Last weekend, the intramural playoff picture for soccer and basketball became a whole lot clearer as teams made a final push for the last few post-season spots. The upcoming Saturday and Sunday games represent the last opportunity for "bubble teams" to show they have what it takes to make the playoffs.
In order to make the playoffs, a team has to finish in the top four in its division. The basketball league is composed of four divisions (brown, white, blue, and black), representing eight teams each, except the black, which sports six teams.
Players and fans alike understand the mental and physical anguish that teams have had to go through all season for a chance to play in the post-season. Spectators stormed the court when teams like Team Norton and Tappa Kegga won their respective games to claim a share of their respected division title.
The most exciting games over the weekend proved to be between those still battling for a playoff spot. The TUTV Game-of-the-Week featured the Raymond Fong All Stars against Ill Sauce. The two teams were nearly statistically identical on paper. The game proved to be just as close, as Ill Sauce hit an off-balanced bank shot as time expired to win a tight ball game, 29-27.
Team DoubleTree and the Grizzlies also battled for the final playoff position in their division, as both teams had 1-3 records heading in. Backed by Mike Schrimpf's 30-point effort, DoubleTree pulled off an impressive victory to keep itself alive in the post-season chase.
Other teams that have already clinched a playoff spot include Illest, Jap All Stars, Nematoda, Law, Hooded Warriors, 75 Cent, and Demo Catchers. Only one division, Blue, has completely rounded out its playoff teams.
Unfortunately, my personal favorite, Noise Game, got bumped from the playoff picture with a heartbreaking 56-51 loss to Team Norton. With nearly three-quarters of the team comprised of seniors, it seems as though the team will be disbanded after the final game this weekend. What else can you say about these luckless students except... at least they're not from Canada.
On the soccer side of things, the playoff format is the same as basketball with the top four teams from each of the four divisions going on the illustrious Sweet Sixteen. However, with nearly 40 teams participating in the league, the competition to make the post-season has become even fiercer.
Like in basketball, there are teams that clearly practice in the off-season and probably take performance-enhancing drugs based on their undefeated seasons. Team Hot Sauce, Team South, The Beers, I-House, Tappa Kegga, and the Mad Cows are all atop their divisions and have secured themselves a berth in the playoffs.
With most of these games being routs, we should turn our attention to the other teams who probably have no chance in the playoffs but provide most of the exciting games during the regular season. The STD's and Get Money squared off in a game that had post-season implications, with the STD's coming out victorious 3-2. The game was highlighted with a bicycle kick for a goal with less than two minutes remaining to put the STD's on top for good.
Other interesting games included one between Team Hot Sauce and Juice, ending in an exciting 0-0 tie. Although the game itself was highlighted by merely nothing since no goals were scored, it did prove very surprising since Juice's record going into the match was 1-3. The Alkies, who had been full of confidence and trash talk early on after their first week victory, have since gone downhill, losing four straight and thus bringing shame on the team members and their families.
And lastly, the attempt to start the intramural softball league was once again foiled as Mother Nature continued to dump unwanted snow and rain on the fields. Another attempt at opening day is supposed to be made this coming Sunday.
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