Green 4
Chris Barnes
vs
Blaise Bedolla

This is going to be a real test for Chris. His back is still not right and after 14 games yesterday and the stop and go of 21 games of match-play along with the mental pressure and stress involved. I really hope he is able to survive the test. It is amazing how the different pressure and stress levels effect the physical fatigue factor. 7 games may not seem like much but I promise you it is different than the practice games at home. I understand that Blaise has been working on his game and there seems to be enough hook in the middle that his ball reads friction. Blaise is dangerous when he can find friction.

Green 3
Tommy Delutz Jr
vs
Ritchie Allen

Tommy seems to be gaining confidence each week. The middle of the lane should begin to hook pretty quick because Ritchie tends to over-shell most of the time. I think Tommy can get through this match without having to get too deep and his natural speed is a better match-up than Ritchies.

Green 2
Tommy Jones
vs
Jim Tomek Jr.

The fact that Jim made match play doesn't surprise me but some how I overlooked him. You can never over look Tommy especially when he made his late rally during qualifying. I expect the same type of late rally in this match. Jim will be in the match but Tommy has just proven all too often that the end of the match usually goes his way. The breakdown transition just seems to match up to Tommy's game better than anybody's on tour.

Green 1
Steve Jaros
vs
Patrick Allen

It would be disrespectful to think a left hander has much of a chance against a right hander this week. But staying on one pair is a different story. The oil is long but it is thin. If you can break it down right it can become very scoreable later in the match. I expect that to be the case with Patrick. The same can be said for Steve as well. So that makes this match a lot more even and even tip towards Patrick. Based on the fact that Patrick is bowling confidently and Steve is searching.

Blue 4
Paul Fleming
vs
Brian Himmler

Sometimes things come out of stands and hit you in the head and make you a little more aware of what is going on. I guess Paul had one of those occasions in a conversation we had before the break. After qualifying he made a point to come up and shake my hand on the truck. I had no idea what he was talking about since I hadn't said anything but Happy New Year since we had been in Medford. Still not sure what I said that helped since when Paul and I talk we can't seem to stop. Well your welcome Paul but  give yourself the credit all I did was hit you in the head.

Blue 3
Brian Kretzer
vs
Joe Ciccone

Good match-up. The biggest difference in this match will be which bowler is effected by the early friction the most. Both can get slow and create recovery. Brian will probably move more than Joe just because he likes to stay left. Joe's ball doesn't seem to see early friction as much as other bowlers ball roll. I am very confident if what Brian will do but Joe can fool me. I don't understand his moves sometimes. I know what he is looking for but he gets a little too locked in on one thing sometimes and doesn't see when things are different as well as he should.

Blue 2
Brian Voss
vs
Mike Wolfe

It is nice to see Mike becoming a regular in match-play. You can see his hard work is paying off. And I have a feeling that Brian will see some of the effect of Mike's increased knowledge of lane play in this match. If the early transition happens like I expect it too I don't think Brian will be able to stay with Mike late in the match.

Blue 1
Nathan Bohr
vs
Amleto Monacelli

I am quite excited about Nathan's progress as his game is starting to come together. The artistic side of him is starting to come out. The pictures are clearer and his ball is not as sensitive to transition. The problem he has in this match is Amleto is seeing those pictures much clearer than I have ever seen him, and he is bowling awesome. Amleto will be a tough draw for anybody in this tournament. But one of the things I like about Nathan is his desire to beat the best. You have to if you are going to win on tour.

Black 4
Tony Reyes
vs
Bill O'Neil

Tony seems to be taking advantage of his new found confidence since he gained his exemption through the "Final Frame" event a couple weeks ago. Bill has an effect on his opponents ball reaction that may be difficult for Tony to overcome. Tony's slower speed could be an advantage but If the field gets too dry in the front that he can't use it, he doesn't have a high enough rev rate to beat Bill.

Black 3
Walter Ray Williams Jr
vs
Michael Haugen Jr.

Finally a draw that won't be able to take advantage of Walter and the way he breaks down the lane. This should be a high scoring affair. As these two will widen the target and hook spot. The difference will be carry and possibly the lane draw. Some lanes just don't play as nice as others. I am a little concerned Walter may use too rolly  a ball for too long.

Black 2
Eugene McCune
vs
Brad Angelo

I have to give Brad a little time to get back to bowling shape after an extended layoff. He should have a better natural match-up this week. Every 3rd or 4th frame one of those opps shots grips in and it has split more times than not in qualifying. Lets hope the 14 games of qualifying have gotten the opps out of his game.

 

Black 1
Mika Koivuniemi
vs
Dave Traber

These two met a couple tournaments ago on a different pattern. Mika won that match because he followed the transition better and that was on a condition that Dave had a good natural match-up. Props for Dave getting there this week on a pattern that isn't as natural. But Mika has a clearer picture and Dave is a good draw for him. The only chance Dave has is to strike more than he is suppose to on this pattern. I really feel Mika is at the top of his game right now and he knows that he can win any match he is in.

