Men's Playoff Analysis - Part 2
Men's Playoff Analysis – Part 2
By Brad French
With the Round 20 Friday night games now decided, things have become a lot clearer in regards to who will make the playoffs and where teams will finish in the Men’s SBL. There are now only three games left that have a bearing on the final make-up of the top-8.
The big losers from Friday night are the Wolves who have dropped from 6th to 9th with their loss to Lakeside. They now need the Slammers to beat the Magic to jump back in the top-8…
In Summary:
- The Buccs are guaranteed to finish 1st.
- The Flames are guaranteed to finish 2nd.
- The Redbacks, Lightning and Senators will hold down 3rd, 4th and 5th, but not necessarily in that order.
- With Friday night games going their way, the Slammers are now guaranteed a playoff spot, as are the Eagles.
- Only the Magic or Wolves can miss the playoffs.
What Teams Can Finish In Each Position:
1st - Only the Buccs
2nd - Only the Flames
3rd - Redbacks or Lightning
4th - Lightning or Senators
5th - Redbacks or Senators
6th - Eagles, Slammers or Magic
7th - Eagles, Slammers or Magic
8th - Wolves or Slammers
9th - Wolves or Magic
Let's now look at each club...
Geraldton Buccaneers – 1 game left
Currently: 1st (18-7 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 1st
Summary:
Guaranteed to finish 1st and will play either the Wolves or Slammers in the quarters.
Rockingham Flames – Regular Season Finished
Currently: 2nd (17-9 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 2nd
Summary:
Guaranteed to finish 2nd and will play the Eagles, Slammers or Magic in the quarters.
Perth Redbacks – 1 game left
Currently: 3rd (16-9 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 3rd or 5th
Summary:
(a) They defeat the Tigers – Will finish 3rd and will play the Eagles, Slammers or Magic in the quarters.
(b) They lose to the Tigers – Will finish 5th and will play the Senators in the quarters.
Lakeside Lightning – Regular Season Finished
Currently: 4th (16-10 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 3rd or 4th
Summary:
(a) Tigers beat the Redbacks – Lightning will finish 3rd and will play the Eagles, Slammers or Magic in the quarters.
(b) Redbacks beat the Tigers – Lightning will finish 4th and will play the Senators in the quarters.
Stirling Senators – Regular Season Finished
Currently: 5th (16-10 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 4th or 5th
Summary:
(a) Tigers beat the Redbacks – Senators will finish 4th and will play the Redbacks in the quarters.
(b) Redbacks beat the Tigers – Senators will finish 5th and will play the Lightning in the quarters.
East Perth Eagles – 1 game left
Currently: 6th (14-11 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 6th or 7th
Summary:
(a) They defeat the Cougars – Will finish 6th and will play the Redbacks or Lightning in the quarters.
(b) They lose to the Cougars – Will finish 7th and will play the Flames in the quarters.
Mandurah Magic – 1 game left
Currently: 7th (14-11 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 6th, 7th or 9th
Summary:
(a) They defeat the Slammers and the Cougars beat the Eagles – Magic will finish 6th (Redbacks or Lightning in the quarters)
(b) They defeat the Slammers and the Eagles beat the Cougars – Magic will finish 7th (Flames in the quarters)
(c) They lose to the Slammers – Magic will finish 9th and will miss the playoffs.
South West Slammers – 1 game left
Currently: 8th (14-11 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 6th, 7th or 8th
Summary:
(a) They defeat the Magic and the Cougars beat the Eagles – Slammers will finish 6th (Redbacks or Lightning in the quarters)
(b) They defeat the Magic and the Eagles beat the Cougars – Slammers will finish 7th (Flames in the quarters)
(c) They lose to the Magic – Slammers will finish 8th and will play the Buccs in the quarters.
Joondalup Wolves – Regular Season Finished
Currently: 9th (14-12 win/loss)
Where can they finish: 8th or 9th
Summary:
(a) Slammers beat the Magic – Wolves will finish 8th and will play the Buccs in the quarters.
(b) Magic beat the Slammers – Wolves will finish 9th and will miss the playoffs.
Photo by Steve Brooks Photography
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