It is the first Saturday in March and it is time when college basketball is reaching the tipping point. With that being said, my top thirty teams (nobody cares what I think) going into the final week before the tournament are the following:
1. Kentucky
2. Kansas
3. Syracuse
4. Duke
5. Michigan State
6. Marquette
7. North Carolina
8. Missouri
9. Ohio State
10. Baylor
11. Georgetown
12. Indiana
13. UNLV
14. Temple
15. Wichita State
16. Florida
17. Michigan
18. St. Louis
19. New Mexico
20. Louisville
21. Colorado State
22. Southern Miss
23. Wisconsin
24. Virginia
25. California
26. Vanderbilt
27. Belmont
28. Memphis
29. Alabama
30. Purdue
This list will change in the events that will unfold in the next seven days. Some teams will fall from this list, making room for others who rise to the occasion. It was difficult to find teams on the last five of this list and I may have left teams out that do belong on this list and put teams on this list that do not belong. Notre Dame is on the fence, where their RPI, Pomeroy, and SOS are all worse than Purdue, even though Notre Dame is ranked in both polls. Additionally, Purdue is trending as an 8 seed in the tournament, which places them anywhere between the 29th and 33rd positions. With their recent success such as their big road win at Michigan, they made my list.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Post Season Preview
Eight months ago, the Brew Crew initiated their campaign to defend their championship title in conjunction with high hopes and a clear vision of their goal. Two months into the season, the championship hangover manifested itself within the mind of each bowler on the Brew Crew. The Brew Crew found themselves towards the bottom of the league standings. The silver lining of their awful start was that Jeff Doruff was the only bowler above average at this time. This highlights how critical it is that every bowler on the Brew Crew is to the success of their team. Only one bowler performing never gets the job done.
Four and a half months ago, Andy Rathje decided it was his time to step up. For a month stretch, Rathje went on a bowling pin punishing crusade with a 713 series, his season high at this point in the season, putting would be fear, if the pins had feelings. Concurrently, however, Jeff Doruff was having difficulty dealing with aging equipment and learning a new bowling ball that did not provide the unique combination of his style and the lane conditions during league play. He struggled for roughly 5 weeks, with his last series in his slump bottoming out with a season low 495 series.
At the same time, Paul Lauricella had a couple of weeks where he bowled well, picking up a 'low' 700 series or two, however, he seemed to have difficult doing what he has easily done in the past. Fortunately, the week after Doruff's season low, he responded with a 679 series, feeding off of the success of teammate Andy Rathje. From that point on, Doruff has been bowling as well as anyone, shooting a season high 725 series and carying a 210 average since his 'rebirth'.
Yet again, the Brew Crew were still was still fighting the laging hangover symptoms of last season. Andy Rathje accompanied Paul Lauricella's struggles, trying to find their stride. Over all, the Brew Crew at this time was starting to win some games, and at times, showed signs of the flash they had last year. Unfortunately, they weren't consistent enough to guarantee themselves a top eight seed.
One month ago, Tony Rogus and Steve Block began to provide a consistent level of solid bowling, which has been astronomically big for the Brew Crew's machine. At the same time, Andy Rathje found some momentum, feeding off his recent solo success in a couple of tournaments. Yet, only four members of the team were performing at a level, with their anchor, Paul Lauricella, still battling both his mental and physical game. Things were starting to look good for the Brew Crew, but with out all five bowlers contributing to their campaign, winning would be almost impossible.
Two weeks ago, Paul Lauricella had the moment the Brew Crew needed, providing the rest of the team the last piece of the puzzle only he possessed. Both Lauricella and Doruff made investments in new bowling equipment (second time this season for Doruff) which has immensely paid off, combined with the extra nights spent practicing.
These recent developments have the Brew Crew firing on all cylinders. Going into last Thursday, the Brew Crew was in a three way tie for first place in the 4th quarter of the season. Sure enough, they had the opportunity to bowl against on of the teams they were tied with (Allstate, one of the best and most talented teams in the league).
