BuzzerBeater Forums

11 games gone. 11 more to go.

While there hasn't been much in terms of forum activity, the league is tight, with both divisions still murky as far as who will be in the playoffs and who will be fighting for their DII lives.

Let's look at each team and what they've accomplished (or not) at the halfway point:

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BIG 8

Grubbs

The co-creator of this game we all love, has his team playing great basketball. Even with the sale of Hallier, a 118k Center, Grubbs hasn't lost a step. They are 11-0 and still in the tourney. They are the hands down favorite to promote this year, and perhaps hoping for a rematch against Visionaries, who upset them in last season' s playoffs.

Grade: A+
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Visionaries

They are 8-3 and have been on a roll since last season's upset in the firs tround of the playoffs. They brought in Angel Solo, an 82k guard, and only gave up a 26k Center in return. Even with the lack of enthusiasm from a tourney exit, they continue to play strong and again look to be very dangerous.

Grade: A
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Wolves

No real changes to a team who won the 3 seed last season, with a 14-8 record, other than the sale of an 18k center. A tourney knock out won't help their cause for grabbing the 3 seed again, but it's a tight division and they have the experience to remain competitive. Maybe we'll see a roster move before playoffs?

Grade: C

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Death Star

This team has made more moves than any other team in the league and thus far, most of the moves have paid off. Coming up from DIII, they are 6-5, but seem an inconsistent 6-5. A very early tourney upset hasn't helped them either. The odds of them locking up the 4 seed aren't as good as their neighbors in the standings.

Grade: B-

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Shock Wave

While they are still in the tourney, we have seen little activity as far as transfers are concerned. Will they be content with another 5 seed? Will they match their 12-10 record from last season? They may need to make a move if they want to squeeze into the playoffs.

Grade: C-

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Gingersnaps

Their Gm went out and got a very good center for a good cost. They haven't made any other moves, so perhaps they are waiting for the right one to come along. A 4-7 record isn't that bad considering this is a newly promoted team. they have done a good job int he tourney as well. If they stay the course they may end up in an interesting relegation battle at the end of the season.

Grade: C+

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Gunners

Despite promoting from DIII, they have made virtually no transfers at all this season. The Gunners may be relying on training a rather large group of young players, although it's hard to find an elite or even above average trainee in their mix. After starting out slow, they have picked up steam and seemed to have righted the ship. They have focused on the tourney and that strategy has them in it still.

Grade: C

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South Central

Clearly a team rebuilding, the Syndicate are hoping for a good draft and a bounce back year in DIII next season. they splashed serious money on an elite trainee and still retained some young talent. It's hard to grade a team in transition, especially after so many season's in DII.

Grade: Incomplete

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Great 8

Hunter

The acquired an all-star guard in Richardson and only lost a decent center. They have also done a good job in the tourney and seem to be a better team, than last season's 13-9 squad. They could make it to the finals and perhaps face Grubbs. Overall they have done a savvy job on improving.

Grade: A
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Lethargy

Two big men came in to shore up their front court, and they gave up next to nothing in terms of talent other than a backup PG. They may be out of the tourney, but this team is clearly focused on winning and winning now. A truly great job from a newly promoted team. This is a team to watch come playoff time.

Grade: A+

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Sharks

they sold a few players and chose not to replace them. While they are still in the tourney, it does seem like they have taken a step back from last season's 16-6 record. A transfer may be needed to give them a shot at winning their conference.

Grade: C

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Contortionists

They got "matchbox 20 money" for Bates and have spent it wisely on SG Perez and an elite trainee. 6-5 is a fine record to have considering this team only made the semis in DIII last season. Despite being out of the tourney, they have done a solid job.

Grade: B+

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Losers

They are lovable in a way aren't they? Like other DIII promotees, they have acquired some talent, including two good trainees. They will be in a tight playoff race until the very end. The fact they are still in the tourney may help them win an extra game which may just be the key to the 4 seed.

Grade: B+

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Rough Riders

No moves at all, and they are out of the tourney. Despite being 5-6, I am not sure they have enough to push for a playoff spot. They sure can put up points though can't they? Although, they give up a lot too. Maybe they are handcuffed financially, but an upgrade would really help their chances.

Grade: C

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Highlanders

They brought in an 82k center in Vilks to keep them competitive, but they were knocked out of the tourney and sit at 3-8, despite finishing 10-12 last season. Overall this is a team that should be doing better. Although, I would not want to face them in a relegation battle. Would you?

Grade: D+

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Rice Eaters

they sold a nice trainee which has helped them out financially, but they sit at 0-11 after going 9-13 last season. they may have been focusing on the tourney, but they are out of that too. It's hard to tell why they are tanking. Maybe just the number 1 draft pick? Maybe they know something we don't.

Grade: F-


Grade: C

Just as a small aside, I'd say that Grubbs and Visionaries are clearly the cream of the league. Our side of the league is playing catchup.

Yep I suck right now. I would say that I think Hunter is on par with Grubbs & Visionaries. He has pretty good depth at guard and those 50k centers are getting trained, so by the end of the season he will have a very strong, balanced team.

Speaking of Hunter, I lose horrifically to him every time. I can't tell if it's luck or what because there doesn't seem to be an obvious explanation, yet it's been consistent.

Now, today was going to be tough with last season's team MVP Rowland going down 2 minutes in and the mis-guessed tactics by the manager, but seriously, 22 points? Team ratings are a moderate edge to him and player ratings are a push. Equal effort. The USA matchup predictor said 89-88 him. 22 points?!

I've played Hunter 7 times and he's been the home team 6 times. And my home game was an offseason scrimmage. Next season if we're both still here I'm just going to buy a $400k C for a week and CT him. Then we'll see what's up.

wow, nice breakdown on all the teams.
but unless you're like me & enjoy a steady diet of missed shots {following near shot clock violations} my team is never one to watch. though, to be fair, the lethargy *is* capable of the occasional 70+ pt offensive explosion. So watch out saturday & hope we don't "bring it" when we make our first ever visit to Coruscant Galatic Arena! (fun fact -- already on *2* seperate occasions we've broken 70 on the road...... "yes we can". "si se puede".)

tbh, was simply hoping to avoid relegation. the last 7 winners of my dIII league had all failed to stick prior to last season. in fact had i started out badly planned on starting my 43 year olds & tanking it. honestly still not trying to win now. only reason for picking up another player was because both my starting & backups C got injured. still have plenty of $ left in the bank, so no big deal. a move i needed to make eventually anyway.

btw, what's your logo from? (if anything). reminded me a little of the album cover from "Vision Thing" (sisters of mercy).
(http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/s/sisters-of-mercy/album...) not sure if yours is a stylized kanji too or if i'm reading too much into it. that character's meaning would be consistent with your team name though.

oh & what/where is the USA matchup predictor? (never heard of it before)

Yeah Pel, what is your Logo all about?

And jeez did I ever get a bad break Tuesday. Dusak goes down 8 minutes into the game and turns a game I should win by 8-10 into a game I lose by 8-10. =(

I don't know Jelme, I'll have to ask the guy who made it.
Jelme, what is my logo all about?


I don't know if I want to give up this competitive advantage but the matchup predictor is at (http://bb-usa.netsons.org/matchup/matchup2.php)

Pel's logo is actually a tatoo. I was looking for an "Eye or Ra" or some sort of all-seeing eye. Not stylized Kaji at all.

ah, i see. thanks.

@death star
wow, crunch time at home?? i call shenanigans! (whatever that means). but in spite of that, not only did we break 70 pts, but we SHATTERED our DII road scoring record with 84 pts! boo-yah.