The Altas were the doormats last season, and a year ago before that. They still are the doormats coming into this season. It would be generally surprising if they can nick a game or three on their win column. They are bringing back Jett Vidal, who is the only player in basketball to ever shoot three seconds into the possession and get away with it. Not to mention, he is known to sportswriters as Mr. Shot Selection. And that isn’t entirely nice. While he may have to carry the scoring load for Aric del Rosario in his return to the coaching world, that doesn’t mean that he has to put up a shot as ugly as their record. He should trust his back court mates Earl Thompson, Jorge Allen and Chris Elopre more since the four of them will pretty much be carrying the fight for the Altas. He will also split time with prospect Nick Omorogbe who is very promising to take the reins from him. They still miss that Vladimir Joe-like presence inside which Justine Alano tried to gamely provide. But that will fall on their other foreign student-athlete Femi Babayemi, who although raw, has the talent and potential at his disposal.
And that’s it. All 10 teams for the NCAA cage wars, prepped and good to go. While you may have the usual doormats, that doesn’t go without saying that they’ll go down without a fight. For sure they’ll be fighting harder than ever. All teams have geared up and are ready to give the kings of the hill Red Lions – who are at their most vulnerable since time immemorial – a run for their money. Watch out for the challengers. This NCAA season will be one hell of a royal rumble.