FOLSOM: Week 5 Predictions

Written by Cory Gregersen

6 P.M. - Locker Room Talk (3-1) vs Chuck Taylors (1-3)

Locker Room Talk escaped last week with a one point victory over Scrappy Hour, and now put a 2 game win streak on the line against the Chuck Taylors. Mark Payne continues to put up ridiculous stat lines for the Chuck Taylors (29 points, 23 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 steals last week), but their success will hinge on other key players like Dan Barber, Matt Pederson, and Nick Freedman. Locker Room Talk will be led by Joe Visman and Mike Martz, but have no shortage of playmakers such as Tanner Phelps, Logan Ahlin, and the fountain of youth Monte Burtz. I see LRT having their best game of the season this week.

Prediction: Locker Room Talk 92, Chuck Taylors 77

7 P.M. - Game Time (3-1) vs Scrappy Hour (0-4)

Don’t let that 0-4 record fool you, aptly named Scrappy Hour can play. Three out of their four losses have been decided by five or less points, so they are hungry for a win. After losing Folsom career rebound king Ron Jacobs, Nick Armocido and Sanjay Bagai have filled in nicely. Look for speedster Dillon Gugin to be aggressive, and Derrek Mason to find his touch from beyond the arc. Game Time lost their first game of the season last week against LRT, but were without their star player Tyler Alexander. If they can get back to a full squad, they are a dangerous, well rounded team. Scott Haskins went 9-14 from deep last week while Zack Jacobs, Meysam Salehi, and Billy Blankenship showed flashes of dominance. I expect a close, defensive showdown, with Game Time going on a late run to put the game away.

Prediction: Game Time 73, Scrappy Hour 65

8 P.M. Expansions (2-2) vs Ballbarians (3-1)

The last game of Week 5 will feature two teams that are high on confidence. Both the Ballbarians and the Expansions logged over 100 points last week due to endless fast breaks and lethal shooting. The Ballbarians have arguably the best and most unselfish offense in the league as they are first in points scored (81.5) and assists (21.0), while the Expansions have a well rounded team that relies on tough defense and shooting. The key for them is to stop James Doran (27.5 ppg), and win the rebound battle. I see the Ballbarians relying on other key players like Carson McMurtrey, Scott Lacrosse, and Favian Mercado, but look for Eric Kagan and Bryan Todd to break out for the Expansions.

Prediction: Expansions 86, Ballbarians 79