SUMMERLIN OPEN:  Week Four Predictions

By L.C. Comine | Summerlin Media Associate

6:30 p.m. - BTE (3-0) vs. Livin’ The Dream (1-1)

This is the second meeting of the season between these teams as the schedule recycles this week.  In Week 1 BTE absolutely dominated Dream 116-84 in a game that was over by halftime.  Will we see the same result this week or will Livin’ The Dream have an answer for the firepower of BTE?

BTE is on a terror right now.  They have won ten straight and they are scoring points at will.  BTE is averaging 109 PPG which is tops in the league this season and from the looks of it they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.  They got their muscle back last week in Andre McFarland who made an impact in his season debut with 18 points and 14 rebounds.  He will also have a huge impact this week against Dream. 

We already know that Jordan Cannon and Edward Vaughns will be a duo that Dream is going to struggle guarding.  In Week 1 they went for a combined 68 points on 29-40 shooting.  McFarland will add another dimension especially against the inside presence of Duelle Gore and John Lazosky.  Dream will look to ride these two this week but unfortunately they won’t be able to stop Cannon and Vaughns.  I think Dream is going to score some points in this one but they don’t have the horses to go toe to toe with the champs.  Lazo and Gore will get theirs but Cannon gets a triple double and scores over 40 again.  BTE wins easily in this one.

 Prediction: BTE- 112, Livin’ The Dream- 85

7:30 p.m. - AAO (0-3) vs. Villains (1-1)

Let’s hope this game lives up to the first meeting between these two teams.  In a Week 1 classic the Villains defeated AAO in the final seconds thanks to a last second bucket by Jacob McDonald.  I have a feeling this game will be a close one again and we should see some key players play who missed the game in Week 1.

Last week the Villains had a bye due to some players being ill and some injuries.  It sounds like they should be close to 100 percent this week but as you know with the Villains you just never know until game time.  AAO will have Dreu Johnson in this one as he missed the Week 1 loss.  Johnson too has been banged up a little so far this season but he is still putting up some fantastic stats this season averaging 32.5 PPG while shooting 42 percent from deep.  The Villains should have Kodiak Yazzie and Dave Murtha in the lineup this week both missed Week 1 and having them this week definitely gives the Villains some more firepower.  The first matchup up was a back and fourth game.  I expect to see a very similar game on Monday.  The Villains will have to contain Johnson and do a better job on Mihail Kocevski who scored 35 points in the first meeting.  AAO can score and score in bunches.  If Johnson can get in rhythm and they can get guys like Amer Haddad and Bobby Mears going they will have every chance to win.  AAO must improve on defense.  Last week they gave up 122 points to BTE and if they let the Villains get comfortable then this game could potentially get away from them.

Villains will need Chase Skinkis to continue to be in attack mode and he will need his shooters to be ready this week.  Juan Carter and Tij Von Nieda can be deadly from the outside and adding Yazzie and Murtha in the mix the Villains should be looking to get out and run.  Bottom line if the Villains are at full strength they should win this game but if a few key guys are out I think AAO will win.  I believe the difference though will be Yazzie and Murtha.  They will be too much for AAO and they will lead the Villains to a big win. 

Prediction: Villains- 98, AAO- 91