nemolee.exe

HTTP-Error every time I open up interface. That's interesting.

you wanna make him go

Carlinville, Illinois is a small town of around 5,500. The seat of Macoupin County, not much goes on in this small, sleepy town. There is not many people about their high school, let alone the high school's football team. In fact, this team went 4-6 last year last year, which isn't much to move the needle. However, the one thing that this team has is Class of 26 athlete Alfonso Carrillo. A four-star coming out of this class, college scouts are traveling to this small town to watch this 277-pound brick wall play. Carrillo had a chance to play on both sides of the ball as an offensive and defensive lineman. This might've been expected, given Carlinville's thin depth on both sides of the ball. He was decent during the time that Carrillo played as a defensive lineman. He put up an effort of 67 tackles with a total of 9 tackles for a loss, alongside 3.5 sacks. That isn't that much, but his motor on the defensive front seems to be highly praised even by the coaches on the other side. However, as good as he is as a defensive lineman, he seems better suited as an offensive lineman. This is where the stats get rather impressive. Carrillo managed to get the best of the opposing line, racking in a total of 31 pancakes in total for the entire season. He has, however, given up three sacks, which seems to be a point of concern for some. However, this does little to diminish the work that he has done so far. Funnily enough, this offensive lineman's effort was reasonably sufficient to earn him a 4-star rating as an athlete, thanks to his excellent position on both sides of the ball. Some say that he would've been situated as a 5-star recruit had he decided to apply as an offensive lineman, and the reason why he isn't a 5-star athlete was his workmanlike defensive performance. So, what is the priority for Carrillo on which team he wants to come join next year? "Honestly, I don't care about that," he told the Meet The Croots team. "I just want to have fun playing the game I love. Whoever I play for, it's just... whatever. If I somehow get into a championship team -- which seems like a longshot -- it's like, yippee. I just want to get picked up." As he predicted, the teams that are considering getting this two-sided lineman also seem to be a bit of a mixed bag. Some teams have scouted him and shown significant interest, but they are primarily a high-tiered Group of 5 Teams for now. Central Michigan looks to be a big contender for taking him, but you can't count of the likes of G5 powerhouses Bowling Green State and Ball State, who are also in the mix. And it is not like Carrillo is void of Power 5 offers, however. Northwestern seems to look heavily on this player, and Michigan State is seeing if Carrillo would be ideally suited to join the team immediately. Alfonso Carrillo seems to have all the tabs as a highly-touted prospect for the NCAA. He has shown that he can play on both sides of the ball. It looks like he is better suited to play the role of an immovable object on the offensive line, but there are high hopes that his work on the defensive side will pay off. In a town of 5,500, Carrillo still seems to be the pride of the local high school football club of Carlinville, Illinois, who is looking for a flyer to play the next level of football -- and all signs are pointing of him doing so soon.

No Derek Hahn Rigged

For Man-To-Man there should be a "None" option for the gameplan.

Imma go all out in the portal

Open Spot?

For Man-to-Man the gameplan is stuck to a player that already played my last game, although I did not intend to. This was taken just recently.

NEMO'S SPORTS NEWS NETWORK Your Source of Everything Sports. By Fans. For Fans. The wait is almost over, and it's time for another college basketball season. With all the hype incoming for the new season, it's time to see what fans can expect from their teams. With a deep analysis of each player on the team, fans can see what to expect from their teams for the year. From the best of the best to the lowest of lows, this is a comprehensive look at what to expect for each team for the upcoming season, with some getting the benefit of everything more than all of the others. With all of this being said, here is a comprehensive list of all of the teams for the upcoming season and how they fare against the rest. Note this is based on player ratings from our ranking systems, so take this with a grain of salt. Just because a team is low does not mean they will be among the worst, as anything can happen here in college sports. Next conference is the Big Sky Conference, yet another third-tier conference that saw no movement. This conference last saw movement in 2022, and had their last new team join the club way back in... get this... 2006. As we will see later, the Big Sky will be highly contested all throughout the season. Let's take a look at how high of a level each team is at the beginning of this 2024-25 season. 10. Idaho NSNN Team Grade: 314.5 NSNN Average Grade: 26.21 Team Overall Rank: 357 NSNN Offensive Rank: 257 NSNN Defensive Rank: 326 Key Player: PG Michael Perry It seems like, for now, Idaho is at the bottom of the pack in terms of teams inside of the Big Sky Conference. It's going to be a tough test for the Vandals, not only are they last in the conference this year, but they also find themselves nearing the bottom 10 in Division I play. It seems that, at this point, Idaho must be careful. Even though their offense will be at least some help when it comes to playing this season, their defense is one of the worst in the league. The good news for them, though, is that this team is not all that of a trainwreck. The team has two freshman shooters who hope to make some ends meet, coming in the form of Micheal Perry from Estonia and PG Michael Samuelson from Hortonville High School in Hortonville, Wisconsin. 9. Weber State NSNN Team Grade: 316.5 NSNN Average Grade: 26.38 Team Overall Rank: 350 NSNN Offensive Rank: 357 NSNN Defensive Rank: 345 Key Player: SF Octavio Medina They may be one spot up in these rankings, but Weber State is practically no better. Just making it to the top 350, Weber State might be the worst team on paper in the conference. They rank #354 on offense and #345 on defense, which is not enough to move the needle. How this team is not the worst team in these rankings will all remain a mystery, but there are some positives to come from this team of course. Of course, this is highlighted by Octavio Medina, who can be servicable on defense. Also, they do have freshman better than 2-stars in ranking, with Ricky Maldonado from Littleton High School in Littleton, New Hampshire and Benjamin Lopez from Felix Varela High School in Miami, Florida hoping to take the load for the Wilcats. 8. Sacramento State NSNN Team Grade: 342 NSNN Average Grade: 28.50 Team Overall Rank: 277 NSNN Offensive Rank: 326 NSNN Defensive Rank: 290 Key Player: SF Laurence Moxley The worst team by far in the Big Sky Conference last year, the Sacramento State Hornets are looking to rebuild this year. This might not be much of an improvement on drastic levels, but this is a good start. They rank in the 200s in overalls for the first time in their history in NCAA basketball, which shows you how fast Sacramento State is improving, while just gradually. Although they are still sub-300 on offense, their defense -- ranked in the top 300 -- makes up for it. This team has some playmakers, such as James Leli -- who can dominate on the paint, and Raul Stasik -- who is a strong defender. However, the player to look out for is Laurence Moxley, who was out of Thunderbird High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and will help anchor the defense valor from Sacramento State. 