2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional

[AcesJames]

+1, Chris. Just looking at the past 4 weeks and the amount of previous regional winners coming to CT this year is pretty frightening. 176, 228, 230, 694, 1073, etc, as well as a handful of finalists and semi finalists.

Connecticut should be more competitive than ever, especially being a week 5 event

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

Chris, I'm not surprised. Connecticut has always been a very competitive regional, it often draws a few teams from outside the local area for this reason.

Very true. I'm just surprised that all 3 of these teams signed up within the last 48 hours, adding even more depth.

So just for fun, I thought I'd do my normal predictions-type post for this event. It's certainly a rather deep event. Then again, I said WPI wasn't a shallow event...

Speaking of WPI, a large percentage of the teams have already played with each other and will likely have the advantage of experience and information. The dynamic of this regional essentially acting as "WPI++" for these teams will create very interesting dynamics, with teams possibly biased toward or against teams they've previously worked with before in the eliminations.

Now, for predictions: 230 won WPI in rather convincing fashion. Their robot is far from perfect, but with a triple autonomous, plus a few balls in teleop and hanging ability, they were able to clearly pull through. They've demonstrated that a robot running an accurate back autonomous will have an insurmountable leg up over an alliance with poor autonomy. Their strength is that their damage is dealt mostly before defense can be applied, relying on scoring in the periods with reduced defense. They'll seed in the Top 8, and will have the most options of any alliance captain for partners, so they should go very far at CT.

40 and 126 both performed well at BAE, losing in the semis to the winning alliance. To be honest, I don't know much about their robots, but they've always improved throughout the season, so one of them should repeat their semifinals appearance at least. As for other good robots I don't know much about, 694 won New York City, and they look to do the same in CT.

Want to get to Einstein? Pick the Bobcats. 177 is the most consistent team in FIRST, and their preship video and strong scrimmage performance shows this is no off year for them. They know how to win in the eliminations when it counts, and this year they've shown off another impressive robot. The only question marks regarding their performance at CT would be that they haven't touched the field since before ship, so they may need some time to get in the groove. Despite this, going deep in the eliminations is a given.

176 won the DC regional all the way back in Week 1, so they too have to deal with a very evolved game in order to succeed. Aces High certainly has some cards up their sleeve, though, so watch out for them.

A wave of teams trying for a second shot at a Championship bid have signed up for the Connecticut Regional, hoping to take the event. 1501 has possibly their best robot ever, fielding a simple three wheeled demon that secured the #1 seed at Boilermaker. A repeat of that is a possibility. 1574 is the best team from outside of the US or Canada, yet they have been unable to field their robot more than a few times this year. CT could give their team a chance for redemption. 222 performed as they often do at Pittsburgh, with a solid, gritty robot. While never the flashiest, 222 is solid once again this year.

2791 is going to suck. They won't be able to fix their bump issues, nor will they be able to side hang. Their reliable near autonomous that saved them in WPI will go away for no apparent reason, and a mid autonomous will not appear. They don't have an awesome driver. I suspect they'll do nothing better than last place.

[samir13k]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

2791 is going to suck. They won't be able to fix their bump issues, nor will they be able to side hang. Their reliable near autonomous that saved them in WPI will go away for no apparent reason, and a mid autonomous will not appear. They don't have an awesome driver. I suspect they'll do nothing better than last place.

That is probably the loudest i have ever laughed from a CD post... have some confidence man!

[Wayne Doenges]

Thanks for all the kind words Chris.
We didn't become first seed all by ourselves. We had help and we hope the teams at CT can help us maybe do it again.
You're right about trying to get into the Chanpionships at Atlanta.
We would also like to see teams from UTC and BAE as we are sponsored by UT Electronic Controls in Huntington, IN and BAE from Fort Wayne, IN.
I will not be able to go though as I don't have enough vacation saved up.
I hope everyone will greet us like long lost friends.
Good luck to all.

[scawsome]

Thanks for the kind words Chris. We realize our problems, but we have focused on improving the parts of the game we are good at. Our autonomous is better than ever, we now can score 3 consistantly (I hope..) and we drive over the bump and we kick a fourth ball! We have been traing our dive team to not get pushed around so much. We also may be adding a ball magnet b/c we now have some weight.

This competition is going to be a lot of fun! Hope to see all the teams there!

[yodameister]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

2791 is going to suck. They won't be able to fix their bump issues, nor will they be able to side hang. Their reliable near autonomous that saved them in WPI will go away for no apparent reason, and a mid autonomous will not appear. They don't have an awesome driver. I suspect they'll do nothing better than last place.

I hope Chris was visiting opposite world while composing this last prediction,

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by yodameister

I hope Chris was visiting opposite world while composing this last prediction,

You'd rather I jinx us by predicting favorably?

[camtunkpa]

Thanks for the kind words Chris. 222 is definitely excited about making our first trip to the CT regional. We can't wait to see how things turn out with such deep field. Hopefully we will have our machine 100% as we found many of our bugs at Pittsburgh and are looking to improve a thing or two. Most of all we'll be glad to see some old friends and make a bunch of new ones. Feel free to stop by our pit and say hello to the crew.

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

2791 is going to suck. They won't be able to fix their bump issues, nor will they be able to side hang. Their reliable near autonomous that saved them in WPI will go away for no apparent reason, and a mid autonomous will not appear. They don't have an awesome driver. I suspect they'll do nothing better than last place.

Love the reverse jinx.

Just so you know we have 17 veteran teams who have yet to hit the field this season competing at Hartford this year competing at Hartford. This could lead to some big week 5 surprises of teams who retooled their robots based on what they saw in 4 weeks of competition. I can't wait to see what we have this year.

[BushTA]

Don't forget the team 383 "The Brazilian Machine". They were very effective at Boston last week and only lost in the Finals by a total of 2 points (and one point was a penalty for an out-of-bounds human player).

According to TBA their record at Boston was 11-2-2.

[Bill_B]

I understand that there is a Saturday gathering for FIRST alumni that will feature, among other things, PRIZES. I think they're somewhat beyond Easter eggs too.

[Andy Grady]

I cannot wait for CT. This is the Big Kahuna of New England events each year and is only getting better. Very psyched to see teams making the trip out here from so many different regions.

As for the robots to look out for? 230 is a given with the auto they have. 177 just knows how to win. 126 has the best hanger I have seen yet. And oh by the way...look out for 383 fresh off of Boston. They are pretty darn good. Just watched the video of 1501 also, you might want to watch them too!

Of course...the beauty of the CT Regional? Anything can and probably will happen.

See ya this weekend!

[Chris_Elston]

I have some people pegged I wanna meet. Like KathieK from NEMO and a few others that I have looked up to in either advice, documents they have posted and help. Thanks to all you Connecticut mentors for helping us in the midwest model from your veteran teams.

[Bill_B]

Originally Posted by Bill_B

I understand that there is a Saturday gathering for FIRST alumni that will feature, among other things, PRIZES. I think they're somewhat beyond Easter eggs too.

from the ctfirst website:

The CT FIRST Alumni Network (CTFAN) is the official alumni organization for CT FIRST. CTFAN is open to all FIRST graduates with a connection to Connecticut.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please join us for the 2nd Annual CT FIRST Alumni Reunion and Luncheon held at the 2010 Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional on Saturday, April 3rd (12:30p-1:30p). To register, please email: sslezycki@ctfirst.org.

[Jessica Boucher]

I am beyond excited for CT. Stop by the volunteer table or say hi to me as I run around like an idiot. I cant wait to see everyone again!