Going into this match-up, the Brew Crew were concurrently tied for the 7th seed playoff birth. Knowing of the standards each Brew Crew Bowler enforce upon themselves as a team, there was no other option besides winning. At the end of the night, they did nothing else.
It all began with Lauricella's artistic like articulation of the lanes, starting out with a 279. Yet, that wasn't enough for him, as he followed up with a 289, finishing with a season high 773 series. Game two of this series, the Brew Crew bowled their highest game ever as a team, with a score of 1,308 pins. These are numbers the Brew Crew of last year could never have accomplished. This goes to show you how beneficial struggling can be as it serves as a very potent reality check.
At the end of the night, the Brew Crew took all 7 points, putting themselves in position to take first place in the 4th quarter, further improving their playoff seeding.
They have consistently put themselves in this position several times in the past 4 years, and the situation tonight will be no different. They are already in the eight eight, and this week provides the Brew Crew an opportunity in which they thrive on, a chance to improve their standing entering the playoffs with authority.
Four and a half months ago, Andy Rathje decided it was his time to step up. For a month stretch, Rathje went on a bowling pin punishing crusade with a 713 series, his season high at this point in the season, putting would be fear, if the pins had feelings. Concurrently, however, Jeff Doruff was having difficulty dealing with aging equipment and learning a new bowling ball that did not provide the unique combination of his style and the lane conditions during league play. He struggled for roughly 5 weeks, with his last series in his slump bottoming out with a season low 495 series.
At the same time, Paul Lauricella had a couple of weeks where he bowled well, picking up a 'low' 700 series or two, however, he seemed to have difficult doing what he has easily done in the past. Fortunately, the week after Doruff's season low, he responded with a 679 series, feeding off of the success of teammate Andy Rathje. From that point on, Doruff has been bowling as well as anyone, shooting a season high 725 series and carying a 210 average since his 'rebirth'.
Yet again, the Brew Crew were still was still fighting the laging hangover symptoms of last season. Andy Rathje accompanied Paul Lauricella's struggles, trying to find their stride. Over all, the Brew Crew at this time was starting to win some games, and at times, showed signs of the flash they had last year. Unfortunately, they weren't consistent enough to guarantee themselves a top eight seed.
One month ago, Tony Rogus and Steve Block began to provide a consistent level of solid bowling, which has been astronomically big for the Brew Crew's machine. At the same time, Andy Rathje found some momentum, feeding off his recent solo success in a couple of tournaments. Yet, only four members of the team were performing at a level, with their anchor, Paul Lauricella, still battling both his mental and physical game. Things were starting to look good for the Brew Crew, but with out all five bowlers contributing to their campaign, winning would be almost impossible.
Two weeks ago, Paul Lauricella had the moment the Brew Crew needed, providing the rest of the team the last piece of the puzzle only he possessed. Both Lauricella and Doruff made investments in new bowling equipment (second time this season for Doruff) which has immensely paid off, combined with the extra nights spent practicing.
These recent developments have the Brew Crew firing on all cylinders. Going into last Thursday, the Brew Crew was in a three way tie for first place in the 4th quarter of the season. Sure enough, they had the opportunity to bowl against on of the teams they were tied with (Allstate, one of the best and most talented teams in the league).
Going into this match-up, the Brew Crew were concurrently tied for the 7th seed playoff birth. Knowing of the standards each Brew Crew Bowler enforce upon themselves as a team, there was no other option besides winning. At the end of the night, they did nothing else.
It all began with Lauricella's artistic like articulation of the lanes, starting out with a 279. Yet, that wasn't enough for him, as he followed up with a 289, finishing with a season high 773 series. Game two of this series, the Brew Crew bowled their highest game ever as a team, with a score of 1,308 pins. These are numbers the Brew Crew of last year could never have accomplished. This goes to show you how beneficial struggling can be as it serves as a very potent reality check.
At the end of the night, the Brew Crew took all 7 points, putting themselves in position to take first place in the 4th quarter, further improving their playoff seeding.
They have consistently put themselves in this position several times in the past 4 years, and the situation tonight will be no different. They are already in the eight eight, and this week provides the Brew Crew an opportunity in which they thrive on, a chance to improve their standing entering the playoffs with authority.