7. Northern Arizona NSNN Team Grade: 351 NSNN Average Grade: 29.25 Team Overall Rank: 240 NSNN Offensive Rank: 268 NSNN Defensive Rank: 301 Key Player: PF Brian Koehler Next up, we have the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. We are starting to get out of the bottom of the basement, and this team is a prime candidate for such. They are the first team in the conference with a top 250 overall ranking, just ten spots at #240. They also have a good offense, ranking #268 overall, but the team ranks at #301, so expect that to hold them back. Nevertheless, this team has a good roster that could keep them competitive. Alejandro Estrada is expected to give them some offense along with shooters Paul Ramos and Antonio Mendez. However, look out for freshman Brian Koehler from Israel for the Lumberjacks, who will get them a short spark on defense for Northern Arizona. They have the potential to be so much more, but that would have to wait for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. 6. Northern Colorado NSNN Team Grade: 353 NSNN Average Grade: 27.15 Team Overall Rank: 234 NSNN Offensive Rank: 297 NSNN Defensive Rank: 182 Key Player: C Thomas Blood Not far ahead of them are the Northern Colorado Bears. If anything, it seems as if this season should be a good one for the Bears this year. They make the second top 250 team in the conference at this point, ranking at #234. You would not think that when you look at their offense, being #297 in all of Division I -- top 300 in that regard. However, the reason why they are as far as they are is their defense, ranking in the top 200 in the with a respectable #182. Norther Colorado are anchored with a respectable freshman class, alongside them a pair of 3-stars. Andre Moore out of Falkville High School in Falkville, Alabama brings in some defense prowess, and David Woodlief out of East Greenwich High School in East Greenwich, Rhode Island will bring in that support on the paint alongside Thomas Blood. 5. Idaho State NSNN Team Grade: 356 NSNN Average Grade: 29.67 Team Overall Rank: 228 NSNN Offensive Rank: 296 NSNN Defensive Rank: 208 Key Player: C Jason King This conference is tightly contested, as we can see. Idaho State lands here with a low rating. Somehow, on paper, the Bengals aren't as good as advertised, which is honestly a shame. They rank #228 in the nation, but that is brought in with a #296 rank in offense. Their defense is a whole lot better, but in retrospect they are not all that better, as they rank #208. Not even in the top 200. What's more, this team is mostly comprised of 1-stars, with Craig Woods being the only 2-star. Thankfully, Idaho State put up a freshman class of 3-stars, lead by the tandum of Richard Garrett from Nashua North High School in Nashua, New Hampshire and Jason King out of Lynnwood High School in Bothell, Washington with both, for sure, on tap to be on the starting lineup for the Idaho State Bengals. 4. Portland State NSNN Team Grade: 367.5 NSNN Average Grade: 30.63 Team Overall Rank: 206 NSNN Offensive Rank: 251 NSNN Defensive Rank: 248 Key Player: C John Hassin We are going by increments. Next up are the Portland State Vikings. In retrospect, this looks like a middle of pack in the conference -- at least in terms of conference play -- for the Vikings. They rank #206 overall with rankings on offense and defense close to the top 250, #251 and #248 respectively. And this team has some players to watch out for on all ends which help to their high rank in this conference. Christopher Brown is a volume shooter on the perimeter and out of the paint, Jose Garcia is a key defender for the team, with Adam Wilson being a lockdown defender outside the perimeter. And then there is John Hassin out of Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee, who is looking to be Portland State's star player -- at least for this year. 3. Montana NSNN Team Grade: 373 NSNN Average Grade: 31.08 Team Overall Rank: 199 NSNN Offensive Rank: 293 NSNN Defensive Rank: 207 Key Player: SG Michael Watkins It might be hard to believe, but the Montana Grizzlies are starting to be scary this year. Out of the blue, the Grizzlies got 1st place in the Big Sky last year and hope to replicate this success this year. And they are on track to do so this year. They are the first team in the conference to rank in the top 200 this year, and that is despite having sub-200 rankings in both offense and defense. And even more impressive, this team is #293 on offense while being #207 on defense. One of the players that are helping the Grizzlies get over the top is Michael Watkins, who has a stellar 3-point game. Another player to watch out for is Ruben Armijo from Mexico, who looks to be the best defensive choice for the Grizzlies. They might not make it to the top again this year, but look for the Grizzlies to make it interesting. 2. Eastern Washington NSNN Team Grade: 384 NSNN Average Grade: 32.00 Team Overall Rank: 191 NSNN Offensive Rank: 197 NSNN Defensive Rank: 203 Key Player: SG Oscar Shah Eastern Washington was second in the conference last year at this point, and it seems like Eastern Washington is going to be second in the conference this year. In terms of rankings, that seems to be the case. They seem to be the case this year, as the Eagles are currently so. They are top-200 in both overall and offense, #191 and #197 respectively, and close by on defense with a ranking of #203. There are a couple of players that help the Eagles' case this year. Joseph Ball is the best rebounder on the team, if not the conference. Marc Folker is a volume two-point shooter on that end, and Randy Montgomery is an good all-around prospect for Eastern Washington. However, take a look at newcomer Oscar Shah from Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia to be the workhorse with his stellar ballwork for the Eagles. 1. Montana State NSNN Team Grade: 386.5 NSNN Average Grade: 29.73 Team Overall Rank: 188 NSNN Offensive Rank: 202 NSNN Defensive Rank: 170 Key Player: PG Curtis Mann We finalize possible one of the closest conferences races with a team not that far from Eastern Washington. The Montana State Bobcats, at this point, are contenders for the crown of the Big Sky Conference. They rank only #188 in the conference, but that surprisingly is enough to put them over to 1st in the conference. Even though they are only #202 in Division I on offense, the Bobcats are 170th in the nation in terms of defense, which is enough to propel them to this lead in the conference. This might be due to the incoming freshmen that the Bobcats picked up, with one person standing out from all of the rest. This team actually ended up nabbing themselves a 4-star in the form of Curtis Mann out of Harding High School in Warren, Ohio, who looks to be the captain for the Bobcats in his freshmen year. MORE LIKE THIS: [2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - Mountain West Conference Raiders miss playoffs for the first time since Oakland days, is love gone in Vegas? Inside Look at the Arizona Cardinals 2024 implosion Former Indiana Pacers staff member speaks out against team for 2019 abuse allegations UNLV Head Coach cultur3 resigns from UNLV job after scary Vegas car crash Roberto Palacios stands as early candidate for winning MVP award yet again Green Bay's Joseph Garibay under fire for "racist" Twitter comments NSNN's CWBB 2024 Conference Preview - Big Sky Conference

Replying to @AdamSchefter

