Well,  Hello friends!!!  Milo is back and ready to go. Although I wasn't available for the first week of games which I apologize, I was tuned in regardless. I must say it was an exciting first week and the games would only become more intense once teams get familiar with each other. We have a couple new teams in the mix and some old rivals, and that is what makes this year games exciting. But before I get into my picks, I must give a shout out to the current champs T&T Kings. It was a great run last year and from the looks of things you still look hungry. Continue to represent and show that last year was just the start of great things. Congrats to a great year and looking forward to another run at the championship. Well folks here we go.

 

Battle in the southwest as the Hustlers of Horeb square off against the Hawks of Fellowship in a divisional match. What a difference a week makes for the Hustlers. They started the season facing the defending champs T&T and their high powered offense and held their ground only losing by 10 points. This week they face a Fellowship team that defeated the River of Life by 11 points. Fellowship knows it isn't how you start the season but rather how you finish would count. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Horeb must out hustle their opponent, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. Fellowship on the other hand must play solid defense, shoot well from the line, score in the paint, and attack the rim. Look for a close game because both teams are evenly matched, however, I feel that Fellowship will play stronger defense and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match-up by at least 4 points as they stay on top their division.

 

Battle in the east as the Juggernauts try and rebound from a tough loss and take it to Corona. Corona defeated new kids on the block Sharon in their first game of the season and look to continue their winning ways. Both teams know how important it is to start off the season strong because once playoffs come around it's every team for themselves. What are the keys to victory for both teams this week. NJ must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. Corona on the other hand must play smart and continue to attack the paint, shoot well from the line, make defensive stops, and pressure the guards of Corona all night. Look for a close game because both teams are familiar with each other. I like the way Corona started the season but they are playing a divisional rival who played them well last year. Look for lots of score changes but in the end I feel NJ would have more to lose and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by 6 points as they even the playing field. 

 

What a way to start the season for the shockers of Sharon. They played a good game last week but lost to a more seasoned team in Corona. Now they face one of the league’s best franchises in the Professors who took care of business in their first game. If that wasn't scary they look like they were clicking from the jump ball. Sharon better get their minds right because games like this is going to be hard to pull off without discipline and execution. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Sharon must minimize the turnovers, shoot well from everywhere, get defensive stops, and attack the rim. WP on the other hand must play their style and attack the paint, shoot well from the line, out rebound their opponent, and make defensive stops. Look for a close first half however, WP will be WP and blow out the Shockers of Sharon and continue their winning ways.

 

Battle in the northeast as the eliminators of Ephesus battle the Vipers of Mount Vernon as both teams try and stay out of the basement. Ephesus lost their first game of the season to the professors of WP, while Mt Vernon lost to the Bronx express. Both teams know they can't fall to far behind in the division so this game would be that more important. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Ephesus must play smart and use their strengths by attacking the paint, shoot well from the field, don't have mind lapses, and minimize the turnovers. Mount Vernon on the other hand must play solid defense, shoot well from the line, pressure the guards into turnovers, and out rebound their opponent on the offensive end. Look for a close game because both teams are similar, but in the end I feel the Eliminators would have enough fire power to stop any sting from the vipers and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by at least 6 points as they move out the basement.

 

“Big up” to the Champs.  I know you had a good summer from the way you continue to beast mode teams. Last year I told folks the kings are coming and this year they have arrived. T&T led by their 5 headed attack will be problems for every team this year. It would be up to them to continue and prove last year wasn't a fluke. ROL on the other hand need to figure out what type of team they would be because like last year they look good some weeks and look bad others. This game would be difficult for them to win especially playing the defending champs. What are the keys to victory for both teams. ROL must play smart and minimize the turnovers, shoot well from the field, attack the paint, and pray, pray, pray. Why do I say pray is because unless some divine intervention happens I can't see the champs losing this game. T&T on the other hand must simply show up and play their style, attack the paint, and let their talent shine. I expect to see lots of highlights on the NCBL website only it would be the kings doing the filming. I know I'm going to get some issues from the ROL fans but check me next week after the game. T&T wins this match up blow out style as they continue to their domination.

 

Battle in the west as the tigers of Mount Sinai tries to stop the Ballers of Bethany from balling and keep them in the basement. Both teams played the first week and played a strong game. The tigers defeated NJ by 3 points while Bethany lost by 1 point to the sharp shooters of Ebenezer. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Mt Sinai must play solid defense, shoot well from the line, minimize the turnovers and pressure the baller's guards. Bethany on the other hand must play smart and push the rock, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. Look for a close game throughout because both teams have players. I expect to see lots of score changes but in the end I feel the ballers would ball more and score more and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by 3 points as they even the playing field.

 

Battle in the west as the crushers of Cornerstone battle against the destroyers of New Dime in Milo's " Game of the week".  New Dime defeated New Life by 3 points and now is looking to continue their winning ways. This is Cornerstone first game and they know this opponent very well. Both teams are evenly matched and that is what makes this game interesting. Both teams know what is at stake and this game would be huge for either team's moral. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Cornerstone must start off strong and attack the paint, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, and get defensive stops. New Dime on the other hand must play their style and attack the paint, shoot well from the field, push the rock, and get bench contributions. I expect to see a close game throughout because both teams are closely matched but in the end I feel that New Dime being they played one game before would come out ready and try and keep the crushers down. New Dime wins this match up by 2 points as they continue on top the division.

 

West meets northeast as the Rejuvenators of New Life try and slow down the Bronx 

express and derail them. Bronx ran express their first game and is looking for blood. They knew they let last year slip away without a championship crown under their belt. This year they have a renewed focus and their coach will have them prepared every game. New Life on the other hand is still searching for their own identity and must have a perfect storm if they are to win this game. What are the keys to victory for both teams. New Life must play solid defense, shoot extremely well from the line and field, minimize the turnovers, and slow the game down. Bronx on the other hand must play their style and attack the paint, shoot well from deep, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. Look for a close game the first half but by second half I expect to see the Hawks run express and blow out the Rejuvenators by at least 10 points keeping them in the basement in the west.

 

Well that's all for Milo's Week 2 picks. Players come out and give the fans a show, fans come out and support your teams and lets fellowship together. Remember to give God the thanks and praise for all he has done for us throughout the new year. Keep praying for those less fortunate and let our light shine so that the world might know His coming is sooner than expected. Let's have a great season and win some souls over to Christ. If God is on our side then who can stand against us. Until next time this is Milo signing out. God Bless.