Monday, October 4, 2010
CHAMPIONS!!
The Brew Crew pulled off their ultimate accomplishment, winning the 2009 - 2010 Chuck Hall Classic. In their third year in the league, they have accomplished an amazing feat, finishing in 5th place, 2nd place and 1st place.
Monday, April 19, 2010
2009 - 2010 Brew Crew Season Review
The regular season for the Brew Crew has come to a close this past Thursday as they clinched the 2nd seed in the post-season tournament. It has been an amazing season for the Crew as they have were able to get back in striking position to become league champions. Most importantly, the story of how they got where they are today must be told.
After finishing 2nd place (3 pins shy of league champions) in the 2008-2009 season, the Brew Crew had a chip on their shoulder to recapture what might have been. Andy Rathje, Jeff Doruff, and Paul Lauricella had some separation from Wood Dale Bowl as they bowled in a summer trio league at Lake Side Bowl. All three bowlers averaged over the 200 pin mark, and Jeff Doruff finished with the summer season team high 755 series. Going into the first quarter of the Chuck Hall Classic, there was reason to believe that the Brew Crew were ready to start the season on a positive note. However, things did not go as smoothly as anticipated for the Crew as they struggled throughout the first month. This struggle was beyond understandable and the team even failed to finish in the top half (12th place). With only receiving 12 points in this quarter, the bowlers on the Brew Crew faced an uphill battle if they wanted get a second shot at the league championship by getting any one of the top 8 seeds.
Quarter 2
After the fallout of the putrid performance of Quarter 1, the Brew Crew needed to find an answer to their problems, rapidly. It didn't take long for the solution to crawl out of the woodwork, as they began to bowl with a sense of motivation. By the end of the quarter, they found themselves on top of the leader boards at the end of quarter 2, winning all 22 points. Taking this quarter was the only option for the Brew Crew if they wanted to make up for the damage they inflicted on themselves in the first quarter.
Quarter 3
This quarter was more of a mixture of the first half of this season. It was all or nothing. Each bowler would show complete dominance on the lanes one week and would be incapable of converting single pin spares or even putting together a string of strikes. Despite their inconsistencies in this quarter, they pulled evertyhing together after they lost all 7 points with only two more weeks left in the quarter. Crew bowler Andy Rathje decided that enough was enough and went mad, bowling nothing lower than a 680 for the next month with an impressive 277, 279, and a 280 over that span. The Brew Crew would sweep their next two opponents going 14-0 saving themselves with a 4th place finish and receiving 19 points.
Quarter 4
Building on the last two weeks, the Brew Crew went mad. They went on to sweep the first four teams in this quarter going 28-0 in a month. Combinging the 14-0 third quarter finish, the Brew Crew would go on winning 19 games in a row, only to loose their would be 20th in the fifth week of quarter 4. This winning streak would earn the Crew their second first place quarter finish this year. Despite the awful first quarter, they were able to fight all the way back and earn a second seed in the post-season tournament.
With the playoffs starting this Thursday, the Brew Crew are in position to do what all teams aim to achieve. It is up to each Crew Bowler to finish what they started.
The top 8 post-season bracket will be posted later this week, along with the Brew Crew's round one match up.
Quarter 1
After finishing 2nd place (3 pins shy of league champions) in the 2008-2009 season, the Brew Crew had a chip on their shoulder to recapture what might have been. Andy Rathje, Jeff Doruff, and Paul Lauricella had some separation from Wood Dale Bowl as they bowled in a summer trio league at Lake Side Bowl. All three bowlers averaged over the 200 pin mark, and Jeff Doruff finished with the summer season team high 755 series. Going into the first quarter of the Chuck Hall Classic, there was reason to believe that the Brew Crew were ready to start the season on a positive note. However, things did not go as smoothly as anticipated for the Crew as they struggled throughout the first month. This struggle was beyond understandable and the team even failed to finish in the top half (12th place). With only receiving 12 points in this quarter, the bowlers on the Brew Crew faced an uphill battle if they wanted get a second shot at the league championship by getting any one of the top 8 seeds.