NEMO'S SPORTS NEWS NETWORK Your Source of Everything Sports. By Fans. For Fans. The wait is almost over, and it's time for another college basketball season. With all the hype incoming for the new season, it's time to see what fans can expect from their teams. With a deep analysis of each player on the team, fans can see what to expect from their teams for the year. From the best of the best to the lowest of lows, this is a comprehensive look at what to expect for each team for the upcoming season, with some getting the benefit of everything more than all of the others. With all of this being said, here is a comprehensive list of all of the teams for the upcoming season and how they fare against the rest. Note this is based on player ratings from our ranking systems, so take this with a grain of salt. Just because a team is low does not mean they will be among the worst, as anything can happen here in college sports. Next conference is the Atlantic Sun Conference. A third-tier conference in it's own right, the conference actually found themselves at a net-zero gainage of teams this year. Losing Kennesaw State to the C-USA in their bout to join the C-USA, the conference gained another team seeking promotion to the next tier. Let's take a look at how high of a level each team is at the beginning of this 2024-25 season. 12. Queens NSNN Team Grade: 315 NSNN Average Grade: 28.64 Team Overall Rank: 352 NSNN Offensive Rank: 367 NSNN Defensive Rank: 271 Key Player: PF James Lacen Queens is starting to get used to being placed into Division I play. Unfortunately for them, the Royals might need some more time to get used to Division I play, at least for the time being. Right now, they are the least in the Atlantic Sun. To make matters worse, they are sub-350 in Division I right now. Their offense is only better than three other teams in the league. However, at least their defense is top-300 in the league, so there is something that Queens can build upon. And signs are coming for a better future for this program; PF James Lacen has the best attributes out of any other player on the team, and he is only a sophomore, mainly on offense, so Queens can look to build around him for the future if they want any success in the Atlantic Sun. 11. Central Arkansas NSNN Team Grade: 343.5 NSNN Average Grade: 28.63 Team Overall Rank: 269 NSNN Offensive Rank: 307 NSNN Defensive Rank: 209 Key Player: PF Ferdinand Jared Our next team has some better luck, but no better. The Central Arkansas Bears have a top-300 team in the nation, but that is only good for 11th in the league. Just like our previous team, Queens, Central Arkansas is more defense-heavy with obvious struggles possible on the offense. The state of this team is not that great either, consisting of only 1-stars and 2-stars throughout. However, there is still hope, and that comes from the only over 3-star on the team. Ferdinand Jared was a standout out of Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas, and leads in production not only on defense but stands to be the team's best shooter. Even so, he can only carry the Bears so far. Expect any games in the conference against Central Arkansas to be fairly close, with good defense but immense offensive struggles. 10. Bellarmine NSNN Team Grade: 345 NSNN Average Grade: 28.75 Team Overall Rank: 261 NSNN Offensive Rank: 252 NSNN Defensive Rank: 275 Key Player: PG Larry Tamborello Another team that is getting used to time in Division I, the Bellarmine Knights, might be a worse team than their place in the standings states. They are ways down from a top 250 squad, and it seems they seem to be in the middle of the pack amongst the top 200 teams this year. This is not just on overall, but also on offense and defense -- although their defense is closer to the bottom in that regard. This also makes them the first team in the conference with a better offense rank than defense, and there is one reason why. Their newest addition, Larry Tamborello, out of Smackover High School in Smackover, Arkansas. Although he struggled in the paint last year, he seems to be excellent at midrange and the 3-point line, which could spell relief for Bellarmine. 9. Eastern Kentucky NSNN Team Grade: 349 NSNN Average Grade: 29.08 Team Overall Rank: 248 NSNN Offensive Rank: 206 NSNN Defensive Rank: 319 Key Player: PF Ronald Mosley Our first team that cracks the top 250, we get a fresh look at the Eastern Kentucky Squad. This year looks to be up for the Eastern Kentucky Squad, and they might have a team to prove it. It might be more complex than it seems for the Colonels, however. Although they have an average offense, their defense is at a sub-300 ranking. Hence, Eastern Kentucky finds itself in a bottom-half spot in the conference. However, it seems the future is looking bright for the Colonels. Although the rest of the team is situated with 1-star recruits, they did pick up a pair of 3-star players. Ronald Mosley, out of Ardmore High School in Ardmore, Oklahoma, was stellar in the interior and the best defender alongside Raymond Burton, while Belgium native Edmund Sparenberg looks like the best shooter for the Colonels this year. 8. Lipscomb NSNN Team Grade: 354.5 NSNN Average Grade: 29.54 Team Overall Rank: 232 NSNN Offensive Rank: 180 NSNN Defensive Rank: 282 Key Player: SG Todd Williams Continuing with the trend of offense-heavy teams, the Lipscomb Bison are the first to have a top-200 offense. However, this team looks to be in worse shape than their composition suggests. They might be okay on offense, but their defense is what they lack for the Bison. They look to be inconsistent this year, and, what's more, they rank #282 in the country. Although it seems they are better on the perimeter, expect teams to attack them on the paint. But this team brings in a group of 3-stars to help lighten the load. This is all headline by Todd Williams, who hails from Anacostia High School in Washington DC, who is by far and significantly the biggest offensive threat available for the Bison. 7. Stetson NSNN Team Grade: 355.5 NSNN Average Grade: 29.63 Team Overall Rank: 230 NSNN Offensive Rank: 234 NSNN Defensive Rank: 218 Key Player: SF Ray Arguelles Not that far behind Lipscomb is Stetson. And at the moment, it looks like it is time for a renewal of play for the Hatters this season. On paper, it might not seem like it, but where they are, it is definitely good for around 7th in the conference for the Hatters. Stetson only ranks #230 in the country and is a bit worse on offense, but in a conference such as this, #218 on defense is nothing worth not bragging about. What's more, they have a freshmen class. With no other playmakers, Stetson is sure they bolstered up their team for the future. This all is headlined by Ray Arguelles, a newcomer from Chile, who has shown prowess in shooting, rebounding, and -- in some ways -- defense. Stetson might not be on top of the ASUN this year, but that can change come next. 6. North Florida NSNN Team Grade: 356 NSNN Average Grade: 29.67 Team Overall Rank: 229 NSNN Offensive Rank: 195 NSNN Defensive Rank: 244 Key Player: SG Robert Nichols This year, North Florida is close to its interconference rivals in the overall rankings, ranking #229, which puts it in contention for the sixth-best team in the conference. Unfortunately for them, however, it does not feel like that. However, the silver lining for the Owls is that they have a top-200 offense, ranking #195 in the nation. The defense is holding back from a top-200 ranking overall, ranking in the top 250, but at #244, which is less than ideal. But there is some hope that they can improve from a defensive standpoint. Their best player, Robert Nichols, hailing from American Samoa, is one of the top defenders on the team, which also includes his excellent shooting skills sans the paint. They don't look like a team that will make it far but expect Owl fans to be pleasantly surprised with their style of play. 5. North Alabama NSNN Team Grade: 383 NSNN Average Grade: 29.46 Team Overall Rank: 193 NSNN Offensive Rank: 203 NSNN Defensive Rank: 171 Key Player: PG Eddie Peniche Now, this is a bit of a surprise. Coming in at 5th in the conference is the North Alabama