By Ryan Spitz
This week’s sponsor is: Ben J Music
Joe and Sam are back for another week of analysis, power rankings and game picks. Follow @WeeklyRebound on Twitter to interact with the guys and ask them questions to potential be a part of next week’s show.
MONDAY 9PM: MONSTARS (4-0) VS NO LIMIT (3-0)
In a battle of unbeatens, and possibly the two best teams in the league, both the Monstars and No Limit are coming off hard-fought victories in Week 4. The Monstars pulled away late to defeat Run TMC, while No Limit won a nail-biter over Lob 203. No Limit will have to increase their defensive intensity and focus to keep the high scoring Monstars, led by Reggie Stewart, from lighting up the scoreboard. Look for No Limit’s Howie Miller to match-up with Stewart to negate his high-flying play with length and athleticism.
Players to Watch: Howie Miller (No Limit), Mike Cody (Monstars)
- Howie Miller: 17.7 PPG and 4.0 RPG
- Mike Cody: 11.5 PPG and 3.8 RPG
Potential Breakout Players: Kevin Rivera (No Limit), Ty Alston (Monstars)
- Kevin Rivera: 10.0 PPG and 3.3 APG
- Ty Alston: 9.5 PPG and 5.0 RPG
Legacy League Predictions:
Ryan: No Limit
Ben: Monstars
Ellis: Monstars
Matt: No Limit
MONDAY 9PM: RED-EMPTION (2-2) VS AVENGERS (1-3)
Both teams come into this game off demoralizing defeats in Week 4, with Red-emption blowing a second half lead to the Temptations, and the Avengers getting crushed by the Renegades. The Red-emption and MVP candidate Jalen Graham have more at stake in this game, competing for a better playoff spot, and will look clamp down defensively after giving up 101 points the previous week. The Avengers, led by Zach Shapiro will need to chuck and duck from beyond the arc to keep this game within reach.
Players to Watch: Jalen Graham (Red-emption), Zach Shapiro (Avengers)
- Jalen Graham: 29.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 4.3 APG
- Zach Shapiro: 21.0 PPG and 50% from behind the arc
Potential Breakout Players: Matt Pils (Red-emption), Kevin Connors (Avengers)
- Matt Pils: 13.0 PPG and 6.3 RPG
- Kevin Connors: 9.8 PPG and 4.0 RPG
Legacy Leagues Predictions:
Ryan: Red-emption
Ben: Red-emption
Ellis: Red-emption
Matt: Red-emption
MONDAY 10PM: LIGHT IT UP (1-3) VS THE ROOKIES (1-3)
Light It Up struggles to find a successful strategy this season, dropping another game, this time in a blowout to the Cereal Killers. The Rookies have also struggled this season; however, they finally put it together a bit in last week’s win over White Magic. The play of point guard Chris Rosario will dictate the game for Light It Up, as he their only consistent scoring option. On flip side, The Rookies will need to continue their solid defense, with their lack of a scoring punch.
Players to Watch: Chris Rosario (Light It Up), Jhamal Jones (The Rookies)
- Mike Rosario: 21.0 PPG and 4.3 RPG
- Jhamal Jones: 11.7 PPG and 3.7 RPG
Potential Breakout Players: Devin Luzietti (Light It Up), Eric Singleton (The Rookies)
- Devin Luzietti: 9.8 PPG and 9.0 RPG
- Eric Singleton: 13 points and 5 steals in win vs White Magic
Legacy Leagues Predictions:
Ryan: Light It Up
Ben: The Rookies
Ellis: The Rookies
Matt: Light It Up
MONDAY 10PM: LOB 203 (0-3) VS CEREAL KILLERS (3-0)
In a battle of the winless vs the yet-to-lose, this game may be closer than the records of Lob 203 and the Cereal Killer may suggest. Lob 203 has had tough luck all season, culminating last week with a two-point loss to No Limit, while the Cereal Killers have been just the opposite, dominating their opponents, including blowing out Light It Up last week. Lob 203 will have to play strong defense against Mike Davis and company, especially keeping them out of transition. However, for the Cereal Killers, more of the same high scoring, transition offense could help them further their undefeated status.