Quarter 2
After the fallout of the putrid performance of Quarter 1, the Brew Crew needed to find an answer to their problems, rapidly. It didn't take long for the solution to crawl out of the woodwork, as they began to bowl with a sense of motivation. By the end of the quarter, they found themselves on top of the leader boards at the end of quarter 2, winning all 22 points. Taking this quarter was the only option for the Brew Crew if they wanted to make up for the damage they inflicted on themselves in the first quarter.
Quarter 3
This quarter was more of a mixture of the first half of this season. It was all or nothing. Each bowler would show complete dominance on the lanes one week and would be incapable of converting single pin spares or even putting together a string of strikes. Despite their inconsistencies in this quarter, they pulled evertyhing together after they lost all 7 points with only two more weeks left in the quarter. Crew bowler Andy Rathje decided that enough was enough and went mad, bowling nothing lower than a 680 for the next month with an impressive 277, 279, and a 280 over that span. The Brew Crew would sweep their next two opponents going 14-0 saving themselves with a 4th place finish and receiving 19 points.
Quarter 4
Building on the last two weeks, the Brew Crew went mad. They went on to sweep the first four teams in this quarter going 28-0 in a month. Combinging the 14-0 third quarter finish, the Brew Crew would go on winning 19 games in a row, only to loose their would be 20th in the fifth week of quarter 4. This winning streak would earn the Crew their second first place quarter finish this year. Despite the awful first quarter, they were able to fight all the way back and earn a second seed in the post-season tournament.
With the playoffs starting this Thursday, the Brew Crew are in position to do what all teams aim to achieve. It is up to each Crew Bowler to finish what they started.
The top 8 post-season bracket will be posted later this week, along with the Brew Crew's round one match up.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Drums of War
By Paul Lauricella, an op-ed writer for TheMarchingIdes.com
The drums of war could be heard throughout Wood Dale Bowl. Last evening, the Brew Crew continued their dominance over opponent's seemingly feeble attempts to snatch victory away from them. Facing the Brew Crew was the ever dangerous Glue Factory, a team with considerable talent and experience. Casting a long shadow over the match was the reality that both teams would have to master lanes 17 and 18, a pair widely regarded as the most difficult to attain high scores. The results however, would stand in contrast these preconceptions.
Game one witnessed a close match between these two heavy weight prize fighters. Thundering strikes and mental collapses by both teams led to the game being deadlocked throughout. Andy Rathje, undoubtedly the hottest bowler on the Brew Crew as of late, posted a rare pedestrian score of 182. Making up for him was Crew bowler Steve Block, who tallied an impressive 215, a score significantly above his standard average. Yet the Brew Crew still faced pressure not seen since the opening of the second half of the season. Much needed momentum was provided by Brew Crew Bowler Jeff Doruff, who concluded his game with three consecutive strikes. Tensions remained high as veteran Glue Factory anchor Don Holms ended with a 257, giving his team a 10 pin advantage. Facing the possibility of the Brew Crew's extraordinary winning streak coming to an end, swashbuckling Crew anchor Paul Lauricella delivered three emphatic strikes to claim victory for his team, and extend the now 37 consecutive point run. Game two was a return to familiar territory, with Brew Crew claiming victory by over 75 pins. Rathje rebounded by chalking up an impressive 279. Also integral in this victory was a 216 by Doruff, once again finishing with three consecutive strikes, and a tactful 246 by Lauricella. Fueled by this performance, the Brew Crew obliterated the Glue Factory in the third game of the set. Led by a 257 and 256 by Doruff and Rathje respectively, the Crew amassed a victory by a colossal 253 pins. This game also saw the Brew Crew team member Tony Rogus breaking from his enigmatic consistency of scoring in the 180's and 190's, to shoot a game well above the 200 mark. The Crew finished the evening with for of five bowlers averaging over 200 for three games. The scores, coupled with the extension of the streak to 42 consecutive points marked the evening as one of the most memorable achievements of the Brew Crew.