Lions. And what's more, the Lions are the first team in the top 200, ranking at #193 in the country. While this is a feat, their offense is not as impressive. They rank only 203rd in the country, but their defense carries the slack that North Alabama technically misses -- with the 171st-ranked defense propelling them to this spot. As a recurring theme at this conference, this team will be carried by their freshmen. Eddie Peniche, out of Ruston High School in Ruston, Louisiana, looks to be the best player on the North Alabama roster, while Joseph French, out of John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minnesota, and Alex Hean from Puerto Rico, will make a bulk of the Lions' defense for the upcoming year. 4. Austin Peay NSNN Team Grade: 383.5 NSNN Average Grade: 31.96 Team Overall Rank: 192 NSNN Offensive Rank: 191 NSNN Defensive Rank: 272 Key Player: SF James Beasley It was close for the 4th-5th spots, but Austin Peay edges out for the top space. Although they are significantly worse on defense -- 272nd in Division I - the Governers have the edge on offense -- 191st in Division I -- enough to get them one rank over -- both on the overall standings and here in the Atlantic Sun rankings. One of these players that factor into the offensive edge is James Beasley, who is a deadeye sharpshooter from beyond the 3-point line. Also, something to look out for is their freshmen core. Reynaldo Espinoza, out of John McDonogh High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a volume shooter already. Raymond Ballard from Turkey is a 3-point deadeye who can learn much from Beasley. Also, look forward to Johnathan Tilley, who is out of Myrtle Beach High School in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, improving on his craft in the near and upcoming future. 3. West Georgia NSNN Team Grade: 529.5 NSNN Average Grade: 40.73 Team Overall Rank: 145 NSNN Offensive Rank: 75 NSNN Defensive Rank: 116 Key Player: SG Carter Rollins We are introduced to the first newcomer of the entire Division I atmosphere, and all shocks and surprises are far up in these rankings. The West Georgia Wolves find themselves in, for their first year in Division I, at third in the Atlantic Sun in terms of talent, and they won't want it any other way for the time being. Not only do they rank an impressive #145 in all of Division I, but they also rank in the top 100 in the offense -- 75th and have their defense situated at #116 in the country. The reason? A star shooter in Carter Rollins, who saw himself become the #1 scorer in Division II last year. However, I look forward to Michael Goin's out of Davis Senior High School in Davis, California, to get some quality starter time and take the mantle for the West Georgia Wolves. 2. FGCU NSNN Team Grade: 615.5 NSNN Average Grade: 47.35 Team Overall Rank: 52 NSNN Offensive Rank: 144 NSNN Defensive Rank: 19 Key Player: C Frances Daly With a considerable jump in the standings, the FGCU Eagles sit comfortably as 2nd in the ASUN conference. It comes as no surprise that they see themselves in this position, also given the fact that the team is also a top-100 team in the division as of current. This team sits 52nd in the nation, and while their 144th-ranked offense won't tell the story, their defense has reached the top 25 this year. With many key defensive talents on the roster, this is good enough to bring them up to 19th in Division I. The defensive tandem is headlined by juniors Frances Daly and Jason Anderson, sophomore John Garrett, and redshirt senior Jasper Milam -- with redshirt juniors Rocky Werner and Willy Overby waiting in the wings. Also, the team can count on all-around shooter Rusty Tobias to help this FGCU squad with the offense. 1. Jacksonville NSNN Team Grade: 715.5 NSNN Average Grade: 55.04 Team Overall Rank: 18 NSNN Offensive Rank: 18 NSNN Defensive Rank: 48 Key Player: C Frances Daly It should be clear, far and wide, that the Jacksonville Dolphins are slated as the best team in the Atlantic Sun. Once again, @Ricky Campbell's clever mind has helped the team play to the highest of their ability, and it shows. The team might be from a small school in a minor conference, but they see themselves again in the top 25, both overall and on offense, at 18th in the nation. Their defense should not be overlooked either, ranking 48th in Division I. James Levin, an all-around offensive threat, headlines this team. Best of all for the Dolphins, he's only a redshirt sophomore. Also, the Dolphins landed a pair of 5-stars in recruiting -- Jeff Ferreira from Portugal and Ed Monix out of Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida -- to further bring that spark to Jacksonville. Expect the Jacksonville Dolphins to win yet another Atlantic Sun championship. MORE LIKE THIS: NSNN's CWBB 2024 Conference Preview - Atlantic Sun Conference Recently winning a Heisman Trophy, could Savage cement his legacy with a National Championship win? NSNN experts predicts the winner of the 2024 National Championship game NFL Power Rankings: Giants hang on for dear life, Titans continue freefall [2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - ACC Predicting NBA awards for the 2024-25 season as we approach new year Dodgers' Rafael Marcano hopes to continue hot streak from 2023 [2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - Atlantic 10

Nice work! Always a pleasure looking at these. (do me next)

NEMO'S SPORTS NEWS NETWORK Your Source of Everything Sports. By Fans. For Fans. The wait is almost over, and it's time for another college basketball season. With all the hype incoming for the new season, it's time to see what fans can expect from their teams. With a deep analysis of each player on the team, fans can see what to expect from their teams for the year. From the best of the best to the lowest of lows, this is a comprehensive look at what to expect for each team for the upcoming season, with some getting the benefit of everything more than all of the others. With all of this being said, here is a comprehensive list of all of the teams for the upcoming season and how they fare against the rest. Note this is based on player ratings from our ranking systems, so take this with a grain of salt. Just because a team is low does not mean they will be among the worst, as anything can happen here in college sports. Our next conference sets our sights to the American Conference. Unfortunately for them, they found themselves at a net-negative this time around throughout conference shifting, as their lone move, SMU, left for the ACC. This year, we might see tiered-play in the conference, so to speak, as there are groups of teams situated in different levels. Let's take a look at how high of a level each team is at the beginning of this 2024-25 season. 13. North Texas NSNN Team Grade: 424.5 NSNN Average Grade: 38.59 Team Overall Rank: 179 NSNN Offensive Rank: 250 NSNN Defensive Rank: 163 Key Player: PF Jae Opena To start us off in the American rankings in North Texas, one of the newer teams that came from the C-USA next year. This year, North Texas finds them at the bottom of the American, which is unfortunate given that they could be so much more. The Mean Green have an okay defensive side this year, but they have issues on offense, as they are closer to a sub-200 score. This is enough to drag them down to the lowest score in the American Conference. They do have, however, critical returners for this year. James Mcclone brings close to perfect rebounding skills, and Jae Opena will provide some relief on defense. But again, their offense is not great, however they can look towards Jose Rodriguez from Uruguay to help bring in some offensive firepower this year with a lack thereof. 