[Joel J]

Alright.. I have only observations to go on. You can all collect the data, together, and we can compare sometime later.

I'm saying this after watching VCU.

- When both alliances scored zero in autonomous, the randomly selected "defense" alliance still seemed to come out on top.

- If you win in autonomous, then you most likely have a good shooter, good software, good 1pt dumper, or a decent mixture. That is, if you are making it happen in autonomous, then you have what it takes to make it happen in the rest of the match.

- Teams on defense first get time to load up their robots with balls (either from the floor or human player) without cutting into their scoring time. They are then able to align themselves for shooting before their turn on offense begins allowing them to score points BEFORE their opponents can get into a defensive posture. Teams on offense after autonomus are usually close to their opponents (giving their opponents perfect positioning for playing defense), far away from the 3pt goal, and have very few balls.

- With the amount of points I saw being scored, the 10 point bonus gained from winning autonomous is significant. That is, if winning alliances are averaging 30 points (very realistic number, IMO), then that 10 point bonus accounts for 1/3rd of their score!

- The amount being scored in autonomous vs. the rest of the match makes the point deficit placed on the autonomous loser quite significant. Both alliances still get the same number of time on offense and defence, so the loser of autonomous has to work extra hard to make up for the points scored in autonomous while keeping pace with what the winners are scoring during the match.

The most significant advantage of winning autonomous, IMO, is being able to defend first. It is very common, early on, for people to not be able to bounce back (as they become edgy and nervous), and for people on the attack to grow increasingly comfortable.