MSBL Mid Year Stock-Take

MID YEAR STOCK- TAKE AND THE HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPS

 

Half of the 2015 season is now in the books so it is time to re rank my MSBL ‘Pecking Order’.

 

A lot has happened in just three rounds since my initial rankings. We have witnessed a top of the table clash and the teams in the top four have had more demanding contests, where some have thrived and others have perished.

 

Here are my adjusted ‘Pecking Order’ rankings after the completion of Round 10. Again these are my opinions and observations and I hope it engages some discussion relating to our league.

 

The first number listed is my current rank of each team, and the number in parenthesesindicate the previous team ranking after Round 7:

 

1. Joondalup Wolves (2)

The Wolves are the only side in the MSBL who have gone unbeaten (4-0) since Round 7. Convincing wins over Mandurah and Rockingham have put the league on further notice, and a tight win over the Hawks was expected. Much like the Slammers, expect to see some Wolfpack faces in the All-star team, and justifiably so. Congratulations must go to Ben Etteridge who was named head coach of the North team in his first season back at the helm. The Wolves are the best team in the league currently in my opinion.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

* The Wolves are the most accurate field goal shooting team in the league

(47.7 %), the best free throw shooting team in league (75.1 %) and lead the MSBL in 3PFG % with 36.5 %!!

 

Next 4 games:

Senators (a)

Lightning (h)

Redbacks (a)

Giants (h)
 

2. South West Slammers (3)

I indicated in the first set of rankings that the Slammers had a rather ‘soft’ start to their schedule. They then went on to beat the Tigers at Willetton, and took out the top of the table clash on the road up in Geraldton. The star-studded Slammers line-up is near unbeatable when firing; however the Slammers were shocked over the weekend with a loss to the Redbacks. If they had not lost that one they would be my number 1 team currently. Ty Harrelson will coach the South All Stars in the mid season spectacle, and rightly so, with Tre Nicholls also on the South roster. He is one of the most explosive and quickest point guards we have seen for quite some time. Don’t be surprised if the rebounding machine and best passing big man in the league, Brian Voelkel joins them in a couple of weeks time on the show court at the Bendat Basketball Centre.

 

Noteworthy Stats:

* Brian Voelkel has 10 double/doubles this year and 3 triple doubles!

* Tre Nicholls season low for scoring is an incredible 21 points, which he posted on debut against the Buccaneers.

 

Next 4 games:

Magic (h)

Senators (h)

Flames (a)

Giants (a)

 

3. Geraldton Buccaneers (1) 

 

I had the Buccaneers as the best team in my initial rankings, however a home loss to the Slammers and two wins over the bottom side (Eagles), and victory over the struggling Senators sees them slide two spots. Matt Wundenberg’s triple double was brilliant, however the loss of back up point guard Luke Wrensted to an unfortunate injury suffered overseas and the unavailability of Ralph for the Slammers game would surely have been disrupting.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

*The Buccs have the highest team score in a game in the MSBL this season (133 v Wolves)

 

Next 4 games:

Hawks (h)

Flames (h)

Suns (a)

Cougars (a)

 

4. Mandurah Magic (4)


The Magic stay in fourth as a result of a 2-2 record since round 7. A loss to the Wolves was probably not that surprising but the home loss to the Giants sure was. Their four game record has balanced out with solid wins over the Tigers and Lightning. The performance of Magic stars Mullenax, Smith and Hafford will always be talked about, however the recruitment of Jarrad Jackson this season in my opinion has proved most valuable. Jackson is posting career best numbers and is relishing the starting role for Mandurah in the first half of the season.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

* The Magic have committed the most turnovers in the MSBL (271)

 

Next 4 games:

Slammers (a)

Cougars (a)

Giants (a)

Eagles (h)

 

5. Cockburn Cougars (6)

 

The Cougars have earned a rise up one position through winning their last three games after a surprising loss on the road to the Goldfields Giants. The import pairing of Najee Lane and Eric Milam has been seamless, as they are definitely players that appear to put their team first, and have been ably supported by the best Australian player in the league in Gavin Field. The Cougars have had handy role player performances from Davey, Mcintyre, Van Lit and Pesava throughout.