12. Rice NSNN Team Grade: 475 NSNN Average Grade: 39.58 Team Overall Rank: 167 NSNN Offensive Rank: 172 NSNN Defensive Rank: 146 Key Player: SF Daniel Hood The Rice Owls aren't last in the conference this year, but it sure feels like it, given this roster's composition. There is not a single star player on this team at the moment. So then, how did they get to this point? Simply put, they have better statistics. They aren't pretty, however. They are only top-200 in offense and top-150 on defense. While this isn't bad, per se, it's not great, especially considering that they play in a mid-major conference in the form of the American Conference. The best player? Junior forward Daniel Hood, who has shown time and time again his prowess beyond the 3-point line, will bring the bulk of the offense for Rice. Wade Rogge also is a stellar defender on both ends on the floor. However, don't be surprised if Rice is last in the conference this year. 11. UTSA NSNN Team Grade: 484.5 NSNN Average Grade: 40.38 Team Overall Rank: 162 NSNN Offensive Rank: 162 NSNN Defensive Rank: 107 Key Player: SG Kevin Ridley It's going to be hard to come for @checkman and the UTSA Roadrunners this year. They finish off the bottom of the barrel this year with the last sub-400 grade in the conference. And if there is anything that can be an unfortunate part of UTSA's woes, it would more than definitely be on the offense, with the only respectable volume shooter being Matthew Russ and Kelvin Ridley also being great on the 3-point line. However, they are much more proficient on defense, just barely missing the top 100. This team's senior class, Andrew Martinez, Herman Spencer, and John Serviss, make up a scary defensive trio for the Roadrunners, especially in the perimeter. This team will be able to stop guys on the perimeter but fail to put up on the perimeter themselves. 10. East Carolina NSNN Team Grade: 484.5 NSNN Average Grade: 40.38 Team Overall Rank: 150 NSNN Offensive Rank: 159 NSNN Defensive Rank: 188 Key Player: PG Albert Tierney This team used to be one of the best teams in the American Conference, but that is far from the case this year. The East Carolina Pirates is the first over-500 team in the league, which is best for 10th in the conference. And the fallout appears to be evident, as they go sub-150 in both offensive and defensive rank despite hitting the 150 mark this year. @ObliviousLAX has some work to do, but why would they be in this position? Perhaps due to the lack of players, with the lowest count in the American Conference. However, they are still pretty good players. Albert Tierney is, by far and large, the best player on the roster. Ruben Rocha and Oliver Steadman are okay players on the dot, and Willie White and Doug Parks are the future of this team. Expect this team to overperform this year. 9. Tulsa NSNN Team Grade: 525.5 NSNN Average Grade: 47.77 Team Overall Rank: 147 NSNN Offensive Rank: 158 NSNN Defensive Rank: 149 Key Player: C Jon Wood The Tulsa Golden Hurricane this year fits the definition of the middle of the pack, as that is what they are this year. They won't blow you away, but they seem to be in the top half of the division in every category possible, which is unfortunate considering the fact that this would not be enough to move the needle. They are in the middle of both overall rank and offensive and defensive rank. They are around the middle of the pack because of the lack of talent but with the addition of some good players on the team. Jon Wood will crash the board on offense and defense and protect this team from three, as will Jay Handley. But they will be leaving the team next year. It's up to Li Thach to hold that mantle next year, but he looks good for Tulsa. 8. Charlotte NSNN Team Grade: 535.5 NSNN Average Grade: 44.63 Team Overall Rank: 138 NSNN Offensive Rank: 126 NSNN Defensive Rank: 112 Key Player: PF James Fretz This is not a bad team by any means. Charlotte might not be the most impressive team on the docket, but they are close to being one the way things are going. Their stats are the best out of any of the teams so far, ranking within the top 150. None of them are in the top 100 yet, but the outcome looks good for them so far—ranking 126th in offense and 112th in defense. However, the most significant question mark for the team this year is the future. James Fretz is an offensive powerhouse for Charlotte, and Jeffery Amin is a two-way player looking to excel for the 49ers. But they might be in good hands, coupled with a fast-growing duo of Louis Bruns and Bernard Butler and a great freshman newcomer in the form of Arthur Guzman from Kaiser High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, highly touted for his rebounding in high school. 7. UAB NSNN Team Grade: 540.5 NSNN Average Grade: 45.04 Team Overall Rank: 130 NSNN Offensive Rank: 116 NSNN Defensive Rank: 110 Key Player: PG Michael Butler We have reached the top half of the conference, and there will be no shortage of talent from this point forward. The UAB Blazers will start us off with another team that is better than advertised. Although they aren't in the top 125 in terms of overall rank, they are in offensive and defensive rank with a slight advantage in the defensive rank. This comes from Gregory Moncada, who has been on the rise in defense. The offense will be helmed by the senior duo of Michael Butler and Kevin Harris, who are also consequentially the best two shooters in the team who can also do it on the defensive side. The Blazers also grabbed themselves a 4-star player in recruiting, Charles Goldsby from Guinea, who will easily nab a starting spot for UAB this year at center. 6. Florida Atlantic NSNN Team Grade: 563 NSNN Average Grade: 46.92 Team Overall Rank: 105 NSNN Offensive Rank: 74 NSNN Defensive Rank: 186 Key Player: PG John Kirkpatrick One of the more pleasant surprises of the year shows us Florida Atlantic. The Owls find themselves in 6th in these rankings, something they would not expect in the year. They are getting closer to a top-100 rank in all of Division I and are the first team to rank in the top 100 in any category. This team is perhaps underrated, as their superb offensive ranking is held back dangerously by their low defensive ranking, only top-200 in the country, which is the only thing holding them back from a top-100 place. One of their kept secrets is John Kirkpatrick, who is an all-around offensive powerhouse for the FAU Owls, as does David Christensen, who will undoubtedly be propelled to the leader role next year. Also, look for Anil Boone and Donald Pruitt to help give some defensive cushion for FAU. 5. USF NSNN Team Grade: 589.5 NSNN Average Grade: 45.35 Team Overall Rank: 76 NSNN Offensive Rank: 87 NSNN Defensive Rank: 63 Key Player: SG Philip Onuska We get to our first top-100 team all around in the form of the USF Bulls. There is much to be proud of for the USF squad, putting up and impressive 76th-ranked team in the nation. This also comes with an 87th-ranked offense and a 63rd-ranked defense to support these Bulls. However, this feels like a trap team. Despite all of these accolades here in the preseason, there seems to be a chink in the armor, and that is their depth. They don't necessarily have that one player who could be assured as the top dog on the team, and that might come back to haunt them in the long run. Philip Onuska is a solid player despite his weakness in the paint, but other than that there aren't any strong playmakers for the Bulls. We could expect USF to struggle this season, but that is all unlikely to happen. 