Season 43 Preseason Power Rankings! Let's give it a whirl.
1. Delta 9 - Delta 9 has one flaw for a D.II team, and that's age. With only one player below the age of 32 in their top 5 salaries, I would not be entirely shocked to see a rebuild process. However, the team is currently stacked with talent fresh out of the NBBA and could easily wind up back there given their current roster. This team is definitely one to keep an eye on and will be interesting to follow.
2. Amsterdam Chimps - Perhaps the biggest surprise last season was this team making the finals. In a much weaker Big 8 than last season, the Amsterdam Chimps will be the favorite to come out of there with the one seed this time around. They're also young and improving, and they are definitely a threat this season.
3. BU Terriers - A team who really turned it around at the end of last season, the BU Terriers are a solid team led by star guard Louis Rader. Rader's only 26, so he still could be improving just like the rest of this team. When BU isn't focusing their week on training or a cup game beating their well balanced team will be a challenge.
4. Arizona Cacti - Given transfers, it's really difficult to start ranking these teams as they're all really clustered together. The Cacti boast two players over $100k salary, and play in the weaker conference of the two. A 2 seed in the Great 8 wouldn't surprise me at all, but given the likely competitiveness of the Big 8, I would imagine they have near the 4th best record.
5. Ballstars - A completely revamped team, I should probably have the Ballstars lower.They had an excellent season last season and I have to give credit there. Even with the loss of quite a few players, they still have a solid team with decent depth and should have a decent season.
6. Kentucky Wildcats - Their total salary is inflated because they have 21 (soon to be 20 if Ho departs) players, but they still have a good team. Nobody that will carry them probably, but they're so deep they can win games with their depth. Rex Durbin is probably overlooked when he shouldn't be, he had the third highest PPG last season. I don't think they can take on the Chimps or Cacti without Ho, but they'll compete.
7. Florida Champs - The Champs let two players go at the end of last season, but replaced both of them with better players. Pujol and Eryilmaz are also improving and might lead the Champs to their first ever D.II playoff run. However, I don't think we're good enough just yet to win it all.
8. Jade Dragons - Andy Hernandez is a stud and the best player in D.II 3. The problem is his supporting cast. It's like Lebron and the Cavs, without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. It'll be interesting how far he carries the Jade Dragons, but I haven't seen much success with that kind of team in buzzerbeater. I could be wrong, but I just can't see a realistic championship run with just Hernandez.
9. Frogmonsters - The Frogmonsters are likely to lose Facer, one of their starters but I don't think it'll cause too big of a hit. They will probably have a similar season to last season, either sneak into the playoffs or have a nice relegation matchup. They're a piece or two away from taking their team to the next level.
10. Footpath_ Leapers - Honestly might've underrated these guys, they've got a pretty good roster. Can't say I know a lot about them but they are from the NBBA, so they know what they're doing. Not nearly as talented as Delta 9, but younger. I have a feeling they have some money saved up, but who knows. They could be pretty dangerous and there isn't much of a gap between them & the Cacti for example.