MSBL Power Rankings

SBL Slam Radio host Matt Cecins brings you his MSBL Power Rankings after week four of the SBL

 

"The rankings and opinions shared in the articles are mine, and not necessarily the views shared by the SBL".

 

1. Joondalup Wolves (3-1)

The Wolves only loss occurred up in Geraldton, however the Wolves have statistically the best team defense in the league, allowing only 86 ppg. Joondalup are still yet to field a full strength team, with Trian Iliadis absent from the first round win over South West and Joel Questel will remain out of the lineup for a few more weeks to come.

 

Bobby Evans has made a huge impact off the bench averaging around 15ppg and 8 rpg coming off the pine for the Wolfpack. He compliments Kevin Davis so well and makes the Wolves frontcourt even more formidable.

 

Joondalup have a dream early season schedule by having no double headers until Week 9. The Wolves have their next three games at home and will need to beat the talented Cougars if they are to maintain their #1 position in the Power Rankings.

 

Next 4: v Hawks, v Cougars, v Slammers, @Giants

 

2. Cockburn Cougars (5-1)

There are no undefeated teams left in 2016, however the Cougars are the only team unbeaten on the road this season with victories over the Redbacks, Flames and Tigers. Najee Lane has not missed a beat and has teamed up well again with Gavin Field. Marcus Goode has found impressive offensive touch and his 8 blocked shots against the Buccs demonstrated his dominance on the defensive end of the floor.

 

The Cougars could take the number one position in the Power Rankings if they win against the Slammers and have an upset victory over the Wolfpack next weekend.

 

Next 4: @Slammers, @Wolves, v Lightning, v Redbacks

 

3. Stirling Senators (4-2)

A massive come from behind win over the Cougars in Week 3 has sparked the Senators season. Four wins on the trot now has put the rest of the league on notice, and the wins have come without their starting point guard Corban Wroe.

 

Jayden Coburn is on the cusp of a break out season and is putting up impressive numbers. He dropped 20 points on Perry Lakes last weekend. Ellis and Lindbergh have also been effective and will be the key ingredients in moving the Senators forward.

 

A challenging game against their historical rivals Perth this weekend will be followed by a road trip up to the midwest. These games will determine whether the Senators are the real deal in 2016.

 

Next 4: v Redbacks, @Buccs, @Lightning, v Buccs

 

4. Rockingham Flames (4-2)

Took it up to the defending champions, eventually losing to Joondalup by just 7 points. Chudier Pal is making waves around the league with his impressive performances week in and week out. His 36 points and 22 rebound effort against the Suns was sensational, however to back it up against the quality of the Lightning’s front court just a week later was simply superb. Pal put up a 27point, 16 rebound and 6 blocked shots stat line, and if he maintains this output he could potentially draw attention from NBL scouts.

 

It is scary to think that Cooper Land is putting up better numbers this season as he has done over his brilliant career. He is currently averaging 29 points and 11 rebounds in 2016, and shooting the ball more accurately from the field and the charity stripe. Cooper is clearly benefitting from the efforts of Pal and newly acquired big man Nebojsha Franich.

 

Next 4: @Buccs, @Magic, v Suns, @Redbacks

 

5. Goldfields Giants (4-2)

The Giants have arguably the best import pairing in the league. Jacob Holmen is putting up MVP caliber numbers and new recruit Kenny Manigault is averaging 28 points per game.

 

An impressive sign early for the Giants is their three road wins this season. The Giants were 6-7 away from home last season, and if they better that in 2016 then they could challenge for a top five finish.

 

Next 4: v Suns, @Lightning, @Hawks, v Magic

 

6. Perry Lakes Hawks (3-2)

No doubt the injury to Hobbs will be crucial to the start of the Hawks season. Brian Carlwell is beginning to put up the numbers he produced when he lead the Cougars to a title in 2012. The Hawks are an improved team defensively this year, allowing their opponents only 89 ppg. Compare this to last season where the Hawks gave up 103 ppg to their opponents.

 

A good challenge awaits the Hawks in the next two weeks, facing the tall timber of the Wolves and the Magic.

 

Next 4: @Wolves, @Magic, v Giants, v Eagles

 

7. Geraldton Buccaneers (3-3)

Even though the Buccaneers lost last weekend to the Tigers, it was the night after a tough game against the Cougars. A home win over the defending champions warrants a higher ranking over the Tigers who have an identical record.

 

The healthy return of Wundenberg is obviously important, and the early performance of Matthew Adekponya has been eye catching. Maurice Barrow is a proven scorer and Carter Cook continues to create matchup headaches for opponents. The Buccaneers will need to secure more wins on the road to threaten other teams in the top four this year. The road double against the Hawks and Senators will be a good indicator of the Buccaneers playoff ambitions.

 

Next 4: v Flames, v Senators, @Hawks, @Senators

 

8. Willetton Tigers (3-3)

Impressive win over Geraldton last Sunday, however the Tigers have let games slip in the last quarter on a couple of occasions this season. Notable collapses have included late losses to the Giants and Cougars.

