2023 | SimCBB | Season Preview: Maction

[TuscanSota]

Hi everyone,

 

Here are my preseason rankings for the Mid-American Conference, or what we like to call: The Mac. Or Maction. Because Maction is Magic.

 

12.  Western Michigan | Ovr: 168 | Off.: 156 | Def.: 201

Western Michigan as it turns out... may not be the Best-ern directional Michigan team this season. Which unfortunately is saying a lot considering that the Broncos scored on signing one of the best Point Guards last year, Kiran Patel. How they plan to add him into the lineup this season? We're not sure, but except him to be leading the offense on the floor. The Broncos have an average core of players with Sr PG Chris Reed, Sr SF Matthew Powell, Sr C Domingo Butler, and Sr C Hanh Vang. This starting rotation will be very senior heavy, with rotational minutes likely given to the incoming freshmen including Patel, PF Su Nguyen and SF Ivan Skeelo. We're not sure how the Broncos will fare, though the algorithm was punishing for Western Michigan this season. I see them as middle of the pack MAC.

11.  Miami (OH) | Ovr: 161 | Off.: 154 | Def.: 153

Miami (Ohio) has only 1 'B' rated and over player, and that's Sr SG James Weir. He's an exception mid-range shooter, and is excellent with handling the ball. The rest of the Redhawks motley? Mostly average guardplay from point guards Thomas Bowers and Herman Navarro. The Redhawks at a glance look like they could lean into mid-range shooting as their forte; but their rotation outside of the three players mention above may only include freshman SF Fletcher Dolan for getting any sort of minutes and shot allocation. Expect good perimeter defense from this rotation, but not enough inside shooting or rebound strength to consider the Redhawks as serious contenders.

10.  Akron | Ovr: 142 | Off.: 150 | Def.: 112

Akron is one of the teams last season that only recruited less than three players. And... it's not pretty. This Zips team will likely zip down the court with a jumbo set of veteran Center-play and Power Forwards, considering that Centers Eric Young, Yong Hsu, and Carlos Hernandez are their best shooters near the rim. The starting rotation will be good on defense, but a huge question  mark if any player decides to shoot beyond the paint.

9.  Ohio | Ovr: 137 | Off.: 138 | Def.: 116

The Bobcats this season should be exceptional on defense whether it's defending a mid-range shot or the rim. Their mid-range and 3pt shooting look like it will be serviceable but beyond that, this team will struggle near the paint. Bobcats will likely lean on Sr PG Richard Eberle's Mid-range and ballwork, followed by Jr SG Danny Chan's 3pt shooting. Enough of this team is decent at defense; but there aren't a lot of good rebounders. This team will likely be high-risk on offense, which will make for some good Maction Magic. Not enough for a championship though.

8.  Ball State | Ovr: 93 | Off.: 160 | Def.: 21

Ball is not a State. Not sure why they named their school that but it is not a state.

Anyways, the Cardinals have one of the best Centers in the league in Sr C Daniel Sweeney. He's average as a shooter, but will likely be meeting the glass several times for a rebound and smothering players getting close to the rim. Around him are a set of great players like Jr PF Timothy Patrick, Ball State's most versatile player on shooting the ball, and Sophomore PF Thomas Dudley, an exceptional dunker and defenseman. Ball State's biggest weakness is their lack of depth; and the future of this team looks bad. We're talking four freshmen with 'F' rated potential.

7.  Central Michigan | Ovr: 90 | Off.: 58 | Def.: 125

The Chips have perhaps one of the more deep rosters for an AI team in this conference. Six 'B' overall players at least, with Sophomore C Blaise Beery looking like a good alternative center who could get minutes. The Chips' biggest strength is mid-range and 3pt shooting, with senior SGs Lee Paul and Charles Dengate being absolutely fantastic near the 3pt line. In the event of fouls, both are very reliable at the Free Throw line. Their next best option is Jr SF Glenn Everett, who makes up for the guard's weakness near the paint with great layup ability. Central Michigan is certainly more offense-focused, which I'd argue gives them a higher chance at a championship berth considering we're only halfway through this review.

6.  Eastern Michigan | Ovr: 85 | Off.: 81 | Def.: 92

Don't tell @Jieret that Eastern Michigan is the Bestern Directional School in Michigan. Don't even tel him that this roster is deep with at least Seven 'B' graded players. Eastern Michigan is deep at PF, PG, and Center this year, and it shows. Both Centers David Tolan and Scot Ayvazyan are a presence near the rim both on offense and efense; and PFs Adalberto Salinas and Andrew Flick are likely to be the team's top rebounders. Their Point Guards are also very young: James Mcdaniel and Frank Strub are both Sophomores and while McDaniel is more specialized with handling the ball, Strub is known for his 3pt shooting. This is a team I'd certainly call on the rise and will likely be a tough matchup for MAC teams this year.

