Week 1 Picks by Matt and Griffin

Team Hegeman(2) vs Team Stevens(10)

Matt - Score: Hegemen 55, Stevens 48

Team Hegeman could be on upset alert if Team Stevens can push the tempo of the game, however Austin Hourani, Nick Longo, and Brandon Orlando will be able to dominate on the glass with no one matching their size and athletic ability as big men. For team Stevens to win Patrick Stevens will need a Baller of the Week performance, but they will fall just short.

Griffin - Score: Hegemen 53, Stevens 50

This is going to be a closer game than everybody is thinking. We all know that Rosa and Patrick Stevens' athleticism will be a hard test on its own, but with the solid unknown role players Liam Henry and Nick Freiter this will be a good matchup for Team Hegemen. But i still think that with Longo and Hourani being two of the best forwards in the league this year, they will be able to take this one from Stevens.

Team Debreceni(12) vs. Team Stewart(11)

Matt - Score: Stewart 50, Debreceni 45

This may be one of the best one on one matchups of the week with Kyle Karaska against Alex Dhinois, whoever is best between each other in this battle may hold the key to victory. However I think the depth and play of Willy Stewart and Ryan Bunis will be the deciding factor in a close finish.

Griffin - Score: Stewart 54, Debreceni 42

I think that team Stewart has this week's game locked up. Karaska and Dhino will cancel each other out down low and the quickness and scoring abality of Bunis and Willy Stewart will give them the clear advantage in this one. If Alex Kieleczawa can knock down his shots than this game will be a lot closer.

Team Mahan(5) vs. Team Saraceno(9)

Matt - Score: Mahan 60, Saraceno 45

I think team Mahan should man handle team Saraceno. Team Saraceno has no answer for Ben Icenogle who will draw many double teams and open up the floor for Matt Werner and Griffin Modz. Griffin will hold Doug Smith while Matt Werner and Dan Mcguiness will have a solid game on Matt Ferro. The Triple Towers will have a enormous impact on the game on the glass for Mahans first win.

Griffin - Score: Mahan 55, Saraceno 50

With the rebounding abailities of the Huber twins and Ben Icenogle on team Mahan, and the quick defense of Matt Werner and Dan McGuinness they will be able to control the defensive end. First overall pick Doug Smith will put up a good effort on the boards in his first game since sophomore year, and providing Roper and Ferro can make some of their threes then this will be a very good game.

Team Dawson, Kurt(7) vs. Team Naughton(1)

Matt - Score: Naughton 60, Dawson 52

Hanagan and Team Naughton will face an early season test against Dawson, but Dawson will be missing big man Ryan Dawson which will have a huge impact on the game. Joey Stewart and Matt Hanagan is an interesting matchup but Matt’s athletic ability to play inside and outside will wear down Joey in this matchup. The way Team Dawson can pull off the upset is to get Matt to be facilitator rather than a scorer. The x-factor in this game is the defense of Greg Naughton to shut down Drew Estabrook and Ryan Doody to hold the boards against Rasku.

Griffin - Score: Naughton 54, Dawson 48

This will be a good matchup but i just feel as if Matt Hanagan will be able to dominate this game. The down low pressure of this team will be very lacking with out big bruiser Ryan Dawson, but Rasku and Acaba will have to try to fill that void for the first few weeks. As long as Danny Kessler can hit some shots and Greg Naughton can throw a few steals in, I feel as if this will be an easy but close game for Hegemen.

Team DeLuca(8) vs. Team Walsh(4)

Matt - Score: DeLuca 55, Walsh 50

This is the debut of Josh Walsh against Second year coach Matt Deluca but I think Matt’s experience will help during this game to lead his team to victory. Timmy Grove will dominate the matchup against Ben Walsh with his tough defense and crisp passing, to open the floor for Ian Macpherson. Also Marcello Guadiano will be able to hold Tom Denatale to an average game. The X-Factor could be Robbie Beal and Dan Mead ripping down rebounds in this game.

Griffin - Score: Walsh 53, DeLuca 50

This will be a very good matchup between friends/foes Josh Walsh and Matt DeLuca. As long as Ben Walsh can play a full court offense and not walk the ball up the court, this will be a hard game for DeLuca. It wil be good to see how Ian MacPherson does in his new role at center being the tallest kid on his team. Either way this game will come down to the last possession or two.

Team Stark(14) vs. Team Dawson, Dianna(6)

Matt - Score: Dawson 65, Stark 50

This game shouldn’t be close with Team Stark having no answer for the depth of Team Dawson and Conor Enright, MVP candidate Ryan Sheehan will try to will his team to victory but their lack of depth and inexperience will have them fall short. I am excited to see the debut of Scott Delforte and what type of player he can be in this league.

Griffin - Score: Dawson 62, Stark 45

Team Dawson has the clear strength and size in this one with first year Scott Delforte probably having to cover MVP hopeful Conor Enright. If Mitch Dawson can contain his shots and only take the good ones then this game will be no problem at all for Dianna's hopeful championship run.

Sunday Game: Team Jarboe(3) vs. Team Wright(13)

Matt - Score: Jarboe 48, Wright 35

This shouldn’t be a tough game for Jarboe. Jackson should be able to hold A.J and Pete Ellerkamp will shut down whatever Leibold he covers. The depth of Team Jarboe is way to much with Nick Birmingham, Matt Aumais, Mike Murphy, and Myles Markham. Jarboe will run a incredible fast break and shut down Team Wright on the other end of the floor.

Griffin - Score: Jarboe 50, Wright 36

This will be a very fast paced game led by ex-varsity made basketball star Peter Ellerkamp. Jack and Rick Liebold always play well together but i feel as if the team defense of Jarboe will just be too much for them in this one.

*( ) indicates teams power ranking.