 

It is no secret that the Tigers are shorthanded in the big man department, however their backcourt is one of the strongest in the competition. Jay Bowie, Damien Scott and Kyle Armour are averaging a combined 71 points per game. Joshua Johnson has battled hard for the Tigers, and Nic Cody will need to stay out of foul trouble for the Tigers to continue their ascent.

 

Next 4: @Magic, v Suns, @Slammers, @Senators

 

9. Perth Redbacks (2-3)

Despite having a losing record the undermanned Redbacks deserve a higher ranking than the Slammers after their big comeback win in Week 3. Injuries and player availability have resulted in young and inexperienced players playing extended minutes. Tyler Viskovich has had admirable performances and Jack Wagner was instrumental in the home win against the Slammers, scoring 17 points in the final term.

 

Jourdan DeMuynck is an offensive weapon, averaging 28.8 ppg and snaring 11 rebounds per outing. The healthy return of Lewis Thomas, the addition of Michael Vigor and guard Marshall Nelson later in the season will result in the Redbacks climbing the standings.

 

This week the Redbacks take on the in-form Senators and the home ANZAC Day contest against the East Perth Eagles will be a fantastic matchup next weekend.

 

Next 4: @Senators, v Eagles, @Cougars, v Flames

 

10. South West Slammers (3-2)

Had tight wins over the Magic and Giants last weekend, and a win over the Cougars could confirm whether the Slammers are legitimate playoff contenders this season. Royal Crouch is proving to be a formidable import pairing alongside Tre Nichols, as his physical style and tenacious offensive rebounding is the perfect compliment for the exciting style of play that Nichols brings. Trent Worthington is dominating the glass and the return of Clive Weeden provides much needed depth to the Slammers front court.

 

A team average of just 94.2 ppg through four weeks of the season is concerning for the Slammers. Round 7 will be a stern test as they will be at home to the Tigers on the Friday night and then have to travel to Joondalup the next day to play the Wolves for the second time in 2016.

 

Next 4: v Cougars, @Eagles, v Tigers, @Wolves

 

11. East Perth Eagles (1-4)

The Eagles are another MSBL team that has yet to field their strongest lineup. Joe-Alan Tupaea has missed games as player-coach and Williamson, Korf and Donlagic have all missed games here and there. This weekend may be the first chance to witness an Eagles lineup in full-flight and they will need to gel together as soon as possible, as they are currently averaging a league low 91.2 ppg.

 

The Eagles are placed higher in the rankings than the Lightning, who currently have a better record, as the Lightning have been closer to full strength for just one more win than East Perth. The matchup this weekend with Lakeside will determine whether the Eagles deserve the higher ranking.

 

Week 6 will be crucial for the Eagles, as they face a double header in the South West on the Saturday then a crucial clash with Perth will follow on Anzac Day. The Eagles own a 1-3 home record and will need to transfer their collective talent into wins urgently or face losing touch with the top 8.

 

4: @Lightning, v Slammers, @Redbacks, @Hawks

 

12. Lakeside Lightning (2-3)

A shock first round win over the Stirling Senators at the time was impressive, however the Lightning have since been hammered at home by the Geraldton Buccaneers and lost in overtime to the Slammers after letting a generous lead slip in the fourth term.

 

Daniel Alexander and TJ Hallice are combining well and putting up impressive numbers, however the Lightning will need to find more scorers moving forward, as they are currently averaging around 96 ppg this season.

 

Next 4: v Eagles, v Giants, @Cougars, v Senators

 

13. Mandurah Magic (1-4)

Excellent Week 1 win at home over Geraldton is now a distant memory as the Magic have dropped four straight games. It is no secret that the Magic are light on bench depth, however the recent form of Daniel Florance will be pleasing.

 

Trevor Setty has put up some big numbers, including 41 points against the Senators. Setty also rebounds well for his size, averaging 12 boards per game. Smith and Mullenax will continue to pose daunting matchups for opponents and the Magic now have three straight home games (albeit at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex) to try to turn around their disappointing form.

 

Next 4: v Tigers, v Hawks, v Flames, @Giants

 

14. Kalamunda Eastern Suns (0-6)

The Suns unique game style has many people talking around the league. Kalamunda are having no issue scoring the basketball (112.6 ppg, 2nd in the MSBL) however the Suns are giving up a whopping 129.6 ppg.

 

The Suns have had a couple of big second half leads evaporate, notably against the East Perth Eagles and the Goldfields Giants. Timothy Squire is an early candidate for the Most Improved Player Award, upping his career averages of 7ppg and 1 rpg to a highly respectable 19 ppg and 3 rpg.

 

Three straight away games are on the horizon for the Suns, but a positive in their upcoming schedule is that they have no double headers until Week 11.

 

Next 4: @Giants, @Tigers, @Flames, v Senators

 

Tune in to 'SBL Slam' 7pm Tuesday nights on 98.5 Sunshine FM or subscribe to the 'SBL Slam' weekly podcast on iTunes.

Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_cecins

 

Article by Matt Cecins
Photo by Serene Maisey

 

 




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