Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I am so psyched for this, it's like an IRI at a state level and hosted by FIRST with a FIRST planning committee... Anyone in the past that thought Eastern Michigan Regional was going to have some amazing teams, re-think that... This is gonna be one of the most amazing regional competitions ever.... I think that it will definitely go down in the record books as one of the most amazing competitions ever in the state of Michigan. Can anyone say POWER HOUSES? Just look at the team list, it is absolutely incredible.... I have never been so excited for a competition... This is what I see it as.... Michigan State Championship "Where Michigan egos come to play" Is anyone else as excited?

I have been involved with FIRST all my life. Along with my family I grew up with Team 67 and within the last four years, transformed into a Robostang with Team 548 only to bring everything with me including all of the excitement, dedication, and late night work ethics that I learned from my dad, other students, and mentors since I was a child from HOT.

Now, I get the chance to play against and with HOT and all of the other great teams in my area that I have looked up too all my life, such as 503, 862, 65, 33, 66, 68, 70, 47, 217 and all of the other Michigan teams that I may have forgot.... I mean, I have been to over 20 competitions, but never have I been so excited to compete with and against all of my favorite teams. To me, this will most likely be my favorite competition of my FIRST career. I can't wait to see every one there...

The reason I made this thread is to ask everyone in Michigan if they think this is going to be an amazing regional, and what they are looking most forward to?

I think this is a pretty cool picture:
Me When I was 10 Years old.... Me Now.....

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

This is just going to be amazing! My first year with FIRST [lol] and I already have freinds across the state, and I hope one day across the US and world!

whether or not 216 is going, I myself am going just to see this, and cheer on my friends!!!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

getting a crack at beating 217 and 67 again, that first win we had was most epic event of the year lol....

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I am glad that others are as excited as me.... I think I am most excited to see like 8 "Super Alliances"

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

This is going to be one of the most competitive and intense competitions this year. Looking at the Michigan States is like getting a glimpse at Atlanta or IRI. I can't wait to see some of these matches, and I am quite certain 910 is going to be even better and stronger so I'm looking forward to seeing my team in action again, along with all of those powerhouse teams coming.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I bet it will be a pretty awesome event. Hopefully we can get on 67's alliance...:D . But, I don't think it will happen :( . I am looking forward to having a chance to upset 67 and make them lose once. Hope to see 216 there. Great job by the way during WMD. We sure showed BOB (retribution for losing to them at Traverse). Anyway, I also hope all the other teams from WMD could make it to this possibly epic event!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Yeah, I had a great time at WMD, BTW I wanted to comment on the pictures... BETH SWEET just told me that she was the one behind the camera of the picture on the left.... That is pretty cool, never would of thought..... She must have an amazing memory, because I barely remember this picture period..... Also, the picture was taken at EMU as well....

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I cannot express how awesome this event will be! So many good teams will be attending, and the matches here will for sure be some of the best matches of the year.

When FIRST puts some of the best teams in the nation into one competition and forces them to compete for 16 spots to Atlanta you get this competition.

Also after going to 40-team events for the past 5 weeks, going to this 64 team event will truly be like Atlanta to me (although with colder temperatures :p ).

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Well well, I have to say I'm excited. I was at West MI this weekend working with four of my college friends (three of which have never seen a competition before) and after we left for dinner the "what happens next" question came up. Well, long story short, we've all changed our plans and are heading to watch the Championships next weekend.

I think they've caught the addiction :D. Best of luck to all teams competing!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

JHay

216 wants to thank you guys!!!!

What a great TEAM 216-1918-1254:)

I hope we can get to state and put this TEAM back in first place one more time!!!!

Dan

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Great job guys, I would love to see you all there!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I would like to see 1918 -216-1254 have a chance at 217 & 67

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Do we have to play 2 v. 3... or can we have a third partner? Doesn't seem fair to me the way it is proposed in the quote. :p

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Team 85 would be glad to help you guys! Thanks team 503 and 2188!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Well after watching you and 217 play together, you could probably take them :D

I wonder if we will be able to see just you and 217 play in a practice match on thursday against three good teams (910, 201, and 1918 maybe :) ). I'm interested to see how you would fare...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

You both are so good I think we would need that advantage:)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I have seen both 910 and 1918 play (both are extremely dangerous). I have not seen 201....but you guys are usually very good.

We might have a chance with no defense and if we removed the third trailer. Otherwise, I don't think we would have a chance.

