By Ryan Spitz
This week’s previews are presented by: Napa Auto Parts of Stratford
Weekly Rebound Podcast, Season 2 Episode 9 – Playoff Scenario Previews: Sam is on Spring Break so Legacy Leagues Commissioner Joey Zocco joins Joe for a recap of the shortened Week 8 (1:13), Week 9 Picks (15:54), a conversation about “either or” games (26:51) and a breakdown of potential playoff seeding scenarios (40:27).
MONDAY 9:15PM: RED-EMPTION (5-2) VS MONSTARS (6-2)
The Monstars are coming off a bit of a shocking defeat last week against The Rookies, while Red-emption’s Week 8 was cancelled. They are coming off a blow-out win over Light It Up, with only five players in Week 7. This should be one of the more closely contested games of Week 9, and we should see a great guard battle between Reggie Stewart and Jalen Graham.
Players to Watch: Christian Terrell (Red-emption), Corey Jacobs (Monstars)
- Terrell: 33 points and 11 rebounds in week 7 game vs Light It Up
- Jacobs: 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in week 8 game vs The Rookies
Potential Breakout Players: Matt Pils (Red-emption), Jibril Chisholm (Monstars)
- Pils: 11.6 PPG and 4.8 RPG on the season
- Chisholm: 7.7 PPG and 3.5 RPG on the season
Legacy League Prediction:
Ryan: Red-emption
Ben: Monstars
Matt: Red-emption
Ellis: Monstars
MONDAY 9:15PM: WHITE MAGIC (2-6) VS RENEGADES (3-3)
White Magic had their two-game winning streak snapped in blow-out fashion by the Cereal Killers last week. The Renegades had the week off in Week 8, but are looking to continue their momentum from their Week 7 win over The Rookies. Look to see a lot of potential All-Star Ty Reed in this game for the Renegades and plenty of three-point shots from White Magic.
Players to Watch: Justin Silva (White Magic), Aaron McAlpine (Renegades)
- Silva: 7.3 PPG and 1.6 SPG on the season
- McAlpine: 11.7 PPG and 4.2 RPG on the season
Potential Breakout Players: Mark Ballard (White Magic), Tyler Russell (Renegades)
- Ballard: 8.9 PPG and 4.4 RPG on the season
- Russell: 6.5 PPG and 5.4 RPG on the season
Legacy League Predictions:
Ryan: Renegades
Ben: Renegades
Matt: Renegades
Ellis: Renegades
MONDAY 10:15PM: AVENGERS (2-6) VS THE ROOKIES (3-5)
A matchup of two teams that both played their respective games in the shortened Week 8; the Avengers pulled off an upset victory over The Firm, while The Rookies had their own upset victory over the Monstars. The dynamic duo matchups of Jhamal Jones and Jaylon Smalls for The Rookies vs Zach Shapiro and Derrick Davis for the Avengers will be at the center of what to watch for in this game.
Players to Watch: Derrick Davis (Avengers), Eric Singleton (The Rookies)
- Davis: 20 points and 4 steals in week 8 win vs The Firm
- Singleton: 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in week 8 win vs Monstars
Potential Breakout Players: Jon Comerford (Avengers), Eliot Walker (The Rookies)
- Comerford: 9.2 PPG and 3.8 RPG on the season
- Walker: 7.5 PPG and 6.0 RPG on the season
Legacy League Predictions:
Ryan: The Rookies
Ben: The Rookies
Matt: The Rookies
Ellis: The Rookies
MONDAY 10:15PM: LIGHT IT UP (1-7) VS THE FIRM (4-4)
Both teams come into this game looking to rebound from poor performances in their last game. Light It Up was blown out Week 8 by the league’s top team, No Limit, and The Firm lost last week to the Avengers in a game where they did not take care of the ball. Both teams will need to control the tempo and possession of the ball to win. This game has bigger implications for The Firm as they try to get into a top six seed in the playoffs.
