By Ellis Einhorn
This week’s previews are presented by: Sportslook Passing League
Weekly Rebound Podcast S2E8 – 3/11/17: Joe and Sam are back for another week of analysis (1:03), updated power rankings (20:32), a Week 8 preview (33:15) and the special segment this week, season awards (38:17).
MONDAY 9PM: CEREAL KILLERS (6-0) VS WHITE MAGIC (2-5)
White Magic will be looking to make it three straight wins after coming from behind to defeat Sportslook last week. The Cereal Killers will be coming into this matchup as hungry as ever after getting a tough victory over The Firm. The Cereal Killers must lock in on the White Magic’s ‘Big 3 of Steve Buczeck, Justin Silva, and Mark Ballard, who combined for 47 of their team’s 56 points in their week 7 victory. White Magic will need to prevent Mike Davis from heating up from beyond the arc, as he is currently third in the league in three-point percentage.
Players to Watch: Mike Davis (Cereal Killers), Steve Buczeck (White Magic)
- Mike Davis: 16.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 45% from behind the arc on the season
- Steve Buczeck: 18 PPG shooting 61% from the floor on the season
Potential Breakout Players: Jay Thompson (Cereal Killers), Mark Ballard (White Magic)
- Thompson: Finished with 12 points and 2 steals in his team’s week 7 win over The Firm.
- Ballard: 8.9 PPG shooting 61% on field goals on the season
Legacy League Predictions:
Ellis: Cereal Killers
Ryan: Cereal Killers
Matt: Cereal Killers
Ben: Cereal Killers
MONDAY 9PM: NO LIMIT (5-0) VS LIGHT IT UP (1-6)
Top-ranked No Limit nearly suffered its first loss of the season last week as they only they beat the Avengers by six points. As for Light It Up, they are trying to forget last week’s 37-point loss to Red-emption in week 7. If there was any good to take from the loss, Light It Up had some big-time performances by Jake Miko, who had a team-high 24 points, and Devin Luzietti, who finished the game with 19 points and 18 rebounds. Light It Up had 12 more rebounds than Red-emption, and will need to improve on their ball control and communication if they are to hang with a top-tier team in No Limit. Even if Tarell Vargas is gone again, No Limit has players like Howie Miller, Ronte Byrd, and John Rullan who can step up on any given night.
Players to Watch: Howie Miller (No Limit), Devin Luzietti (Light It Up)
- Miller: 17.3 PPG, 5 RPG on the season; scored a team-high 24 points last week in win over Avengers.
- Luzietti: 10.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG on the season; grabbed 18 rebounds last week in loss to Red-emption.
Potential Breakout Players: Ronte Byrd (No Limit), Derrick Edwards (Light It Up)
- Byrd: 8.7 PPG, 5 RPG on the season; grabbed a team-high 16 rebounds last week in win over Avengers
- Edwards: 13 points and 6 assists in last week’s loss to Red-emption
Legacy League Predictions:
Ellis: No Limit
Ryan: No Limit
Matt: No Limit
Ben: No Limit
MONDAY 10PM: MONSTARS (6-1) VS THE ROOKIES (2-5)
The Monsters escaped with a seven-point victory over The Temptations in week 7, and seem to have really found an identity as a physical team that not only attacks the basket, but also will shoot at will. The Rookies too are gelling, and have found somewhat of an identity since Eric Singleton has stepping up. The Rookies had a late comeback against the Renegades last week, however, it was not enough as they couldn’t stop Ty Reed at the end of the day. Brandon Seabrook had a breakout performance last week with a team-high 28 points on 12-of-15 shooting. Antoin Pettway has been a huge boost for the Monstars who also have an array of scoring threats, so look for him to potentially breakout since The Rookies lack a true big man.
