After speaking with CEO Michael Andre Wright, he is very excited about the tourney and the future of the MBL.
With 3 guys getting legitimate overseas deals during the 1st season, & many more to come? Possibly a Womens Pro League as well?
"I'm blessed for the way the season has played out and the support we have gotten. We are really looking forward to the 2017 Season as well." Wright stated.
Heres our Final MBL Top 5 Regular Season Rankings assessment of the teams and what it will take realistically for each team to have a shot to hoist the MBL Championship this weekend in Minneapolis.
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| Can the Air Strikers go wire to wire for the chip'? |
1) Dayton Air Strikers (12-1) -
Dayton truly had a unbelieveable season, having 2 long winning streaks in between their loss early in the season... They have the deepest team in the league, a veteran coach, and some hungry players, coaches, and management... Despite the loss of top 5 scorer and All-League performer Joe Thomasson (Europe), the Air Strikers still are the team to beat. With 3 of the top defensive bigs in the league (Dwayne Martin, Eugene Wade & Mook Holmes) and good guards, look for someone to fill in Thomasson spot. The best defensive team in the league statistically.
2) Minnesota Rangers (11-3) -
The Rangers have shown they are the class of the West. Led by Rochester Rogers (26.6 ppg) & Dominique Dawson (19 & 12 rpg), the Rangers won 9 of their last 10 to secure the top spot. The Rangers have 6 guys who average double figures, so they have multiple weapons. However, the defense is what will lead the Rangers to a first ever Championship.
3) Indiana Fury (10-3)-
With MVP Zach Payton leading the way, the Fury have been the most visible team in the MBL this year. Payton has had some monster games, and his teammate Reggie Lytle has had some as well. Lytle averages 31, so they have some serious weaponry with that 1-2 punch. The Fury came back in the 2nd half of the quarterfinals and now see themselves 2 games away from a championship. Can the incredible 1-2 punch of Payton and Lytle get it done this weekend?
4) Cedar Valley Court Kings (10-4) -
The Court Kings started slow, but have been a serious force since the middle of the season. Cedar Valley has won 9 of its last 11 and drug the Indiana Dream through the mud for a 50 point win in the quarterfinals last night. The Court Kings have the most balanced offense, with 6 players scoring in double digits, & nobody over 20 (Andre Norris 19.2).
The Court Kings seem to be a cohesive unit, and they could surprise this weekend. Coach Stan Hughes knows his boys must be ready and play as a unit to succeed.
5) Chicago Fury (9-4) -
Chicago rounds out our top 5 as they had a good inaugural season as well. Although there were some trying times for the Fury (Death of Johnathan Mills) the Fury still played well despite the inconsistencies of its roster at times. The Fury lost in the quarterfinals after having the lead, but nevertheless, it was a good season for Chicago.
Todays Semifinal Matchups
Indiana Fury vs Minnesota Rangers - In what will be a classic matchup, the 2 top players in the MBL will go at it as MVP Zach Payton will look to lead the troops over a home based crowd vs the Rangers and their do everything player in Rochester Rogers. Can the Fury overcome a hostile crowd, and hot Rangers team and pull off the upset? Or will the Rangers do what they've done all seaon and win the big game?
Cedar Valley Court Kings vs Dayton Air Strikers - In what will be a epic battle, can the Court Kings pull off the upset? They will have to play team ball and need their sum of their parts to be as one, in order to defeat the Air Strikers. Dayton has looked focused, but losing all- league performer Joe Thomasson could hurt. The Air Strikers boasts the leagues best D, and if the Court Kings don't get rolling early, it could be a long day in Minneapolis.
