September 13, 2024 Nolan Hughes

The aptly-named Motown Muscle strut into the PBA Elite League presented by Snickers Playoffs as hot as any team in the game. The 8-6 Muscle closed the season on a 7-2 heater, earning the No. 4 seed for the postseason.

Starting with a quarterfinal matchup against the New Jersey KingPins — Sunday, Sept. 15 at 5pm ET on FS1 — Motown will have to keep their momentum rolling if they want to bring home the franchise’s first Elias Cup.

Roster

Manager: Jason Couch
Protected players: Anthony Simonsen, EJ Tackett
Draft picks: Sam Cooley, Jason Sterner, Justin Knowles, Zac Tackett

New manager Couch had the league’s easiest protect players decision, and followed that up with an impressive draft haul.

High Point: Rounds 9-10

There’s no wrong answer among the Muscle’s season-ending ascent. But their dominant performance in Delaware, in which Motown tallied two sweeps, is when Motown, well, flexed their muscles.

The Muscle averaged almost 240 while getting to a .500 record for the first time all season. While they didn’t officially clinch a postseason berth until the following round, that was the moment Motown proved themselves to be a legitimate Elias Cup contender.

Low Point: Round 5

How could a team with three top-10 players from 2023 start the season 1-4?

The first loss came in a setting no Muscle found much success, while the second took place after five members of the team bowled 56 games in the U.S. Open. Then after a win over L.A. X, Motown lost roll-offs to New Jersey and Akron.

But nobody wants to heart about excuses and Motown's season was starting to slip away, until...

Turning Point: Round 6

The 1-4 Muscle entered a crucial match against the Lumberjacks, prevailed with a roll-off victory and never looked back.

Motown went 7-2 from that point forward, averaging more than 223 with just three of 18 games south of 200.

Biggest Strength: Four-Headed Monster

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everyone knows Motown has Tackett and Simonsen, the two best players in the game.

But Knowles proved he belongs in the same conversation during the regular season. He led all players who bowled at least 20 frames with a 70.45% strike percentage — nearly four points greater than the next-best player: Sterner.

Biggest Weakness: Identity

On paper, there is no reason to ever move Sterner from the leadoff spot or one of Simonsen or Tackett from the fourth and fifth positions — but the Muscle found their stride when they did exactly that.

If Sterner, Cooley, or the left-handed Knowles has the best look, Couch should not be afraid to put them in prime position.

Non-Bowling Team Comparison: 2021 Los Angeles Angels (Rounds 1-5) and 2017 Golden State Warriors (Rounds 6-14)

When a team has Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, two of the greatest players not only of the modern era but any era, they are destined for greatness, right? WRONG.

When a team has Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, two of the greatest players not only of the modern era but any era, they are destined for greatness, right? YES.

Now the only question is: Which version of the Muscle shows up to Portland?