Red 4
Chris Collins
vs
D.  J. Archer

Keep your eye on Chris Collins he is starting to get some things figured out. He has the right ball roll all ready. It is only a matter of time for Chris Collins. D.J. has some unique skills but I don't think they match up to bowling on the same lane for very long without a defined hook or hold spot. My experiences have been bowlers learn through trial and error. D. J. is in the error state right now

Red 3
Tim Criss
vs
Mike DeVaney

Interesting match-up. I see this match-up as giving the natural match-up advantage to Tim Criss because of his slower speed. I don't really think Tim will give Mike anything to throw at. Mike can get slow enough but I don't like the gaps in his equipment this week. I think he needs something that will turn the corner better. If Mike can get a spot blown open early he could come from behind late.

Red 2
Robert Smith
vs
Tom Daugherty

This will be a circus act. With as deep as the breakpoint is going to be and considering how these two bowl, you might as well bring out the clowns, trick ponies and the show dogs. They will be throwing balls over gutters, through hoops and hopping to miss the slick spots. Robert is better at that than Tom so I favor Robert

TV

Green
Round of 8
Ritchie Allen
vs
Patrick Allen

Ritchie has done a good job of matching up to the breakdown this week against two bowlers playing in the same area. I don't expect Patrick to play in the same part of the lane (of course not, that was suppose to be funny) Than being the case I expect his scoring pace to be a little lower. I also think Patrick will break down a higher scoring area of the lane than Ritchie.

Blue
Round of 8
Brian Himmler
vs
Mike Wolfe

Having the early advantage seems to have been the difference this week because the lanes change so quickly it is hard for one bowler to maintain the advantage for very long. If the bowlers can break them down together the scoring pace goes up. That should happen in this match and should come down to carry late in the match.

 

Black
Round of 8
Mika Koivuniemi
vs
Walter Ray Williams Jr.

Another rematch match for Mika and Walter. Mika got the last win and has the carry advantage this week. Walter got the big jump on Tony and never let Tony get back in the match. I don't see that happening in this match. I expect the match to be an early strike fest and if Mika can get the match into later games I expect him to have the carry advantage

Red
Round of 8
Tom Daugherty
vs
Tim Criss

Tom and Tim both got through matches I didn't think they would. I can't remember the last time either bowler made a show. I have to believe that Tom's rev rate will be the difference in this match.

Green
Round of 16
2
Blaise Bedolla
vs
Ritchie Allen

Ritchie took advantage of his opponent not matching up to the thin oil transitions in the first match but that won't happen in this match as Blaise wants all the hook he can get. This will come down to who bowls better and who gets the breaks. Right now that is probably Ritchie. At least it was this morning. Both players are very streaky.  Anything could happen

Green
Round of 16
1
Jim Tomek Jr
vs
Patrick Allen

I would like to see Jim progress in the area of a weakness in this match. He needs to learn to follow his own transition better to get to the next level. Patrick is already there and should have the advantage in this match because of that.

Blue
Round of 16
2
Brian Himmler
vs
Joe Ciccone

I like Joe's match-up because of his natural speed. I don't think Joe is going to burn up a spot for Brian to take advantage of. Joe's ball roll is good for the thinness of the applied oil and breakdown. The breakdown should effect Brian quicker than Joe. So I have to side with Joe because he will get to see the lanes change before he has to move.

Blue
Round of 16
1
Amleto Monacelli
vs
Mike Wolfe

Amleto got in trouble in his first match by starting too deep. He was very fortunate to get through the first match. It took some mistakes from his opponent to allow him this opportunity. I don't see anything he will do to effect Mike's strategy. I will side with Mike on this match because I expect Amleto to make the same mistake as he did in his first match.

Black
Round of 16
2
Walter Ray Williams Jr.
vs
Tony Reyes

I just don't see Walter being able to strike with Tony later in this match so he better get a jump on Tony. Tony has the natural speed advantage over Walter. I don't think Walter will struggle with the pocket much but as thin as the front is, I expect it will be hard for Walter to stay in one spot and string strikes. Tony should be able to stay ahead of the moves because he will be the deeper player on the lane.

Black
Round of 16
1
Mika Koivuniemi
vs
Brad Angelo

I don't want to whine about Brunswick guys having to bowl each other and awful lot but this match reminds me of the fact. Mika has the reaction advantage but that may be what Brad needs to win. Brad is a great chaser. I may have to watch the intensity level of this match as I don't expect either one of these two to back down from confrontation. Being on the same team doesn't mean the same thing in bowling as it does in other sports. The feathers may fly in the match but I know how much respect these two have for each other. Mika says don't be whimp Rick - Pick one.

Red
Round of 16
2
Tim Criss
vs
Chris Collins

This is pretty much the first match of the day for these two as both Tim and Chris were given gifts this morning. I am on the Chris Collins band wagon right now and have high expectations for Chris. Tim Criss has a good natural speed match-up to get to the pocket but I don't expect him to be able to string em if the match calls for it.

Red
Round 16
Wes Malott
vs
Tom Daugherty

How do I pick this match. Tom already surprised me once this morning with his win over Robert Smith. Robert never shot a game over 213. I don't expect Tom to have the luxury against Wes.

 

Red 1
Wes Malott
vs
Tom Baker

Big Wes loves oil down lane. He really separates himself from the field when there is a combination of oil down lane and dry heads. He deals with the high volumes down lane better than most of the high speed rev guys because he doesn't have to use as much speed. Tommy definitely has his hands full this week.