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# Easton Addresses Tournament Loss, Triston's Rise and Ari Investigation
Easton reflected on his tournament loss to Triston, named Triston, Logan and Connor as major threats, and discussed new observations in the Ari investigation. The investigation could conclude within two weeks, while the temporary table-touching rule has been placed on hold.
# Easton Addresses Tournament Loss, Triston's Rise and Ari Investigation
**By Andy Randy | NCBA News**
Following a chaotic start to the NCBA regular season, President and #1-ranked player **Easton** addressed the media about his loss in The Bed Co. Opening Day Tournament final, the growing strength of the league's contenders and new developments in the ongoing investigation involving Ari.
Easton also confirmed that the NCBA's temporary table-touching rule has been placed on hold and said he currently expects the investigation to conclude within approximately two weeks.
## Easton: Triston Has Proven He Can Beat the Greats
Easton entered The Bed Co. Opening Day Tournament as the #1 seed and reached the championship match before losing **6–5 to Triston**.
The defeat left Easton one ball away from another tournament title.
*"It was unfortunate, but Triston has become a player that is competitive now and has shown that he can beat the greats, which not many can do,"* Easton said. *"But I still think I could have gotten the last ball."*
Triston's victory continued a remarkable rise that began during preseason, when he repeatedly upset highly ranked opponents.
Easton, however, stopped short of placing Triston in the same tier as himself and Connor.
The reason: consistency.
Easton pointed to Triston's **6–2 loss to Connor** outside tournament play as an example.
*"Losing 6–2 against Connor is something like Sam would do, but winning the Bed Co. Season Opener is like something I would do,"* Easton said.
In Easton's view, Triston has demonstrated an elite ceiling.
The next challenge is maintaining it.
## Easton Evaluates Connor After Long-Awaited Matchups
For most of preseason, Easton and Connor occupied the top of the standings without facing each other.
They have now played four times.
Easton leads the series **3–1**.
After finally getting significant experience against Connor, Easton identified adaptability as one of Connor's greatest strengths.
He pointed specifically to Connor's tournament loss against Ari.
Connor fell behind approximately **4–1 or 4–2**, but still created an opportunity to get back into the match before Ari ultimately won 6–4.
Easton said Connor's ability to adjust when necessary makes him a difficult opponent.
## Bounce-Outs Draw Attention During Tournament
That Connor–Ari match also attracted attention for another reason.
Easton said he personally noticed several of Connor's throws bounce out during the match.
The observation is potentially relevant to the NCBA's ongoing investigation into unusual bounce-outs during matches involving Ari.
According to Easton, the frequency of unusual bounce-outs **decreased significantly after the investigation was originally announced**.
During The Bed Co. Opening Day Tournament, however, Easton said they appeared to become more noticeable again.
Easton also reported that Ari asked him before his tournament match whether the investigation was still active.
Easton stressed that the question itself is only an observation and does not establish wrongdoing.
The NCBA has not announced any finding that Ari violated league rules.
## Investigation Could End Within Two Weeks
Easton said he currently does not expect the investigation to continue for more than approximately **two additional weeks**.
That timeline could change if the number of unusual bounce-outs increases again.
The Board will continue observing matches and looking for patterns before reaching a conclusion.
The investigation remains focused on determining what is actually happening rather than assuming a cause.
Ari remains eligible to compete.
## Table-Touching Rule Placed on Hold
Easton also announced that the NCBA has placed its temporary **table-touching restriction on hold**.
The rule had prohibited players from touching the table except while making a throw and was introduced while the Ari investigation was underway.
It is not currently being enforced.
Putting the rule on hold does **not** mean the investigation has ended.
The Board can revisit the policy if circumstances change.
## Who Is Easton's Biggest Threat?
Easton currently sits comfortably atop the standings at **1,038 rating points**, but he does not believe the league has become a one-player race.
Asked who poses the greatest threat, Easton pointed first toward **Triston and Logan**.
Triston has just won the first tournament of the regular season and has repeatedly demonstrated that he can defeat top-ranked competition.
Logan has also improved dramatically after a difficult start to preseason. His recent run included victories over Ari, Connor and a dominant **6–2 win over Easton**.
Easton acknowledged that Logan has slowed somewhat since that surge but still considers him dangerous.
Connor remains a major threat as well.
The #2 player owns a victory over Easton and has demonstrated an ability to adapt during difficult matches.
The regular season may therefore have begun with Easton holding a massive numerical advantage.