The performance of the Brew Crew thus far has been nothing short of remarkable. It is said that winning is a habit. This is a habit that the Brew Crew does not wish to break. They have shown the capability to win high scoring shootouts and the determination needed to muster through tight matches. With the league championship filling the minds of all bowlers, the Crew must retain focused on taking each week game by game, and shot by shot. This third rendition of the team is firing on all cylinders; will there be enough fuel for them to finish the race in first? The race continues...
The drums of war could be heard throughout Wood Dale Bowl. Last evening, the Brew Crew continued their dominance over opponent's seemingly feeble attempts to snatch victory away from them. Facing the Brew Crew was the ever dangerous Glue Factory, a team with considerable talent and experience. Casting a long shadow over the match was the reality that both teams would have to master lanes 17 and 18, a pair widely regarded as the most difficult to attain high scores. The results however, would stand in contrast these preconceptions.
Game one witnessed a close match between these two heavy weight prize fighters. Thundering strikes and mental collapses by both teams led to the game being deadlocked throughout. Andy Rathje, undoubtedly the hottest bowler on the Brew Crew as of late, posted a rare pedestrian score of 182. Making up for him was Crew bowler Steve Block, who tallied an impressive 215, a score significantly above his standard average. Yet the Brew Crew still faced pressure not seen since the opening of the second half of the season. Much needed momentum was provided by Brew Crew Bowler Jeff Doruff, who concluded his game with three consecutive strikes. Tensions remained high as veteran Glue Factory anchor Don Holms ended with a 257, giving his team a 10 pin advantage. Facing the possibility of the Brew Crew's extraordinary winning streak coming to an end, swashbuckling Crew anchor Paul Lauricella delivered three emphatic strikes to claim victory for his team, and extend the now 37 consecutive point run. Game two was a return to familiar territory, with Brew Crew claiming victory by over 75 pins. Rathje rebounded by chalking up an impressive 279. Also integral in this victory was a 216 by Doruff, once again finishing with three consecutive strikes, and a tactful 246 by Lauricella. Fueled by this performance, the Brew Crew obliterated the Glue Factory in the third game of the set. Led by a 257 and 256 by Doruff and Rathje respectively, the Crew amassed a victory by a colossal 253 pins. This game also saw the Brew Crew team member Tony Rogus breaking from his enigmatic consistency of scoring in the 180's and 190's, to shoot a game well above the 200 mark. The Crew finished the evening with for of five bowlers averaging over 200 for three games. The scores, coupled with the extension of the streak to 42 consecutive points marked the evening as one of the most memorable achievements of the Brew Crew.
The performance of the Brew Crew thus far has been nothing short of remarkable. It is said that winning is a habit. This is a habit that the Brew Crew does not wish to break. They have shown the capability to win high scoring shootouts and the determination needed to muster through tight matches. With the league championship filling the minds of all bowlers, the Crew must retain focused on taking each week game by game, and shot by shot. This third rendition of the team is firing on all cylinders; will there be enough fuel for them to finish the race in first? The race continues...
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Why it's Not Over for Purdue
Below is an article that I was not able to finish before the NCAA tournament began on the 18th. That being said, this past weekend made it appear that I knew what I was talking about when I wrote this article (Note: the article was not completed):
I don't know if I have been drinking too much of the kool-aid or if I'm just plane naive, but the Purdue Men's basketball team can still do some damage in this year's NCAA tournament (despite ESPN's favorite injury).
How is this possible? Well, it's right in front of our faces and most people don't even think about it anymore, that this now post-season basketball. Any talking head that said Purdue is a wounded animal or lost their intensity is in desperate needs to extract their head from their hindquarters. I have watched E'Twan Moore, JaJuan Johnson, Chris Kramer, and Keaton Grant over the past 3 plus years and I have witnessed with my own eyes that they're not the type of players that will quit, or won't come in unmotivated, especially with the position they're in right now. These are players that train hard work hard during the off season and emit unrelenting hustle during the regular season just to get into this tournament.
Here are just a couple examples of what I'm writing about:
I don't know if I have been drinking too much of the kool-aid or if I'm just plane naive, but the Purdue Men's basketball team can still do some damage in this year's NCAA tournament (despite ESPN's favorite injury).