Players to Watch: Brandon Seabrook (Monstars), Eric Singleton (The Rookies)
- Seabrook: 11.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG on the season; scored a season-high 28 points last week in win over Temptations
- Singleton: 13.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG on the season; scored team-high 21 points last week in loss to Renegades
Potential Breakout Players: Antoin Pettway (Monstars), Justin Ruiz (The Rookies)
- Pettway: 10 PPG, 6.5 RPG in 2 games played
- Ruiz: 5.9 PPG, shooting 60% on the year; grabbed 10 boards last week in loss to
Legacy League Predictions:
Ellis: Monstars
Ryan: Monstars
Matt: Monstars
Ben: Monstars
MONDAY 10PM: THE FIRM (4-3) VS AVENGERS (1-6)
The Firm had a tough, hard fought loss last week to the Cereal Killers, and will be looking to regain some momentum as long as they can prevent the Avengers from connecting from downtown. The Avengers also had a close loss last week to No Limit, in a game where Zach Shapiro and Kevin Connors both had solid games from the outside. Shapiro and Connors are complemented well by Derrick Davis, who has been averaging 17 points since his week 4 debut.
The Firm will need to play an all-around solid game, with quality play from Markey DesRuisseaux and Chris Martinez, both of whom can jump out of the building. To ensure a win, players such as Larry Littles and Ty Drish will need to play more aggressively while keeping the Avengers from getting hot, as they are currently second in the league in total three pointers made.
Players to Watch: Markey DesRuisseaux (Firm), Derrick Davis (Avengers)
- Davis: 17 PPG, 5.3 RPG on the season
- DesRuisseaux: 17.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 59.8 FG%, on the season; 22 points and 6 rebounds in last week’s loss to Cereal Killers
Potential Breakout Players: Ty Drish (Firm), Jon Comerford (Avengers)
- Comerford: 10 PPG, 4.2 RPG on the season
- Drish: 4.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG on the season; 8 points (3-for-3 FG) in week 7 loss to Red-emption
Legacy League Predictions:
Ellis: The Firm
Ryan: The Firm
Matt: The Firm
Ben: The Firm
POSTPONED TO MONDAY 3/27 9:15PM: SPORTSLOOK (1-5) VS STRANGER DANGER (3-4)
Both Sportslook and Stranger Danger lost last week, and will be looking to bounce back to gain momentum as the regular season winds down. Sportslook had a disappointing loss to White Magic last week, but they were without Tyrell Holmes, Nick Bacarella and Steve Niggebrugge. If those three return, Stranger Danger will have a difficult time matching up.
Last week Stranger Danger couldn’t find an answer for Will Hudson and his Run TMC squad, so they will need a big game not only from Steve Echols, but also Joe Cordy, who finished with 17 points last week. This game is one of the more anticipated matchups of the week, and is expected to come down to who can finish in the late moments of the game.
Players to Watch: Tyrell Holmes (Sportslook), Joe Cordy (Stranger Danger)
- Holmes: 20 PPG, 61.0 FG%, 4.7 RPG in 3 games played this season
- Corey: 11.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG on the season
Potential Breakout Players: Christian Allen (Sportlook), Will McAdoo (Stranger Danger)
- Allen: 11.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG on the season
- McAdoo: 6.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG on the season; 15 points and 7 rebounds last week in loss to Run TMC
Legacy League Predictions:
Ellis: Sportslook
Ryan: Stranger Danger
Matt: Stranger Danger
Ben: Stranger Danger
POSTPONED TO MONDAY 3/27 9:15PM: RENEGADES (3-3) VS TEMPTATIONS (4-2)
The Renegades are coming off a solid victory over The Rookies in week 7, while the Temptations have now lost back-to-back games. When Ty Reed shows up, the Renegades are a very different team, with Reed averaging 24.5 points and 11 rebounds per game in his four appearances. Besides Reed, look for both Davin Sirpenski and Zeek Howard to have a solid performances in this matchup.
The Temptations will be as hungry as ever since falling in the power rankings following their losses to Goon Squad and the Monstars. Besides Carmine Santorelli, who we know can get hot from the tipoff, players like Fred Milford, who stepped up big last week, and sharpshooter Bryan Pratt will need to contribute in this matchup. It’s safe to say both of these teams need a win in week 8 as the playoffs are right around the corner.
Players to Watch: Davin Sirpenski (Renegades), Bryan Pratt (Temptations)
- Sirpenski: 11.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.2 BPG on the season; 17 points and four blocks last week
- Pratt: 11.3 PPG, 22-49 (45%) from 3-point range on the season
Potential Breakout Players: Zeek Howard (Renegades, Fred Milford (Temptations)
- Howard: 11.6 PPG, 60.5 FG% on the season
- Milfort: 12.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.3 SPG on the season; last week scored 22 points and recorded four assists in loss to Monstars
Legacy League Predictions:
Ellis: Renegades
Ryan: Temptations
Matt: Renegades
Ben: Temptations
POSTPONED TO MONDAY 3/27 10:15PM: GOON SQUAD (3-3) VS RED-EMPTION (5-2)
Goon Squad fell victim to the previously winless Lob 203 last week in a disappointing effort, while Red-emption roasted Light It Up, making it three-straight wins. The two teams are at different ends of the spectrum: Goon Squad has been a very inconsistent team through seven weeks, while Red-emption has seen quality performances by each and every player on their team. Expect a physical game from not only Matt Marconi, but also Brandon Massaro and Justin Green. Marconi was held to 16 points last week, so look for him to continue attacking the basket while DJ Ellis will attempt to shut down Red-emption’s deadly scorer, Jalen Graham. Red-emption will also need players such as Christian Terrell and Mike Freeman to step up to fend off a talented Goon Squad team.
Players to Watch: DJ Ellis (Goon Squad), Christian Terrell (Red-emption)
- Ellis: 10.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG on the season
- Terrell: 15.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.8 APG on the season; recorded 33 points and 11 rebounds last week in win vs Light It Up
Potential Breakout Players: Justin Green (Goon Squad), Mike Freeman (Red-emption)
- Green: 10.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG on the season
- Freeman: 11.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 18-36 from 3-point range on the season; 18 points and 9 rebounds last week in win over Light It Up
Legacy League Predictions:
Ellis: Red-emption
Ryan: Red-emption
Matt: Red-emption
Ben: Red-emption
POSTPONED TO MONDAY 3/27 10:15PM: RUN TMC (4-2) VS LOB 203 (1-5)
Run TMC’s two losses this season have come from No Limit and the Monstars, the top two teams in the league, so don’t underestimate them whatsoever in this matchup. Following a solid win against Stranger Danger last week, Run TMC is fighting for a top-seed come playoff time. Lob 203 finally felt the thrill of victory after last week’s 14-point win over Goon Squad. Paul Mirmina and Andrew Sampietro were crucial in the win, so they will need to play a well-rounded game against a tough Run TMC team to keep Lob in the game.
Will Hudson dominated Stranger Danger last week, while Matt Zocco and Kevin Blake have filled in around him on this powerhouse of a team. If Run TMC can shut down both Mirmina and Andrew Martino, Lob 203 will be in some serious trouble on the offensive end. Expect a hard-fought battle from both teams, as these teams have both beaten each other in prior seasons.
Players to Watch: Matt Zocco (Run TMC), Paul Mirmina (Lob 203)
- Zocco: 12.8 PPG, 4.5 APG on the season; recorded 19 points and 5 assists last week in win over Stranger Danger
- Mirmina: 13.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG on the season; scored team-high 20 points and 6 rebounds last week in win vs Goon Squad
Potential Breakout Players: Kevin Blake (Run TMC), John Brolet (Lob 203)
- Blake: 12.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 76.2 FG% on the season
- Brolet: 7.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG on the season; scored 8 points in week 7 win over Goon Squad on 4-for-6 shooting
Legacy League Predictions:
Ellis: Run TMC
Ryan: Run TMC
Matt: Run TMC
Ben: Run TMC