4. Memphis NSNN Team Grade: 624.25 NSNN Average Grade: 48.02 Team Overall Rank: 47 NSNN Offensive Rank: 44 NSNN Defensive Rank: 99 Key Player: SF Dale Chandler We get to our first top-50 team and over-600 team for this conference. Time in and time out, the Memphis Tigers have given us the highest-level of basketball every season, and this season is no different for these Tigers. They are a top-50 team in the nation, and they have a top-50 offense on the season, so expect this team to be near perfect in that regard. However, there seems to be a chink in the armor, and that is their defense, which is in the bottom half of the top 100 this time around. The roster shows how top-heavy this team is on offense, with Dale Chandler and Michael Spurrier leading in that regard and redshirt junior Nolan Criswell being the only lockdown defender on this offensive-talented Memphis squad. 3. Tulane NSNN Team Grade: 651.25 NSNN Average Grade: 59.20 Team Overall Rank: 37 NSNN Offensive Rank: 118 NSNN Defensive Rank: 75 Key Player: SF Matthew Cooper @kgreene829has done an excellent job in turning the Tulane Basketball team around, from rearing closer to the bottom of the pack in the American Conference to being one of the best teams, and it's good enough to be in the top 3 in the entirety of the conference this year. And the craziest part is that they have officially done it despite low ranks in some categories. This team was not expected to pull through, having a sub-100 offensive rank and defense that only ranks #75 in the division. This is all thanks to the prowess of Matthew Cooper, who was arguably one of the best players on the roster and has a promising future ahead of him as he decided to stay. Also, don't sleep on Edward Sanchez, who brings offense to the Green Wave, and another solid defender in Paul Cook, a transfer from San Diego State who joins this Tulane Green Wave squad. 2. Wichita State NSNN Team Grade: 687.5 NSNN Average Grade: 52.88 Team Overall Rank: 28 NSNN Offensive Rank: 49 NSNN Defensive Rank: 25 Key Player: SG Milford Mckeown With two great coaches officially sandwiched between the club, it comes as possibly a surprise to some of the people here that Wichita State is ranked as high as they are here. It's not the offense that is carrying, as they are ranked closer to the top 50, but it is the defense. They are the first team in the top 25 in defense, making them one of the best defensive teams for the 2024 season. This team is more suited for the perimeter defense, but this year, Blaine Oconner and Joshua Robbins are the defensive stalwarts for the Shockers. They still have offensive workhorses, such as all-around shooter Johnson Workman and Milford Mckeown, a two-way but better on the offensive end. But Shockers fans should cherish this team, as nothing lasts forever here in Wichita State. 1. Temple NSNN Team Grade: 724.25 NSNN Average Grade: 55.71 Team Overall Rank: 16 NSNN Offensive Rank: 24 NSNN Defensive Rank: 37 Key Player: PG Gerald Cary Another grand season is coming for the Temple Owls under the direction of @SandyToez. This team stands as the lone squad that lands into the top 25 in Division I, at least in terms of overall ranking. This is also the offense case, ranking 24th in the country and having a good defense at 37th overall. There is almost no wrong that this team can do for this upcoming season, and they have all of the tools for an excellent season for the Owls. Temple's offensive firepower comes at the hands of Gerald Cary and Willie Gibson this year. On defense, the player that stands out is Michael Peterson, who impressed on the perimeter. Temple also has some freshmen to look out for. Rima Leach from Laramie High School in Laramie, Wyoming, and John Mckinnie from Kimball High School in Dallas, Texas, headlines this impressive freshman stand for Temple. MORE LIKE THIS: [2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - American East NFL Playoff Race: It's a bloodbath for the last NFC Wildcard Spot Bowl Game Reactions: North Texas shocks Ohio State, everyone in the Skyline Chili Bowl The Washington Way: No One Can Stop the Commanders NSNN's CWBB 2024 Conference Preview - American Conference Illinois Men's Basketball hopeful they can comeback from nightmare season TuscanSota removes himself from rumors of taking Ohio State coaching job Jeremy Phillips on winning gold during 2024 Paris Olympics: "I am proud to be part of two great unstoppable teams."

NEMO'S SPORTS NEWS NETWORK Your Source of Everything Sports. By Fans. For Fans. The wait is almost over, and it's time for another college basketball season. With all the hype incoming for the new season, it's time to see what fans can expect from their teams. With a deep analysis of each player on the team, fans can see what to expect from their teams for the year. From the best of the best to the lowest of lows, this is a comprehensive look at what to expect for each team for the upcoming season, with some getting the benefit of everything more than all of the others. With all of this being said, here is a comprehensive list of all of the teams for the upcoming season and how they fare against the rest. Note this is based on player ratings from our ranking systems, so take this with a grain of salt. Just because a team is low does not mean they will be among the worst, as anything can happen here in college sports. The next conference on the docket is the ACC, the first of the Power 5 conferences. It was also the first conference to have some major realignment shakeups, obtaining two Pac-12 schools and adding an extra school to even the conference out. Also, according to our rankings, it should be a hotly contested race for the ACC title. Let's take a look at how high of a level each team is at the beginning of this 2024-25 season. 18. California NSNN Team Grade: 464.5 NSNN Average Grade: 38.71 Team Overall Rank: 171 NSNN Offensive Rank: 131 NSNN Defensive Rank: 164 Key Player: PF Jason Torres In an 18-team behemoth of a conference, there has to be one team that eventually finishes last, and how fitting that team is the only sub-500 team in the conference and a newcomer. The California Golden Bears will struggle to adapt to ACC play. This team was perhaps not as good as they were last year, and that will be the factor that will come back and haunt them. They are okay at offense and okay at defense, but that won't get you far in a power-5 conference. Their best player, Jason Torres, excels at getting to the paint. Unfortunately, no one else can match up to the level of play that Torres gives you. This year will be a tough test for the Golden Bears, and I would expect them to struggle come conference play, enough for last in the ACC. 17. Virginia Tech NSNN Team Grade: 530.5 NSNN Average Grade: 40.81 Team Overall Rank: 142 NSNN Offensive Rank: 95 NSNN Defensive Rank: 97 Key Player: SG Bradley Smith How the Virginia Tech Hokies are composed of this year is kind of weird. They are top-100 in both offense and defense, yet they are not in the top 100 in terms of team. So, what happened? Perhaps it is the fact that this team is worse on paper than their rank suggests. But there are some bright spots that have helped elevate themselves to this position. Bradley Smith, the lone senior on the team, is a sharpshooter with excellent ballskills, but his best trait can be explained as a 3-point deadeye. There are other players that also highlighted other than the best player on the team. Larry Check is an excellent lockdown defender, Carlos Hernandez is the best player in the paint, and Fredrick Cottier is the go-to guy for rebounds. The Hokies have the skills, but lake the talent to back that up. 16. NC State NSNN Team Grade: 538.5 NSNN Average Grade: 44.88 Team Overall Rank: 134 NSNN Offensive Rank: 103 NSNN Defensive Rank: 127 Key Player: PG Robert Jackson Lower on the rankings than Virginia Tech in both offense and defense, NC State somehow finds itself on top in these ACC Rankings. They should not be on here, yet the Wolfpack are showing signs that they might play at a better quality of basketball than their rankings might suggest. The problem is they don't have many quality players to