But, you never know! :yikes:

I am looking forward to seeing three scoring robots on each alliance and the strategies that will be played out in the eliminations.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Is BOB signed up for State Championship? We did not see you on the list yet.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Well I gathered up some videos of us at Detroit from our website.

Match 49
Match 31

And from Traverse

Match 59
Match 55

And we are improving our shooting for states :)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

When will teams know who else moves up to the 64?
I think the first 64 had until noon to say yes or no. What
happens to those spots after noon?

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Ive got to agree, they would be taken down if they have a helpless trailer out on the field, but without that trailer, it would be one incredible match, no moon rocks left on the floor.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Which teams aren't going cause when will the standings be updated.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Looks like they are moving down list. 65th team is in. only 52 listed

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009 hotels??
 

Our team is having a terrible time finding a hotel for the state championship.
Can any offer suggestions to try? I loved the way Traverse City did it
with many choices and all the information located for us. Is there anything like that for State.

We are looking for about 8 - 10 rooms.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009 hotels??
 

It is not in a major city, but from what I remember, there were many small hotels around... Sorry I couldn't be more help, but I am not super familiar with the area...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

There are a few hotels located about 5 minutes off in Ann Arbor that I know would have space. A few of them are:

Holiday Inn
http://www.hiannarbor.com/

Microtel Suites
http://www.microtelannarbor.com/reservations.php/

Hampton Inn
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hote...tyhocn=ARBGRHX

Hope this helps! If any other teams are wondering about things around the area, please feel free to contact me at lisaperez [at] gmail [dot] com.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Thank you so very much for the help.
We have been struggling to find one.
I will call in the morning when the school office is here to help.

Thanks.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Now they are up to 54 but still only 65th is in...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Hmmm, I'm not from MI but I'll be watching the State Championship Closely. I think it could be the most competitive First event, EVER and even if it's not, It'll be a good sneak peak to what The Championship will be like.

Hope you guys have fun.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Of course not Adam... We would be happy to join you.. Plus didnt' you say you wer ejoniing us after the DQ innocent..

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Enough of this idle, speculative chit-chat! How about a for-real match??

Let's do the 1st annual East vs. West Shootout.

The top three teams from the East (67, 217, 248) vs. the top three from the West (85, 1918, 904).

Perhaps we could do this during an open practice match on Thursday (or at the end of the day on Friday?).

One round - for bragging rights.

(And I hope we don't have to drag those dang Martians into this. If we beat up on them, one of their mentors is likely to go crying to his mother and she'll give me a time out!)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I'm not good with team numbers,could you tell me who is 248,or is that the invisible team they get so the west might have a chance.:)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I was about to post the same thing, but then I realized he might be talking about 245... (don't know for sure)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I am assuming he meant 245...based on the Overall Rankings.

67, 217, 245 v. 1918, 85, 904...

I cannot comment on 85 or 904, but from what I have been told I would expect an incredible challenge.

If it can be arranged in a practice match this Thursday, I know 67 would be ready. :ahh:

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Yeah, OK. I'm a doofus. I meant 245. And no, they're not the invisible team that the west needs in order to win...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Wayne--Looks like we will be there based on the number of open spaces--keep us in that top group--would like to see West Michigan winners go againts Troy winners

Dan

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Does anyone know why it seems to take so long to get the top list final?
I see one team in but what about the rest of the spots?

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

We will know tomorrow

They will be opening up the remaining spaces tomorrow so we should know who is all in by tomorrow night.

Hope to be at state--

Lets set up a match on Thursday- West Michigan vs Troy winners

Dan

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

141 is not going to be going to state. :( we are short some money to go. but we will be going to the championship event. good luck all you Michigan teams. cant wait to see who comes out on top.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

More hotel options (I hope these links work, they're huge):

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-....x=17&find.y=9

https://wr.wyndhamrewards.com/Wyndha...e=000&x=22&y=9

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I could go for WMD vs Troy, too. Especially this year. The only problem with that as an annual "tradition" is that it wouldn't always be east vs west teams. I think that if this thing included only the southeast MI counties as the "east" and the remainder of the state as the "west" (the "rest"?), then the east would still have a lot more teams to draw from. We can't forget the other regional winners either.

I don't know if they even have unscheduled field time. I hope there is so we can get something like this going. It could be a great "warm up" for the event.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

How about

TC vs Detroit
WM vs Troy

These would be a great warm ups

I was sorry to hear 141 is not coming to state

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

what im lokoing foreward too is having all 8 alliances being scoring robots! like, all 8 will be heavy contenders i think, any one of them will be the potential winners, unlike other tourneys were the best 2 robots were on one team and all others only had maybe 2 that scored to compete against. should be really exciting.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I think that this regional is gonna be about some serious d, and I am pretty pumped to deliver that, along with dumping on some people...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Lets do it!!!

It would be like North vs South, and East vs West. Although I wonder if it's possible to arrange that... (can we get a FiM official to read this and make this possible :) )

Plus how would you choose what teams would play? Top seeded teams from those events, or the teams who attended those events with the highest rankings?

And did you say d? I know quite a few teams who would love to play that! *cough*201*cough*

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I'm hoping I can watch this on webcast! It seems like it will be an amazing state championship! Good Luck to all teams participating ;)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

If 245 had a problem and could not make it, 910 would love to fill in for you!!!! It would be our pleasure to join 67 ,and 217 to form the team THE FREEZER BURN CHICKENS!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

East wouldn't stand a chance! lol about the Martians!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

This past weekend at Troy, when 910 played with 217 we gave 67 their first defeat in like 38 matches. The following match we played WITH 67 and our partner was disabled. We then proceeded to get the high score of the event. :yikes:

I think 67, 217 and 910 would be insane. Three robots that can dump 20+ balls in 5 seconds - two of us turreted. We've all had 35+ ball matches, and all three of us can load up balls or handle empty cells during autonomous. Oooh. Gives me chills just thinkin of it! :D

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I must agree the 67, 217 alliance is a great pairing and will be extremely hard to beat at States. How they compliment each other and work together is awesome to watch. I wish them luck at Nationals, but hope they leave us alone at EMU.:ahh:

I would also like to thank 1188 and 1250 for the great team, we had a blast. We have a lot to be proud of being the only team to beat the 67, 217 super alliance in semi final round one (74 to 76) and we only needed a couple more balls to take them in round 3 (96 to 86). Hopefully it will play out different at states.

Good luck to all.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Members of local teams in the Monroe area whose teams ARE NOT going: I can probably drive some people up there and stay for the day(s) if you're interested in chipping in for gas. Being out of a job gives me the day off, I guess. Shoot me a PM or leave a reply here, either is good.

Members of local teams in the Monroe area whose teams ARE going: Hope to see you there, and here's to hoping it's as exciting as GLR (cough, cough) States should be!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I cannot believe some people think that the West Side does not have a chance against the East Side

85-141(not going to state)-216-904-1918

We will see what happens at State:)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

There's always a chance.
I would sure like to see that 85-1918-904 vs. 67-217-245 matchup.
From what I've seen in person at TC, Kettering, Cass Tech, WSU, and GVSU, I'd give the west siders two chances - slim and none.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

At a normal District/Regional, the first thing I always do when I get the qualification schedule is go thru the rounds and highlight the toughies... You know...you see yourself against a robot, two, or three on the other side that are going to be tough...

Usually, there are one or two rounds where you are "Holy moly that's going to be a tough round"

Then a few of "Well...we have a good chance at that round, but if we screw up, it's going to be close"

And then, there are always those "OK...we are paired with 217/67/910/70/27....etc... and the other side barely moves so we pack up if we lose that one..."

I look through this team list and I can't even imagine what the qualification rounds are going to look like, let alone the elimination rounds. There are going to be some MAJOR good teams that typically play Saturday afternoon (at Regionals or in Atlanta) that won't be playing here.

It's going to be amazing....

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

As far as I know, there is no video of Dave V's epic "Perfect Storm" speech from last year. Please don't let that happen again. Dave? How can you top that?

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Please tell me this event will be webcast. I can tell you that I will have one full monitor dedicated to it if so.

Also, if this East v West thing goes down, someone BETTER get video. My money would be on the East. Gotta represent my home right?

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

One thing to keep in mind is the size of the event: 64 teams means that only 7 qualification matches are going to be played, instead of the usual 12.

What that means, in an approximated ideal world, is that only 21~ teams will play against each of the supposed powerhouse teams. It is now likely that a team can get through the entire qualification schedule without a serious challenge.

I suppose what all this translates to is a cautionary statement: in order for an ideal alliance to occur, the standings be in a certain order...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

That was the most epic Dave V speech I've ever heard (Including the ones at meetings lol). I'm not sure if 67 has the footage stashed somewhere, but I'm thinking that we don't since he suprised everybody (including us) with the amazing-ness.