Players to Watch: Andrew Martino (Lob 203), Mike Davis (Cereal Killers)
- Andrew Martino: 17.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG
- Mike Davis: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists, and 7 steals in week 4 win vs. Light It Up
Potential Breakout Players: Paul Mirmina (Lob 203), Justin Thompson (Cereal Killers)
- Paul Mirmina: 22 points and 8 rebounds in week 4 loss vs. No Limit
- Justin Thompson: 10.7 PPG and 4.7 APG
Legacy Leagues Predictions:
Ryan: Cereal Killers
Ben: Cereal Killers
Ellis: Cereal Killers
Matt: Cereal Killers
TUESDAY 9PM: SPORTSLOOK (1-2) VS TEMPTATIONS (3-0)
Both these teams are coming off of impressive Week 4 wins; Sportslook dominated Goon Squad, while the Temptations had a come-from-behind victory over Red-emption. However, the talk of the league isn’t their wins, but it is Carmine Santorelli of the Temptations. Santorelli is coming off a league-record 62-point performance, so Sportslook will need to clamp down defensively, possibly face-guarding him, if they want to continue their winning momentum.
Players to Watch: Tyrell Holmes (Sportslook), Carmine Santorelli (Temptations)
- Tyrell Holmes: 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals in season week 4 debut vs Goon Squad
- Carmine Santorelli: 62 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in week 4 win vs Red-emption
Potential Breakout Players: Nick Bacarella (Sportslook), Troy Brunson (Temptations)
- Nick Bacarella: 7.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 3.0 APG
- Troy Brunson: 16.7 PPG and 8.7 RPG
Legacy Leagues Predictions:
Ryan: Sportslook
Ben: Temptations
Ellis: Sportslook
Matt: Temptations
TUESDAY 9PM: RENEGADES (1-2) VS STRANGER DANGER (2-2)
This game features two teams heading in different directions; the Renegades got their first win of the season, dominating the Avengers, while Stranger Danger suffered their second-straight loss in blowout fashion to The Firm. Look for the Renegades to go to Ty Reed early and often on the inside to capitalize on their size advantage. As for Stranger Danger, they will need Johnny O’Brien back ASAP to reignite their defense.
Players to Watch: Ty Reed (Renegades), Steve Echols (Stranger Danger)
- Ty Reed: 29 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks in week 4 win vs. Avengers
- Steve Echols: 19.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.0 APG
Potential Breakout Players: Davin Sirpenski (Renegades), John Lutters (Stranger Danger)
- Davin Sirpenski: 9.3 PPG and 5.7 RPG
- John Lutters: 9 points, 3-8 3PA, and 2 assists in week 4 loss vs. The Firm
Legacy Leagues Picks:
Ryan: Renegades
Ben: Stranger Danger
Ellis: Stranger Danger
Matt: Stranger Danger
TUESDAY 10PM: RUN TMC (2-1) VS WHITE MAGIC (0-3)
Run TMC found themselves on the losing end of a game for the first time this season last week against the Monstars. Look for a lot of Will Hudson on the inside to get them back on track against a struggling White Magic squad. White Magic will need plenty of magic to win this game, specifically better shooting from Steven Buczek.
Players to Watch: Matt Zocco (Run TMC), Steven Buczek (White Magic)
- Matt Zocco: 16.0 PPG and 4.3 RPG
- Steven Buczek: 13.8 PPG and 3.3 RPG
Potential Breakout Players: Joey Zocco (Run TMC), Jimmy Pace (White Magic)
- Joey Zocco: 8.3 PPG and 3.0 RPG
- Jimmy Pace: 6 points and 10 rebounds in week 4 loss vs. The Rookies
Legacy Leagues Predictions:
Ryan: Run TMC
Ben: Run TMC
Ellis: Run TMC
Matt: Run TMC
TUESDAY 10PM: THE FIRM (3-1) VS GOON SQUAD (1-2)
A battle of two teams heading in very different directions as of late; The Firm have won two in a row, while Goon Squad have dropped two in a row. One of last season’s top scorers, Matt Marconi, has been a non-factor for Goon Squad thus far. He will need to get back on track for them to get back in the win column. For The Firm, look for a steady diet of team defense and emotional play as they have shown all season long.
Players to Watch: Chris Martinez (The Firm), Brandon Massaro (Goon Squad)
- Chris Martinez: 15.5 PPG and 8.3 RPG
- Brandon Massaro: 9.0 PPG and 1.3 SPG
Potential Breakout Players: Dashawn Hall (The Firm), Justin Green (Goon Squad):
- Dashawn Hall: 10.0 PPG and 1.7 SPG
- Justin Green: 11.0 and 2.7 RPG
Legacy Leagues Predictions:
Ryan: Goon Squad
Ben: The Firm
Ellis: The Firm
Matt: The Firm
