Galileo couldn’t win a Championship from 2001-2007, but now the division seemingly can’t be stopped, with back-to-back Championships in 2008 and 2009. The Thunderchickens are the only team to Galileo in 2010 from either of those winning alliances, though.
Other than a handful of big dogs who like to run-and-gun, many of the matches will take a bit slower and calculated pace on this field. Expect battles over positioning and balls in all three zones, and teams who can swing the tide of those battles (whether it be by scoring from the neutral zone, switching zones to yield numerical advantage, or being just plain good) to be critical.
PREDICTIONS:
TIPS:
Blizzard had their most successful robot ever in 2009, but it couldn’t quite escape the Curie finals. 188 is coming back even hungrier in 2010, as they were bested in the finals at both regionals they attended. A dynamic scoring machine, 188 is a threat to score from all three zones. Their mecanum drive helps them excel at controlling balls, but even with it, they sometimes look a little lost against elite teams. They can be very dangerous if they’re a component, rather than the focal point, to an alliance.
There’s no question that Winnovation is good. In the past four years they’ve won regional events and taken three trips to the finals at IRI (winning twice). But Championship is the monkey on their back, as they’ve yet to reach Einstein. 1625 has an agile and aggressive robot this year, with a high-powered kicker and an effective hanging mechanism that can continue elevating them after the clock hits 0:00. They weren’t able to convert that into a regional victory, though (even when aligned with the Bomb Squad in Kansas City). The potential for another run at the division finals is there, but they’ll need to play at a consistently high level and get some support from their partners.
2016 is the best team from New Jersey that nobody talks about. They’re almost identical twins with last year’s rookie phenoms (2753), but they’ve played at a higher level so far (reaching the finals in NJ and winning Dallas). They’re effective at moving balls forward and can hang reliably. They should make the eliminations, but will be dependent on their partners for any success past lunch on Saturday.
While the number may not have the same ring to it, much of this team was on Einstein last year with 121. 78 came within inches of winning their only regional back in week 1, and are searching for gold. Air Strike is versatile and dangerous, and should be an alliance captain or first round selection.
MOE has won three Philadelphia regionals in a row, but hasn’t won a division since 2001. 365 has an effective midfielder that can move up and score from the offensive zone as well. They were the first overall selection at both regionals they attended, though they fell in the semis in Baltimore. If they can dial in their autonomous, they could be a top 5 selection. If not, look for them to fall a little further.
230 basically won WPI with their autonomous scoring, and came dangerously close to winning Connecticut as well. The Gaelhawks are incredibly effective as clearing balls and feeding the scoring zone, but aren’t as good at converting the goals themselves during tele-op. Their hanging is solid, and that could give them a push in the selection process if an alliance captain values their autonomous and feels capable of being able to score themselves.
DARK HORSE:
Blue Cheese hasn’t lost a regional since adopting that moniker in 2008. But 1086 hasn’t been able to carry that success over to Atlanta, yet (only once even reaching the eliminations). Their game and robot are very similar to that of 365, but their autonomous isn’t quite as effective. Watch for them to be selected in the latter half of the first round.
SLEEPER:
For the second year in a row, 107 qualified for the Michigan State Championship, but elected to skip it. Last year they converted that into a spot on the 8th alliance in Archimedes and a quarterfinal exit. After being ousted in the QFs at both Michigan districts they attended, their sights are aimed on escaping the QFs this year at Championship. They’re an effective ball-moving robot, capable of playing both the mid and far zones. Given the right alliance, they could be an important factor.
LOCKS:
The only blemish on the Thunderchickens divisional performance since 2005 is a quarterfinal exit on Galileo in 2007. They reach Einstein in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009 (winning in both even numbered years). 217 is hoping that this even numbered year results in another victory on Einstein. The only time they were denied gold in 2010 is in the incredible 4-match finals against 1918, 469, and 2834 in MSC. With their effective autonomous, versatility, and offensive zone prowess, 217 is the favorite to win Galileo.
They’re now eight-for-eight in regional competitions, but 2056 hasn’t been able to even reach the divisional finals in their previous three trips to Atlanta. The Patriotics are eager to get some Championship hardware in 2010, and have a robot with the potential for it. A unique ball possession mechanism grants them positive control over the ball for 2-second periods, but then they have to release it (since it extends beyond the bumper perimeter). They proved their ability to take care of the offensive zone and hang effectively when playing with 1114 in Waterloo and GTR, and if they can find a partner who allows them to play within their comfort zone they’ll be a definite factor in the eliminations.
D’Penguineers have taken home silver medals each of the past two years from Atlanta, and they want a gold one now. 1717 earned a blue banner in LA, and were finalists in San Diego (each time as the 1st pick). They’re maneuverable, effective in multiple zones, and have a quick hanging mechanism. At least another silver seems likely.