make that happen. Their best player is Robert Jackson, who can attack you in the paint, but being the best player by far can only take you so far. But that's not all for NC State. They do have Lucio Cardoza, who has excellent ball-handling skills, as we saw last year. And new recruit Archana Fujimoto, out of Carnegie Vanguard High School in Houston, Texas, will give them more firepower, especially in the 2-point stand. Only time will tell how the Wolf Pack will play this year. 15. Syrcause NSNN Team Grade: 543 NSNN Average Grade: 45.25 Team Overall Rank: 127 NSNN Offensive Rank: 109 NSNN Defensive Rank: 128 Key Player: C Lawrence Sawyer Things are looking a bit grim for the Syracuse Orange. They are lucky to be at this spot this year. Considering their roster, the outlook coming could perhaps not be so good after all. They have a sub-100 ranking on offense and even worse on defense. Their best player is Lawrence Sawyer, who is by far the best player on the team. He can get it done as an excellent defender, where his style of play is on shutdown levels, as well as doing it well on the offensive ledger for the Orange. There is also Michael Gulley, another high-level player, who is the type of guy you like to see crashing the boards, both on offense and defense. The problem is, they are both seniors this year. Syracuse should savor them this year because there is no knowing what will happen next year. 14. Pitt NSNN Team Grade: 543.5 NSNN Average Grade: 45.29 Team Overall Rank: 125 NSNN Offensive Rank: 142 NSNN Defensive Rank: 154 Key Player: PF Fernando Aguirre Just a half a point above them, surprisingly, is our next team. Pitt also seems to be in trouble this year. The low score for the Panthers this year is accompanied by what turns out to be thin depth. What's even worse, this team has no 5-stars or 4-stars on their roster, which is very surprising for a Power-5 school. They do have some stars on the court that are good but not great. Fernando Aguirre is by far a menace in the paint, while Tan Bergum is a 3-point sharpshooter. John Barrett is also excellent at ball handling, and Greg Campbell is by far the best defender on the team. Either way, Pittsburgh's near future is not looking so hot from the start. This team might be a huge contender for last place in the entire ACC if they are not careful. 13. Stanford NSNN Team Grade: 566 NSNN Average Grade: 43.54 Team Overall Rank: 101 NSNN Offensive Rank: 89 NSNN Defensive Rank: 43 Key Player: PF Jeffery Lawson They probably might be better than where they currently are in these standings, but with a conference as competitive as this, the unfortunate truth is that some teams will find themselves near the bottom of the rankings. This year, the Stanford Cardinals are victim to this predicament. Their team won't really knock you away, but they still think they are much better than people would give them credit for. Their offense is okay, but their defense is what takes the cake -- in the top 50. Jeffrey Lawson, their best player, is a pretty good shooter inside of the three-point line, so expect him to make an immediate impact in that regard. And don't forget about Albert Dhawan, an underrated player who is the best defender by far for Stanford. 12. Wake Forest NSNN Team Grade: 571.5 NSNN Average Grade: 43.96 Team Overall Rank: 92 NSNN Offensive Rank: 129 NSNN Defensive Rank: 45 Key Player: PF Jeffery Lawson Our first top-100 team on this list, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, seems to be much better than the record suggests by a whole lot. They might not have the best offensive firepower, ranking 129th in all of Division I, despite having an offensive powerhouse in the form of senior guard Louis Awad. However, that's okay for the Demon Deacons because they make up for this low offensive score with a good defense. In fact, while they post a sub-100 offensive ranking, The defense for Wake Forest is in the top 50 of all teams despite them not having a sure set defender, and the combo of Phu Zhang and incoming freshman William Tindle out of Olathe Northwest is helping them get to that point for the Deamon Deacons. Expect this defense to help them get close all throughout the season for Wake Forest. 11. Clemson NSNN Team Grade: 593.5 NSNN Average Grade: 45.65 Team Overall Rank: 74 NSNN Offensive Rank: 98 NSNN Defensive Rank: 72 Key Player: SF Michael Sims You can tell how competitive this upcoming season is going to be for the ACC. This team is all the way in the top 75 of all teams, yet they only place 11th in the conference. And there seems to be a reason as to why Clemson is closer to 100 in terms of offense, and their defense is closer to their rank. But all signs point to them playing better than before, and that is all thanks to Michael Sims, who is on their way to making it to All-ACC honors- a respectable two-way player who can do it all for Clemson. We can't forget about Alejandro Reyes, who can crash the boards on offense and keep you from scoring from the perimeter at the other end. Also on the team is Thomas Day, who is a huge lockdown defender for the Clemson Tigers. They are an okay team that could play good basketball if coached well. 10. Georgia Tech NSNN Team Grade: 609 NSNN Average Grade: 46.85 Team Overall Rank: 58 NSNN Offensive Rank: 91 NSNN Defensive Rank: 44 Key Player: C John Larock Starting off the top 10 is a team that is currently on the rise. We wouldn't have talked about Georgia Tech being even near the top 10 a few years ago, but now that has all changed. A top-100 offense and a top-50 defense are worth discussing for the Yellow Jackets. While this is all a welcome addition to the Georgia Tech athletics program, there is one person who is to talk about a huge rise such as this. Who else would it be but their best player in the form of John Larock? He is an all-out defender who helped Georgia Tech hit the top 50 in the defensive category. This team would also benefit from the defensive efforts of Matthew Copley and Jacob Wright. Aaron Felix also looks to bring his offensive prowess to the court again this season, and he is a player to look out for at Georgia Tech. 9. Miami (FL) NSNN Team Grade: 611.75 NSNN Average Grade: 50.98 Team Overall Rank: 55 NSNN Offensive Rank: 111 NSNN Defensive Rank: 53 Key Player: SF Dante Obo This year feels like a tough test for the Miami Hurricanes, as head coach kwheele has left for the Arizona Razorbacks job. And it already looks bleak for the Miami Hurricanes. They do have a top-100 defense, but the same cannot be said for the offense. This is all despite having great shooters such as Randy Oneill and Steven Oliver. But then again, maybe it's the defense that can be the factor for Miami, led by senior Wade Zheng, with Mark Davis to lead the helm next season. However, the stars for this year are freshmen Melvin Christian from Glendale High School in Glendale, Arizona, and Dante Obo from Newark Collegiate Academy in Newark, New Jersey. Obo, especially, is the one to look out for, as not only is he a good finisher, but he is also a volume 3-point shooter as well as a lockdown perimeter defender for the Canes. 