• Nike Recess Federation 2010-2011 BASKETBALL SEASON

NRF Power Ranking, 5.27

af1/uptempo

I think we've gotten it right. There was less turnover from week-to-week than ever before - only two teams changed spots. That has to mean that we're onto something!

10. Dunk - What's the difference between Dunk's 70-plus point outings and their 41-spot against AF1 last week? It's simple: ball movement. Last week, they recorded only 5 assists. Their monster offensive output a couple of weeks back was a direct result of their 17 assists.

9. Delta Force - Sure DF dropped to Generation 55-44 last week. But there's one mind-boggling stat from 'Force's performance. They recorded 22 offensive rebounds. 22! That's more than Generation's total work on the glass. It's rare when a team dominates so thoroughly on the boards, but ends up losing - Delta needs to make more of those second-chance looks.

8. Hyperflight - Jose Carlson sunk five three's. Lou Miguel sunk three. When those two guys are on from deep, Hyperflight is literally never out of a game.

7. Foamposite - One of the only two movers this week, Foam dropped one spot following their loss to Huarache. They committed just a few too many TO's - 11 - thereby preventing them from continuing to get good looks at the cup. When Foam was able to get a shot off, they were pretty successful - and as the playoffs approach, their key to success will be to work the ball until they get a better shot. They went 18-28 from inside the three and 2-12 from behind.

6. Huarache - NRF secret weapon: Richard Ting. Rich finished the night with 17 points (8-11 FG, 7-7 on two-pointers). And that wasn't the first time that Ting went perfect from the field from inside the three-point line. His mid-range lefty stroke is top notch.

5. Terminator - Coming off a bye week, this game is huge for Term. Though they're not going to move anywhere in the playoff ranking (they're pretty much locked in the No. 3 spot), a win against AF1 would give them serious confidence going into their first-round matchup. There has been tons of strategy talk about this game flying around already today. Expect this one to be played with playoff intensity.

4. Generation - Mark these words: when Generation brings a balanced attack, they're the best team in NRF. No. 1. Uno. Last week, they had four guys in double figures, all of whom did damage in a different way. Dan Cherry in transition, Joe Branch at the stripe (9-11 FT), J.J. McGowan and Rafael DaSilva from three. If they can hit the boards with that lineup on the floor, they're going to be really tough to beat.

3. Shox - The biggest concern for Shox right now is that they're on a train towards the playoffs, but haven't had their full squad on the court together in weeks. If they win their last five games, having had Jason Burke, Justin Leonard, and Will Eberhart for some but not all games, Week 1 of the playoffs could be tougher than it needs to be.

2. Air Force 1 - Last week, Chris Dowling drew some attention away from AF1's prolific trio of guards: PR, Eric Raymundo, and Brandon Smith. Dowling had 11 points and 8 boards - 5 on the offensive end. When these guys play Term this week, will Dowling be able to put in work against Al Reyes? That's a big question mark - if so, Term's defense will be forced to collapse and the fireworks will begin.

1. Uptempo - Dave Jacoby doesn't want the praise as the key to Uptempo's success at MSG this season. So he ain't gonna get it. Though his rebounding could make the difference between winning and losing, it will also be Danny Milan's ability to protect the rim that will be a difference maker. Milan averages around 1.3 blocks per game. When teams get aggressive in the post-season, Milan will have to anchor Uptempo's interior D.

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