o -- and maybe make a run in -- the NCAA Tourname

Crew battles have settled regional rivalries throughout Super Smash Bros. Melees history, and this weekend the northern California scene is looking to restore its good name. Michigan Smash major The Big House 6 on Oct. 7-9 will run its second annual regional crew battle tournament, featuring eight crews from the US as well as Canada and Europe.A crew battle is a competition between two teams of five players each where players take turns playing one vs. one matches. The winner of a match carries over his remaining stocks, or lives, to play the next person on the other crew. The process is repeated until a team runs out of players. The team with players remaining is deemed the winner.In recent years, NorCal has established itself as one of the strongest regions in the world, featuring players such as DaJuan Shroomed McDaniel and Zachary SFAT Cordoni along with a slew of players that routinely finish in the final brackets of majors. Despite their talent, they failed to live up to high expectations at last years crew exhibitions by losing in the first round to Canadas crew.Team NorCal started strong, gaining a three stock lead as Roustane Kage Benzeguir was the only player left for Canada. Kage needed to take a total of seven stocks, including four of Shroomeds stocks, to advance into the next round. The circumstances looked grim, but Kage stepped up to the challenge as he defeated Kyle dizzkidboogie Athaydes Ice Climbers and then proceeded to dismantle Shroomed in embarrassing fashion to steal the victory. Cheers roared as a fan proudly waved a Canadian flag in the crowd and NorCal drifted away with their heads down.A Year of RedemptionA year later, NorCal seeks redemption after that disappointing first-round exit. Fortunately, they come with a much stronger five-man lineup as Kevin PewPewU Toy and Michael Nintendude Brancato join the likes of dizzkidboogie, Shroomed, and SFAT. Although NorCal had a large pool of players to choose from, they included two Ice Climbers players to take advantage of the no stage bans rule, giving them a strong counter-pick on Final Destination. Not everyone agrees with their lineup decision, but, as SFAT explained, I feel that our core four players, PewPewU, Nintendude, Shroomed, and myself, are the strongest and Kyle has improved so much over the past year and has proven himself with his crew battle performances at Shine 2016.More importantly, SFAT felt that PewPewU was the missing ingredient from last years crew. SFAT remarked, Unfortunately, PewPewU couldnt make it last year to The Big House 5, but hes our glue guy and makes sure that we are mentally positive. When I play with him in doubles, hes always the player that keeps our heads in the game. We didnt have the right mindset for last years crews and I felt that was a big reason why we lost.With a lineup that has four top-20 level players, team NorCal comes in very confident. Crews such as SoCal, Florida, and Europe also come in with stacked five-man lineups which would give any competition some pause for thought. SFAT gave his assessment: I believe that Europe looks a little weak and Im most scared of Florida, but we have the pieces to beat any team as long as we make the right decisions in our-counter picks.It will be a tall order for NorCal to defeat Florida, which has Evolution Championship Series 2016 champion Juan Hungrybox Debiedma, fellow Melee god Jason Mew2King Zimmerman and Justin Plup McGrath. SoCal is also fearsome, with god Joseph Mango Marquez along with an all-star lineup of top-20 players. Europe offers its finest in god Adam Armada Lindgren and potentially William Leffen Hjelte. Regardless, NorCals positive mindset is arguably the most important trait to have for crews as players need to adapt quickly while not succumbing to the pressure of the roaring crowds and cross-regional trash talk.Despite the competition, Shroomed believes that his region will come through. He quipped, We can win, one hundred percent, as long as SFAT and I do our parts against the other gods when we face them. We all have to pull our weight, but we can do it.Womens Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 White Canada Shoes . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Mens/Womens Nike Air Max 90 Tiger-Skin Print Shoes Black/Red/Blue .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. http://www.max90forcheap.ca/air-max-90-canada-sale.html . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Nike Air Max 90 EM . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Cheap Nike Air Max 90 Shoes . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Floridas biggest weakness last season looks like it could be a strength now.Justin Leon scored a career-high 17 points, KeVaughn Allen added 13 and the Gators handled Mercer 76-54 on Sunday night.Playing in Jacksonville for the second time in three days, Florida (2-0) celebrated another lopsided victory. Leon, Allen and the Gators improved free-throw shooting had a lot to do with the latest one.Leon was 6-of-10 shooting, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and had five rebounds. Allen was 3-of-12 shooting and made all five of his free throws. He added five assists, three boards, two blocks and two steals.Maybe the biggest positive for Florida was its free-throw shooting. The Gators, who ranked 323rd (out of 346 teams) in the NCAA from the stripe last season, hit 20 of 26 in the season opener and then 24 of 30 against Mercer.Hopefully a season-long trend, Florida coach Mike White said. Wed take that in a heartbeat. It feels good to see that thing go in. ... I know its got to feel good for our guys, especially the guys that have struggled in the past and are seeing the rewards of their labor.Rian Holland led the Bears (1-1) with 21 points. Jordan Strawberry, the son of former Major Leaguer Darryl Strawberry, finished with four points.Mercer trimmed a 24-point deficit to 49-34 midway through the second half, but Florida answered with a 15-5 spurt that pushed the lead to 25. The Gators coasted from there, offsetting 36 percent shooting with 20 offensive rebounds and 22 points off 17 turnovers.You can tell they still have another place they can go, Mercer coach Bob Hoffman said. They definitely havent arrived yet. ... I think that teams going to be really special, and theyve only begun. Ive seen a lot of good teams. Im an old dude as you can see by my gray hair, and that team has the pieces to be special.ddddddddddddI will definitely enjoy watching them now that I wont be playing them.Devin Robinson chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds for Florida, which had all 12 players score.It feels good when everybody gets to pick off the tree, Leon said.BIG PICTUREMercer: A preseason pick to finish third in the Southern Conference (behind Chattanooga and Wofford), the Bears have enough talent to do well in league play. Venturing out against power conferences could be a tougher challenge, evidenced by the performance against Florida.Florida: Although playing against an overmatched opponent, the Gators showed again they have the talent and depth to return to -- and maybe make a run in -- the NCAA Tournament after a two-year hiatus.STAR WATCHTwo Basketball Hall of Famers were on hand for the game. Artis Gilmore, who lives in Jacksonville, and Rick Barry, whose youngest son, Canyon, plays for Florida, spent time chatting in the stands at halftime.ROAD WARRIORSThe Gators have won two neutral-site games and will have plenty more chances to build a solid resume. This was the second of 11 consecutive games outside Gainesville for the Gators, who are waiting on completion of a $64.5 million renovation to the OConnell Center. Their nonconference schedule includes neutral-site matchups against Seton Hall, Duke and maybe Gonzaga. They also play at Florida State. That slate could benefit the Gators when it comes time for the NCAA Tournament.UP NEXTMercer gets a week off before playing at Georgia Southern next Sunday, the first of three games in six days.Florida plays St. Bonaventure in Lakeland on Thursday night.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '