| ONL Top 19 | |
| RANK | TEAM |
| 1. | Barifinkle/Sit on My Face |
| 2. | The Bomb Squad |
| 3. | The Express |
| 4. | Tallula |
| 5. | Mallard Magic & The Funky Bunch |
| 6. | The Bullets |
| 7. | Boo Radley and Friends |
| 8. | AD |
| 9. | Theo |
| 10. | Medieval Times: Dinner and Tournament |
| 11. | Ortega |
| 12. | Re-Elect Judge Jim Wascher |
| 13. | Supreme Court |
| 14. | Off In The Woods |
| 15. | McGarry Dangles Inc. |
| 16. | Coot's Coot |
| 17. | NWA |
| 18. | Hank Mardukas |
| 19. | Phase 4 |
This leads us to our preseason All-Night League Teams. Participants were not chosen by position, but rather, with the selections coming based off of who you would pick in a theoretical fantasy draft, with the first 5 picks on the First Team, the next 5 on Second Team, and so on. Without further ado:
First Team
Jeff Dsida
John Haller
James Knight
Ryan Murnighan
Matt Traub
Second Team
Brian Frett
Robert Gorodetsky
Walt Lyon
Willy Moore
Chris Sweitzer
Third Team
Brandon Batt
Charlie Gilvarg
Matt Haller
Conor Healy
TJ Keene
MVP
James Knight: One of two varsity basketball players (Brian Frett) from last year to make the switch to night league this year. James is best known for his spot-up shooting, shown in his 7 point performance vs. Evanston at Welsh-Ryan Arena last year. The question about James is whether he will be able to keep his teammates involved. Critics have questioned his ability to find teammates when trailing, saying he will just start to shoot every play. A big part of Tallula's success this year will hinge on James' ability to keep everyone involved, and James' teammates to be productive as well.
Now, let's look at tomorrow night's games:
#1 Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face (-11) vs. #8 AD
At first glance, this game should be a blowout, based on the fact that Barifinkle is the same team as last year, and so is AD, and last year Barifinkle won by 28. However, in the offseason, AD added former Winnetka All-Star Alex Wislow. At 6'2", 195, Wislow will provide an athletic big man for AD to help out Matt Coan down low. Barifinkle is still a strong favorite, but don't expect a blowout like last year's championship.
#2 The Bomb Squad (-15) vs. #7 Boo Radley and Friends
The scariest team this year for me is The Bomb Squad. It unites sophomore basketball players Matt Traub, Willy Moore, and Jeff Dsida, who are all playing together in Night League for the first time. Their potential is hard to estimate solely because nobody's ever seen all three in action. Add in athletes Peter Lind and Michael Schroeder, and The Bomb Squad could be tough to beat this year. In terms of matching up with Boo Radley, I think the Bomb Squad should be able to dominate. Willy Moore is out Week 1, but Traub and Dsida will find a way to stop Spencer Levin, Boo Radley's strongest player, and although Ryan Lumley and Jared Sperling can score, I don't think Boo Radley will be able to handle The Bomb Squad.
Extra Note: Justin Horwitz is suspended for the season due to a flag football outburst, and will not be able to help our Boo Radley and Friends.
#3 The Express (-31) vs. #19 Phase 4
The Express got hit hard by this offseason, losing SG Ryan Rakocy to the American School in Japan (ASIJ). Replacements have come in the form of hockey player Randy Petcov, and Triship President Tim Denenberg. The Express are still missing a big man, something that derailed their chances at a Shoe last year. Brantner Jones, Kerby Hilarides, and Mike Hermanson are going to have to pick up the slack rebounding if the Express want a chance at competing with Barifinkle. However, against Phase 4, who will be missing an injured Sam Shapiro (game time decision), I don't think the Express will have too much to worry about.
GAME OF THE WEEK #4 Tallula (-8) vs. #6 The Bullets
This matchup is the first time we get to see James Knight in action, and the new and improved Tallula. It will be interesting to see how well Gorodetsky will perform with Knight guarding him. I think we can look for Gorodetsky to be taken out of the picture by Knight, and for the Bullets to have no answer for him on offense.
#5 Mallard Magic & The Funky Bunch (pick) vs. #9 Theo
Mallard Magic gets varsity player Brian Frett, and Theo loses Harry Furse and Nick Nykaza. Not a good combination for Theo, who after last year's good season find themselves pre-ranked 9. However, they did pick up former sophomore team starter Taylor McGinnis, so Theo should still be pretty good. Look for Mallard Magic to barely squeak this one out.
#10 Medieval Times: Dinner and Tournament (-19) vs. #16 Coot's Coot
How will Medieval Times (previously Men) deal with the loss of Willy Moore? We'll have to wait until they play a real opponent to find out, because Coot's Coot looks to be terrible. Alex Hankin, TJ Keene, Mike Sopko should combine for big numbers.
#12 Re-Elect Judge Jim Wascher (-18) vs. #18 Hank Mardukas
After the good judge has been elected, Judge Jim Wascher has a new name this year, with the same team. They lose Connor Smith, who wasn't too productive for them. Meanwhile, Hank Mardukas features Danny McGowan chucking up threes. Judge Jim should roll.
#11 Ortega (-13) vs. #14 Off In The Woods
Off in the Woods loses Peter Lind, easily their best player from last year, to The Bomb Squad. They won't have an answer for 6'6" Dillon Oberlin and Ben Morton.
#13 Supreme Court (-1) vs. #15 McGarry Dangles Inc.
Supreme Court (We Are Huge in Japan last year) shouldn't be too good, but after losing star player Jeremy Rosenfeld, neither should McGarry Dangles Inc. Don't know how effective Mike McGarry is on the basketball court, or if he dangles in basketball like he does on the pond. Only time will tell.
#17 NWA vs. BYE
NWA gets to go at least one week before losing.
