Starting lineups, draw revealed for 2024 PBR Teams Ride-In Round
Four teams enter South Point. Two will earn berths to T-Mobile Arena, PBR Teams Championship.
By James Youness
LAS VEGAS – Four teams enter. Two spots remain. One night of drama-filled action separates the third season of PBR Camping World Team Series from the2024 PBR Teams Championship.
Soak it all in folks, as the 5-on-5 electricity officially comes to an end this weekend by the time Championship Sunday’s slate arrives inside T-Mobile Arena.
However, in order to successfully jam-pack a weekend of Western sports activities in Las Vegas, you’ve got to START the party somewhere!
Thursday night represents exactly that, as each of theArizona Ridge Riders,Nashville Stampede,New York MavericksandOklahoma Wildcattersare set to enter South Point Arena for a final chance to secure a spot in the thrilling playoff gauntlet.
A showcase that will eventually become the final game of the season for two teams also serves as the “last chance” path for two lucky, check that, desperate teams.
Each of the teams should feel good about celebrating their own respective sets of accomplishments and successes throughout the league’s first 12-event regular season.
But none of it means anything if squads don’t get a chance to compete for the circuit’s ultimate prize: the PBR Teams Championship.
That will be the exact reality for the two lowest-scoring units come Thursday night – And trust us, nobody wants to be watching the eight-team gauntlet from the stands.
Oklahoma Wildcatters Head CoachJ.B. Mauney has been involved in his fair share of close calls and even tighter competitions. But if we asked the “Dragon Slayer” where the anticipation ahead of Thursday night’s showdown ranks, we’d guess it has to be near the top.
The same could be said forKody Lostroh,Colby YatesandJustin McBride, who have each been apart of their own heroic on-dirt accolades before transitioning their talents to the sidelines.
Hell, Lostroh, Yates and McBride have been through this playoff circus once or twice before, so it’s technically Mauney who’s getting his first taste of 5-on-5 postseason action. At that same time, they’ve never coached in a four-way showcase like this, so nerves will be aplenty.
And knowing how much quirkiness the tour has already provided during its third summer of action means we can guess and imagine and predict all we want.
At the end of the day, the riders, and bulls, will do the talking. And we’ll be there every step (ride) of the way.
2024 PBR Camping World Team Series Standings:7. Nashville Stampede (12-16) 8. Oklahoma Wildcatters (11-16-1) 9. Arizona Ridge Riders (11-17) 10. New York Mavericks (11-17)
Lineups and draw are in for the one-of-a-kind Sin City kickoff, so we’re taking a closer look at Thursday night’s matchups, rematches and beyond, with some additional game preview insights, latest team transactions and everything you need to know ahead of the dramatic showcase!
With the 5-on-5 circuit set to invade Las Vegas, Nevada, Oct. 17-20, for both the first-ever Ride-In Round and eventual 2024 PBR Teams Championship, we’re breaking down starting lineups for Thursday night’s competition inside South Point Arena (With coverage set to begin at 7 p.m. PDT viaPBR+).
Alan de Souza vs. Ah Hell Cody Jesus vs. Bruised Ego Anderson de Oliveira vs. Ridgeway Chase Outlaw vs. Mr. Right Now Silvano Alves vs. Hell Right
Nashville Stampede Game Preview Justin McBride prepares to lead his veteran-heavy squad into unfamiliar territory. Thankfully for their odds of stamping a ticket to the 2024 PBR Teams Championship, none of their Thursday night opponents have never experienced the thrills of the Ride-In Round either. However, the amount of experience the men set to give it a go bring into South Point Arena has to give them a bit of a leg up. Guys like Chase Outlaw and Silvano Alves aren’t new to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
It doesn’t appearKaiden Loud will work his way into in the lineup, which certainly doesn’t help their chances of moving on, as the young star has provided the type of high-end theatrics fitting for a weekend in Sin City. Yet, the bull power isn’t quite as fierce as the pen Arizona received. While big bull scores lead to big points, the blue and yellow squad will be searching for qualified rides to begin with Thursday and have a bit easier of a potential path to said success. We can’t count the 2022 Champs out but at the same time, the sport has become a young man’s game.
(11-16-1) Oklahoma Wildcatters Starting Lineup
Eduardo Matos vs. Knucklehead Cort McFadden vs. Modified Ride Clay Guiton vs. Buckshot *Wingson Henrique da Silva vs. Whiskey Trip *Bob Mitchell vs. UTZ BesTex Legend
REMATCHES
Bob Mitchell vs. UTZ BesTex Legend (re-ride accepted in Duluth, Georgia) Wingson Henrique da Silva vs. Whiskey Trip (5 seconds in New York, New York)
Oklahoma Wildcatters Game PreviewYoung, wild and free are the Oklahoma Wildcatters as they prepare to embrace the league’s first-ever Ride-In Round during the squad’s inaugural campaign on tour. With their trio of youngsters inEduardo Matos,Cort McFadden and Clay Guiton ready to roll, they undoubtedly bring one of the highest ceilings into South Point Arena, as the youthful cowboys can pop off for a rank ride at a moment’s notice. And they haven’t been shy in showing off, by any means.
