NTT Update - s69
We're a little past the halfway mark of the season, so here is a look at how the DeACCon coaches are fairing this season.
For the first time in a long time there are Zero WFU coaches in the top 10. Surprisingly, Boca is our highest ranked team at PR #13. This is in part due to C13 having more quality this season coupled with the upper echelon deacs having more losses than usual.
In current PR order here is our DeACCon update.
*If I missed anyone, please msg me with your team name as I don't have it on my master list*
Boca Rotan Storm #13
Coach: Stormfury
The storm are flirting with breaking several of my personal records including PPG, 3 pt %, FG %, Steals, Opp PPG etc. The most talented (+/-) team I have ever fielded is also the best defensive squad to come through Boca Rotan. A 10 pt early loss against Philadelphia keeps this team from being undefeated but the lineup that is playing now may have faired better against the #3 ranked Insatiables. In addition to being strong defensively, this squad currently is the highest scoring I've fielded edging out the 67 squad who had 90.2 ppg.
Barring a total collapse the Storm should be in the NTT.
NTT Status: C13 Champ/At Large
Nashville Domination #21
Coach: reddoor
Like Boca, Nashville has 1 blemish on their record, a 81-68 loss to Manassas (7-2) ranked 37. A win against Green Bay tonight should pretty much seal up the C15 championship as the remaining 3 conference games are against sub 500 teams all of which Nashville has already beaten.
This team has senior leadership at the Guard spots and should be a high seeded NTT team.
NTT Status: C15 champ/At Large
Flagstaff whippersnappers #23
Coach: tau
For the first time in a long time, Flagstaff lost a C32 match. Santa Fe was so excited at the win that the squad lost the next two conference games making things very interesting in C32. Both Yuma and Flagstaff have 1 conference loss and the two will face off the final regular season game to potentially determine the C32 champion. That is of course assuming Flagstaff can get past Santa Fe next Monday and Yuma can win out. The whippersnappers are playing well with solid leadership by SR
Angelo Pedigo at PG and Rene Naquin at PF. Naquin and Livingston have combined for 29 blocks this season making for a very formidable front court.
NTT Status: AT Large/ C32 Champ
Frankfort Deacon Blues #25
Coach: awaken
Since I started back in season 59, I cannot remember a time where the Deacon Blues were not in the top 10. After going 24-0 last season, it was inevitable that this team would take a step back. Replacing Tuttle and Lott is a tall order for any recruiting coach even the K of our generation. The Frankfort losses however might be a bit misleading to the poll voters as they have come in the form of 10 to Flagstaff #23, 26 to Philly #3, and 1 to conference rival Waterloo #8. While this team may not have the experience to win another title, there is enough pieces that this squad could go deep into the NTT and coach Awaken has gotten improvement as the season has progressed from his squad.
The Deacon Blue will need a bit of help if they are to win the C18 championship this season. Perhaps Flint can help out Frankfort next week.
NTT Status: AT Large/ C18 Champ
Duluth Bullish Deacs #27
Coach: phdeac
After a tough season last year, phdeac has the Bullish Deacs playing well and should be NTT bound again this season. Duluth's only losses are to #3 Philly by 5 and divisional rival #15 Kalamazoo by 11. Next week's matchup with Kalamazoo is key if Duluth wants a chance at the C20 title this season. FR sensation Scotty Ruffin has provided a major impact for the Bullish deacs with 19.6 ppg, 7.4 rb and 20 blocks. Behind the 7'1 Ruffin this team could cause some noise in the NTT.
NTT Status: AT Large
Carbondale Violence #40
Coach: simplex10
A tough loss to Independence on Monday knocked Carbondale out of the top 20. The Violence are litterally 6 pts from being undefeated with losses to Frankfort #25 by 2, Flint #70 by 3 and Independence #130 by 1. Coach simplex doesn't have any breaks either with his next match against Waterloo #8 and a gruelling schedule that includes Flagstaff #23, and Frankfort once more. The tough schedule should help the Violence PR wise and as we've seen from their 6-0 DeACCon record, this team is capable of winning against almost anyone.
