Are the New Look Villains Ready to Step Up and Challenge BTE?
SUMMERLIN OPEN: Week 2 Power Rankings
By L.C. Comine | Summerlin Media Associate
1. BTE (1-0)
New season, same old BTE. They had no problems in Week 1 with Livin’ The Dream as they defeated them 89-73. BTE scored 55 first half points before cooling off in the second half. Andre McFarland had an impressive start to the season scoring 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Edward Vaughns also had 24 points to help lead BTE. What really stood out was BTE out-rebounded the taller and bigger Livin’ The Dream squad 50-39. Also BTE only shot 42 percent as a team and Jordan Cannon only scored 14 points and they still won by 17 points. BTE now winners of 18 straight games looks just as good as the last two seasons and they should have another interesting test this coming week against the 1-0 Street(er) Fighters.
2. Villains (0-0)
The new look Villains will make their season debut this coming Monday after having the bye in Week 1. This team will be without Hall of Famer Chase Skinkis until mid-February so it will be up the core of this team to keep it going until he returns. The players to watch this week in the season debut will be Dreu Johnson, Marcus Wilson, and Hollis Hale. Also the two newcomers playing their first UH game, Will Hopkins and Reese Gneiting. We should find a lot about the Villains this week.
3. Street(er) Fighters (1-0)
An impressive start for this new franchise as the took down the Free Agents 80-61. Bobby Mears and Mihail Kocevski combined for 45 points to lead the way and Nathaniel Burgess had 12. The Fighters had to be very pleased with this performance as they dominated the whole game. They played very well together as a team, shared the ball well, proven by the 19 assists on 31 made field goals. They also dominated the boards and out-rebounded the Free Agents 46-25. GM Streeter Hull has to be pleased with this performance and has to feel good about his teams chances against BTE this coming week.
4. Livin’ The Dream (0-1)
Not the opening week Dream was hoping for but it’s only one week and I do expect this team to get better as the season goes. Dream fell to BTE 89-73 in a game they fell behind by 18 at the half. Former NBA player Lamond Murray led the way for Dream with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists. Josh McCarver had 10 points and 14 rebounds as well. Kudos to Max Miller Hooks for gutting it out and playing 41 minutes with an injured shoulder as well. If Hooks can go the rest of the season he will be a huge asset for Dream. As I mentioned last week the guards will need to compliment the play of Murray and McCarver. Last week they were a combined 14-40 (35 percent) from the field. That will have to improve going forward if this team wants to contend. I think the pieces are there but they will need to be able to consistently knock down the open looks from the perimeter. Dream has a big opportunity this week to make a statement as they face the Villains.
5. Free Agents (0-1)
Tough opening night for the Free Agents as they fell victim to Street(er) Fighters 80-61. Barrington Milner led the Free Agents with 20 points and Landon Cooper had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Like I mentioned last week, I think it will be a tough season for these guys but I do think they can be competitive. This team has guys that can play they will just need to find the right rotations and it will come. I do think they need Devin Dunn in attendance to be competitive though. Devin is someone who can really change the game for them and take some of the pressure off guys like Barrington, Landon, and Jonathan Mawhinney. Free Agents have a bye week this coming week and will return to action in Week 3 against BTE.
Predictions
6:30 p.m. - Street(er) Fighters vs. BTE | BTE -12.5
7:30 p.m. - Livin’ The Dream vs. Villains | Villains -8
Bye Week: Free Agents