A pair of re-rides for Bob Mitchell and Wingson Henrique da Silva always adds a little revenge fuel to the fire. Mitchell taking on the likes of UTZ BesTex Legend could be one hell of a showing if the lanky cowboy is able to stay ahead of the intense bovine. The pair of newcomers haven’t even logged that many reps with Oklahoma this season. But if Head Coach J.B. Mauney believes they can be of service during the franchise’s biggest game to date, we’ll trust the living legend.
(11-17) Arizona Ridge Riders Starting Lineup
Nick Tetz vs. Rafter P Construction’s Smooth Over It Eduardo Aparecido vs. Seth Wadley’s No Bull *Dener Barbosa vs. Big Chili *Luciano De Castro vs. Cool Whip *Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Constant Payne
REMATCHES
Dener Barbosa vs. Big Chili (7.75 seconds in Tulsa, Oklahoma) Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Constant Payne (89.25 points in Austin, Texas) Luciano De Castro vs. Cool Whip (5.99 seconds in Albany, New York)
TRANSACTIONS
The Arizona Ridge Riders removed Luciano De Castro from Injured Reserve and placed him on the Protected Roster. The Arizona Ridge Riders removed Bruno Carvalho from the Protected Roster and placed him on the Reserve Roster.
Arizona Ridge Riders Game Preview For as many stars as the Arizona Ridge Riders are bringing into Thursday’s four-way shootout, the team’s bullpen is the first thing that catches the eye. Extremely solid talent top to bottom. And wouldn’t you know it, Cool Whip, himself, is set to put his historic buckoff streak on the line during a rematch effort against veteran Luciano De Castro (who came damn close to besting the animal athlete yet was dispatched in a close 5.99 seconds).
Thankfully for the black and white unit, they’ve got plenty of heavy-hitters in the lineup should Castro not exit his matchup in victorious fashion.Dener Barbosa and Keyshawn Whitehorse are two of said riders, both set to embrace rematches of their own. At the end of the day, it’s Eduardo Aparecido and Nick Tetz that may control the team’s destiny, as they have been the driving force in getting the squad’s momentum flowing early and often. Hell, Tetz, who was ranked No. 2 in the Challenger Global standings on Wednesday night decided to sit out of the Challenger Series Championship, so you know he’s going to locked in, healthy and pumped up. Arizona has to be considered a favorite to advance.
(11-17) New York Mavericks Starting Lineup
Mason Taylor vs. Kodiac Leonardo Castro vs. Hunter Ederson Santos vs. Magic Potion Hudson Bolton vs. Shameless *Mauricio Gulla Moreira vs. Outlaw
REMATCHES
Mauricio Gulla Moreira vs. Outlaw (86 points in New York, New York)
New York Mavericks Game Preview The New York Mavericks haven’t shied away from close calls during their first season on tour. But when it comes to the Ride-In Round, they’d be wise to show up and take care of business, as they’ll find themselves packing their bags early if they aren’t one of the top 2-scoring units come Thursday night. Thankfully for the Mavericks, they seem to have settled in on their five guys. And a quick look at the roster reveals most of them are very capable of making some noise.
Four of the five bulls in this one? They’re all named as short and sweet one-liners. But it’s the other bull PBR fans may want to get themselves familiar with that piques our interest. His name?Magic Potion. His gig? Sending guys flying to the dirt in epic fashion. Bringing his own lengthy winning streak into the PBR Teams battle (currently 41 in a row), his dance withEderson Santos could provide yet another opportunity to climb the all-time record books, closely on the tail of one Cool Whip, who’s also set to make an appearance Thursday. Matchups galore for the New York Mavericks means plenty of opportunity to soar. But they’ll need to cover said all-stars, so fans need to keep an eye on New York, likely the evening’s biggest wild card!
FOLLOW ALONG This weekend’s PBR Teams: Ride-In Round showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada, is set to invade South Point Arena Thursday, Oct. 17 as the Arizona Ridge Riders, Nashville Stampede, New York Mavericks and Oklahoma Wildcatters prepare to duke it out during the first-ever four-team battle.
With competition set to take place immediately following the conclusion of the Challenger Series Championship, supporters interested in watching the ever-dramatic showdown can tune into PBR+ beginning at 7 p.m. PDT and stay tuned throughout the 20-man round before seeing the PBR Camping World Team Series take over for the remainder of the evening!
Fans can keep an eye on PBR.com and @PBR social media channels for the latest news, scores, wrecks and more! And be sure to download the Merit+ App and sign up for PBR+ to watch all of this weekend’s exclusive action!
