Scouting: Diamond in the Rough

[J-Brock]

858 is a really good defensive robot, but doesen't rank very high.

[RMS11]

Like BenX said, we were picked this year by 2655 (the 8th seed) ranked 43/47. We had lots of bad luck and mechanical problems throughout qualification (like 3 matches we didnt run, lol) but they saw some moments when we really competed well and those 3 hours between qualification and playoffs were all we needed to work out the remaining issues and get some work in on the practice field. Thankfully they saw this, and were able to see how our strengths could work well with out 3rd partner 832 and we ended up coming out on top. Really, rank only matters in top 8 vs. not top 8. If you are a great robot but out of the top 8, you must rely on another team to pick you and to have worked out a good strategy to have bots that will work great together. So really you must rely on another team if you are out of the top 8, but hopefully these teams have done their scouting and have a plan to form a winning alliance.

[Alex Dinsmoor]

At Detroit this year, my team picked 3119. When I first mentioned them as being on my scouting list, my team gave me weird looks as if I was crazy. It was until they proved to be the best defense robot out there that my team still didn't believe in me. Sadly we only made it to the semifinals due to some mechanical errors with an alliance partner.

Oh, and one week later they went on to win Troy with 67 and 217

[AlexD744]

2007 Florida regional. PINK didn't bring out there robot until the last three matches. Something messed up in the algorithm and we played tehm in all three matches. Our machine had soooo much pushing power that we would push them up against the rack and we pushed the rack about 2 feet every time. THey lost every qualifyer and ended up 51 out 51 in the ranings. Then they went on to be semi-finalists. (Maybe even higher) Not to mention 2nd place at championship.

[DBiehl]

2007 at Boilermaker. We seeded 3rd and got drafted by the first ranked team 1730. When we got to the very last pick at the end of the 2nd round, we managed to get one of the top 3 lifting bots in the regional with 1555. During match 3 of the finals, not a single ringer was scored by either alliance and 1555 lifted both us and 1730 up to win the regional.

[dwaynetrip3119]

Originally Posted by Alex Dinsmoor

At Detroit this year, my team picked 3119. When I first mentioned them as being on my scouting list, my team gave me weird looks as if I was crazy. It was until they proved to be the best defense robot out there that my team still didn't believe in me. Sadly we only made it to the semifinals due to some mechanical errors with an alliance partner.

Oh, and one week later they went on to win Troy with 67 and 217

Thanks for the complement bro. We gave it everything we had in us to win that district final. After Wayne State, we prepared for Troy and it turned out that we were not picked but then we had to come back. It was amazing playing with 67 and 217. I made good friends with them and I hope that 3119 can go out this weekend and hopefully pull out another win. We really want to compete in ATL and this is our chance. Also it is amazing that we have so many people saying that we are the best defensive team in the state!! That is such a huge honor for us to be a rookie team.
See Ya At EMU!!!

[Peter Matteson]

For us those picks have been teams either dramatically improve on Saturday or got missed by everyone else.

In 2006 at the Hartford regional our selection of 1124, the Uberbots who everyone over looked they were seeded around 40 but showed smart play and great capabilities on the field to play our strategy, with a durable robot and great drivers.

Also in 2006 at the Championship we got a second round steal in the Galileo draft from the #2 seed when we added the FEDS, 201, to round out our alliance with 1126, SPARX. Everyone else missed their great auto mode and consistent shooter so they slipped to us at the 23rd overall pick and were seeded up the 60s I believe. The FEDS auto mode helped us complete 13 straight victories on the Galileo and 1 on Einstein before the Newton alliance knocked us out.

Also In Hartford Saturday we agree Bacon slipped too far.

[EricLeifermann]

My senior year on 93 in 2005 we were dead last after qualifications at Boilermaker, but got picked by 135 in the 2nd round and made it to the finals. We pushed the #1 seeded team to 4 matches and almost won.