ROUND ONE PREVIEWS

WASATCH CONFERENCE ROUND ONE

Can the Gators make another run to the Concludings? Can the Strats complete their remarkable turnaround?

SEASON SERIES: TIED, 8-8-2

SEED: 3
RECORD: 89-66-7
OUTLOOK: All-Star Mike Bibby is back in the Gators' starting lineup for the first time since Week 14. Twin Falls and Nephi match up well, but this may come down to which team's superstar is super-starrier. Don't count Kobe out in the playoffs.


SEED: 2
RECORD: 89-65-8
OUTLOOK: Why doesn't Nephi's feel-good-story feel that great? Is it the sense of impending collapse? Is it the fact that Kevin Garnett is out of the lineup yet again? Is it that Marquis Daniels and Ryan Gomes are in the starting lineup? Yes.

PREDICTION: 7-2









WORLD CONFERENCE ROUND ONE

Will the momentum the Jai-Rai gained in last week's win over Maracaibo help carry Udorn to their first ever playoff win? Will it be another early exit for the Iguanas, who have made the playoffs every year in the WFBL's history, but have never made it to the Concludings?

SEASON SERIES: JAI-RAI, 10-8

SEED: 3
RECORD: 80-81-1
OUTLOOK: The Jai-Rai hope to make a statement in their first ever trip to the WFBL playoffs. With Deron Williams dishing and David Lee rebounding, Udorn has their sights set on an upset. Can the snake-weilding monkeys make it two in a row against the struggling Iguanas?


SEED: 2
RECORD: 88-70-4
OUTLOOK: The Iguanas need to recover fast from the disappointment of another blown opportunity in the regular season. Fran Hopkin will be pulling out all the stops, as Carlos Boozer will be seeing first action since Week 4. Will the one fewer game hurt the Igs? Or will Los LeBraunas be able to keep up with the red-hot Jai-Rai?

PREDICTION: 6-3