2020 College Station Texas Ultra Major
There is a lot of parity this time around. There will be a lot of emphasis on the 2-6 spots with a clear favorite. Pool Play will be absolutely vital!
Gold
Space City Launch - Noah Beinart & Brian Childs - Bellaire & H-Town - AVG RPR TBD
Brian’s RPR is 86.5 and if Noah plays at that level they’re the second highest AVG RPR in the field. I see Brian playing a lot better in this major as he will have to step up to the plate to support Noah. These are two good defensive players and both play a consistent game. The question will be serve receive. Brian struggled in Houston while Noah hasn’t been put to the test in a full day yet.
Incompetence Bimpompetence 2.0 - Ethan McWhirter & Josh Weinbach - UT - AVG RPR 85
Making big waves by winning the Waco College Tournament. They really weren’t supposed to win that event and it’s a great look. Ethan is accumulating good results despite his blemish in Houston while Josh looks great all around. No matter who Josh plays with he has been a brick wall. He is one of the hardest people to ace and seems to always be on his game.
Negative Nellys- Garrett Hornok and Dax O’Hair - Wyspike & Baylor- AVG RPR 83
If they decide to care about doing well in this tournament then I can’t imagine them doing well. It will be their apathy driving them to a strong finish. Garrett looked great in Utah but hasn’t been in form since returning to Texas. He has multiple lackluster results. Dax/Grant found the magic in Wylie to beat Rahul/Garret if Dax carries that same magic will they have enough to compete?
ORAS Gang - Chase Meyer and Brad Thompson - Baylor - AVG RPR 79
Chase has a new serve that is really challenging. I think this really opens up this team. Brad is a solid defender and they now have a tool for taking some breaks. I can see a good T-5, but I know they’re looking for more.
Crouching Tiger - Matt Cole and Dylan Keen - Baylor & A&M - AVG RPR 77
Dylan is a real mystery. Played poorly in Wylie, great in Round Rock, and HORRIBLE in Houston. Simultaneously, Matt is streaky! Some games Matt is the sauce and the next game his serve % falls 50 points. If neither player is hitting it will be a short day for them. If they find some chemistry and get into a rhythm they will be in the finals.
Hard 90 - Ryan Messick and Blake Henke - Texas A&M - AVG RPR TBD
Well, you’re here. Now win something. These guys have a lot to learn, but tons of athleticism to make something happen. They’re setting will be the only thing keeping them around, they just don’t have the firepower or the serve receive to keep up in this field.
Ηλύσιον - Fredric Hinkle and Rahul Murthy - Texas A&M - AVG RPR 100
The clear favorites and by a colossal margin. Undefeated since last September, both players are in form and winning a lot despite the disappointment in Waco. If a matchup against Incompetence happens expect a monstrous point diff.
LoneStar Implications
Brad Thompson also has a shot at qualifying for LoneStar as the only non LoneStar premier player in the field
Author Predictions
Ηλύσιον
Negative Nellys
Space City Launch
Incompetence Bimbompetence 2.0
Advanced
The top 2 teams in the Advanced Division will earn a Gold qualification for future majors!
This Advanced Division is starting to thin out
The talent pool is graduating up to Gold
Timing is convenient with the season about to end
Runners Up - Brian Jennerich and Jack Granger - UT & Baylor
The most experienced team in the field. Jack has a thirdish with Matt Cole in Wylie. Brian is getting better and putting the pieces together. They handle their club’s counterparts well, we’ll see if they have all the pieces they need to get the job done though.
Unoriginal - Parker Jackson and Luke Reed - Texas A&M
Parker Jackson has the ability to hang in any game. He’s a natural athlete with tons of power. He would hang just fine in a premier game. Luke Reed is putting the pieces together and if he stays disciplined throughout the day this team will stay competitive. The burden will lie on Parker’s magic serve. If he catches fire nobody in the field has the tools to receive his blasts.
Certified Gold- Andrew Christmas & Friend - UTD
Christmas is solid. Andrew should qualify for gold. I’m not really sure who his friend is, but Christmas will be the significant player and all the magic. If his partner is competent they’ll qualify.
Ain’t No Ting - Trent Patterson and Josiah Dombach - Texas A&M
The favorites. Josiah has the smoothest most refined game of all the A&M Freshman. He is legitimately a complete player and ready for Gold. Trent Patterson puts on a ton of serves, plays solid defense, sets consistently, and kills the balls that he should. Trent won’t have to work hard to support Josiah on their quest for Gold.
Author Predictions
Ain’t No Ting
Unoriginal
Certified Gold
Runners Up.