2025 New York National Tournament Preview | Will CTE get their last Infinity stone?
It’s National Tournament week in New York. Will CTE win their 3rd straight National Title or will FMB defend their NYC title from last year? We have story lines on story lines for this week’s tournament…
A new era has begun for Ultimate Hoops as many new fresh faces are set to make their national tournament debut this weekend in the big apple.
Who will come out on top? For the first time in a long time, we don’t really have a clear-cut favorite but we’ll do our best and give our predictions for this weekend’s big tournament.
National Tournament Preview
1. CTE (MD): +300
CTE will be going for their 3rd straight National Title after winning the 35+ and open national titles in Vegas. The NYC infinity stone is the only stone missing for CTE. They will be just the 2nd team in Ultimate Hoops history to complete the triple crown if they can win in NYC this weekend. CTE will definitely have a chip on their shoulder after losing to FMB in the finals last year in New York and some previous players calling their last title in Vegas a “Mickey Mouse Chip” lol. New York will be the real test this week to see if this is truly the beginning of a dynasty.
2. FMB (NY): +400
The defending champs are back and probably should be ranked #1 as the defending champs. But with CTE having all the momentum winning the last two national titles it’s hard to put them as favorites. The roster looks pretty much the same as last year’s title team minus big man Drew Bronen so we definitely expect them to be playing late going into Sunday.
3. Dream Team (GA): +500
They are always a lock for the final 4, but this year’s team is missing some key big men. However, their guard play should be one of the best in the tournament and the team will most likely go as far as the guards can take them. I’m still not over their buzzer beater loss against Ball So Hard in the 2023 NYC finals and going to assume most of them still aren’t either. Will this be the year Atlanta finally takes home their first national title?? If there ever was a team that’s due for one, they are probably it.
4. DC Heat (VA): +600
This is my wild card pick for the tournament. I have never seen them play in my life but rumor on the street is they are semi-pro team in the ECBL and the best team in a very competitive league in Gainesville. I’m going to assume they probably won’t have too many “chemistry” issues. What do I know though?
5. Baseline (TX): +800
They have “10” players listed on the roster but if history serves me correct they will most likely show up with 6 again lol. Regardless of who shows up team Baseline always seems to make a run in NYC. However, this year’s teams have some new names and honestly I have no idea how they will do. I am just strictly putting them at #5 based on previous history. Rumor on the street is captain Bobby Rouse put a curfew in for the team so maybe this time around they are taking it more serious? Probably not though if I know Bobby the way I think I do.
6. PTB (TX): +900
These 8 player teams from Texas always make me nervous as you never know who will actually show up. But the team will be powered by Hoop Fuel and the Corporate Hooper Will Custis so maybe they only need 8 if they are going to have the Hoop Fuel in their system? You’re welcome on the plug Will Custis haha. Marcus Hall is the big name here and we know he’s a lock to give you 30 every game but the lack of size has me a bit concerned.
7. Strive Above Others (CA): +1000
They are traveling the furthest of any team in the tournament which is always a challenge for any team. They had a disappointing showing in Las Vegas but the addition of lightning quick point guard Allan Guei will be a nice boost to the backcourt. He literally almost beat CTE single handily on his own in Las Vegas so it will be interesting to see him paired up with the Kirkland brothers this time around.
8. Ultimate Oops (TX): +1200
Uh oh. No Austin Rettig and big man Kyle Anderson on the roster? I see some new names on the roster so maybe captain Andy Plautz has some new tricks up his sleeve. But replacing a super athletic wing and a 6-8 big man in the starting lineup can’t be that easy. For me they will always be the one hit wonder that shocked Ball So Hard until proven otherwise. Let’s see what these new guys can bring to the table this year.
9. Motivation (MA): +1500
“Just here for a good time not a long time”. That’s the phrase I think about when I think about team Motivation. They seem to always be one and done and I’m not sure if it’s going to be any different this year lol. Again what do I know? Just another random asian guy typing behind a keyboard. It’s nothing personal, the LaPlanche’s are family to me. Haha.
10. Level Up (NY): +2000
Pretty dangerous of me to put a home team last in the rankings but I like living on the edge. I see a couple of familiar names from the 2017 Thundercat’s title team but things have changed a little bit in the past 8 years. The Syosset league has grown a lot thanks to super commissioner Anthony Leo so maybe this home team shocks the world?? One thing I’ve learned from the past 10 years of running this tournament is anything can happen as long as Ball So Hard is not in the tournament haha.
That’s it folks and those are my predictions for the tournament. Feel free to comment and let me know how wrong I am.
We will be hosting our Welcome Party at Magic Hour Rooftop Lounge on Friday night at the Moxy hotel. All players, family and friends will receive free VIP admission to the lounge starting at 8:00pm.
Thank you again to all the teams from all across the country for making the trip to NYC this week! Looking forward to another fun and competitive tournament. See everyone Friday night!