2017 PNW Northwest Washington 40 & over local playoffs this weekend - Who are the favorites? Who gets a wildcard to Sectionals?

This year in the Seattle area, our 40 & over league started right off the bat in January and we are having our local playoffs earlier than normal, this weekend!  Teams will be vying to win (or finish second, see below) so they can advance on to Sectionals to be held in the Portland area August 25-27.

The Pacific Northwest Sectionals typically have eight teams at most levels, split into two sub-flights of four each, each sub-flight playing round robin and the sub-flight winners facing off for the opportunity to go to Nationals.  But while the section does have eight different districts, several of them often don't send teams (Alaska, Idaho, British Columbia) resulting in there being wildcards granted to second place teams from the districts that are sending teams.  Here is the wildcards for 2017:

• 2.5 Women - Each of NWW, NO, SWW, EW
• 2.5 Men (4 teams) - SWW and NWW
• 3.0 Women - NWW, NO
• 3.0 Men - NWW, NO, SWW, EW
• 3.5 Women - NWW, NO
• 3.5 Men - NWW, NO, EW
• 4.0 Women - NWW, NO, SWW
• 4.0 Men - NWW, NO, EW, SWW
• 4.5+ Women - NWW, NO, EW
• 4.5+ Men - NWW, NO, SO

EW = Eastern Washington
NO = Northern Oregon (Portland)
NWW = Northwest Washington (Seattle)
SO = Southern Oregon
SWW = Southwest Washington

So at some levels, four districts are going and each gets to take two teams, in others there are fewer wildcards.

This means that this weekend, just getting to the final may be enough to make it to Sectionals.  Some teams will still want to win it all, but others will use the final to get more players some playoff experience.

Since NWW has a wildcard at every level, just for fun, here are who my ratings say the top-2 teams are for each level/gender.  Note of course, I'm using the top-8 average from each roster which tell us who should be strongest if they play their best line-up, but some teams may not have their best available, don't know who their best eight are, or just get bad match-ups or have upsets, so there is no guarantee the teams below will win.

• 3.0 Women - BC-Bloch, ETC-Stewart
• 3.0 Men - MI-Preston, STC-Anderson
• 3.5 Women - TCSP-Iyer, NTC-Burvill Holmes
• 3.5 Men - BC-Camara, MI-Mattox
• 4.0 Women - CP-Keogh, STC-Suver
• 4.0 Men - BTA-Smed, CAC/SL-Stanley
• 4.5+ Women - NTC-Ogborn, BC-Strieb
• 4.5+ Men - NTC-Dalkin, CAC/SL-Tinsley

Note, in many cases above, the top-2 teams by my ratings are the same as the top-2 seeds from the standings, but for several, it isn't the case so there could be surprises.

If you don't see your team listed and wonder where you stand, or want to get more details on a level/gender or team, it isn't too late to do a team report or sub-flight report and do some scouting.  Both are a great way to find out what to expect and arrange your line-up to give your team its best chance of winning and advancing.

Good luck to all, may the best teams win!

How will the new rules for early start leagues for 2017 affect USTA League Nationals? The mess and confusion is beginning.

I've written a bunch of previews of both the 40 & over and 18 & over USTA League Nationals over the past few weeks.  But are these really the teams likely to be at Nationals?  Some might be, but it is probably likely that many aren't, and perhaps some on my list are already eliminated.  Let me explain why.

First, just because a team has a high top-8 average does not mean they are likely to win Sectionals, or even make it there.  In some areas, a team must win their sub-flight and/or win their local playoffs, then go to Districts/States and win, and then go to Sectionals and win.  It is possible that just one loss in local league play or any level of playoffs could keep a top-rated team from advancing.

And even with a top team, one loss can happen, either due to match-ups, perhaps an opponent successfully stacks their line-up, or they have a big roster and don't play their best players in some matches either to get some lower rated players in a match or because some players aren't available.

Upsets do happen and may have happened already, some teams on my lists have already been eliminated by not winning their local league or local playoffs.

Second, and part of the reason why some teams may already be eliminated, are Early Start Leagues.  These are 2017 leagues that started play in 2016, some as early as May or June, and so their local league, and perhaps local playoffs are complete already, and it is possible a top team did not advance.

