Men’s Rec Divisional Previews

- J. Andrew Lockwood -
Senior Editor / Sports Columnist
james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu

                         In the 21-team league, the champion may be the team that peaks late in the season and survives the playoffs.  ‘Survival’ after all, is the nature of the game in the rec league.  Last year’s champion Old School would know best, taking a 2-2-1 record into the post season and winning four straight games to become the crowned champion.  This year’s league has a cornucopia of first year franchises, from Dirty Briefs to  the Humuhumunukunukuapua’s to the White Men Can’t Jump squad.  It’s a league in which sometimes the team nicknames are more appreciated than the actual play of the team.  But this isn’t a name game, it’s basketball, so here’s a quick look at each team.

 

Team	2008 Record	Outlook
Acrosomal Attack	(3-3, 3-2)	Looking for a turn-around season after a first round exit last year.  They’re a Med-School team with lots of athleticism and size.  Watch out for the Attack.
ATΩ 2	(0-0, 0-0)	This frat expansion team has a good core group of players.  Matt Stark, Clint Strefling, and Kevin Burran are all ballers that can make it happen for the Taus
Brick Throwers	(3-2-1, 3-1-1)	They tossed up a brick in last year’s first round, losing to ΣN.  Expect this staff/professor squad to take a few to school though.  Adrian Collier, Kevin Bucholtz, and Paul Fithian are all players to keep an eye on.
Byrd Gang	(0-0, 0-0)	A first year team led by Andrew Swinford and Will Stone, little is known about the misspelled fowl gang.
Dirty Briefs	(0-0, 0-0)	Another expansion team, unlike their nickname, they don’t stink.  Mike Armstrong could be the rec league MVP by the end of the year and swingman Garon Muller isn’t bad either.
ΦΔΘ	N/A	Known more for rugby than basketball, the Delters move down a division in hopes of a more competitive year.  Alan Franks and Len DeBoever are their go-to guys.
Grizzles	(0-0, 0-0)	Think of the Grizz as The Wood’s minor league team.  Jason Beard and Matt Hipol aren’t too bad, and this organization is on the rise.
Humuhumunukunukuapua’s	(0-0, 0-0)	With the league’s longest name, let’s just hope they’re good.  They’re a law school team named after the Hawaiian fish, led by Ben Coppage and Chris Featherstun.
JuiceBox	(0-0, 0-0)	Right out of high school, this freshman team hopes to make a splash in it’s first year in the league.  Captained by Chris Snider and Andrew Karas, JuiceBox may be lacking a bit in experience.
KA 2	(2-3-1, 2-2-1)	Known for the cannon outside their frat house, this team isn’t half bad.  Zack Mericle can move up and down the floor pretty well for this team formerly known as the ‘Karate Assassins.’
Los Lobos	(3-2, 3-3)	Last year’s ‘Underdogs’ come back under a different name in the Ed Udvadia organization.  Adel Mustafa, Kolby Knight, and Michael Yergin can all score for the Spanish named squad.
Med 2	(0-0, 0-0)	A med school program, Roy Takei and JD Patel captain the expansionary franchise.
Old School	(6-2-1, 2-2-1)	Last year’s Rec Champs go back to work with Arthur Coleman, Dr. Pearson, Brandon Ingersoll, and Dr. Butler on the roster.  Their game is still there, but if the arthritis kicks in…watch out.
ΠΚΦ 2	(6-1, 5-0)	This year’s favorite to win the league features ‘Twin Vision version 3.’  Robert and Brett Richstone mean business and won’t settle for anything less than a championship.
Public Enema	(0-0, 0-0)	Another new team in the league.  The med school franchise is captained by James Davis and Will Crosland.
Rampage	(0-0, 0-0)	Known more for the fun they have on the court than the score on the scoreboard, Rampage hopes to conquer a few foes with Luke Cox and Gagan Chahal calling the shots.
RUF Riders	(3-4, 2-3)	A middle-of-the-road team that can win on any given night must be more consistent this year.  Marlin Harris, Jonathan Wisdom, Kevin Roberts, and Andrew Lockwood can all put the rock in the hoop when need be.
The Big Subpoenas	(5-4, 2-3)	Voted team with the best nickname for the third consecutive year, the law school franchise has a shot at being moved up to the comp league.  They’re for real, with Michael Mayo, Arthur York, and Berry DeBrow as they’re top players.
The Med Students	(0-0, 0-0)	Fresh from surgery, they hope to pick apart their opponents with big man Benjamin Mishra and Zachary Cohen.
The Wood	(6-2, 4-1)	After a serious 2008 run, the team is back with Sean Amirault, Noah Calar, Joey Wilson, and Doug Doud.  Despite the coniferous nickname, this team isn’t a softy.  They’ll be a contender in the playoffs.
White Men Can’t Jump	(0-0, 0-0)	The nickname says it all.  They may be a year or two away, but since they’re a Law School team, you may want to watch out for their cross….examination.