Week 5 Power Rankings

Power Rankings

I do apologize for the delay, I've been surprisingly busy this week, but this shouldn't come out this late in the future, and anyway here you go. Shoutout to Jake Willard for giving me the idea to put records in the power rankings. I'm open to all suggestions and would love to hear them.

13. McNamara (-)
Record: 1-2
This team wasn't able to gain any ground in the quest for number one. This team can definitely play defense and haven't allowed more than 40 2/3 weeks. That's not bad. However it's the offensive end that's giving me worry. They look lost. They've now scored below 30 in the past two weeks and you don't win many games scoring under 30. They look like they're struggling long term to put the ball in the hoop and they'll need to make a major change to turn their season around. I believe they have the playmakers to turn it around, they just need some more chemistry and more execution. I expect this team to struggle for a few more weeks, but really kick it up toward the end of the year. Peter White's injury is tough on them, but his recovery could play a huge role in their turn around.

12. Meyers (-1)
Record: 0-3
Despite being one of two winless teams in the league, it's defiantly in part due to a tough schedule. Also the difference between their play in the first half compared to the second half is night and day. In the first half they allowed their opponent to score at ease and didn't do much on the offensive end as well. Then I don't know what these coaches said at halftime, but it sparked new life into them. They got better and better as the half progressed, and nearly mounted a crazy comeback in the final minute. Honestly if they can continue that level of play, they'll be a top 5 team moving forward, but until we see a consistent start to finish game out of them, they'll sit near the bottom of these rankings.

11. Gingras (+1)
Record: 0-3
Believe it or not, despite being the only other team with a 0 in the win column, I wanted to bump them up higher than this. Two of their three games were very well fought, and they are also a Kyle Plausse away from being 1-2. They played to their identity last week, by thriving under the glass. Rebounding and scoring doesn't seem to be an issue for them, it's more defensive that seems to be the achilles heel. They actually played a solid defensive first half, but the second half was far weaker. I can see them going way up this list, and as their schedule starts to smooth out, they should be in a lot better shape. The rank of 11 actually says a lot more about the teams above them than it does about themselves.

10. Teduits/Estes (-1)
Record: 1-2
It's weird to have them drop after not playing. I didn't want to do it, but I couldn't have Southwick drop after getting a solid win. Despite not playing they've played some solid teams in the early and should be trending upwards. I wouldn't be surprised if this is their last time appearing with a double digit ranking next to their name. The return of 100% Bradley TeDuits is crucial and we'll see if they can pick up some momentum after the bye.

9. Southwick (-)
Record: 1-3
I really wanted to move this up, but again it says more about the teams above them than their play themselves. Despite missing a lot of key players they were still able to play as a team and grind out a W. They played lights out defensively, and proved me wrong by being able to get a win when they didn't shoot particularly well. Their rebounding was horrible, but that was expected as literally all of their size was missing. We still haven't seen this team in "midseason" form, as they haven't had a game where all of their players show up, aside from the first game. If they can continue the team play they showed last week, they'll be a lot higher than the 9 spot.

8. O'Wiley (-2)
Record: 2-2
I don't want to them too far, yes they had kind of an ugly game last week, but I'm more looking at this team as a whole, and they were missing two key players. They actually played a very strong game with a top tier team, in the first half, and it could have gone either way. The second half however, they struggled to score and looked like a team that was missing some players. They played to strengths well rebounding the ball great, however they really struggled scoring the ball and creating shots for themselves. They're still kind of a mystery to me as we haven't seen them with all of their pieces either, but for now they'll sit right in the middle with room to move up and room to move down.

7. Bernard/Hastings (-3)
Record: 2-2
So this team is confusing. There's no other way around it. Yes they were missing a big time player, but it's amazing how they play equal to their competition every week. To be fair they played solid last week, and probably out played the competition last week, but they couldn't get the lid of their basket until the second half of the second half. They played solid defense and got more offensive rebounds than any team I have ever seen lose a basketball game. The shot selection was solid and in all honesty they played a decently well rounded game of basketball. We'll see if they can finally completely outplay another team, but the middle is perfect for them as they play equal to every team they play.

6. Zolomon (-4)
Record: 3-1
Wow... that last game was... um... well I'm not going to go any further it was ugly. The big question is was it a fluke or is there a problem. I'm leaning toward fluke as they have played spectacular in the first three weeks. However last game the shot selection was horrible. This star studded offense only was able to put up 21 points and they let up 30 more on the other end. Yes they were missing some key players, but that doesn't make up for 30 points on the other end. The two coaches on this team have to play better as they combined for 4 points on about 45 shots. Last week I called out Team Majkut and they delivered. Now I'm calling my own team out, prove we're the real deal against O'Wiley! Put up or shut up.

5. Hecht (+5)
Record: 2-2
It's amazing how much of a difference two weeks can make. I was ready to write to them off, I was ready to tell them it was it was time to hit the panic button. Thank god Coach is Hecht is better at coaching than I am, because this team looks powerful. I don't know if any of y'all watched this game, but aside from about the final two minutes they played amazing. They're playing great team defense and they're playing great as a team. Yes they blew a huge lead at the end of the game, and they will need to address that, but all in all they've looked great over the past two. Also I don't know the severity of the Dan DeBinder, but my best wishes go out to him. He played a heck of game, and he's a key piece to their success.

4. Strauss (+1)
Record: 3-1
This is another team I just haven't gotten a good look at yet. From all accounts though, the win wasn't pretty, but well deserved... if that makes any sense. They are able to compete with all of the teams they've played so far, and while the schedule hasn't been all that daunting, these freshmen have been able to compete with everyone they've faced. I'll get a better chance to see them as they have an intriguing matchup with Gingras this upcoming week. They've been great defensively, but haven't been amazing on the offensive end. They're winning with strong team play, and that will guide them to wins in the future.

3. Majkut (+5)
Record: 2-2
Maybe I should call them out more often.... They played easily the best game they have all season, and maybe the best game of anyone all throughout the season. They were able to shut down some big time players while scoring at will. They played amazing on the defense and rebounded the ball so well. The best part well, this was the best game they've played as a team. They shared the ball and everyone got involved in the offense. I'd call them out again and see if they can get to number one, but for the sake of the league I'm not going to do that. If they can keep up that level of play they will be the preseason threat we all thought they were.

2. Booth (+1)
Record: 4-0
I've been informed that in my predictions I'm yet to predict them getting a win. Well all that means is I'm 0-4 in predicting their games, so maybe I should keep it up so y'all can keep proving me wrong. I've noticed after the first half they start playing elite defense. They've held team to single digit second halves in three of their 4 games. They also can rebound the daylight out of the ball, and won the battle against another team full of big rebounders. They hustle and share the ball well, and they've found success. Even though they haven't won pretty in all of their games, they have been able to win and win convincingly. The game against Bernard will be a very interesting test for them.

1. Manzi (-)
Record: 4-0
What do you want me to say? I mean they're number 1, it was an easy choice, and they've looked almost elite. I will say this so every other team who plays them has hope. They were down 12 before Kyle Plausse decided to become Stephan Curry, that won't happen every game. ( Nothing personal, I just don't even think that's humanly possible ). And without this performance who knows what would have happened. Yes they've been elite on both sides of the ball, but they aren't invincible. We'll see if Meyers can pull a monumental upset.