But the more interesting thing about Early Start Leagues is the rule change for 2017 where there were no Early Start Ratings and players just registered for teams and played at their 2015 year-end level.  The good teams typically have good players, and many of these good teams had players get bumped up at 2016 year-end, and per the 2017 National regulations, these players will not be eligible to play at the (lower) level they are rostered at on the team.

Now each section was allowed to decide how long these bumped up players could continue playing at their lower level, and some like the Pacific Northwest elected to rule these players ineligible right away and not let them play at Sectionals, while others like Southern elected to allow these players to continue playing on their teams at the lower level all the way through Sectionals.

Now there are pros and cons to each approach, but in my opinion it is better to rule these players ineligible as soon as you know they won't be able to play at Nationals.  I wrote about why I thought this rule change was a bad idea, and why I thought players should be ruled ineligible right away, but it boils down to not doing so allowing teams to advance that won't be able to go to Nationals, or at least with the roster they won their Section with.  This seems unfair to their opponents, and isn't in the best interest of the section, as they will be sending a weaker team to Nationals than they might be otherwise.

We can begin to see this happening with some of the teams in my Nationals previews.  For example, there is a men's 3.0 team from Atlanta that is rated very high on my 18+ 3.0 preview that has a 13 player roster, but six of those players were bumped up to 3.5 so won't be eligible for Nationals at 3.0.  If this team were to win their section, they couldn't even field a team at Nationals.

And it isn't unique to Atlanta or Georgia, there is a high rated 18+ 3.0 men's team from Alabama that has a 15 player roster and eight of the players were bumped up to 3.5 leaving just seven eligible.  But because Southern allows these players to continue to play, they can advance on to States, and because they are such strong teams, likely Sectionals.  In fact, it is likely that the majority of teams at Sectionals could fall into this category.  It could happen that there is no team even at Sectionals that could field a team at Nationals.  So who will go?

So I predicted this mess, we are beginning to see it happen.

As a result, the previews I've done are completely accurate regarding who the strongest teams are, and in some sections would be the favorites are to make and/or win Sectionals, but may not reflect who the strongest Nationals eligible rosters are.  Keep that in mind as you review them.

I will be doing updated previews later in the year, and I'll try to factor this in, so stay tuned.

An early preview of 2017 18 & over 5.0+ Nationals - Current top teams in the country

Continuing my previews of the 18 & over division after doing the 3.5 men and women , 4.0 men and women, 3.0 men and women, and the 4.5 men and women, now the 5.0+ men and women.

As usual, I'll be using my Estimated Dynamic NTRP Ratings to calculate the average dynamic rating for the top-8 players on the teams' rosters.  And I'll show the section/district/flight to let you know where the teams are from, but omit the team name to keep it a little mysterious.  Contact me if you are wanting more details on your team or what the actual teams are, or if you are interested in your own report, or a team or sub-flight report.

Yes, I know 5.0+ plays just three courts generally and so a top-5 average would be appropriate, but that would unfairly advantage those teams with multiple high rated 5.5s, so looking at the top-8 gives a better feel for the overall strength at the top.

First, the top-30 and ties men's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.90
2	SOUTHERN / MISSISSIPPI / MS - NORTH CENTRAL	4.88
3	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.84
3	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.84
5	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.81
6	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.79
7	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.77
7	PACIFIC NW / EASTERN WASHINGTON	4.77
7	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.77
10	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.75
11	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.73
11	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.73
13	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	4.72
13	SOUTHERN / MISSISSIPPI / MS - JACKSON	4.72
15	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.71
15	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.71
17	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.70
18	PACIFIC NW / EASTERN WASHINGTON	4.69
18	MID ATLANTIC / WASHINGTON D.C.	4.69
20	MID ATLANTIC / MARYLAND / BALTIMORE COUNTY	4.68
20	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.68
20	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.68
23	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.66
23	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	4.66
25	MID ATLANTIC / WASHINGTON D.C.	4.65
25	SOUTHERN / ARKANSAS / AR - CENTRAL LITTLE ROCK	4.65
25	SOUTHERN / MISSISSIPPI / MS - JACKSON	4.65
28	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.64
28	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	4.64
28	MID ATLANTIC / WASHINGTON D.C.	4.64

Southern and Pacific Northwest dominate the top of this list, just making Nationals out of those sections will be a challenge.

