are all absurdly good alliances (well they all are, but those in particular)

1.254, 1114, 330, 2013
2.2056, 469, 1625, 4039
3.118, 16, 67, 1241
4.1718, 2451, 27, 125
5.2175, 368, 1477, 233
6.51, 4488, 494, 234
7.359, 148, 910, 2337
8.624, 33, 447, 2481

1 beats 8
4 beats 5
2 beats 7
3 beats 6

1 beats 4
2 beats 3

2 beats 1

At first I thought this was a REALLY accurate alliance prediction XD

[tindleroot]

Definitely the best human player moment of the year.

Although personally I enjoyed watching 1918's robot catch every throw. Their bot was useless for defense with that strategy but could score from the human player in a few seconds, never missed. That human player was perfect

[tickspe15]

Although personally I enjoyed watching 1918's robot catch every throw. Their bot was useless for defense with that strategy but could score from the human player in a few seconds, never missed. That human player was perfect

I think 469 took 1918s strategy to the next level. They were able to consistently inbound from the low goal but they still oldie lots of defense

[BigBen]

When I watched this I started cheering in awe. I didn't think anyone would appreciate this, but it was awesome!

This was in Quarter Final 1-2 Replay, video is on youtube with the inbound at about 1:56. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9UFVOe2UANwr6_QgmBZe7sswRs6RDiev&v=hun-FMdhOWU&feature=player_detailpage#t=115)

I was part of the reset crew fielding balls behind the goals and was catching 254 shots. The sound of this ball bouncing off the plexiglass was surprisingly loud. You can even hear it on the youtube feed if your sound is turned up a little. In the video you can even see the plexiglass wobble for awhile afterwards.

To say the crowd went nuts is an understatement!

[Tom Bottiglieri]

This was in Quarter Final 1-2 Replay, video is on youtube with the inbound at about 1:56. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9UFVOe2UANwr6_QgmBZe7sswRs6RDiev&v=hun-FMdhOWU&feature=player_detailpage#t=115)

I was part of the reset crew fielding balls behind the goals and was catching 254 shots. The sound of this ball bouncing off the plexiglass was surprisingly loud. You can even hear it on the youtube feed if your sound is turned up a little. In the video you can even see the plexiglass wobble for awhile afterwards.

To say the crowd went nuts is an understatement!http://imgur.com/UrYdO5s

[barn34]

This was in Quarter Final 1-2 Replay, video is on youtube with the inbound at about 1:56. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9UFVOe2UANwr6_QgmBZe7sswRs6RDiev&v=hun-FMdhOWU&feature=player_detailpage#t=115)

I was part of the reset crew fielding balls behind the goals and was catching 254 shots. The sound of this ball bouncing off the plexiglass was surprisingly loud. You can even hear it on the youtube feed if your sound is turned up a little. In the video you can even see the plexiglass wobble for awhile afterwards.

To say the crowd went nuts is an understatement!

Yeah, I was coaching from the sideline with a direct view of his eyeline. That moment easily goes right up there with the top memories I'll have from this season. The goal for defending them was always to try to beat them to their spots, at worst you slow them down getting there, and try to make it so they are oriented in an undesirable way when they do eventually get there. Basically, make them work for every step in the sequence. As an alliance, we got all of those boxes checked...yet, it still didn't matter. That was a truly indefensible and jaw dropping moment.

To top it off, the whole thing played out like slow motion in my head as I had the perfect vantage point of the HP eyes and kind of saw what he was going to do before he did it.

In my brain, the sequence broke down like this:
- Everyone's fighting to the spot and I was thrilled with our alliance's defensive effort and positioning as the Poofs were exactly the opposite orientation that they wanted/needed to be for the inbound (or so I foolishly thought). All of that basically equated to a series of "Yay Blue!", "Go Bees!", "Make them work for it!", "Keep the pressure on!" thoughts running on a loop at that moment. That line of thinking quickly hit an abrupt interupt.
- As the Bees kept the pressure on and bumped the Poofs closer to the low goal at that orientation, I saw the HP glance at the wall. Everything in my head came to a screeching halt. Then, all I could think was "He's not thinking what I think he's thinking...is he?"
- As he kind of quickly pump faked once, I saw his eyes look back to the wall. My mind quickly transitioned to a "Good lord, he IS thinking what I think he's thinking!" and then emphatically to "HE'S GOING GLASS WITH IT!?!?!"
- Then he hurls that ball against the wall, thunders it off and rattles it home. They score the 40 a second or two after. Pardon the pun, but my mind just went "Poof".

That should have easily made the top 10 plays on SportCenter that night. Absolutely amazing moment.