Big 8 S37 Preview
Round 2
Les Bronson (53%FG) will once again be looked upon to provide steady numbers for a team on the upswing. This season, he'll be joined by PF Christopher John and along with improving PF Greg Bennett, Round 2 will continue providing match-up problems all over the court for opposing defenses. Arden Breeden will be counted on to orchestrate Round 2's offensive sets and to keep the offense moving, with multiple players able to space the floor and hit contested jumpers.
Phillips Whale
Built to control the paint with PF's Antoni Robles, Yoann Etchegaray, and C Iiro Friman, Phillips Whale will look to keep defenses from collapsing inside with wingman Vladimir Shapkovskiy amd 19 yo PG Ilia Kipiani. Kipiani has show the ability to explode outside with a great shooting touch and range. After another season of training, will the young depth outside improve enough to compliment a terrific front-line?
Urban Achievers
A young nucleus of PG Jordi Baraya and PF's Jesus Aparicio and Filipe Zapata will join 23yo SG Luke Riggins in the Achievers quest to keep above the relegation line. Expect growing pains as Riggins is considered the "veteran" on this very young and inexperienced club. This is a team built for tomorrow.
Perkins Music
In an effort to get everybody some playing time, this club will have to substitute an all-new starting five every 3.5 minutes. I'm not even joking. There are 66 players on the roster at the time of this writing.
effingham hearts
In a stark contrast to Urban Achievers, the Hearts are a wholly veteran club. Center Kodi Addison and SG Csaba Kerenyi will once again be counted on to star while PG Vernon Coughlin and SF Sandor Bohacs are more than capable of providing shots should opponents queue on Kerenyi. Veteran depth down low will wear out opposing front-line players as the Hearts can bring in any number of still-talented players. This is not a group that will back down on any night.
Donkey Boys
Full of potential, the Boys will look for more improvement from PG Majed El Khalifa, PF Zydrunas Mukasejevas, and Center Warren Ponce. There will be growing pains, but with another year of training to look forward to, the Boys have the pieces in place that will make up a solid foundation for years to come.
Barkleys
Young C Andrzej Lawicki will team up with front-line mate Robert Hanna and young star PG Rafael Araujo to battle it out for a shot at the playoffs. Barkleys finds itself n a mix of similar-strength clubs this season, but maybe, just maybe Araujo will make the leap to superstardom and carry this team to a spot above the relegation line.
Point Barrow
Nothing to see here, just play base offense and normal pace at all times. Just kidding.
The Polar Bears bring depth to the wings to keep the pressure on for 48 minutes. Home-grown front-line talent should provide double-double potential down low. Continued defensive growth by those post players will be the key moving forward.