MML “WAY TOO EARLY” TOP 16

Taking a cue from Deep Valley, I figured I’d make a failed attempt at some pre-season analysis for NEXT year!

So, with that being said, here is my WAY TOO EARLY TOP 16 for MML League.  Used several data points, such as total returning roster; estimated starting lineup by current highest average; total 20+ scorers on rosters; draft value estimator; etc.

This will mainly be based off CURRENT players that are still on roster and not predicting whether they leave or not, this way when we get to that part of off-season, it can be updated and give us some talking for off-season, since college hoops literally has the LONGEST off-season of any major sport!!!!!!!!!!!!

RANK	TEAM	AVG
1	Gator Bait	1.3
3	Hillbilly Maulers	3.5
2	Maize and Blue Bloods	4.5
4	KC Warthogs	5.3
5	Virginia Gentlemen	6.0
6-T	Vindaloos	7.3
6-T	Deep Valley Grouchos	7.3
8	House of Sparky	7.5
9	Hoosiers	8.3
11	Saluki YRD’s	9.3
10	Prozac Pups	9.5
12	Sam Jacobson Went To Class	10.8
13	North Pole Fightin’ Reindeer	11.0
14	Hardwood Heroes	11.3
15	Psychos	12.8
16	The Hoop Guru	14.3

Deep Valley Grouchos

• Returning 6 players, 3 at 20+fpts
• If all return and they should honestly, he already has a starting lineup minus the freshman.  A.J. Brown is lone player that was under 10fpt when we finished fantasy season but he has been playing well as of late and should be the star for Ohio next year
• Great draft positioning having 7 total picks, 5 of which are in the first 5 rounds: 1,2,3,4,5,9,10 (from Maulers)
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Honestly don’t see any at this moment who will or should leave
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Bryce Hopkins	21.7
G	Devontae Blanton	18.6
F	Brandon Noel	21.9
F	Yann Farell	15.4
C	Johni Broome	21.8
6TH	A.J. Brown	9.6

• Prediction: Championship or bust with the perennially top 5 team.  This will not be DVG starting lineup by week one, as he is always one of the most aggressive owners and with picks in first 5 rounds, he can complete his roster

Gator Bait

• Return 9 players to the #1 team for most of 22-23 that almost completed the deal losing in the championship game
• Returns the most 20+ scorers with 7 players
• Only has 4 draft packs but they are in the first 6 rounds, so that’s great positioning to go with a good returning roster, top returning lineup ‘in hand’
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Kris Murray
  • Taylor Hendricks
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Brandin Podziemski	28.0
G	Tucker Devries	21.4
F	Taylor Hendricks	27.2
F	Josh Bannan	22.4
C	Micah Handlogten	22.2
6TH	Josh Bannan	22.0

• Prediction: Even if lose Murray and Hendricks, this team is prepared and ready for another title run.  Problem with drafting well is that it is hard to replace those two with the replacement draft picks of round 10 & 11, but if anyone can do it, it’s the Gators!

Hardwood Heroes

• A coach that always makes late season adjustments to better his team’s opportunity to go after the title, has 7 current draft picks to make to improve roster depth
• Current roster will depend on if all his players return, as there is at least 3-4 that could leave, the top 2 are almost certain to leave.
• Good starting backcourt with Ashworth and Dingle to build upon.
• Currently open spots: 2,4,7,8,9,10,11
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Dariq Whitehead
  • Kyle Filipowski
  • Julian Phillips
  • Isaiah Wong
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Steven Ashworth	21.4
G	Jordan Dingle	21.3
F	Kyle Filipowski	20.4
F	Dariq Whitehead	8.7
C	Julian Phillips	13.1
6TH	Isaiah Wong	19.3

• Prediction: Always unpredictable, as usually end up in great position, although the record doesn’t normally show it, as Heroes are one of the most patient owners for waiting to make moves to improve.

Hillbilly Maulers

• Should have a very good returning starting lineup already set. 9 returning players and none that should leave for NBA, however you don’t have to hurt your stock by leaving for NBA anymore as the dreaded transfer move kill teams as well.
• Draft picks: 1,3,6 (from DVG),9
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Honestly don’t see any at this moment who will or should leave
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Jameer Nelson	22.0
G	Javon Small	19.3
F	Max Fiedler	23.8
F	Toumani Camara	21.5
C	Amari Williams	20.9
6TH	Bryant Selebangue	20.0

• Prediction: On paper, well balanced starting lineup, need to use draft wisely and build up depth.

Hoosiers

• Who returns will be the biggest factor going into next season, if somehow, they all return, Hoosiers will have a decent starting lineup, if not they will need to draft to build depth for now and the future.
• Drafts picks in 6 rounds: 5,6,7,11,12,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Jalen Hood-Schifino
  • Julian Strawther
  • Gradey Dick
  • Trayce Jackson-Davis
  • Azuolas Tubelis
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Julian Strawther	19.1
G	Gradey Dick	18.4
F	Azuolas Tubelis	26.5
F	Clarence Daniels	22.4
C	Trayce Jackson-Davis	31.6
6TH	Jalen Hood-Schifino	13.4

• Prediction: Need everyone to return which is unlikely and build up team.

House of Sparky             

• Decent starting lineup returning with 6 current draft picks, more than likely 7 with Keyonte George probably going to NBA
• Drafts picks in 6 rounds: 2,3,5,6,8,11
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Keyonte George
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Jalen Cook	20.9
G	Keyonte George	16.7
F	Enrique Freeman	25.9
F	Oso Ighodaro	20.1
C	Jonathan Beagle	17.5
6TH	Sam Mennenga	18.5

• Prediction: Freeman is a stud and great building block; front court is current strength.  Sparky learned the way last year in rookie year, let’s see if he makes the sophomore jump!

