Figured I'd do another round now that we're done with the first third of the season.
1. The Nuts (7-0) (2) - Pretty clear that I had to jump these guys to #1, they're 7-0 and unstoppable offensively. They've only had one game decided by less than 14 points, and they stepped up when they've needed to. Their starters can all score--none average less than 10 points a game--and they just find a way to win. Definitely have become the betting favorite (if there was one) to win it all this season.
2. GS_Warriors (6-1) (1) - Besides an early loss which could be possibly blamed on early gameshape to the BU Terriers, this team has been good as just about anyone. Their best win is a nine point victory versus Ballstars, which is why they're ahead of them in my rankings. They're just a solid team who will continue to win quite a few games this season.
3. Ballstars (6-1) (5) - Sitting in first place in the Big 8 would be Ballstars. They've beaten everyone except GS, which is why they're below them. They've got six qualifying players scoring 10+ points a game, are second in PPG in the league, and allow the fourth least points per game. They are a solid team who will definitely challenge GS come July for the playoffs.
4a. Arizona Cacti (5-2) (4) - Tied for 4th with Kentucky are the Cacti. I can't give them the outright 4th spot because their win over UK can possibly be because of home court and enthusiasm. Regardless, Arthur Glass and the rest of this team has led them to a good start, with Glass leading the league in PPG even after only playing 10 minutes in a loss to San Diego Shamu. You have to wonder when the age of this team will start impacting them and wonder if a rebuild is on the horizon, though.
4b. Kentucky Wildcats (5-2) (10) - I was really wrong about these guys, disrespected them and threw em in the bottom half of the league. These guys just know how to win games, and were the only team who played The Nuts close. However, the sale of Miller and Eddy might just make my preseason prediction of #10 more of a reality, but for the time being they deserve credit for how they've played.
6. BU Terriers (3-4) (3) - I'll definitely expect backlash for this one, but I still think this team is really talented. Rader and a few other starters have only played five games. They're a lot better than their record shows. If this team can manage gameshape a little bit better and focus on winning league games by playing their starters regularly, they will start to win games. They are not going to end up in 6th place in the Big 8, and I would still expect a playoff appearance from these guys.
7. Amsterdam Chimps (4-3) (13) - Sure, they haven't really beat anyone great but they beat San Diego Shamu so that helps their resume. They've basically defined average in D.II.3, which isn't a bad thing, it's just what they've done. They're in a pretty good spot and could definitely keep the four seed for playoff time, which I wouldn't have expected.
8. Frogmonsters (3-4) (9) - They would be 4-3 if not for a tough cup draw and resting all of their starters. They're the fourth best team in the Big 8 to me, and now without the distraction of cup games I imagine they'll finish a top four team this season.
9. Florida Champs (4-3) (14) - Probably can chalk a few of my wins up to enthusiasm, but a win is a win. Training purposes have me playing players in non natural positions. Maybe I can sneak into the playoffs but doubt that. This is a team definitely just trying to survive the season in D.II.2 without regulation.
10. Bay Harbor Butchers (3-4) (15) - Yeah, they beat the Frogmonsters when they rested their starters but it was still a big W. An early TIE vs CT may or may not have caused a loss on the road to Florida, but they've still been pretty good and are outplaying the #15 prediction.
Last edited by Bobbanana at 5/6/2018 5:32:32 PM