NTT Status: AT Large
Chicago Golden Deacons #51
Coach: ntndeacon
Chicago's FR front court of Grossman and Crossman have done an exceptional job at replacing the rebounding of Seaman and Ayers. The problem for Chicago is that the FR at this stage of their career are not quite the defensive tandem of their predecessors. Still, the Golden Deacons have a great shot at getting into the NTT and that could be boosted with a win tonight against Duluth. So far the Golden Deacon's 3 losses have come to Casper #24 by 5, Long Beach #7 by 5 and Kalamazoo #15 by 16.
NTT Status: Bubble
Odessa Spooks #64
Coach: Pilot
A tough loss to Laramie by 1 pt pushed Odessa out of the top 50 but the spooks have ample chance to push back into the mix with games against Grand Rapids #52, Casper #24 whom they beat earlier this season, and Fort Worth #1. Earl Ruis in his SR season is having a solid year with 17.5 ppg and 8.6 rb. If the trio of Freshmen starting beside him can grow up quickly, this team just might make it into the NTT.
NTT Status: Bubble
Fargo Wheatshuckers #69
Coach: Adout3000
The wheatshuckers have made huge strides under their new coach improving off their PR 167 last season and 201 from 2 seasons ago. At 8-2, Fargo has a chance to win the C21 title and get the schools first winning season in over 10+ seasons. With SR SG Lawrence Googe and C Milton Louden this team could do well in the NTT but coach adout3000 will need a solid recruiting class to repeat this season's success. Googe is leading the team with 23.6 ppg.
NTT Status: Bubble / C21 Champ
Flint Firestarters #70
Coach: dieseldeac
Diesel has done a great job at turning this program around. Just three seasons ago this team only won 5 games but that number has increased by 5 two seasons in a row to make last season's 15-9 record the best the team has had in over 10 seasons. The firestarters are 6-4 on the season and already have mixed things up with wins against Paducah #78 and Carbondale #40. C18 is just extremely tough to win in and with games against Frankfort #25 and Waterloo #8 left, the Firestarters are going to need another season or two to get back into the NTT.
NTT Status: In Trouble
Dearborn Warak's Deacs #76
Coach: Warak
Dearborn's unfortunately in a bit of a down cycle right now and I think their ranking is fairly accurate as they have struggled with top 50 teams and beaten the 80+ squads. Warak's got some talent coming in next season though and I expect should be back into the NTT next season.
NTT Status: In Trouble
Pittsburgh Stealers #95
Coach: bold814
While the Stealers losses have come against quality opponents, their conference strength of schedule is holding them back PR wise. This team will need to beat Lancaster in the season finale or win the conference tournament to earn an NTT birth.
NTT Status: In Trouble / C3 Champ
Evansville Rachelwoods #103
Coach: redsox
I like Evansville's chances of getting their first winning season in over 10+ seasons. The Rachelwoods have closed the gap on the rest of C13 and could challenge Gulf Shores and Boca for conference superiority in another season or two. FR PG John Lawson is looking like the c13 FRoY with 22.7 ppg and 2.1 apg. If that wasn't enough both FR Monte Bueno and Willis Baker are pulling in quality minutes and points. Bueno is averaging 18 ppg.
NTT Status: In Trouble
Eugene Travelers #107
Coach: turftoe
After falling to 9-15 last season, coach turftoe has started a youth movement with 2 SO and a FR in the starting lineup. It's proven successful as the Travelers are 5-5 and are halfway to last season's win total. Eugene will need to improve quickly and get a lot of help in order to play in the NTT this season.
NTT Status: In Trouble
Rochester Sandworms #112
Coach: redwing
Like Eugene, Rochester is making strives as the team is 6-4, halfway to their win total from last season. The sandworms are still a couple of seasons from making the NTT field.
NTT Status: In Trouble
Cincinnati Skyline Deacs #114
Coach: dadeacs
The Skyline deacs moved towards a more youthful lineup and so far the results are mixed. At 5-5 Cincy isn't likely to challenge for an NTT spot but coach DaDeacs should be learning a lot about his FR class. With wins against 80+ pr teams and losses below 60 PR, I tend to feel this team should be ranked in the 65-75 range. It's going to be a season or two before Cincy challenges Peoria and Youngstown.
NTT Status: In Trouble