But after Triston's championship, Logan's resurgence and Connor's continued presence near the top, the #1 player doesn't appear to believe that advantage makes him safe.
The standings have a clear leader.
The competition does not.
**Andy Randy**
*NCBA News*
**By Andy Randy | NCBA News**
Following a chaotic start to the NCBA regular season, President and #1-ranked player **Easton** addressed the media about his loss in The Bed Co. Opening Day Tournament final, the growing strength of the league's contenders and new developments in the ongoing investigation involving Ari.
Easton also confirmed that the NCBA's temporary table-touching rule has been placed on hold and said he currently expects the investigation to conclude within approximately two weeks.
## Easton: Triston Has Proven He Can Beat the Greats
Easton entered The Bed Co. Opening Day Tournament as the #1 seed and reached the championship match before losing **6–5 to Triston**.
The defeat left Easton one ball away from another tournament title.
*"It was unfortunate, but Triston has become a player that is competitive now and has shown that he can beat the greats, which not many can do,"* Easton said. *"But I still think I could have gotten the last ball."*
Triston's victory continued a remarkable rise that began during preseason, when he repeatedly upset highly ranked opponents.
Easton, however, stopped short of placing Triston in the same tier as himself and Connor.
The reason: consistency.
Easton pointed to Triston's **6–2 loss to Connor** outside tournament play as an example.
*"Losing 6–2 against Connor is something like Sam would do, but winning the Bed Co. Season Opener is like something I would do,"* Easton said.
In Easton's view, Triston has demonstrated an elite ceiling.
The next challenge is maintaining it.
## Easton Evaluates Connor After Long-Awaited Matchups
For most of preseason, Easton and Connor occupied the top of the standings without facing each other.
They have now played four times.
Easton leads the series **3–1**.
After finally getting significant experience against Connor, Easton identified adaptability as one of Connor's greatest strengths.
He pointed specifically to Connor's tournament loss against Ari.
Connor fell behind approximately **4–1 or 4–2**, but still created an opportunity to get back into the match before Ari ultimately won 6–4.
Easton said Connor's ability to adjust when necessary makes him a difficult opponent.
## Bounce-Outs Draw Attention During Tournament
That Connor–Ari match also attracted attention for another reason.
Easton said he personally noticed several of Connor's throws bounce out during the match.
The observation is potentially relevant to the NCBA's ongoing investigation into unusual bounce-outs during matches involving Ari.
According to Easton, the frequency of unusual bounce-outs **decreased significantly after the investigation was originally announced**.
During The Bed Co. Opening Day Tournament, however, Easton said they appeared to become more noticeable again.
Easton also reported that Ari asked him before his tournament match whether the investigation was still active.
Easton stressed that the question itself is only an observation and does not establish wrongdoing.
The NCBA has not announced any finding that Ari violated league rules.
## Investigation Could End Within Two Weeks
Easton said he currently does not expect the investigation to continue for more than approximately **two additional weeks**.
That timeline could change if the number of unusual bounce-outs increases again.
The Board will continue observing matches and looking for patterns before reaching a conclusion.
The investigation remains focused on determining what is actually happening rather than assuming a cause.
Ari remains eligible to compete.
## Table-Touching Rule Placed on Hold
Easton also announced that the NCBA has placed its temporary **table-touching restriction on hold**.
The rule had prohibited players from touching the table except while making a throw and was introduced while the Ari investigation was underway.
It is not currently being enforced.
Putting the rule on hold does **not** mean the investigation has ended.
The Board can revisit the policy if circumstances change.
## Who Is Easton's Biggest Threat?
Easton currently sits comfortably atop the standings at **1,038 rating points**, but he does not believe the league has become a one-player race.
Asked who poses the greatest threat, Easton pointed first toward **Triston and Logan**.
Triston has just won the first tournament of the regular season and has repeatedly demonstrated that he can defeat top-ranked competition.
Logan has also improved dramatically after a difficult start to preseason. His recent run included victories over Ari, Connor and a dominant **6–2 win over Easton**.
Easton acknowledged that Logan has slowed somewhat since that surge but still considers him dangerous.
Connor remains a major threat as well.
The #2 player owns a victory over Easton and has demonstrated an ability to adapt during difficult matches.
The regular season may therefore have begun with Easton holding a massive numerical advantage.
But after Triston's championship, Logan's resurgence and Connor's continued presence near the top, the #1 player doesn't appear to believe that advantage makes him safe.
The standings have a clear leader.
The competition does not.
**Andy Randy**
*NCBA News*