We all knew heading into the season that this IBL season would be one of the best (talent wise) to date. That has shown 7 weeks in, none of the defending Division champions sit atop their respective divisions. A host a of new teams sit in the number 1 spot heading into Week 8 with the exception of Division 3’s Young Money. It is clear to me that no team is unbeatable. With the Defending D3 champs knocking off the only remaining undefeated team (Dirty Homies) in Week 7.
Division 1
1. We Got Game
Despite what the standings may say, sitting in the #1 spot is We Got Game, the newcomers to the Division have quickly made a name for themselves in their first 6 games. After losing their opening game to The Dynasty (67-58) the team has been on a tear as of late, riding a 5 game win streak into their Week 7 Bye Week. It’s clear that this team has its flaws and they’re clearly beatable, but what sets them apart from the other teams in the division is their ability to execute in crunch time during close games. In the games determined by 6 points or less the team is (4-0). With their most notable win coming in Week 5 where they put a hitch in Mike Crisciones plan for an undefeated season with the defending champs Washed Up.
2.Washed Up
The defending champs sit in the #2 spot in my rankings. Although they’re clearly the best all around team, the team’s bid for an undefeated run to the championship was shot down in Week 5 when they fell to We Got Game. GM Mike Criscione has credited the loss to the team had only 5 players for the game. However at the end of the day a loss is still a loss, and it just shows that no matter how good your team looks on paper, your players still have to show up and play the game. In Week 7 the champs seemed to be clicking on all cylinders, defeating P.A.H.U. The addition of Aaron Sanchez will provide quite a relief at the SF spot with André Lyons out with a season ending injury.
3.Knicee
The team that’s flying under the radar in my opinion is Knicee. The team sits at 5-2 after a Week 7 forfeit win and seem poised to close out the season in the top 3. Last season the story of the season was Kenneth Ubom’s ability to rack up huge offensive numbers but the team still couldn’t win games. That isn’t the case this season. Ubom’s scoring has decreased and with the addition of Dewayne O’Neal and Reggie Smith and great attendance from other teammates the team is in great position to make a legitimate run at the divisions title come playoff time.
4. Rebels
The Rebels are one of the many 4-3 teams, but don’t let the 3 losses fool you. Personnel issues has hindered this team from realizing their full potential all season long. They’re 3 losses are all attributed to the fact that this team can not execute down the stretch in close games. They hung with the teams all game, but late in the 4th quarter they lost the game. With turnovers being the primary factor. The team is an offensive juggernaut, and reeks havoc on the defensive end. If this team can somehow develop the “close out” gene they would be on my list of favorites to win the championship, until then they will be the proverbial “LeBron James” of the Division. 2 of the teams 3 losses have come at the hands of Knicee and We Got Game. The other to Dino’s Finest, all 3 of those games came down to the wire. In Week 8 the team will take on the Division Champs (Washed Up) and the game should be very interesting seeing as Aaron Sanchez who started the season on the Rebels left the team after his first game with the team and has resurfaced on Washed Up after the season ending injury to André Lyons. So the Rebels may be looking to extract revenge on their former “teammate” or not. Maybe their thought process is just get the win and get into the playoffs healthy. You never know.
5.Dino’s Finest/The Dynasty/ Mile High
After the Rebels, 3 teams sit at 4-3. The 3 teams being Dino’s Finest, The Dynasty and Mile High.
All 3 teams are better than their records indicate and these three teams will make the playoffs, their only concern should be where they’re seeded.
Dino’s Finest is one of the teams that can be a problem for any team they get matched up against when the playoffs do get underway. Larry Dew has whipped his team into shape and despite their Week 7 loss to Mile High this team is very good.
The Dynasty entered the season with the idea that they would get right back to the championship game as they did last season, but that hasn’t been the case. Other teams seem to match up well against them and they don’t have the element of “surprise” as they once did. They sit at 4-3 and with another loss they could potentially be eying the 6th or 7th seed come playoff time. The absence of Holden from Season 6 has been unnoticed by many league analyst, but I credit that as one of the reasons that this team has underachieved.
Mile High is the last team at 4-3 and after their gritty win in Week 7 over Dino’s Finest. They’ve slowly but surely climbed the ranks in my books. Led by Max Barkley, this team may not be built for contending for a championship this season (due to the overwhelming overall talent on the other teams) (not taking anything away from Mile High), but they have the potential to upset a team that is.
