SWITCH OPEN Week 3 Preview
April 17, 2023
Dot Squad vs T-Wolves Gaming Tuesday, 4/18/23 at 7:30 PM ET
After an up-and-down couple of weeks in group play, T-Wolves Gaming heads into bracket play with a clean slate. To come out on top in this series versus Dot Squad, Kai must remain efficient from the field and minimize his turnovers to ensure that Dario struggles to contain him. Additionally, TBShiftay must create havoc defensively so that Trey is unable to find any offensive consistency. If Kai can remain efficient from the field and TB can stay in front of Trey defensively, T-Wolves Gaming will be able to declare themselves winners at the series end. Who comes out on top?
Dot Squad storms into bracket play after qualifying through the SWITCH OPEN qualifier where they went 15-1 overall. To keep the hot streak rolling and pull off the stunning upset, Trey has to find a way to make it rain from beyond the arc and minimize his turnovers to be sure T-Wolves Gaming isn’t given extra opportunities to put points on the board. Also, Dario has to rise to the challenge defensively. If he can smother Kai defensively and Trey can remain effective from the field, Dot Squad will emerge victorious. One question remains for this squad, will they rise to the occasion, or will this squad of amateur players crack under pressure in the spotlight?
Prediction: T-Wolves Gaming defeats Dot Squad 3-2 in the best-of-five series
Hawks Talon GC vs 76ers GC Wednesday, 4/19/23 at 6:00 PM ET
After an underwhelming performance throughout group play, Hawks Talon GC is looking to rewrite the script as they get ready to head into bracket play. With no momentum on their side, winning this series is paramount for them. To pick up the victory, Ceez has to improve his performance offensively. He has to be able to find persistent success from three-point range to ensure that he is a hassle for 630 defensively. Furthermore, he must effectively facilitate and minimize his offensive mistakes throughout the series. In addition, Gradient must rise to the occasion and smother Dre defensively to ensure that he’s unable to find his offensive groove. At the end of the day ,if Hawks Talon GC can execute these things, they will find themselves picking up the victory that they desperately need.
After posting a 4-4 record throughout SWITCH OPEN group play, 76ers GC heads into bracket play trying to continue building off their latest victories versus Pacers Gaming and Raptors Uprising. To hit the ground running and get the win versus Hawks Talon GC, Dre must be able to collect threes in bunches to keep Gradient on his toes defensively throughout the series. He must also productively facilitate and limit his mishaps offensively to give 76ers GC the best chance to win. Lastly, 630 is going to have to find a way to neutralize Ceez offensively and cause turnovers throughout for 76ers GC to pull off the upset victory.
Prediction: Hawks Talon GC defeats 76ers GC 3-1 in the best-of-five series
OTF Vultures vs Pistons GT Tuesday, 4/18/23 at 6:00 PM ET
OTF Vultures waltz into their matchup vs Pistons GT after finishing fifth overall in the SWITCH OPEN qualifier. To emerge victorious, Fanta has to find repetitive success from beyond the arc to make it tough for Bagmotion to thwart him defensively. In addition, Fanta should aim to limit his flaws on the offensive end to ensure that Pistons GT doesn’t have additional opportunities to rack up points throughout the series. To add on, Aido has to measure up to the challenge of suffocating Ant throughout the series. If Fanta can accumulate points on the board throughout the series, and Aido can cause disruption defensively by racking up turnovers, OTF Vultures will find themselves knocking Pistons GT to the lower bracket.
After a productive couple of weeks of SWITCH OPEN qualifier matchups, Pistons GT is hoping that they can continue to ride the momentum into bracket play. To assemble another victory, Ant must be able to go shot for shot with Fanta, who is a dominant scorer in his own right. On top of that, Bagmotion faces the daunting task of trying to stifle Fanta. If he can lead the charge and impose his will on the defensive end and Ant can set the world on fire offensively, Pistons GT will find themselves advancing through the upper bracket.
Prediction: Pistons GT defeats OTF Vultures 3-2 in the best-of-five series