KC Warthogs

• Very good starting lineup returning and returns 4 20+ scorers in total
• Biggest question is whether Zach Edey goes to NBA, where he would ride the pine or stay at Purdue and make some serious NIL money.
• Draft Picks: 8,11
• Possible NBA Departures:
  • Zach Edey
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Omari Moore	18.8
G	Dayvion McKnight	18.6
F	Christian Shumate	20.4
F	Aboubacar Traore	20.6
C	Zach Edey	35.1
6TH	Mouhamed Gueye	20.5

• Prediction: IF Edey returns with the rest of the lineup they should be a title contender with few upgrades in the backcourt and continued improvement from other players.

Maize and Blue Bloods

• Another strong returning starting lineup with only couple possible NBA entrants but not likely.  Clark getting hurt at end of season for UCLA could go either way, where he rehabs in NBA or tries to come back for the Bruins.
• Draft Picks: 1,2,4,9,11
• Possible NBA Departures:
  • Jaylen Clark
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Jaylen Clark	19.0
G	Braden Smith	16.0
F	Isaac Jones	24.6
F	Norchad Omier	24.3
C	Aziz Bandaogo	23.5
6TH	Ryan Kalkbrenner	23.4

• Prediction: Deep in the front court, should not need a center in the draft at all.  Need to focus on backcourt improvements but depending on returning players, could have a very good team.

North Pole Fightin’ Reindeer

• Improve depth in draft, hope that Dickinson returns and see what Wallace will do as well.  With improvement from current roster, could have decent to good starting lineup returning.
• Draft Picks in: 1,4,7,9,10,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Hunter Dickinson
  • Cason Wallace
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	RayJ Dennis	22.5
G	Cason Wallace	16.3
F	Karim Coulibaly	19.0
F	Zach Anderson	17.8
C	Hunter Dickinson	24.2
6TH	Cade Tyson	16.2

• Prediction: Will some improvements in frontcourt and backcourt, could have good lineup.

Prozac Pups

• Will be busy draft season with 7 picks.  Need to build backcourt and hope current front court stays and improves, decent returning with 3 20+ scorers
• Draft Picks: 1,2,3,5,6,8,11
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Brice Sensabaugh
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Jordan Walsh	10.3
G
F	Nelly Joseph	23.1
F	Eric Dixon	20.8
C	DaRon Holmes	23.7
6TH	Brice Sensabaugh	17.8

• Prediction: Usually good team, need to build up with draft and get improvement from current roster, there is good potential on roster.

Psychos

• As the Psychos are normally inclined to do, they will be very busy draft season with 8 draft picks to currently make, this number will at least be 9, probably 10 after the early entrants declare.
• Will need everything but possible center to focus on during draft.
• Draft Picks: 3,4,5,6,7,8,10,11
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • G.G. Jackson
  • Brandon Miller
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Mike Miles	15.2
G
F	Brandon Miller	26.0
F	Josh Cohen	26.8
C	Aly Khalifa	18.4
6TH	G.G. Jackson	14.2

• Prediction: Totally TBD – need to see how draft season goes!

Saluki YRD’s

• Current decent starting lineup but majority could depart for greener pastures!
• Draft Picks: 5,6,8,10,11,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Adam Sanogo
  • Jarace Walker
  • Emoni Bates
  • Jalen Wilson
  • Jordan Brown
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Emoni Bates	18.4
G	Braeden Smith	15.7
F	Jordan Brown	23.4
F	Jalen Wilson	22.5
C	Adama Sanogo	23.0
6TH	Jarace Walker	17.6

• Prediction: TBD, although I placed several names on the possible NBA list, really think maybe 2 leave, NIL has changed the game and honestly none of them should leave yet but that’s life in college hoops.

Sam Jacobson Went To Class

• Will need to draft well and make moves after draft to improve roster, has 2 20+ returning and couple close to 20 but need to improve overall depth of the roster.
• Draft Picks: 2,5,7,10,12,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • None to note
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Elijah Pepper	22.9
G	Earl Timberlake	19.4
F	Tyler Robertson	17.5
F	Mike Sharavjamts	7.1
C	Essam Mostafa	21.1
6TH	Wesley Cardet	19.1

• Prediction: Heavy on the guards in current roster mix, need to build up front court.

The Hoop Guru

• Will be the busiest in draft season with 10 picks to be made!
• Draft Picks: 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,11,12
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • None to note
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Mark Sears	15.7
G	Nate Calmese	15.9
F	Kelton Talford	21.8
F
C
6TH

• Prediction: Draft for every position, build up team depth for not only this season but future.

Vindaloos

• Deep roster, only 2 current draft spots, but only two players are 20+ scorers on roster, but there is lots of potential to improve
• Draft picks: 1, 10
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Maxwell Lewis
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Colby Jones	21.0
G	Ishmael Leggett	19.1
F	Trey Townsend	21.4
F	Tytan Anderson	19.1
C	Payton Sparks	19.0
6TH	Maxwell Lewis	18.9

• Prediction: Well-balanced starting lineup with roster depth.

Virginia Gentlemen

• Will have one redshirt decision to make depending on if Hawkins does not go to NBA.  Hawkins or Rienk Mast, keep one or both, if you keep both it will cost the Gents a 1^st or 2^nd round pick, depending on if Bona returns or not.
• Draft picks: 2,3,8,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Adem Bona
  • Oumar Ballo
  • Coleman Hawkins
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	DeShawndre Washington	16.7
G	Chance Moore	12.0
F	Dillon Jones	24.7
F	Brandon Johnson	20.9
C	Oumar Ballo	22.1
6TH	Rienk Mast	20.8

• Prediction: Decisions to be made for sure that will impact Gents roster, need to improve backcourt in draft.