 

Noteworthy Stats:

* No one has logged more minutes on court this season than Gavin Field (617:42)

*The Cougars will play the next six games on their home floor.

 

Next 4 games:

Suns (h)

Magic (h)

Lightning (h)

Buccs (h)

 

6. Willetton Tigers (5)


The Tigers had a relatively easy schedule to start the season, and as they have more recently faced much stiffer competition, their record of 2-3 in their last five speaks volumes. Wins over the Hawks and Senators were recorded, however losses to the Slammers, Magic and recently to the Rockingham Flames, sees Willetton drop one spot.

 

Noteworthy Stats:

*The Tigers are the most inaccurate free throw shooting team in the league (63.3%)

*No other team in the MSBL have taken more three point attempts this season (437 attempts in 14 games)

 

Next 4 games:

Giants (a)

Hawks (h)

Wolves (h)

Lightning (a)

 

7. Rockingham Flames (8)

 

Mixed results for the Flames with a win over Stirling followed by a disappointing effort against the Wolves. The win over the Tigers this past weekend will remind the rest of the league of their talent, and the first half performance of Cooper Land was one of the most dominant in 24 mins of basketball that has been witnessed for some time in the league. The next three games on their schedule will be tough.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

*The Flames are the only team in the top 8 that have conceded more total points this season (1266) than they have scored (1260)

 

Next 4 games:

Redbacks (a)

Buccs (a)

Slammers (h)

Hawks (a)

 

8. Lakeside Lightning (10)

 

The big movers are the Lightning with a comprehensive win over the Suns, followed with a road win over the Redbacks. What was really impressive with the victory over Perth was it was accomplished without three of their five starters (Dixon, Thomas and Parkinson). The loss at home to the Magic was disappointing undoubtedly, however the form of Jordan Swing and the emergence of Cory Martin bode well for the men from Bibra Lake.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

* Despite having Jordan Swing and Brad Jackson’s talent on the perimeter, the Lightning are currently the most inaccurate three point shooting team in the league (28.2 %)

 

Next 4 games:

Eagles (h)

Wolves (a)

Giants (h)

Cougars (a)

 

9. Perth Redbacks (7)


The Redbacks drop two places with losses to the Suns, Lightning and Cougars. A big step in the right direction was the upset win over the table topping Slammers last Saturday night. Ray Turner continues his MVP form, but it was the standout backcourt performances of Adam Johnston, Joel Wagner and Ben Smith that led to the dismantling of South West. The upcoming home fixtures are must wins for the Redbacks to climb up the standings and into the playoff spots.

 

Noteworthy Stats:

* Ray Turner has had 3 games of 40 or more points combined with 20 or more rebounds in the same game, and 4 games of 30 or more points and 15 or more rebounds in the same game.

* No one has been to the charity stripe for more attempts this season than Ray Turner (121)

 

Next 4 games:

Flames (h)

Wolves (h)

Suns (h)

Buccs (a)

 

 

10. Goldfields Giants (11)

Since the initial rankings the Giants have posted a 3-1 record. Two straight home wins against the Cougars and Suns respectively are fair, and what was surely the best win of their season was the triumph in Mandurah. The recent loss against the Hawks was simply down to a fadeout in the third term, and what could have been five wins in a row has ended.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

*The Giants have had the least amount of team FT attempts this season (281)

 

Next 4 games:

Tigers (h)

Lightning (a)

Wolves (a)

Magic (h)

 

11. Stirling Senators (9)

 

After four straight wins leading up to the first release of my ‘Pecking Order’ rankings the Senators have since posted four straight losses. The average losing margin of those has been less than six points, however the return of Jordan Wild filling in for the absent Cody Ellis has yet to yield a victory.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

* The Senators are the best team in the MSBL for looking after the ball. They have committed just 169 turnovers in 13 games.