How is this possible? Well, it's right in front of our faces and most people don't even think about it anymore, that this now post-season basketball. Any talking head that said Purdue is a wounded animal or lost their intensity is in desperate needs to extract their head from their hindquarters. I have watched E'Twan Moore, JaJuan Johnson, Chris Kramer, and Keaton Grant over the past 3 plus years and I have witnessed with my own eyes that they're not the type of players that will quit, or won't come in unmotivated, especially with the position they're in right now. These are players that train hard work hard during the off season and emit unrelenting hustle during the regular season just to get into this tournament.
Here are just a couple examples of what I'm writing about:
Chris Kramer doesn't need his legs to play defense.
Smooge catches West Virginia sleeping
I don't think the above clips have anything to do with me drinking the Purdue kool-aid. Also, observe that both clips are from games against big time opponents where, yes, Purdue won.
Another reason they can deliver is their level of NCAA tournament experience. This will be the fourth tournament appearance for both Kramer and Grant and the third for Johnson and Moore. That being said, there is no question that this team understands the demands and increased level of play that happens in this tournament.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sweeping Brewty
The Brew Crew continues with what appears to be a special season. For the 4th week in a row, the Brew Crew takes all 7 points (28-0 for the month) leaving their opponent with a very clean floor. For the past month, nothing but perfection was exhibited against both low and high handicapped teams tightening their grip on the number 1 seed in the league and standing Andy Rathje tall at 120-62. It’s hard to believe that the Brew Crew were 92-62 just one month ago. That being said, anything can happen between now and the remaining four weeks before the playoffs begin. Though, after the past month, the formula for success has never been as clear as it is now.
Week 27 Recap:
It was made quite clear to the Brew Crew when week 27 started that they were going to have their hands full bowling against a team with a large handicap. It is never easy beginning each game down 130 pins. The demand to perform was high and team anchor Paul Lauricella is no stranger to this dangerous zone.
Just like the past month, Andy Rathje started out with a barrage of strikes. However, it was Paul Lauricella that realized that this week was different. With the exception of two missed 10 pins, Paul was able to recalibrated his positioning and put on a Beethoven type performance. Paul played the lane the way Beethoven conducted his symphony. He articulated to immense proportions as his bowling ball journeyed through perfect coordinates where the optimal blend of surface oil gave him the ideal entry angle into the pocket. Paul's shots connected with the pins the same way the world’s largest wrecking ball would destroy a small wooden mailbox.
At the end of the night, Paul would finish with a 722 series. Paul’s performances lifted the pressure of the opposing team’s handicap of his teammate’s shoulders and paved the way for the other bowlers to follow his lead. When asked about his performance, the minimalist side of Paul had nothing more to say than, “Solid.”.
It is this reserved attitude found on the Brew Crew, with the exception of stomping Tony, which has been the underlying factor in the Brew Crew’s success. Bowler Jeff Doruff has been working hard to improve his mental game, especially when things don’t go as desired. This has been paying unforeseen dividends as not only improved his overall performance on the lanes, but also changed the dynamics of the Brew Crew’s chemistry by spreading like the Swine flu did several months ago.
Week 28 Preview:
This Thursday, The number 1 ranked Brew Crew will bowl against the defending league champions number 10 ranked E.K.&A. As it is still clear in the minds of each Brew Crew bowler of what happened in the finals last year (loosing game two by 1 pin), there are no excuses why they should not be fired up for this week. “This week needs to smell the same as the last four.” said Brew Crew bowler Jeff Doruff. “We need to go out there and take care of the little things, nothing more.”
The Brew Crew will be on lanes 17 and 18, toward the more difficult side of the house this week and each bowler knows. Though for Jeff Doruff, he thinks it doesn’t make a difference. “Wood Dale Bowl put up a 300 against us on 21 and 22 and we still took all 7 that week.” said Jeff. “They are more difficult, but in the end, it doesn’t matter what side of the house we’re put on as long as we take care of our own business.”