Division 2
1. The Freshmen
After a slow start to the season, the Freshmen have sky rocketed to the #1 spot in Division 2, after a statement win over the Champs (Double Dribble) in Week 6. “Baby Washed Up” as I like to call them, are a worthy team of the #1 spot, they can score with the best of them and their greatest asset is the team defense. In their game with Quiksilver a few weeks back, the Freshmen overcame a 20 point first half deficit and out played Quiksilver in the second half to come away with a win. The scheduling gods have been with the Freshmen as of late and they’ll most likely enter the playoffs as the #1 seed.
2. Double Dribble
The champs sit at #2 due to the fact that they lost to The Freshmen in Week 6. My first report of the season had Double Dribble repeating as champions, but with the emergence of the new #1 seed The Freshmen, “the road to a repeat” may be a little tougher than they had anticipated. I believe a meeting between the two teams may occur again in the championship game if both teams have strong playoff runs.
3. Limitless
Limitless is 5-1 and in my opinion are the most underrated team in the Division. This team is stacked from top to bottom with talent. Not insane talent but enough talent to have their record as respectable as it is. However, in the playoffs when the game is slowed down, and lengthy more physical teams take the floor with Limitless, it may be bad news for this team. They are a bunch of finesse shooters who love to run, but if a team slows it down and dumps the ball inside, it could be a bad sign for this team.
4. Quiksilver
Quiksilver aka the Jordan Block show has somehow managed to sneak into the top 5. Let’s thank the scheduling gods for Quiksilver aka the one-dimensional team gracing Nates Top 5 of the Division. Every time Quiksilver takes the court, I know what’s gonna happen. They leave nothing to the imagination, the offense is strictly Jordan Block bullying his way down low with a splash of perimeter play from David Aguilera and some over dribbling from the guards. This team was a serious threat in my opinion till I seen them give up a huge lead and allowed the Freshmen to get back in to the game in Week 5.
5. UKnow
UKnow is one of the more “defensively challenged” teams in the Division. Their offense is there and will always be there. However this team hasn’t played a lick of defense the entire season. They’ve really outscored their opponents in their 4 wins. Their 2 losses have come by a combined 6 points. Both games being 3 point losses that could have easily been avoided if the team didn’t put themselves in a position to get outscored. This team is too athletic to be tabbed as a non defensive team. If they can somehow get it together in time for the playoffs, expect a deep run from UKnow.
Division 3
1.Young Money
The most unlikely #1 seed in all the Divisions would have to be Young Money. Following their shortcomings in last seasons championship game, I thought this team was done and would return to mediocrity with the departure of Robel Kevorkian and Ashwin Sharma. However GM Jason Trinh has restructured his team and they are in prime position to enter the playoffs as the #1 or #2 seed.
2.Prospectz
Ah the Prospectz aka The free agent team of the Division aka the team that’s supposed to be an easy W for anyone who takes the court against them. That hasn’t been the case at all this season. David Aguilera has righted the ship of this once mediocre basketball club. The addition of Dylan Liebelt provides Aguilera more offensive flexibility. The team has come into its own this season, and a deep playoff run may be in store for this team if they finish the season strong. Also don’t think that this team has racked up wins against scrubs. They’ve had a few quality wins this season against playoff bound teams. The Prospectz are here.
3.Dirty Homies
The Dirty Homies were the last undefeated team in the entire league entering Week 7. They however had the unfortunate task of taking on the defending champs (CSB), who have clicked on all cylinders as of late. The team redeemed themselves in the nightcap as they defeated the #1 team in the standings (Young Money). Jesse and Jerry Jimenez are on offensive powerhouse, you throw in Jesus “Chuy” Contreras in the low post and Jimmy Huynh consistently knocking down the 3 ball this team can make a run at the championship no doubt about it.
4.California Raisins
At #4 we have the California Raisins who have quietly snuck into the top 5, this team by far has to be the most boring team to watch in the division. However; games aren’t won by being an “exciting” team. I’ve had a couple of brief looks at the Raisins this season, and with them being one of the 2 teams (Wonton Soup) who dropped down a division in the hunt of the “gold ball” (championship trophy). You’d expect more from this team. I see this team as a 1 and done when it comes down to it in the playoffs. They’re offense is one-dimensional (jumpshots) and when those aren’t falling they have a hard time making anything else click.
5.California Swag Bears
Closing out the top 5 is the defending champs the California Swag Bears. The team is 4-2 with their 2 losses coming at the hands of Wonton Soup and the California Raisins, the 2 teams that used to call Division 2 home. When playing up to its full potential, this team is a force, ask the previously undefeated Dirty Homies. The Swag Bears started off the season with many questions, and personnel issues, but have since addressed the issues that hindered the team’s success and are still in position to grab the #1 seed.
IBL Full Court Press 