2010 Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional

[Chris is me]

How could I almost forget to predict this event?

To be blunt, 10,000 Lakes has always been a weak event. It's less about finding diamonds in the rough here as much as it is finding anyone particularly strong. The #1 alliance will likely take the event, since there will be a very limited number of robots to contribute to their alliance.

Biggest name here? 1714. They won the event last year and show no signs of slowing. 1714 is all about continuous improvement, and if they improve on the same scale they did in 2009, then there is no stopping them. (In 2009, 1714 went from missing elims in Wisconsin to the first overall selection in Minnesota...). That being said, there are some significant question marks for them. They played the near zone almost exclusively in Wisconsin, and without Wildstang to help them out, they will have to be much more flexible than that if they want to carry an alliance and seed high. 1714 hasn't been in a picking position since 2008, so they may have to rely on the #1 Captain being complementary if they don't change something.

525 has switched into 10,000 Lakes. They have won this event before back in 2008, and they have a robot that's already won an event against an alliance which would later all win blue banners. They must be doing something right. Their consistent hanging ability will be unique and the 2 points alone should be enough to push them into the top few slots. A partner like 1714 would secure their second blue banner for them right at alliance selection.

2062 played well at a stronger event than Wisconsin, and is the only robot capable of suspension at the event. Cooperative driving and improvements to their robot will be needed to push to the very top, but success at this event is not at all an impossible dream for CORE. My prediction? Winning alliance or not, they'll punch their ticket for Atlanta here.

2177 has consistently been in the final match at Minnesota, and they certainly aren't bad this year. Another hanging robot who competed decently at a weaker event than this one, they have pulled upsets before at Minnesota and doing it again is more than possible. Maybe some suspension points with 2062?

2194 and 2826 are both strong teams from Wisconsin, the latter younger but enjoying more success. The possibility of 1714 and 2826 pairing up again is something definitely worth significant consideration. I don't know much about their robots, though.

2502 is the wild card. The EWCP's protege, they have been reaching for greater and greater heights this year, with an innovative robot that does things just a bit differently. They should be on everyone's radar screens as they could swing the event.