Players to Watch: Devin Luzietti (Light It Up), Larry Littles (The Firm)
- Luzietti: 39 points and 18 rebounds in week 8 loss vs No Limit
- Littles: 17 points and 7 rebounds in week 8 loss vs Avengers
Potential Breakout Players: Jake Miko (Light It Up), Dashawn Hall (The Firm)
- Miko: 18 points and 4 rebounds in last week’s loss to No Limit
- Hall: 9.0 PPG and 1.3 SPG on the season
Legacy League Predictions:
Ryan: The Firm
Ben: The Firm
Matt: The Firm
Ellis: The Firm
TUESDAY 9:15PM: GOON SQUAD (3-3) VS NO LIMIT (7-0)
In a game with heavy playoff implications, Goon Squad comes in looking to bounce back from their last loss to Lob 203, while No Limit looks to continue their momentum in their recent win over Light It Up. If No Limit wins they get a step closer to their desired no. 1 overall seed for the playoffs. Goon Squad needs a win if they want to get in the top six seeds for the playoffs. Look to see a great matchup of stars with Goon Squad’s Matt Marconi vs Tarell Vargas for No Limit.
Players to Watch: D.J. Ellis (Goon Squad), Kevin Rivera (No Limit)
- Ellis: 10.8 PPG and 53.5 FG% on the season
- Rivera: 10.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 3.0 APG
Potential Breakout Players: Matt DelMonte (Goon Squad), John Rullan (No Limit)
- DelMonte: 6.0 PPG and 4.2 RPG on the season
- Rullan: 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists last week win vs Light It Up
Legacy League Predictions:
Ryan: No Limit
Ben: No Limit
Matt: No Limit
Ellis: No Limit
TUESDAY 9:15PM: STRANGER DANGER (3-4) VS CEREAL KILLERS (7-0)
In a game that has no.1 overall seed implications, the Cereal Killers will look to continue their undefeated season against Stranger Danger. The Cereal Killers are coming off a big win over White Magic, while Stranger Danger is looking to turn it around going into the playoffs after a loss in their last game to Run TMC. Stranger Danger’s Steve Echols needs to stay on the court, otherwise look for the pressure defense of the Cereal Killers to really be even that much more effective.
Players to Watch: Joe Cordy (Stranger Danger), Nick Perry (Cereal Killers)
- Cordy: 17 points and 5 rebounds in Week 7 loss to Run TMC
- Perry: 9.6 PPG and 4.0 RPG on the season
Potential Breakout Players: Will McAdoo (Stranger Danger), Michael Masciola (Cereal Killers)
- McAdoo: 15 points and 7 rebounds in Week 7 loss vs Run TMC
- Masciola: 9.3 PPG and 3.0 RPG on the season
Legacy Leagues Predictions:
Ryan: Cereal Killers
Ben: Cereal Killers
Matt: Cereal Killers
Ellis: Cereal Killers
TUESDAY 10:15PM: TEMPTATIONS (4-2) VS RUN TMC (4-2)
In the game with probably the most playoff implications, two teams with identical records hit the floor as both teams are looking to take command in the standings before the playoffs. The Temptations are looking to rebound from their Week 7 loss to the Monstars, while Run TMC is looking to build on their Week 7 momentum by beating Stranger Danger. The inside-outside matchup in this game of Carmine Santorelli vs Will Hudson should be very interesting to keep an eye on.
Players to Watch: Fred Milfort (Temptations), Matt Zocco (Run TMC)
- Milfort: 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in Week 7 loss vs Monstars
- Zocco: 19 points and 5 assists in Week 7 win over Stranger Danger
Potential Breakout Players: Troy Brunson (Temptations), Brad Seaman (Run TMC)
- Brunson: 14.0 PPG and 8.2 RPG on the season
- Seaman: 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in Week 7 win vs Stranger Danger
Legacy League Predictions:
Ryan: Run TMC
Ben: Run TMC
Matt: Run TMC
Ellis: Run TMC
TUESDAY 10:15PM: LOB 203 (1-5) VS SPORTSLOOK (1-5)
In a battle of two surprising one-win teams, Lob 203 looks to continue their momentum after their first win in Week 7 over Goon Squad, while Sportslook will look to rebound from their Week 7 loss to White Magic. Two potential All-Stars also do battle this game as Lob 203’s Andrew Martino faces off against Sportslook’s Tyrell Holmes.
Players to Watch: Scott Benzing (Sportslook), Paul Mirmina (Lob 203)
- Benzing: 19 points and 8 rebounds in Week 7 loss to White Magic
- Mirmina: 20 points and 6 rebounds in Week 7 win vs Goon Squad
Potential Breakout Players: Christian Allen (Sportslook), Andrew Sampietro (Lob 203)
- Allen: 18 points and 9 rebounds in Week 7 loss vs White Magic
- Sampietro: 11 points in Week 7 win over Goon Squad
Legacy League Predictions:
Ryan: Lob 203
Ben: Lob 203
Matt: Sportslook
Ellis: Lob 203