Then the top-29 and ties women's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.77
2	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.72
3	MID ATLANTIC / WASHINGTON D.C.	4.70
4	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.69
4	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	4.69
6	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.66
7	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.64
8	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	4.63
9	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.61
10	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.60
11	MID ATLANTIC / WASHINGTON D.C.	4.59
12	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LOW COUNTRY-LCTA	4.55
13	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.54
14	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	4.53
15	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	4.52
16	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	4.50
16	SOUTHERN / ARKANSAS / AR - CENTRAL LITTLE ROCK	4.50
18	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	4.49
19	SOUTHERN / KENTUCKY / KY - LOUISVILLE	4.47
20	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.46
21	SOUTHERN / ARKANSAS / AR - CENTRAL LITTLE ROCK	4.44
22	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.43
22	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LEXINGTON-LATA	4.43
24	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.42
25	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.41
26	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.40
27	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.39
27	SOUTHERN / KENTUCKY / KY - LOUISVILLE	4.39
29	SOUTHERN / KENTUCKY / KY - LOUISVILLE	4.33

The Pacific Northwest shows up a lot on this list too.

An early preview of 2017 18 & over 4.5 Nationals - Current top teams in the country

Continuing my previews of the 18 & over division after doing the 3.5 men and women and 4.0 men and women, and 3.0 men and women, now the 4.5 men and women.

As usual, I'll be using my Estimated Dynamic NTRP Ratings to calculate the average dynamic rating for the top-8 players on the teams' rosters.  And I'll show the section/district/flight to let you know where the teams are from, but omit the team name to keep it a little mysterious.  Contact me if you are wanting more details on your team or what the actual teams are, or if you are interested in your own report, or a team or sub-flight report.

First, the top-30 and ties men's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.52
2	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.48
3	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LEXINGTON-LATA	4.47
4	TEXAS / DALLAS	4.46
4	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	4.46
4	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / BROWARD	4.46
7	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.45
7	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.45
7	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.45
7	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.45
11	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	4.44
11	NORTHERN / NORTHERN / TWIN CITIES - 2017	4.44
11	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.44
11	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.44
15	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.43
15	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.43
15	MIDWEST / CENTRAL INDIANA / INDIANAPOLIS	4.43
15	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	4.43
15	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	4.43
20	MID ATLANTIC / MARYLAND / BALTIMORE COUNTY	4.42
20	TEXAS / DALLAS	4.42
20	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.42
20	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.42
24	MIDWEST / CENTRAL INDIANA / INDIANAPOLIS	4.41
24	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.41
24	FLORIDA / REGION_5	4.41
24	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.41
24	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.41
24	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.41
30	MIDWEST / OHIO VALLEY / COLUMBUS	4.40
30	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.40
30	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.40
30	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.40
30	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.40

A good mix of sections represented and the top-30 with a range covering 4.40-4.52.

Then the top-30 and ties women's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	4.46
2	NORTHERN / NORTHERN / TWIN CITIES - 2017	4.40
3	SOUTHERN / MISSISSIPPI / MS - JACKSON	4.39
4	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.37
4	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.37
6	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.36
6	NORTHERN / NORTHERN / TWIN CITIES - 2017	4.36
6	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - NASHVILLE	4.36
9	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - COLUMBIA-CTL	4.35
10	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - BIRMINGHAM - 2017	4.34
10	FLORIDA / REGION_5	4.34
10	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.34
10	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.34
14	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.33
14	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - COLUMBUS - CORTA - 2017	4.33
14	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.33
17	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.32
17	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.32
17	PACIFIC NW / NORTHERN OREGON	4.32
17	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - BIRMINGHAM - 2017	4.32
17	FLORIDA / REGION_5	4.32
17	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - GREENVILLE-UPTA	4.32
23	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	4.31
24	TEXAS / AUSTIN	4.30
24	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - MEMPHIS	4.30
24	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - KNOXVILLE	4.30
24	NEW ENGLAND / SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT / Southern CT	4.30
24	PACIFIC NW / NORTHWEST WASHINGTON	4.30
29	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	4.29
30	NEW ENGLAND / NEW HAMPSHIRE	4.28
30	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - COLUMBUS - CORTA - 2017	4.28
30	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.28

This list is dominated by Southern, but Missouri Valley has the team that has separated from the rest.

