NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 24 teams in 2020 “The Basketball Tournament”
By Max Marmitt
8. The Basketball Tournament power rankings – Team Hines
Actual Ranking: #11 – Round of 24 Matchup: #22 Sideline Cancer on July 5th
There was no doubt in my mind that this team deserved a first-round bye in this year’s bracket. Having said that, the field is so incredibly talented this year that it’s understandable (and a couple of key players are not returning). UNC Greensboro alum Kyle Hines has established himself one of TBT’s household stars, and he is one of the many very talented players on this roster.
Former Florida star Nick Calathes returns to the roster, an extremely versatile player who score, rebound, and pass at a high level. The sharpshooter couldn’t during the end of this team’s run last year because he was one of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s sidekicks on the Greece FIBA team. Calathes is one of several Team Hines players playing at the highest levels overseas.
Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ and Valparaiso’s Alec Peters have been added to the frontcourt, two guys who were college superstars. Ethan Happ was the Big Ten rookie of the Year and followed that up with 3 straight years of All-Big Ten honors (2-time All-Big Ten defense as well), averaging 17.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in his senior year. Many teams would throw doubles at him so he’s accustomed to finding open teammates (however, I don’t know if defense can afford to throw doubles on Happ with a roster like this).
2017 Horizon Conference player of the year Alec Peters reminded me of the way Frank Kaminsky played at Wisconsin. The 2017 NBA draft pick finished his career with 2,348 points and 996 rebounds, averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds in his senior year. I think a big reason that this team was ranked 11th was because of the loss of an all-time TBT star Mike James. The Lamar alum once scored 26 points in an NBA game and has been so dominant in the TBT.
However, I think Illinois basketball legend Brandon Paul is the perfect guy to fill the gap. Ever since he earned Illinois Mr. Basketball playing for Warren Township High School, he’s been an outstanding leader. In his senior year, he put a really good Illinois team on his back and was extremely close to taking the 7th seeded Fighting Illini to the Sweet 16.
One of the best defenders in the TBT is Aaron Craft, and Brandon Paul dropped 43 while being guarded by the lockdown defender. He has valuable NBA experience with the San Antonio Spurs, including NBA playoffs experience. Team Hines went on a Final Four Run last year, beating a couple teams in this year’s field and was on the wrong end of a Final four matchup with the Golden Eagles in a game that featured 22 ties and 18 lead changes. This team has the experience and star power to potentially make another Final Four run.