EBA Summer League Power Rankings: Week 2

<p>Week two of the EBA Summer League is in the books with what was another solid slate of games this past Wednesday. As we look forward to this week, we break down each team's win/loss and put together the power rankings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>1. MD Spartans (2-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 1</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 55-49 win over the Cobras</em></p> <p>Despite the final score being close, the Spartans had complete control in this game led by 2021 <strong>Marlon Lewis</strong>' 17 points and 10 rebounds. 2021 <strong>Alan Brown</strong> once again had another solid shooting outing in week two as he finished with 12 points that including two three's. The Spartans continue to show solid chemistry and will be a team that looks to push the pace week in and week out.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>2. EBA (2-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 2</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 48-29 win over the Falcons</em></p> <p>EBA is a close second in this week's rankings after a dominant outing against the Falcons. 2020 <strong>Jordan Strickland</strong> controlled this one with 17 points and 12 rebounds, asserting himself as a force in the paint and on the break. 2020 guard <strong>John Godinez</strong> pitched in with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. Godinez was key defensively as he caused a handful of turnovers that led to EBA fast breaks.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>3. Bluebirds (2-0)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 4</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 55-44 win over the Mavs</em></p> <p>The Bluebirds stay perfect with a win over their rival school. 2021 <strong>Mason Bracken</strong> was key in the victory with 17 points and three rebounds. 2021 <strong>Jayier Anderson</strong> put together another hard-fought performance with 13 points and eight rebounds. 2020 <strong>Deamony Alves</strong> finished this one with 14 points and four rebounds. The Bluebirds play with a hectic pace that can make their opponents feel uncomfortable. We'll see if they can carry on this success in week three.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>4. Pointers (1-1)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 5</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 50-38 win over the Rams</em></p> <p>The Pointers were without 2020 <strong>Ramon Villanueva</strong> in their week one loss, but the 6-foot-4 forward came through strong and showed the impact he can have on this team in their win last week. Villanueva posted a stat line of 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. 2020 forward Hassan Tucker finished with 12 points and five rebounds in a performance that included a poster lob dunk over a defender. 2020 Timmy Adedire remains consistent with a 8-point, 8-rebound outing.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/ColbyGHoops/status/1144355725667393537?s=20</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>5. Bayhawks (1-1)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 3</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 44-49 loss to the Wolfpack</em></p> <p>The Bayhawks were without their top player in 2020 <strong>Emanuel Henriques</strong> this past week and it showed in their performance. There was a lack of play-making and leadership on the floor without him. Still, 2020 <strong>Malik Taylor</strong> filled a Draymond Green type of role as he finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>6. Mavs (1-1)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 6</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 44-55 loss to the Bluebirds</em></p> <p>2021 Noah Oliver continues to be the leader for this Mavs team as he finished with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists in the loss. The fight that the Mavs showed late in this game to cut the lead to 2 with a four minutes left was impressive. By applying a full-court press, they forced a handful of turnovers to get back in it. Let's see if they keep that strategy heading into week three.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>7. Cobras (0-2)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 8</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 49-54 loss to the Spartans</em></p> <p>The Cobras have played the top two teams in the first two weeks, so I don't expect their losing ways to continue. 2020 forward Bradley Hall had a second solid week of play with 14 points and nine rebounds. As a team, the Cobras play well together and have showed fight in each game. If teams start to overlook them, it could end up costing them.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>8. Wolfpack (1-1)</strong> </span></p> <p>Last week's ranking: No. 10</p> <p>Last week's game: 49-44 win over the Bayhawks</p> <p>The Wolfpack sports a very young roster but the 2021 duo of <strong>Rob Johnson</strong> and <strong>Walter Carr</strong> came through this past week. Johnson finished with 12 points and eight rebounds as he supplied great energy to start, while Carr pushed the tempo from the guard slot on his way to 12 points. The team is well-coached and the young players seem to listen effectively. It'll be fun watching them grow over the next month.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>9. Falcons (0-2)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 7</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 48-29 loss to EBA</em></p> <p>The Falcons are another team that fell victim to having to play the two top teams in the opening weeks. Last week, they were without stud freshman guard Taylor Hickey, so 2021 Malik Scipio took matters into his own hands and did whatever he could to keep his team somewhat competitive with 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. When Hickey and Scipio are both there, the Falcons can be a tough team. When it's just one, they lost a lot of their firepower.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>10. Rams (0-2)</strong></span></p> <p><em>Last week's ranking: No. 9</em></p> <p><em>Last week's game: 50-38 loss to the Pointers</em></p> <p>The Rams are another team that has a very young roster. Those young guys will take this time to get a hint of what the varsity level is like. 2022 guard Jeramiah Gaines showed some nice upside and led the Rams with 20 points, four rebounds and two assists. While I don't expect the Rams to collect a lot of wins in this league, it'll be great for growth and experience heading into the season.</p>