An early preview of 2017 18 & over 3.0 Nationals - Current top teams in the country

Following on the heels of my previews of the top teams in the 40 & over division, I've done previews of the 18 & over division with the 3.5 men and women and 4.0 men and women, now the 3.0 men and women.

As usual, I'll be using my Estimated Dynamic NTRP Ratings to calculate the average dynamic rating for the top-8 players on the teams' rosters.  And I'll show the section/district/flight to let you know where the teams are from, but omit the team name to keep it a little mysterious.  Contact me if you are wanting more details on your team or what the actual teams are, or if you are interested in your own report, or a team or sub-flight report.

First, the top-30 and ties men's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.31
2	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - AUGUSTA - CSRATA - 2017	3.26
2	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - BIRMINGHAM - 2017	3.26
4	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.25
5	TEXAS / DALLAS	3.23
6	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - HUNTSVILLE - 2017	3.22
6	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - TUSCALOOSA	3.22
8	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ETOWAH VALLEY - EVTA - 2017	3.19
9	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - MEMPHIS	3.17
10	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	3.15
11	SOUTHWEST / GREATER EL PASO	3.14
12	SOUTHWEST / CENTRAL ARIZONA	3.13
12	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	3.13
14	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - MEMPHIS	3.12
14	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	3.12
14	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - MOBILE 2017	3.12
14	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - AUGUSTA - CSRATA - 2017	3.12
18	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	3.11
19	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.10
19	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - HUNTSVILLE - 2017	3.10
19	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - COLUMBUS - CORTA - 2017	3.10
19	SOUTHERN / KENTUCKY / KY - LOUISVILLE	3.10
23	SOUTHERN / LOUISIANA / LA - BATON ROUGE	3.09
23	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.09
25	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LOW COUNTRY-LCTA	3.08
26	MIDWEST / WESTERN MICHIGAN	3.07
26	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.07
26	MIDWEST / OHIO VALLEY / DAYTON	3.07
26	SOUTHWEST / GREATER EL PASO	3.07
26	NORTHERN / NORTHERN / TWIN CITIES - 2017	3.07
26	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - GRAND STRAND-GSTL	3.07
26	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - COLUMBIA-CTL	3.07

Yes folks, these are 3.0s teams that would be above average at the 3.5 level!  Southern dominates this list with their early start leagues and just starting earlier in 2017.

Then the top-30 and ties women's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.26
2	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	3.20
3	SOUTHWEST / GREATER EL PASO	3.18
3	TEXAS / FORT WORTH	3.18
3	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.18
3	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - NASHVILLE	3.18
3	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.18
8	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - CLARKE OCONEE - COTA - 2017	3.16
9	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.15
9	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	3.15
11	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	3.14
11	SOUTHWEST / CENTRAL ARIZONA	3.14
13	NORTHERN / NORTHERN / TWIN CITIES - 2017	3.13
14	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - HUNTSVILLE - 2017	3.12
14	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - HUNTSVILLE - 2017	3.12
14	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	3.12
14	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.12
14	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	3.12
14	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	3.12
14	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.12
14	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	3.12
22	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - MEMPHIS	3.11
22	TEXAS / FORT WORTH	3.11
22	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - BIRMINGHAM - 2017	3.11
22	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.11
26	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.10
26	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	3.10
26	SOUTHWEST / CENTRAL ARIZONA	3.10
29	SOUTHERN / LOUISIANA / LA - MANDEVILLE/COVINGTON	3.09
29	SOUTHWEST / GREATER EL PASO	3.09
29	TEXAS / FORT WORTH	3.09
29	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - TUSCALOOSA	3.09
29	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - AUGUSTA - CSRATA - 2017	3.09
29	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	3.09
29	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - CLARKE OCONEE - COTA - 2017	3.09
29	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	3.09

The women have representation from a broader set of sections, but still have a few way ahead of the rest.

An early preview of 2017 18 & over 4.0 Nationals - Current top teams in the country

Following on the heels of my previews of the top teams in the 40 & over division, I've started the previews of the 18 & over division with the 3.5 men and women, here are the 4.0 men and women.

