[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Karthik

I do agree that the normalization goes the wrong way when it comes to MSC. However, MSC is just a complete statistical aberration due to the overall strength of the state of Michigan, and the exclusive nature of the event. Most other regionals never really got to the point where they reached the point of diminishing returns of tube scoring in qualifying, or never consistently had three scoring robots on a qualifying alliance. ...

Thanks Karthik and 1114, for continuing to lead the FRC community toward excellence, especially in scouting and strategy.

I was at MSC, and at three other events this season -- an all time high for me. During the weeks I did not attend events, I was following webcasts. While I agree that MSC is in a class by itself (we can hope to see that level of play again in St. Louis, and at IRI), I wonder if the "point of diminishing returns" might also have been reached during some qualifying matches at Hartford and Knoxville? The fields for both of those events included many good tube scoring robots.

I really look forward to seeing some match-ups with teams that competed at those events against the most powerful Michigan teams. When ubertubes are even, the top and middle rows are filled early, HPs throw accurately and strategically, and everyone has a fast minibot, we begin to see artful defense decide matches. There were glimpses of that in the events I mentioned above. I think there will be more on Einstein.