VandyRedskins30 Tips BbALL iiZ LiF3 to Win first ever ECBA Title

With the help of an unlikely hero, the Spartans left their very own

G.B. Hodge Center with the first ever ECBA Championship.



Elite College Basketball Association... that's what ECBA stands for.  Season one may be remembered by many as a league full of inactive misfits whose failure to remain consistent with the "flow of things" somewhat negated the commissioner's around the clock work to make sure the league ran smoothly.  In spite of all the inactive players, the championship game took place regardless. 

Although they were in the championship game, Gonzaga had posted the worst free throw percentage in the ECBA... barely hovering over 65% as the championship game began.  With Upstate up 7-0 early, Gonzaga's Austin Daye missed two foul shots, and the Spartans hurried down the floor for a quick three.  If the first four minutes was any indication of how the game would play out, we never would have had one of the most dramatic finishes of the season. 

Once Gonzaga pulled even with jus.t over four minutes remaining in the first half, SC Upstate freshman Josh Chavis knocked down three consecutive three pointers.  Chavis had averaged less than four minutes per game prior to the title game.  With the momentum, Upstate carried a 20-17 lead into the final ten minutes of the ECBA season. 

Despite taking the lead with under three minutes left, the Bulldogs collapsed defensively and fell behind by seven to the top seed.  After a slight comeback, Gonzaga trailed 44-42 with only ten seconds remaining.   In a wise strategy, VandyRedskins resisted the urge to pressure the 'Zags with a full court press and instead picked up injured point guard Jeremy Pargo once he crossed mid-court.  USC Upstate played great defense on the dribble handoff that ensued and forced Austin Daye to rush a 25 footer that came up just short.  After two free throws, the celebration began.  The University of South Carolina Upstate Spartans defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs by a final score of 46-42 to capture the inaugural ECBA championship. 

Sign-ups for season 2 have begun.  Message me on XBOX LIVE (BbALL iiZ LiF3) to learn how you can join the madness.

History WILL be made.

After a tumultuous yet dramatic season, only four remain

in the quest for the first ever ECBA league championship.

At the beginning of 2008, it was announced there would not be another installment in the 2K Sports College Hoops series.  Since then, only a select few have stuck around have stuck around and battled.  Not for money in a big-time tournament or exposure, but rather their passion for college basketball.  In a league that originally consisted of ten, only four are still alive in the chase for a championship. 

Mad 3Wok (Xavier):  If there was ever an inconsistent player in this league, Mad 3Wok is it.  An impressive win over SC Upstate was the highlight of the Musketeers' season.  They gained entry into the final four by defeating Butler in a one game playoff.  Although their odds are slim, a team that can shoot always has a chance. 

SlickKilla15 (Utah):  What more can be said about the Utes offensively?  Their center can shoot the ball, as can the majority of their team.  However, their defense is what has put them in this position.  With a deadly 2-3 Matchup Zone, teams will need to make shots to have any prayer of defeating this perennial powerhouse. 

BbALL iiZ LiF3 (Gonzaga):  The Zags have been an offensive juggernaut all year.  At one point Austin Daye was actually averaging 28 points per game.  There is no doubt that this team is the most talented in the final four, but beating Utah's 2-3 Matchup Zone in the semi-finals will be key.  In their first matchup, the Bulldogs struggled to hit shots.  You may chalk up that victory to Utah's strength of help defense.

VandyRedskins30 (SC Upstate):  Possibly the most fundamentally sound player in the ECBA, Vandy's lone losses have come to teams who are in the final four (Gonzaga & Xavier).  With 7'3" Nick Schneiders having the height mismatch over nearly anyone he may go against, he will need to shoot a high percentage & rebound efficiently to deliver the Spartans a championship.  Zac Rich may also be a factor.

 

Regardless of what happens, this should be an intense & intriguing final four.