now that we’re deep into conference play, i wanted to do a quick update on how my teams are doing. here goes!
Team 1 (from a Power 5 conference):
Starting five -
Kyle Filipowski is a dominant force in the ACC, averaging almost 18 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 2 bog, and just over 1 steal while shooting 50% from the floor and 38% from 3-pt range. he’d be putting up better numbers if Duke was a better passing team.
Ben Gregg is exactly what i was hoping for: an active, high energy defender who can really run the floor and stretch opposing defenses with his 3-pt shooting. despite irregular minutes on a dysfunctional Gonzaga team this season, he’s averaging just over 8 ppg and 5 rpg while shooting over 50% from the floor.
Tyler Wahl is just a winner (he just won the 100th game of his Wisconsin career!) and does all the things that brings success to a team. a versatile defensive player, he’s also a versatile, highly efficient scorer, averaging over 11 ppg and 5 rpg, while shooting over 55% from the floor.
Payton Sandfort is an extremely long, pure gunner from deep, capable of taking over games when he gets hot, and a surprisingly tenacious rebounder. averaging over 14 ppg and almost 7 rpg, he’s shooting nearly 40% from 3-pt range.
Tyler Kolek is simply the best point guard in the game. averaging over 14 ppg and 7 apg, he’s also a plus defender (nearly 2 steals per game) and rebounder (nearly 5 rpg).
off the bench, Braden Smith (arguably the best point guard in the Big Ten) gets starter minutes. the “Little Ball of Hate” is a FIERCE competitor, as shown by his 5.5 rpg despite being only 6-feet tall. he’s also a dynamic playmaker with the ball, both for himself (nearly 12 ppg and over 42% from 3) and for his teammates (over 7 apg).
Connor Essegian has struggled with injuries and other (unknown to me) issues this year at Wisconsin.
Braden Huff is a skilled scoring big off the bench, providing offensive punch while having his defensive liabilities (hopefully) hidden. averaging over 10 ppg at over 61% shooting, he can score in bunches of he gets hot. i still need him to get in the weight room, though.
Harry Wessels gives me muscle (7-foot-1, 255 lbs) and efficiency (over 63% shooting) off the bench. he knows his role, and is capable of more if he continues working on his game.
i’m redshirting Dusty Stromer and Andrej Stojakovic.
Team 2 (from a mid-major conference):
Starting five -
Grant Nelson is my 6-foot-11 point forward. a do-everything skill set is featured (instead of fighting Upside Americans for opportunities like he’s doing at Alabama). in real life, he’s averaging over 12 ppg, 6rpg, 2 apg, and nearly 2 bpg.
Tyson Degenhart is killing opposing wings in the post as we invert our offense to take advantage of mismatches. he’s averaging nearly 16 ppg and over 5 rpg while shooting 50% from the floor.
Patrick McCaffrey has battled injuries and anxiety, but thankfully we’re strong at the wing.
Aidan Mahaney has struggled with his shot this year (39% from the floor), but he’s still a winning, productive player (over 14 ppg, nearly 3 rpg, better than 2 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio).
Elijah Pepper has been KILLING it. averaging over 21 ppg and nearly 40% from 3-pt range, he’s picked up a lot of the scoring load. dude has improved defensively and on the glass, as well, averaging nearly 5 boards and 2 steals.
off the bench, and as an occasional starter, Mason Miller has filled in admirably with McCaffrey’s struggles. shooting 50% from the floor and 45% from deep, he keeps defenses from doubling Degenhart on the block, and his length and athleticism on the top of our press is very disruptive.
Ryan Young gives us energy, girth, leadership and good passing off the bench. he’s also a capable scorer (60% from the floor) when called upon.
Caleb Lohner is another high energy big with enough strength and athleticism to guard multiple spots.
Joseph Pinion is being blackballed in real life with the Arkansas Razorb(l)acks despite being a lights-out shooter (has shot 50+% in every game he’s played more than 10 minutes). on my team, he’d be getting minutes and touches and scoring in droves.
we’re redshirting Luka Krajnovic and Jensen Bradtke.