Predictions Week 5: Last Stop Before the Big Show... ...Part 1

[Joe Johnson]

In true sports prediction fashion I hit a few balls out of the park last week but in all honesty, I was called out on strikes a lot too. But, I'll let the looking back and the Monday Morning Quarterbacking for other, these posts are about... PREDICTIONS!!!


GM/Technion Israel
While it is still Tues. here in my California hotel where I am staying on business, it is already FRIDAY at the Gm/Technion Israel regional (or the equiv. of Friday since they have already played 40+ matches).

I won't lie to you, almost all these teams are a total mystery to me, but there were 2 teams that are on my radar screen. Here are two quotes from tipsters:

1574 looks like it has a functional ramp (which will probably be tough in a very very young, 34 team regional), and possibly some scoring potential as well. This 116 mentee won the first two Israeli regionals, and seems like a strong contender to do so again.

-1574 are the perennial (or as perennial as an area which started competing in 2005 is) favorites. They are one of the teams with access to a quality machine shop, and produced some of the better robots for the first two years.
-From videos I've seen, 1943 seem to have a hybrid that will do relativly well on the grand scale of things in the Israel regional.

Well, based on the results we have seen so far we are batting 500. As of "Friday Evening," Team #1574 is undefeated and the #1 seed. Team #1943 is ranked pretty low. But, as teams #4, #904, #1492 & #2183 will tell you, seeding high is not always the road to success[1].

This is a young but growing regional. I look for good things to come in the future.

COLORADO
Colorado is in that middle ground. There are so many noisier regions: South, North East, MidWest, West Coast, Mid-Atlantic. Given all the fireworks going around on this week I am at a loss as to what to expect from The Rockies in Week 5.

So tipster notes:

159 had a competitive bot last year, but they were plagued with mechanical failures during the elimination rounds, getting subbed out in both Denver and Atlanta. 662 had a dumper last year, they might go defensive/ramp this year?

This is going to be a tough one. There isn't a single regional champion or regional finalist in this group.

Hard to tell who will do good...

Not exactly a lot to work with there fellas! You guys in the Mountain Time Zone, had better make some noise about the great things that are happening in your region. Let's hear what you've got to say.

Looking at the numbers, this should be a rough regional. 48 teams competing, 42 of them for the first time in Week 5. The median team number is over 1600 (the highest of any of the 10 Regionals this weekend except the one in Israel). There are no 2007 Champions or Finalist attending and, perhaps the strongest contributor to a bruising competition, this is the last scheduled competition this season for 45 of the 48 teams.

Bottom line: The Defensive Meat Grinder that I wrongly predicted for Waterloo in Week 4 is cranking out the robo-sausages in Denver this weekend.

Sacramento
This one has the making of deja vu all over again. The Sacramento has 22 teams competing in their 2nd (or third in the case of #114) competition of the 2007 season (60%). But 14 of those teams competed in San Jose. Could get interesting.

Some might make a big showing of the Poofs heading to another state this week but I think there are plenty of great teams left to head to the capital.

Team #114 was the number #1 seed in Silicon Valley. They picked #2 Seed, Team #100. They were eliminated in the Semi's due to some well played defense and a lack of a solid ramp. If Los Altos wins #1 Seed again (as they should) will they go with Woodside and Carlmont Robotics again? Hard choices but somebody's got to make 'em. They better get a good ramp if they want to advance to the final match and perhaps even bring home the big trophy.

This regional is packed with other talent. Finalist and Champions include Teams #766, #852, #997, #1280 & #1760.

The Raging Seabiscuits (Team #1280) is an interesting study in the FIRST Fates, they were partnered with #114 in OR in Week 1: 3 matches after lunch and they are packing up their pits. Week 3 rolls around, they they come to San Jose: Champs. Is it the team or the partners or both? Time will tell.

Before I get on to the other regionals this weekend, I have to put in 2 more plugs for two teams with ancient Greek names [2]: Athenian Robotics Collective (ARC) (Team #852) and Spartan Robotics (Team #997) .

The Athenians are a strong scoring team, they should be in the running for a high seed. I hope their scouting team is up to the challenge of the draft -- get your list in order Friday night because there is not time for anything but a tweak here and a shift there on Saturday morning.

As to #997, of course they won big at the PNW Regional, and I hear tell they are a pretty good ramp/lift team which we know is often the difference between competing and winning, but I am REALLY pulling for them because they are out of Corvallis, OR. Which is the home of my friend and coin op amusements competitors, Slambot by Morrowbotics. Mike Morrow is good people. You Spartan Robotics guys & gals should get him sucked into FIRST somehow.

Greater Toronto

Okay, Okay, I officially apologize to the the entire country of Canada for the huge missed prediction in Waterloo. I was wrong, but I won't make that mistake again this week.

62 teams in Toronto this weekend... ...10 of them, yes, TEN of them, were Finalist or Champions at another regional this season. Half of the teams have been to another regional this year. 8 of them are competing in there 3rd Regional this season. This regional is DEEP.

Of course there are the usual suspects. For the record, I am going with #1114 to be Number #1 Seed (for the 3rd time this season!). I suspect that Karthik and the rest of Simbotics scouting team will have their list in order. This regional is SO deep, the serpentine draft will not be an issue. They'll get the pick of the litter with their 1st pick and then they'll find a diamond in the rough for the 16th[3]. Look for some pitched battles, but #1114 has joined the ranks of the Poofs and Bristol-Myers Squibb: You may get tired of seeing them win week after week, but you don't dare bet against 'em.