As usual, I'll be using my Estimated Dynamic NTRP Ratings to calculate the average dynamic rating for the top-8 players on the teams' rosters.  And I'll show the section/district/flight to let you know where the teams are from, but omit the team name to keep it a little mysterious.  Contact me if you are wanting more details on your team or what the actual teams are, or if you are interested in your own report, or a team or sub-flight report.

First, the top-30 and ties women's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	SOUTHWEST / SOUTHERN ARIZONA	4.03
1	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - KNOXVILLE	4.03
3	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.01
3	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - NASHVILLE	4.01
5	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - EB	4.00
5	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - MP	4.00
7	NEW ENGLAND / SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT / Eastern CT	3.99
7	NEW ENGLAND / SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT / Southern CT	3.99
9	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - SA - 1	3.98
9	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.98
11	NEW ENGLAND / SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT / Southern CT	3.97
11	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - BIRMINGHAM - 2017	3.97
11	FLORIDA / REGION_7 / COLLIER	3.97
14	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - MP	3.96
14	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - SB - 1	3.96
14	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - DN - 1	3.96
14	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	3.96
14	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.96
19	MIDWEST / OHIO VALLEY / COLUMBUS	3.95
19	TEXAS / DALLAS	3.95
19	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - SB - 1	3.95
19	TEXAS / DALLAS	3.95
19	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.95
19	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.95
19	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	3.95
19	TEXAS / FORT WORTH	3.95
27	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - MB	3.94
27	NEW ENGLAND / SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT / Southern CT	3.94
27	FLORIDA / REGION_5	3.94
27	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	3.94
27	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 4.0 - DS - 1	3.94

There is pretty good representation from a lot of sections and it is pretty tight with the top-31 teams all within a tenth of a point.

Then the top-30 and ties men's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / BROWARD	4.19
2	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	4.11
2	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	4.11
2	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.11
5	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - COLUMBUS - CORTA - 2017	4.10
5	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	4.10
7	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - COLUMBUS - CORTA - 2017	4.09
8	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	4.08
8	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.08
10	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.07
10	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LOW COUNTRY-LCTA	4.07
10	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	4.07
13	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	4.06
14	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	4.05
14	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.05
16	TEXAS / DALLAS	4.04
16	TEXAS / DALLAS	4.04
16	MIDWEST / NORTHERN ILLINOIS	4.04
16	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	4.04
20	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	4.03
20	MIDWEST / NORTHERN ILLINOIS	4.03
20	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LOW COUNTRY-LCTA	4.03
20	MISSOURI VALLEY / OKLAHOMA / OKLAHOMA CITY	4.03
24	SOUTHERN / LOUISIANA / LA - NEW ORLEANS	4.02
24	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LOW COUNTRY-LCTA	4.02
26	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	4.01
26	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	4.01
26	FLORIDA / REGION_7 / LEE/CHARLOTTE	4.01
26	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	4.01
26	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	4.01

One team is Florida stands out from the rest, but the others are pretty tightly packed with quite a few sections represented.

An early preview of 2017 18 & over 3.5 Nationals - Current top teams in the country

It is April, and I did a preview of what appear to be the top teams in the 40 & over division, so it is now time to look at the 18 & over division.

As usual, I'll be using my Estimated Dynamic NTRP Ratings to calculate the average dynamic rating for the top-8 players on the teams' rosters.  And I'll show the section/district/flight to let you know where the teams are from, but omit the team name to keep it a little mysterious.  Contact me if you are wanting more details on your team or what the actual teams are, or if you are interested in your own report, or a team or sub-flight report.

To start, we'll take a look at the 18 & over division 3.5 level for men and women.