But Dave always has something up his sleeve. You never know what he'll do next! :p

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I missed it and inquired about a video copy from the team. Tom Nader said he hadn't started the VCR at that point. Too bad...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Nader should of been on the ball, what is with these shenanigans...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

This would be awsome. Like Adam said if it gets planed 67 will be there. :D

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

With 1188 now registered, there is now 64 teams.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I wonder how far down the list they had to go...

Lets check!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Well My team the Gearheads are in and are very pumped, but we were ranked 73rd

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

216 is in!!

Let the West vs East begin!!!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

2474 was ranked like 45th. But we wont be going.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Not only will we beat the east side, though it is my home town, for the state title, we will also be taking home that spiffy spirit award...

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

How about after the East-West matchup we do a mentor East-West match? ...or can't we do that in FIRST? We might have to wait for MARC. (Adam's gonna kill me for this suggestion.) :cool:

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

And last - welcome and may the good luck you've already received follow you. For that matter, good luck to all the teams.

Can Walt drive?

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

It sounds like there is a lot of interest in an East-West Shootout.

So, then, (on a more serious logistical note) what would it take to make this really happen? Is there any unscheduled practice time on Thursday or is everything structured? Who would be the person(s) to approach about setting this up if the current structure doesn't currently have room for it? Is is unreasonable to ask the field control staff to set up a special match? Is there some administrative/contractual restriction against it (insurance, scedule, etc.)? I don't want to just presume that we are going to do it and then have some poor volunteer look like a stick-in-the-mud for pointing out some legitimate reason why it can't happen.

Perhaps it could be worked in at the end of the day on Friday, before the awards ceremony. We could even get a perpetual trophy for the top seed to keep until next year...

Is there someone out there who could shed some informed light on the subject?

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

As far as I can recall, there was no scheduled practice time - teams just showed up and got put onto the field, 6 at a time. Of course, you're going to have to convince the lead queuer (Edith, I believe) to let you wait along the sideline until all 6 teams show up.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I think that it would be awesome. It shouldn't count for anything other than a gracious & professional rivalry match.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I think it would be an excellent idea to do an east v west match. I think Friday after the last qualifying match would really end the day in excitement. Besides, Friday more people will be there and I dont think the webcast is running on thursday, and I'm sure there are plenty of people who would want to watch the webcast of a match like that.

we could do two matches as well. First the students drive, then the next match the mentors drive and they pick a student to coach :D, roflmao

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Mentors DRIVING?? I wasn't too scared of this idea when it was our cool-under-fire student team. I'd just choke. Besides, Frodo can't see over the drivers station wall.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

This has been the structure under the First of MI program, for MI Championships, I think we are going back to scheduled practice times.

That's not to say we couldn't find some room in the schedule, especially since all the robots have been out for 20+ matches so far and the fields have been running well.

E v. W might also be used if we have an off schedule "Media Match" usually done for a live TV spot after the normal schedule. I'll know more about the schedule tomorrow night.

As far as scheduling it, I'd probably be the guy to talk to to get the ball rolling as far as getting it into the schedule as I'd have to coordinate it through the event team (AV, FIRST in MI, Queing team, Field Reset, Media Relations etc...) I think the mentor match would be a perfect "teaser" on Thursday, with perhaps the E. v. W. student post scheduled matches on Friday (prime TV News Spot Time).

I'll look into it and if there is enough interest (and little complaining) perhaps we can make this happen.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

You know, IRI used to have a mentor round that counted in your points for each team. Some other events do something similar.

Or are you scared that you didn't help engineer the robot strong enough?

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

The Championship is run under Regional rules, not District. There should be a set practice schedule.

Beside asking field personnel - queuing, scoring, field supervisor, FTA, etc - you probably need the permission of Show Ready (the professional event staff).

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

She's easy, you can get just about anything on the schedule for a Starbucks

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I really like the idea of having a traveling trophy. I also like the idea of having this match on Friday.

The larger the audience the better.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Don't forget, you're playing with 5 other teams who also have their mentors driving :)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I will be interested how about Thursday night right after the regular schedule practices?