We were fortunate to have Brew Crew anchor Paul Lauricella perform a deeper analysis regarding the left side of the house with the following statement:
“Many features distinguish Wood Dale Bowl from other local bowling centers, truly making it a unique and special place to experience the game of bowling. Those that frequent the center experience a form of purity of true bowling sport that cannot be found in bowling centers that have since become part of a franchise chain. Franchised centers typically are outfitted with new plastic/synthetic bowling lanes throughout the entirety of the center when a renovation takes place, thereby creating a consistent ball reaction from lane to lane. Though Wood Dale Bowl has plastic/synthetic lanes, this is not the case. The subsequent addition of lanes 17-24 provided bowlers a new set of challenges. Bowlers on these lanes experience “dead zones” and “friction points” not found on the lower numbered lanes. Also contributing to these challenges is the higher roof height over the lanes. This gives the perception that the lanes are longer than they truly are, inexplicably giving the perception of a weaker impact on the pins from the bowling ball. These phenomena contribute to the scoring pace on lanes 17-24 being consistently lower than those from lanes 1-16.”
This is indeed a big week for the Brew Crew. If they continue to abide by the same formula they have used over the past month, this week should not be any different. There are only 28 more points to obtain before the playoffs begin. That does not give a lot of the other teams a whole lot of room for error.
Chuck Hall Classic - Elite Eight
Following week 27 of the Chuck Hall Classic, the time to start thinking about the playoffs begins to enter the minds of each bowler. As the leaders of the back begin to emerge from the pack, the playoff Polaroid is shaking into focus.
Going into Thursday, March 11th, the top 8 seeding of all 22 teams are shown below:
Going into Thursday, March 11th, the top 8 seeding of all 22 teams are shown below:
1 Brew Crew 113-62 (Total pins: 82,369)
2 Broasted and Toaste 110-65 (Total pins: 82,796)
3 American Electric 110-65 (Total pins: 82,692)
4 Team 6 107-68 (Total pins: 82,743)
5 Meskan Foundry 106-69 (Total pins: 82,646)
6 The Glue Factory 105-70 (Total pins: 82,595)
7 Wood Dale Bowl 102-73 (Total pins: 83,281)
8 JB's Bar 101-74 (Total pins: 82,119)
--------------------------------Toeing the line -------------------------------
9 Allstate 100-75 (Total pins: 83,257)
10 E.K. & A. 98-77 (Total pins: 82,370)
11 Nu-Way Industries 96-79 (Total pins: 82,554)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
"Spring"-ing to the 4th Quarter
As it is finally March, tonight is the first series of the 4th quarter. If the Brew Crew bowled like they did over the past two weeks, they will extend their winning streak to 9 games (21-0 in the points column). After finishing in the top three in the 3rd quarter, and finishing first in the 2nd quarter, the Crew find themselves in a very comfortable position. However, the season is not over and they still need to perform no less than their expectations.
What can we expect for tonight?
After a solid helping of humble pie on Sunday, Jeff Doruff, Andy Rathje, and Paul Lauricella should feel at home when they return to Wood Dale Bowl tonight. There are no excuses why they shouldn't bowl well tonight after this past weekend. The lane conditions they faced on Sunday were nothing short of vexatious. Andy Rathje couldn't have been any more honest about it after saying "I want to go home." following the completion of his third game of the tournament. Every lane they bowled on was different, every game was another slap in the face, and every open frame was the door hitting in the ass on their way out.
Brew....CREW!!!
What can we expect for tonight?
After a solid helping of humble pie on Sunday, Jeff Doruff, Andy Rathje, and Paul Lauricella should feel at home when they return to Wood Dale Bowl tonight. There are no excuses why they shouldn't bowl well tonight after this past weekend. The lane conditions they faced on Sunday were nothing short of vexatious. Andy Rathje couldn't have been any more honest about it after saying "I want to go home." following the completion of his third game of the tournament. Every lane they bowled on was different, every game was another slap in the face, and every open frame was the door hitting in the ass on their way out.
Andy feeling homesick
The positive thing was that all three prevailed and learned a thing or two that day. With this experience, Andy Rathje will get his wish to go home, to Wood Dale Bowl.Brew....CREW!!!
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