NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 24 teams in 2020 “The Basketball Tournament”
By Max Marmitt
15. The Basketball Tournament power rankings – Armored Athlete
Actual Ranking: #15 – First Round Matchup: #18 Power Of The Paw (Clemson alumni) on July 5th
Armored Athlete is a TBT regular at this point. With five years of TBT experience, this team has always looked talented enough to make a deep run but still haven’t really had their breakout year. That being said, they still have made the “Super 16” on four different occasions. General manager AJ Maher stated how “we have had our core guys year after year while adding pieces around the core to try and find the right combinations to win the whole thing.”
I really thought this could be a championship team last year and the team has to think they have a good chance this year too as they added some major talent to the roster. Two of the best additions in the tournament include 2011 NBA first-round draft pick Dominique Jones and another former NBA guard Courtney Fortson. The former Arkansas star shined in his sophomore year (last year of college) providing averages of 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He’s impactful on both ends of the floor and has had a very successful overseas career, winning MVPs in China and Russia.
Former USF star Dominique Jones is already a TBT monster, averaging 23.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 steals. In 2010, he was an All-Big East player with a multifaceted skillset. Two absolute beasts establish part of the frontcourt with 6’10’ former UMass star Cody Lalanne and former Florida State giant Michael Ojo standing 7’1.” Cody Lalanne was selected in the 2015 NBA draft, one of five guys on the roster with NBA ties. Former Ole Miss star and 2-time All-SEC player Murphy Holloway is another dangerous threat who can get hot in a hurry.
One of these years, Armored Athlete is going to make that deep run. Team management really values the TBT and knows all of its ins and outs, except a first-round win would schedule an appearance with Overseas Elite. The Clemson alumni team can’t be overlooked but with the experience and talent on the roster necessary to take down the Goliath that is Overseas Elite, the talent will have to blend together fast in order for this year to be the team that finally reaches their potential.