Dan 216

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

We're game for a mentor mashup on Thursday. Gotta find a step stool for "Frodo" Brown though. Maybe he can just stand up in the outpost.:D

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

So, who's making the trophy? If the machine shop isn't being used since everyone's robot has already been broken in through 24+ matches, it would keep them busy... and amused!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

We could play for the "VerBrugge Cup" or some such thing. The "trophy" needs to be something loud (like his shirt) and lighthearted.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

This is supposed to be the State Championship event. Please don't let it degenerate into something else. It's supposed to be about the best FRC teams in the state going at it, not about a bunch of oldies trying to make themselves the center of attention.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

If this is going to happen, we need to have a plan in place so that the teams can have the correct personnel in place.

I know many of our mentors were not planning on attending Thursday, since we have had almost 60 matches under our belts. They feel that the time is better spent at work for another day.

We will also be running our backup drive team all of Thursday to get them some additional practice while our A team is busy. I have full confidence that we will be able to compete with them, but I'd like to know if I need to drill them in the practice matches leading up to this Ev.W shootout....

Not to mention, we have not heard anything from 217....they have 60+ matches and may not even be attending on Thursday...you never know.

We are still good for a student run match if it can get set up.

- Adam

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Some of these teams did have 60 matches already. Why would you want to take the chance of something happening to your bot ....oh, forget what i was saying,go right ahead, maybe just before finals start.:rolleyes: :)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Because we build our robots to a high qaulity standard and trust that it won't fail.:)

38 Matchs
Hours of practice
And 0 failures

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

The "Verbrugge Cup" was a proposed name/trophy for the student contest.

I am neutral on a mentor event. I agree that whatever happens, the focus belongs on the students.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Hey dude everyone just wants to have a little fun. It won't degenerat anything. Just a friendly competition between a few competitive teams. :)

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

Right - only there's 64 teams that qualified, not just 6 -- dude!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I agree. If this is going to happen it should be done tomorrow or not at all. I would think all the teams would be ok with this type of exibition if done some time during practice in the afternoon.

But, I do not want my drive team focusing on this Friday morning or afternoon. We will be busy concentrating on our strategy for our next match. We owe that to ourselves and out alliance partners.

Its for fun and hopefully does not offend any of the other teams that have qualified to attend.

- Adam

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

great match would be (67,217,248) vs (1,201,245) i think the final scores be close and ether side could win.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

How is this a bad thing? If nothing else it will show some of the newer students that FRC isnt about winning or loosing but about learning from each other. Add into that, my team didnt qualify for states, does it bother me that the top 3 East teams and the top 3 West teams want to have a friendly competition? Not at all. It gives me something to shoot for next year. You know, working with a small team in inner city Flint means that we have very little hope of ever playing on Einstein, to our kids (most of whom have never even been Championship) this could be their Einstein, this could be their goal. And you know, if giving the kids who can't afford to go all over the country to compete a goal is a bad thing, then that is just too bad.

As for the mentor match, it is just plain fun. Remember, all fun and no play stinks. Plus, this gives the coaches a chance to put their money where their mouth is, realize that the students have a hard job. Yes the focus needs to be on students, but I would rather see the students cheering on mentors than listening to some boring old politician (or school rep) babble on about something that they have ZERO interest in. (FIRST is important blah blah blah you are the future blah blah blah - Politician [school name] has a wonderful engineering program blah blah blah we support FIRST because we believe it is the future blah blah blah -School Rep These are in case you ever wondered what students hear during opening ceremonies) Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the support of these groups but talking for like 10 minutes is just plain irritating. Especially when they say the same thing time after time. But I digress.

Yes 64 teams qualified but the top 6 are the top 6. Nothing you say can or will change that, nor should it. Having seen many of these teams over the years I can tell you that the teams talking about this are not doing it for their egos. They are doing it because it could be fun to watch and to be in.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

[quote=Andrew Schreiber;844367]...

Yes 64 teams qualified but the top 6 are the top 6. Nothing you say can or will change that, nor should it. ...[quote]

Right again, but two of the teams in the proposed E v W are not even in the top 6. What makes them so special?

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I think that this thread has strayed far from it's original purpose. I don't understand the need to bicker and fight when we have a monumental and ground-breaking event coming up this weekend. I, for one, am very excited to see how it plays out!

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

I misspoke, the 3 teams from Eastern Michigan with the best ranking and the 3 teams from Western Michigan with the top ranking. I apologize.

Re: Michigan State Championship 2009
 

So now maybe you see what I mean. It's the State Championship, not east vs west, or the UP vs the trolls. Having the top 64 go at it should be good enough - awesome in fact. Anything else is just a distraction.