 

Next 4 games:

Wolves (h)

Slammers (a)

Eagles (h)

Suns (h)

 

12. Perry Lakes Hawks (12)


Another team around the foot of the table are the Perry Lakes Hawks. They put up an admirable fight against the Wolves a few weeks ago, albeit in a loss, and the two wins recently were at home against the Suns and Giants. Bryton Hobbs play of late has been superb, however not enough team progress to warrant a climb up the rankings. The next four games on the schedule will be the toughest of their season.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

* Ryan Smith leads the league in 3PFG %. He has connected on 20 of 42 attempts this season

(47.6 %)

 

Next 4 games:

Buccs (a)

Tigers (a)

Flames (h)

Wolves (h)

 

13. Kalamunda Eastern Suns (13)


After getting hammered by the Lightning, an excellent home win over the Redbacks had the Suns fans feeling optimistic. However, a loss on the road to the Giants and to Perry Lakes will keep them at thirteen. The form of Lien Phillip is still exceptional, and the All Star nomination for the rapidly rising star Seva Chan, is more than well deserved.

 

Noteworthy Stats:

*The Suns have taken just 218 three point attempts in thirteen games, a league low.

*Lien Phillip averages more minutes on the court than any other player, at just under 45 minutes on average per game.

 

Next 4 games:

Cougars (a)

Eagles (h)

Redbacks (a)

Buccs (h)

 

14. East Perth Eagles (14)


No surprises here as the Eagles have gone 0-4 since the initial rankings. Joe- Alan Tupaea has not had an easy schedule to begin his head-coaching career. Losses away to Geraldton followed by a narrow loss to Cockburn, where the Eagles controlled a lot of the game will be lamented. Other losses to Joondalup and at home to Geraldton result in the Eagles remaining at the foot of the table.

 

Noteworthy Stat:

The Eagles are the most inaccurate shooting team in MSBL (37.7FG %)

 

Next 4 games:

Lightning (a)

Suns (a)

Senators (a)

Magic (a)

 

*All statistical information used in this article has been obtained from the ‘Fox Sports Pulse’ SBL Website, which can be found at: http://www.sbl.asn.au

 

My rankings will be revisited at the completion of Round 14, which will roughly mark the completion of two thirds of the season. The race for the playoff spots will truly be heating up by then!

 

       ‘SBL CHAMPIONSHIP BELT’
 

For fun this week I have decided to take on a slightly different perspective on the season and decided to find out who would be the current ‘Champions’ of the SBL if it was decided by means used in Pro Wrestling. The team that was on top of the standings after Round 1 would be named champs and would defend its title with each game. Should the team lose, the the team that inflicted the loss would then take the belt as champs, and so on until the end of the season, in theory setting up a title decider every week!

 

Here is a brief summary of the ‘SBL Title Belt’ up to halfway through the 2015 season. Teams in bold are the holders of the belt:

 

Round 1- SW Slammers on top of the standings.

 

Round 5- SW lose the belt to the Joondalup Wolves 109-93.

 

Round 5- Joondalup only hold onto the belt briefly as the Geraldton Buccaneers defeat them 133-115 in a Sunday afternoon matchup.

 

Round 9- The SW Slammers reclaim the belt by defeating Geraldton 122-117

 

Round 10-The Perth Redbacks surprisingly take the belt by defeating the Slammers 118-109.

 

So there you have it, the SBL ‘Title Belt’ resides currently at Curtin. Will the Flames take it with a title shot this Friday?..............

 

MVP RACE

 

My very brief rankings of who I think leads the ‘MVP Race’ to the halfway point of the season:

 

  1. Ray Turner (Perth)-Leagues leading scorer, 2nd in average rebounds all whilst attracting double teams. UNSTOPPABLE one on one and can throw it down!!
  2. Brian Voelkel (SW)-Triple double machine.
  3. Gavin Field (Cockburn)-28ppg and 9rpg. Best free throw shooter in the league.
  4. Tre Nicholls (SW)-Most consistent scoring guard in the SBL.
  5. Jordan Swing (Lakeside)-Played two less games than the previous four players.
  6. Lien Phillip (Kalamunda)-Has recorded double/doubles in every game bar one, and in that game against the Wolves he still had 17p and 8r!
  7. Kevin Davis (Joondalup)-Best shot blocker in the league.
  8. Bennie Lewis (Geraldton)-Posting career best numbers this season.

 

Enjoy the exciting games across the league this weekend!

 

Matt Cecins

 

‘SBL Slam’: Airing Monday Evenings 9-10 pm on 98five Sonshine FM

http://www.98five.com/shows/other-shows/sblslam/

Follow Matt on Twitter @matt_cecins

Photo by Mick Cronin




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