Under .500 to Above: What Teams Could Flip?
Last season, the Covid-19 pandemic made playing basketball games very difficult. Teams were stagnated in their rhythm by sudden cancellations and long lapses in play. I think you need to take that into account when analyzing a win-loss record from…
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Continue ReadingLast season, the Covid-19 pandemic made playing basketball games very difficult. Teams were stagnated in their rhythm by sudden cancellations and long lapses in play. I think you need to take that into account when analyzing a win-loss record from a season ago.
Certainly, talent and depth could have subsidized these issues. However, I am willing to give everyone a clean slate heading into the fall.
Let’s look at programs that could flip their records. I would say I’m doing these predictions before any schedules come out. Hopefully nobody pencils in the Milwaukee Bucks for a few games.
Miami Goleman – (Last season: 5-9)
The Gators were 5-5 before suffering four-straight losses to end their season. Will those losses manifest or fuel Goleman in 2021? Per its roster, nearly everyone should be back. 2024’s Jeremy Elyzee Jeremy Elyzee 6'6" | SF Flanagan | 2024 State FL (16.6 ppg) and Farrell Philippe (16.2 ppg) are young and talented. The 6-foot-4 Elyzee also averaged 6.5 rebounds per game, best on the team. Goleman also has depth in its senior class. Three players from that group averaged nearly seven points per game.
Miami Edison – (Last season: 6-9)
The Red Raiders had an up-and-down 2020 season. There were times where they won consecutive games. There were other times where they suffered multiple defeats. Overall, they had many toss-up games that might have given them better fortune in the win-loss column. 2022 Anthaurio Frederick (17.8 ppg/6.4 rpg) should be back. The 6-foot-2 guard is a nice defender with length. Frederick recorded over two steals and one block per game. 2021 Corey Holmes will need to be replaced. Holmes averaged an impressive 13.4 rebounds per game and shot 56 percent from the floor.
Miami Carol City – (Last season: 6-7)
Having been close to a winning record a season ago, the Chiefs return most of its unit from last season. 2023 shooting guard Wal’Tavis Wade averaged over 22 points per game while shooting 54 percent from the field. Moreover, Wade scored 20 or more points in eight of 13 contests. Wade can also shoot the three ball (43 percent). 2022 Kendall Perry is a solid scorer (13.8 ppg) and rebounder (6.8 rpg). Against Miami Northwestern (13-5), Perry scored a season-high 21 points and went 4-of-6 from deep. This is a nice one-two combo that could give Carol City more wins in 2021.
Booker T. Washington – (Last season: 3-6)
The addition of PJ Paulk PJ Paulk 6'3" | CG Northwestern | 2023 State FL from Northwestern should help the Tornadoes. Paulk brings instant playmaking ability and athleticism into the lineup. Keep in mind this was a Booker T. Washington club that lost four of their six games by ten points or less. Paulk is good enough for a few wins on his own.
Question Marks:
Fort Lauderdale – Can a new head coach Stefan Whittingham turn around last season’s 4-7 record? Whittingham is an alum of the school and played collegiality at Lincoln University.
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