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AUSTIN: Preseason Power Rankings
By K. Scott | Austin League Coordinator
The season is finally here and we have talented teams ready to play. No bye weeks, and no easy games this season to pad your stats. Our preseason rankings are based on what we know as of today about the teams we have so far. Every team has an opportunity to move up and prove us wrong after week 1. As of right now, this is what it is.
1. Arsenal (0-0)
The back-to-back champions are looking for a three-peat. After going undefeated last season, they have reloaded with two more dynamic players. They will be hard to beat again.
2. The Blaze (0-0)
This team was built Space-Jam style where the captain has taken a sampling of the best players from each team to join him in taking down the champs. The talent is unquestionable, but team chemistry may be their biggest test. The twin towers of Ira Clark and Russell Permenter led by point guard Aaron Urbanus will be tough.
3. Lifetime Elite (0-0)
Lifetime Elite lost Ira Clark, but picked up two great players. Brian Todd and Josh Twine will be upgrades in terms of youth, strength and athleticism. They will be in the mix again this year.
4. N.U.K. (0-0)
This team has lost some key pieces, but team captain King Eke always finds a way to make this team competitive. Anthony Dorral Davenport’s health will be a big factor in how far this team goes.
5. Professors (0-0)
The Professors are the oldest and most experienced Ultimate Hoops franchise in the league. Captain DeeJay Lingo has done a great job keeping one of our flagship franchises intact. They are bringing back their core and everyone has been training hard for this season. Really great team chemistry, but do they have enough horses to get it done in this tough field?
6. Shots Fired (0-0)
Although this is a new team joining the leagues, some of the players here have a championship pedigree in Ultimate Hoops. We need to see more of them to have a more detailed assessment. Johnathon McIver is trying to get another team to the championship.
7. Heat (0-0)
This new look Heat team will shock a lot of people. With the acquisition of former NBA talent, UH veteran and one-time champion point guard Kevin Ray Neal, and veteran two-time champion Ken Clark, this team will not go 0-8 this season. The question for them will be, who’s available come playoff time?
8. Team Finesse (0-0)
Team Finesse led by Payton Simon is a new team that we don’t know too much about yet. We do know that there are some talented young players, but we have no idea of how they will fit into the league yet. Stay tuned until we see what they are working with. Don't be surprised if they move up really fast in the rankings.