8. RABATA

Led by senior Louis Lindgren, this Rabata team has definitely had a difficult regular season. Due to roster shortages and playing lots of the regular season with 4 people, the road has been bumpy to say the least. However, this tournament could be the time Rabata can turn things around. Forget about who they’re playing and you’re left with the sharpshooting of sophomore Trent Hammond, the likely Freshman-MVP in Seth Schardein, and the heart and soul of the team in Louis Lindgren. Don’t be surprised if this team turns some heads in the tournament.

7. KALINOWSKI

While their record isn’t flattering, don’t overlook this Kalinowski team in the tournament. With the senior presence of the notorious Ethan Riordan, don’t be surprised if he lights up your favorite team for 30 points. Another dangerous player to watch out for on Kalinowski other than Ethan is junior Jayden O’Neal. The key to victory for Kalinowski is heart and determination. Lucas Olivario, TJ Weeks, and Myles Crenshaw won’t lose without a fight, and you can count on this team to give it their best shot no matter what.

6. BRABBATI

Now here is a team to have on your radar going into the tournament. Ever since the forfeit of Brandsma, this Brabbati team has gone 3-3 since the merger. There is one key reason for this: The Bowman Brothers. Using an effective pick-and-roll strategy combined with tough defense, these two will physically dominate you in the frontcourt. Aside from them, you can also note the first tournament appearance of notable freshman Noah Cross. With him combined with the Bowmans, this is definitely a sneaky pick to make the championship.

5. SPAGNOLI

This Spagnoli squad definitely doesn’t look impressive at first glance, but take a close look at them and they start to look like more of a threat. Led mostly by the massively underrated senior Brennan Martin, who has silently been on an absolute tear this season, Spagnoli is in a good position to scare Elijah in the first-round game. Add the height of Vincent Schentrup to the mix, as well as the physicality of Marlon Ferretti, and this team won’t go down without a fight when it matters the most.

4. ELIJAH

Considering everything Elijah went through in the regular season, it’s a miracle they made it here in the first place. After entering the season as favorites to win it all, repeated failure in the forfeit department has reared its ugly head many times. However, now that they’re here, I’d be careful if I’m anywhere on their side of the bracket. With so many big names like Everett Coots, Blake Pollock, and Silas Jones, this team can definitely put everything behind them and make a deep run in the tournament to prove everyone wrong.

3. MAZZINGHI

After suffering two losses last weekend, it may look like this Mazzinghi team is reeling at first glance. However, when you look at who they bring to the table, their potential suddenly seems sky-high. With the fast-paced play of juniors Daniel Ortega-Vasquez, Jimmy Monks, and Gavin Cummings, scoring won’t be a problem at all for this squad. Their biggest weakness at the moment comes when handling big, physical teams, which just so happens to be Brabbati. Don’t look now, but that first game could be a close battle. If Mazzinghi can win that game, though, they have a clear path to the championship in their sights.

2. PEREIRA

Coming off a championship win last year, this junior-led Pereira squad is going for another title in the DIBL race. With the two-headed monster of Championship MVP Griffin Cummings and Matt Yorgy, it is hard to slow this team down. However, with not much to offer apart from those two, bad chemistry, and low effort, many don’t see this Pereira team going far. It comes down to whether or not they work together. They’ve shown they can beat anybody at their best, but they are vulnerable to lose to anyone at their worst.

1. THOMAS

This team is everyone’s worst nightmare: Elite ball movement, senior leadership, expert coaching, and talent at all five positions. With Thomas, it very-well not be a matter of if they win the tournament, it’s when. The depth of this team is unmatched as well: Seniors Riley Weber and Cooper Pryor drop 30 on the regular, senior Chase Walters will do anything to make your life terrible on the court, senior Bryson Wechter will be the glue guy that keeps the team moving, and freshman Xavier Wilson was throwing down dunks last game. Everything this team does is unmatched, and of all the years for them to win their first title, this is the one.