We are now a little over the halfway point of IBL Season 10. Through the first 6-7 weeks of the season, teams have jockeyed for playoff positioning. All 8 teams will make the post season but we merely play the games for positioning. With that said here
1. Dynasty (4-0) Heading into the Christmas ever weekend, we have Dynasty at #1, but that’s not a surprise. This team has had tremendous regular season success countless times, but that has yet to translate into the latter rounds of the post season. The past 2 seasons this Dynasty team has failed to reach the Championship game like they did in their first season (Season 6). The surprising addition of PG Jordan Ramos has proved huge dividends over the course of the season. In Ramos; Dynasty acquired a “pass first” guard to distribute the ball between its key players (Buai Tut & Tray Caples). Every season GM Keith Hatter and I have a conversation, where he predicts his team is good enough to win it all, and in the past seasons the teams have played well in the regular season, had the size but have fallen twice. If they can run the table as they finish the season, entering the playoffs this team will have much-needed confidence to win the whole shebang.
Grade: A+
Reason: The only team with no losses proves they are worthy of an A+ grade.
2. Under Rated (4-2) Surprisingly at #2, we have UnderRated. The mixture of last season’s Mile High and Rebels squad that have joined forces in hopes of capturing and hoisting the “golden ball” for the very first time. After a 1-2 record through the first 3 games of the season, things have turned around drastically for this team. They are riding a 3 game win streak, and show no signs of letting up. The team meshes so well. You would think with combining two teams, you’d have major problems through the first season, but this team has thrown all doubt out the window about contending for a championship. The two games they’ve lost have been by a combined 10 points. Three of the games they won have come down to the final minutes where after failing to capture close games in the past, this team is actually doing so. The team is poised to finish in at least the top 3 seeing as the only team they haven’t played is the (0-5) 8th seeded Mercenaries.
Grade: B+
Reason: This team has let 2 games slip away from them late, and because of that they sit at 4-2 and a B+ grade.
3. The Pack (4-2) Another surprise in the top 3 would definitely be The Pack. GM Craig Crampton and his team have gradually crept up the standings each of their IBL seasons. After finishing a few seasons as the 8th seed, last season we seen the team finish 7th, and now they seem poised to secure at least a top 4 spot in the post season. The core group (C.Crampton, L.Finalet, T.Hauck, and S.Nogales) has been together for over 5 seasons now, and it shows when you play this team. Their defense is hands down the best in the division. Their modified zone defense has been a problem for all 6 of their opponents this season. Don’t expect to play fast paced and get into a shootout with this team because they thrive off low scoring “grind it out” games. After a Week 5 loss to Under Rated, they rebounded and pulled out a tight game against the WolfPack, a team that is very talented. Both of the team’s losses have come at the hands of the #1 & #2 teams above them in the standings.
Grade: A-
Reason: Most league analyst don’t expect a respectable regular season from the Pack but they are giving us just that. Their performance this season, most notably on the defensive end, is deserving of a A- grade.
4. Most Hated (3-2) The reigning champions enter the second half of the season in the midst of a 3-2 campaign so far. Their captain Larry Dew has led them in their 3 wins this season. The team has also dropped 2 games. However the games that this team has lost have been at the hands of the #1 & #2 teams in the standings. Every season this team has new guys that take a while to get incorporated into the thicke of things. This season is no different. With the core group from last season’s championship run still intact, Most Hated will most likely finish the season strong and enter the post season with momentum to possibly capture the teams 3rd division championship, and second consecutive. They will be tested in Week 7, when they take on a slumping Wolfpack team that is hungry for a win.
Grade: B-
Reason: The champs have dropped two so far this season but are still in the hunt for a seed as high as #2. The main reason they get such a generous grade is because they are the reigning champs.
5. WolfPack (3-3) After a hot (3-1) start to the season, the Wolfpack has cooled down considerably dropping their last 2 games to the #1 & #3 teams in the division Dynasty and The Pack. This team has tremendous upside. They are very top-heavy as the majority of their points come from 2 of their 5 starters. Gary McNellys (18.0 ppg) and Tyler Poullard (17.5 ppg) carry the load for their team week in and week out. The past couple of weeks, opposing teams have figured out how to slow down the duo and that has resulted in their 2 consecutive losses. At 3-3 this team is in a free fall. In week 7, they will matchup with the reigning champs, Most Hated. This game will serve as a measuring stick to separate the Wolfpack in terms of Contender or Pretender. A loss will more than likely ensure a finish in the bottom 4 of the standings.
Grade: C-
Reason: The wolfpack started the season hot, but have cooled down, a 3-3 record at the halfway mark, if worthy of a C- grade.
6. Knicee (2-3) The runner ups from last season Knicee, have had a pretty swell season so far. Don’t let this team’s record fool you. The team sits a (2-3) but having lost two games to buzzer beaters in consecutive weeks ( 3 & 4) this team has managed to stay afloat while floating around the .500 mark. There is no doubt that this team has the fire power assembled for a late season run into the playoffs. As long as Kenneth Ubom is at the helm, this team is always in contention.
Grade: C
Reason: Knicee should be hungrier than ever after losing in the final seconds of last seasons championship game. This season they’ve lost 2 games to buzzer beaters, that was in their hands. This team gets a C grade because their season could easily be 4-1.
7. Washed Up (1-4) “Although we’ve come to the End Of The Road Still, I can’t let you go…” Remember the days when teams feared matching up with the seemingly limitless powerhouse in Washed Up. Well despite their best efforts. Those days have slowly come to an end. Washed Up has become just what their name insinuates…they’re “Washed up”. Entering Week 7, this team sits at a mediocre (1-4) with little hope of finishing the season in the top 5. Last season the team was knocked out of the Playoffs in the opening round by their long time adversaries The Pack and if they keep playing this way. There is a chance that a first round exit is upon them. There isn’t much this team can do to turn this season around. The scoring load has been balanced, the defense has been decent. But they’ve only managed to record 1 win, over the only team below them in the rankings.
Grade: F-
Reason: The once 2x Division 1 Champions. You still have your leading scorer in Johnny Earl, reloaded the team, but this is what you give us? 1-4? Your sole win coming over the Mercenaries? The only winless team in the division? You my friends get an F-. Please retire the Washed Up name before this team disgraces it some more. Former Division 1 powerhouse Morningwood, knew when it was time to call it quits and rebrand, please do the same.
8. Mercenaries (0-5) At (0-5) the Mercenaries are the Divisions only winless team. However seeing that they are in their 1st season in the Division it is understandable. They will more than likely finish the season in the #7 or 8 spot, but a Week 7 loss would solidify them as the 8th seed. The team is decent enough to possibly get a win before the regular season is over but they have their work cut out for them. They take on the #2 seed UnderRated in Week 7. Hopefully they can record a win, with 3 regular season games left.
Grade: D-
Reason: A generous D- grade, because I see potential in this team. Leron Lacey in essence is “LeBron” Lacey as he carries this team, the lefty has a sweat stroke and has the ability to lead this team to at least 1 win this season.
IBL Full Court Press 