5.  Buffalo | Ovr: 82 | Off.: 70 | Def.: 99

The Buffalo Bulls are not as deep as Central or Eastern Michigan; but like Ball State, they're elevated by one player that the team will build around. And that's Jr SF Stephen Kelley. Kelley is above average on defense but is known for breaking through defenses both near the rim and on the mid range. His ball-handling is wonky; but when the ball is in his hands, it is flying. This team outside of Kelley will have good ball handling with Sr PG Clifton Sligh; and great defensive coverage with Jr C Christopher Lovell. However, this is a team that's aiming to make an impact now. And with the lack of depth on their squad, it may be the swan song of Buffalo before this team attempts to rebuild.

4.  Kent State | Ovr: 58 | Off.: 115 | Def.: 22

Kent is not a state; but they are built like a competitive team. Expect excellent defense from Sophomore Center Daniel Miller, while thre rest of the starting five will handle the ball and take a shot from anywhere. Sr SF Harold Rogers is deadly near the rim; but Sr PG Richard Steelman is good at the Mid-Range. Their best player? 'A' Grade Brian Berry, who has broken through defenses last year and is ready to make a breakaway performance this season. The Golden Flashes will certainly be flashing by opponents this year, and rebounding the bal to give their starting five a second chance. This team has good post-season potential, and can potentially make a case for the MAC championship.

3.  Toledo | Ovr: 56 | Off.: 71 | Def.: 53

You know what's scarier than a team with one 'A' grade player? Three. And Toledo has three. This team is going to be crazy against the glass; and their starting Centers are likely to be drafted in the SimNBA next season. Senior Centers Steven Seeber and Ronald Dankel are a presence near the rim, especially on offense; though it's Dankel who's the better rebounder while Seeber will make it difficult for opponents on defense. The third 'A' grade player is Vijaya Alba, who is another great rebounder and dunk specialist in his own right. Toledo will be crashing the boards and making dunks; but their biggest weakness that could keep them from a championship will be their ball handling. it's average, a little above average at best.

2.  Northern Illinois | Ovr: 50 | Off.: 52 | Def.: 60

Another one-man wonder team in the Mac, and this team is built around Senior SF James William. The team's best offensive specialist by a mile and it's not even close. William is a player who is good on defending the perimeter, and a beast near the rim on offense. He has a skillset that SimNBA scouts look for in variety and could be a lean towards a very early draft pick. The other players on the Huskies are Sr PG Ronald Faircloth - a great 3pt specialist and Jr SF Fernando Hernandez: Above average in almost every category. Northern Illinois will be leaning into their forwards this season, and it's hard to find a weakness when so many players - regardless of their overall grade, covers a weakness. Perhaps their Rebounding will be a problem, and maybe defending the interior - but this team is opting for the MAC Championship.

1.  Bowling Green State | Ovr: 39 | Off.: 90 | Def.: 17

Someone tell @PoopyRhinoPicklethat Bowling Green is not a State.

In all seriousness, one of last year's big MAC teams is our preseason favorite. And it's no surprise why: So much of this team consists of four star players. Their best player is Junior Center Christopher Nettnin, who was a 4 star recruit. Sophomore PG Curtis Boccella, their most likely starter? A 4 star. Redshirt Freshman and potential starter Carl Dauffenbach? Also a 4 star. You get the point. Bowling Green has depth; and from their starting rotation are players that will likely break out for years to come. This season: Expect great defense, good offensive shooting, and an interior presence from Nettnin when the Center drives for the basket. Bowling Green has a case to make the post-season tournament, but will have to be much better than last year's story.

[npklemm]

Ball is not a State. Not sure why they named their school that but it is not a state.

 

The Ball Jar Company was started by 5 Brothers who's last name was Ball. They moved to East Central Indiana (specifically Muncie) in the 1880's after a massive natural gas pocket was found. They setup shop in Muncie during that time. They ended up living the rest of their lives in the town and became huge benefactors to the city. In 1918 they purchased land and a building (there had been several attempts over the prior 20 years by private enterprises to start a teaching school there, but they all failed) and donated it to the state. Thus is became a State School. In honor of their donation, the state named the college after them in 1933 to Ball Teachers College, it was then renamed to Ball State College and then Ball State University in the 1960's. 

[Jieret]

Dang. I knew losing Michael Howard early would hurt, but I didn't know it would be THAT bad.