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 1st or 2nd 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.