First, the top-30 and ties men's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	3.71
1	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - MEMPHIS	3.71
3	TEXAS / SAN ANTONIO	3.70
4	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - BIRMINGHAM - 2017	3.67
5	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	3.64
6	TEXAS / FORT WORTH	3.63
6	TEXAS / DALLAS	3.63
6	TEXAS / DALLAS	3.63
9	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - CLARKE OCONEE - COTA - 2017	3.61
9	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	3.61
9	TEXAS / FORT WORTH	3.61
12	NEW ENGLAND / NORTHERN CONNECTICUT	3.60
12	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	3.60
12	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - HUNTSVILLE - 2017	3.60
15	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	3.59
15	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	3.59
17	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - BIRMINGHAM - 2017	3.58
17	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LEXINGTON-LATA	3.58
17	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / BROWARD	3.58
17	NEW ENGLAND / NORTHERN CONNECTICUT	3.58
21	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.57
21	NORTHERN / NORTHERN / TWIN CITIES - 2017	3.57
21	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - CHEROKEE - CCTA - 2017	3.57
21	MIDWEST / OHIO VALLEY / COLUMBUS	3.57
21	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	3.57
21	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / BROWARD	3.57
27	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	3.56
27	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	3.56
29	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.55
29	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - MEMPHIS	3.55
29	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / BROWARD	3.55
29	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - MACON -2017	3.55
29	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	3.55
29	PACIFIC NW / EASTERN WASHINGTON	3.55
29	SOUTHWEST / GREATER EL PASO	3.55

Yes folks, these are 3.5 teams, all with top-8 averages of 3.55 or higher and several at 3.70 or higher!  And four of top-five spots are represented by different sections, although the Southern and Texas Sectionals appear like they will be hotly contested.

Whether there is sandbagging going on, or 18+ just has players that are improving more rapidly, these teams are rated a lot higher than the 40+ 3.5 were where the top team was at 3.60 and the last of the top-30 was at 3.50.

Then the top-30 and ties women's teams.

Rank	Location	Average
1	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / BROWARD	3.61
2	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 3.5 - MP	3.58
3	MIDWEST / NORTHERN ILLINOIS	3.57
4	SOUTHERN / SOUTH CAROLINA / SC - LEXINGTON-LATA	3.56
4	NEW ENGLAND / SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT / Southern CT	3.56
4	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.56
4	SOUTHWEST / CENTRAL ARIZONA	3.56
4	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	3.56
9	MIDWEST / CHICAGO	3.55
9	NORTHERN / NORTHERN / TWIN CITIES - 2017	3.55
9	TEXAS / DALLAS	3.55
9	TEXAS / AUSTIN	3.55
9	SOUTHERN / TENNESSEE / TN - MEMPHIS	3.55
9	FLORIDA / REGION_3 / HILLSBOROUGH	3.55
9	SO. CALIFORNIA / SO.CALIFORNIA / SAN GABRIEL VALLEY	3.55
9	MIDDLE STATES / PHILADELPHIA	3.55
17	MIDDLE STATES / NEW JERSEY	3.54
17	NEW ENGLAND / NORTHERN CONNECTICUT	3.54
19	FLORIDA / REGION_7 / LEE/CHARLOTTE	3.53
19	NEW ENGLAND / SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT / Southern CT	3.53
19	MIDWEST / OHIO VALLEY / COLUMBUS	3.53
19	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / SOUTH MIAMI/DADE	3.53
23	NEW ENGLAND / NORTHERN CONNECTICUT	3.52
23	MIDWEST / NORTHERN ILLINOIS	3.52
23	SOUTHWEST / SOUTHERN ARIZONA	3.52
23	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / BROWARD	3.52
23	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 3.5 - EB	3.52
23	SOUTHERN / ALABAMA / AL - TUSCALOOSA	3.52
29	MISSOURI VALLEY / HEART OF AMERICA	3.51
29	NO. CALIFORNIA / Women's 3.5 - SB - 2	3.51
29	MIDWEST / OHIO VALLEY / COLUMBUS	3.51
29	SOUTHERN / LOUISIANA / LA - BATON ROUGE	3.51
29	TEXAS / DALLAS	3.51
29	NEW ENGLAND / SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT / Southern CT	3.51
29	MISSOURI VALLEY / ST. LOUIS	3.51
29	FLORIDA / REGION_8 / BROWARD	3.51
29	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.51
29	EASTERN / NEW JERSEY REGION / North Jersey Day	3.51
29	SOUTHERN / GEORGIA / GA - ATLANTA - 2017	3.51

The women are not as high as the men, but are deeper with a full 39 teams comprising the top-30 and all fitting in the range of 3.51-3.61 and a bunch of sections represented at the top.

It looks like there is going to be some good competition this year!