Now to some other picks.

Look for #188 to be tough again this week. In their last outing, Woburn's Alliance was sent packing by a heartbreaking 27-28 loss in the 3rd match of their quarterfinals. I don't think that lightening will strike twice. Team #188 at goes at least as far as the Finals in Toronto. In many ways, The Greater Toronto Regional is the House that Woburn built.... ...but these guys have yet to be crowned king of that house. Is this the year? They'll be many pulling for them and many more hoping to take that crown home themselves. Whose House? Woburn's House!

Of course, everyone will be watching the Twins, #1503 & #1680 (a.k.a. Spartonics & Fesstronics), to see if they team up again this week. These two definitely have the tube mojo going on. If they get together after lunch again this week and the 3rd partner is a good rampbot... ...well let me just say that #1114 isn't all THAT unbeatable...

Expect a Standing O Canada for Team 296 the first (and maybe every) time they take the field in Toronto. Last year they became the first Canadian team to win a world championships. This will be their first time competing on Canadian soil since that triumphant win.

While I am fanning the flames of Canadian Nationalism, I have this note from a tipster:

Last year was the first time since 2002 that an all Canadian alliance has won this event. Will the trend continue?

We shall see what we shall see...

From the Don't Forget About Me dept. I want observers of the Canadian Regional to keep your eye on Crescent Robotics (Team #610). They've got a long history. This team shows flashes of greatness. But as one tipster put it:

Team 610, ready to take the next step? At Waterloo there were matches where they looked like one of the best tubers in all of FIRST. Unfortunately, they couldn't keep it going consistently. Will they get the bugs ironed out?

I think they are going to do it. Look for an off the hook and on the rack break out performance from Crescent Robotic... ...This week... ...In Ontario.

Finally this note. I am an American, I can't help myself, I have to plug at least 1, (no... ...2) American Teams. I have always been a fan of Hamilton Sundstrand/Windsor Locks team (Aces High #176). They were the #1 seed in CT and ended up a Finalist. I expect them to be a high seed again this weekend. If they can draft well or get picked up by the right drafting team, they could really go far.

My second pick is one I have not said enough good things about over the years. They have been a Great Team for years and years. Honestly, they have not always had the best robot on the field but I will tell you flat out, this is a team that GETS FIRST down to their DNA. I have to give a shout out Delphi E.L.I.T.E. They were Finalists in Pittsburg. They were Champs at the Buckeye Regionals. I expect great things from them in Toronto.



Palmetto

It is getting too late so I am going to have to short change someone somewhere. South Caroline is going to have to take one for the team.

I am going with a couple of quotes from tipster and a quick note or twol

343 had bad luck in Week 1, losing a tight Semi-final match-up to the eventual champions after both of their alliance partners had issues. 2068s ramps didn't deploy correctly in SF2-2, and 612s wheel broke as well. Metal-in-Motion was clearly one of the best two tubing teams at VCU, and looks to step it up at their home regional. Rumor has it that they're adding a single 12" ramp for an additional 30 during the qualification matches. I'm not sure if they'll have an autonomous yet though. MiM is my favorite to bring home the hardware.

Have to agree here. Metal In Motion are Big Time Robot Builders. Look for good things to happen in South Carolina.

1251 didn't have the weight issues that caused them to chop of the top of their bot last year. As a result, they took home the hardware in Florida. The Tech Tigers are dangerous, a strong offensive-defensive combo team. Their scoring isn't overwhelming, but its effective, and they are gritty, and can earn the highly contested points over some tough defense. Their ground clearance is low though, and it causes some issues with certain ramps, but they were able to ramp well with 86 in Florida.

We'll see. This is a tougher call. Everyone needs luck but I am thinking that perhaps 1251 needs too much luck to come out on top this weekend.

Another pick I have to squeeze in here is C.U.P.I.D. (Team #1539) They seeded #21 in Georgia and were picked up by the #8 Seed. I know some folks didn't give them much of a shot but there they are with that Big Blue Banner all over their bad selves ;-) They are a long shot by any stretch of a team that could surprise you.


To Be Continued....

I have to get some sleep. 5 more regionals to talk at you about.... stay tuned.

Joe J.


Notes:
[1] Each of these teams were the LAST SEED at a regional this year and made it to the Finals. Team #4 was #52 seed at LA and ended up Champs. Team #902 was seed #37 in Chicago and took home a blue banner. Team #1492 was seed #34 is AZ and was a Finalist there. Team #2183 was seeded #37 in LA and made it to the Finals.

[2]And NOT just because they both have ancient Greek names. Believe it or not, I didn't even know that these two teams had that in common when I started writing this piece. Sometimes the magic just happens...

[3]How would you like to be still waiting to be drafted at the 12th, 13th, 14th, & 15th slot. Do you want to be drafted or do you hope that #1114 picks you on the 16th and final pick? If you get picked by #1114 on the last pick of the draft you become part of the alliance that everyone is betting will win the day, but if you are not the top team left on Karthik & Co.'s list, it is time to put your robot in the crate... ...I get a knot in my stomach just thinking about it. JJ