8. Boston College NSNN Team Grade: 626 NSNN Average Grade: 48.15 Team Overall Rank: 46 NSNN Offensive Rank: 45 NSNN Defensive Rank: 26 Key Player: PG Robert Mader This is probably not what you expected, but we see the Boston College Eagles in the top 10. And it's easy to see why they are in the top 50 somehow in Division I. They also find themselves in the top 50 in terms of offense, which is a nice surprise for the Eagles. But it gets even better, as their defense is also a bit better -- one spot away from cracking into the top 25 for Boston College. How did this team find its way into the Top 50 in Division I and the top 10 in the conference? You have Robert Mader to thank for that, as he is an all-around shooter, and we can expect to make a huge chunk of the Eagles' points this year, with Joseph Dottle supporting him in 3-point tries. Also, it is worth noting that Jose Rocha is the only 4-star on the team, who will surely replace Mader as the leader of this Boston College team next year. 7. Notre Dame NSNN Team Grade: 648.5 NSNN Average Grade: 49.88 Team Overall Rank: 38 NSNN Offensive Rank: 14 NSNN Defensive Rank: 84 Key Player: PG Larry Erickson A huge jump in the rankings in spots means we are getting to the good teams here. Enter Notre Dame, which is a rather interesting bunch. Despite being only top 100 in the defensive category, the Fighting Irish find themselves in the top 25 in Division I in terms of offense. 14th, to be exact. Even if that is the case, Notre Dame's defense isn't even that bad, with Andrew Shreve serving as the catalyst on the defensive side in only his second year. As for offense, there are key factors, and two of them are very well-known in college basketball. Alex Covarrubias, the best player on the team, is a master in the 2-point slot, but no one can forget about Larry Erickson -- who is a bucket-getter all around. With one of the best senior classes in all of NCAA, Notre Dame can keep it interesting in college basketball. 6. UNC NSNN Team Grade: 655 NSNN Average Grade: 50.38 Team Overall Rank: 33 NSNN Offensive Rank: 57 NSNN Defensive Rank: 58 Key Player: SF Timothy Zulkowski To the surprise of no one, UNC gets to the top-5, or at least close to it. This year, the Tar Heels got into a resounding top-50 spot and are just a hair away from making it to the top-25. That is considering the fact that this team is not even close to the top 50 in both offense and defense. It's a great spot nonetheless, but it feels like this is a trap spot for the Tar Heels. Luckily for them, they do have some playmakers over at the other spots to carry them in the long run. For the offense, it would be senior Dennis Elliott and freshman Jim Jardine from Windham High School in Windham, Maine. On the defense, it is the trio of Timothy Zulkowski, Norman Thao, and Raleigh Matthews, who are all excellent in this regard. If these players push through, we can see greatness from North Carolina this season. 5. Duke NSNN Team Grade: 676 NSNN Average Grade: 52.00 Team Overall Rank: 31 NSNN Offensive Rank: 29 NSNN Defensive Rank: 13 Key Player: SF Antonio Scott Again, we see Duke in the top 5 this time. But we also might see the magic start to slip away from the fingers of the Duke faithful. They do rank 31st overall out of all the teams, but for these Blue Devils, this feels like an off-season to them. Luckily for them, they do have stats inside the top 30 despite their rank: 29th in offense and 13th in defense, so they could make a huge push toward making it to the tournament. And they have a huge piece to the puzzle that could get them there, that being Antonio Scott. The best player on the roster and not even close, and he is a candidate for the ACC Player of the Year. He can do it all but is lacking in the 3-point department, but he can rely on Edward Mack to do the job in that regard. Duke might have the best duo in the ACC, which can help propel them to a high spot by the season's end. 4. Florida State NSNN Team Grade: 695 NSNN Average Grade: 49.64 Team Overall Rank: 25 NSNN Offensive Rank: 15 NSNN Defensive Rank: 11 Key Player: PF Lincoln Neals With a conference in which teams start from 7th place over in the 30s in the case of the entire Division I spectrum, you would expect there to be more top-25 teams at the top. This is where this starts. Florida State starts the top 25 this year, but it gets even better for the Seminoles. This year, not only do both offense and defense fall in the top 25, but they fall in the top 20 at 15th and 11th, respectively. This is something that head coach @.jackwan would be proud of. That also means they have some heavy hitters on the team. David Wang will take control in the defensive aspect of the game, while we will see Lincoln Neals, the team's best player, excel on the offensive end, especially in 2-point shooting. The sky is the limit for the Seminoles if they play their cards right, and they could be in for an extraordinary season this year. 3. Virginia NSNN Team Grade: 717.75 NSNN Average Grade: 55.21 Team Overall Rank: 17 NSNN Offensive Rank: 25 NSNN Defensive Rank: 9 Key Player: PF Watson Webb It has been nothing but high-quality basketball for Virginia ever since @Wahoo made his way into the Cavaliers' squad. And this year, we could very well expect no different. This team is in the top 3 in the conference as it stands out, and right now, they are 17th in Division I. What's more, this team is in the top 25 in both offense and defense and while the team just barely made the top 25 in offense, this team eclipsed the top 10 in Division I, so look out for Virginia to make its strides there. There are some big players on the team, such as the defensive tandem of lone Senior Aaron Mccrae and Michael Cruz and sharpshooter Derrick Morehead. But none of them has gathered more hype than 2025 Draft prospect Watson Webb from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, who decided to go local and help his home state Virginia Cavaliers. 2. Louisville NSNN Team Grade: 740.5 NSNN Average Grade: 52.89 Team Overall Rank: 9 NSNN Offensive Rank: 40 NSNN Defensive Rank: 3 Key Player: PF Derek Sandhu It's a top 2 placement for Louisville this year, and there is no surprise, as they have been on the rise from the very start. A monumental rise, in fact, as they find themselves ranked #9 in all of Division I. This is despite them being ranked 40th in offense. Despite all of this, coach @kmattfps is determined to turn that aspect around. So, what is the reason why they are ranked this high? Their defense is ranked at an incredible #3 in all of Division I. There are a lot of reasons why, such as the fact that they currently have a lot of great defenders on the team. The team has a slew of strong defenders, including Russell Thompson, Derek Sandhu, and John Kinyon, with Antonio Rios and Paul Dunaway not that far away. If @kmattfps can tune their offense, Louisville will be a scary team this season. 1. SMU NSNN Team Grade: 774 NSNN Average Grade: 59.54 Team Overall Rank: 4 NSNN Offensive Rank: 46 NSNN Defensive Rank: 2 Key Player: PG Dustin Cook To the shock of everyone, in a rather strong conference full of hard-hitters, the best team in the ACC is a newcomer this year. @JW1952TX and the SMU Mustangs are, as of current, on top of these rankings. Not only in the top 10, however. This team is the only team in the top 5 in Division I. That is even with an offense that ranks 46th in Division I. It is worth noting that this team is an immaculate 2nd in terms of defense, which is all enough to put them at the top of the conference. Three players, Jose Valle, Nathaniel Perryman, and William Ferraro, all have perfect defensive ratings. On the offensive side, Dustin Cook can get the job done, having high marks on both two-point and three-point shooting alongside a strong perimeter defense. And the best part? Cook has one year of eligibility left. Don't be surprised if SMu gets into talks of winning the National Championship. MORE LIKE THIS: [2024] NSNN's CMBB 2024 Conference Preview - Atlantic 10 Inside Look at the Arizona Cardinals 2024 implosion NSNN's CWBB 2024 Conference Preview - ACC Early 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Watson Webb slated to a top-10 spot NFL Power Rankings: Giants hang on for dear life, Titans continue freefall Bowl Game Reactions: North Texas shocks Ohio State, everyone in the Skyline Chili Bowl NFL Playoff Race: It's a bloodbath for the last NFC Wildcard Spot Dodgers, White Sox top way-too-early MLB Power Rankings