← All league news
John J.’s NCBA Preseason Top 5
Defending champion Easton P. leads John J.’s preseason NCBA Top 5, followed by former #1 Connor L., championship runner-up Logan M., third-place finisher Ari K., and comeback specialist Samuel H. With four days remaining, the race for #1 is about to begin.
# John J.’s NCBA Preseason Top 5
**By John J. | NCBA News**
With the new NCBA season beginning in just four days, it is time for the first preseason power rankings.
These are not the official NCBA standings. They are based on last season’s results, tournament performances, consistency and overall threat level entering the new year.
## 1. Easton P.
There is no serious argument against Easton P. starting at No. 1.
He spent a large portion of last season near or at the top of the rankings, won most of the league’s early tournaments, captured The Bed Co. Season Closer Tournament and then completed a comeback through the loser’s bracket to win the NCBA Championship.
Easton P. enters the season with the strongest overall résumé in the league.
**Biggest question:** Can he defend the championship now that everyone is trying to knock him off?
## 2. Connor L.
Connor L. may have been the biggest surprise of last season.
He seemingly appeared out of nowhere, used an unusual slow-throwing style and became good enough to take the No. 1 ranking away from Easton P.
The problem was tournaments.
Connor L. failed to medal in both The Bed Co. Season Closer Tournament and the NCBA Championship.
Still, his regular-season ability was too strong to ignore.
**Biggest question:** Can Connor L. finally turn elite regular-season play into tournament success?
## 3. Logan M.
Logan M. earns the No. 3 spot because of what he did when the season mattered most.
Known for throwing harder and faster than nearly anyone in the league, Logan M. reached the NCBA Championship Final and finished second.
He has yet to win a tournament, but coming within one match of the biggest title in the NCBA makes him one of the league’s most dangerous players.
**Biggest question:** Is this the season Logan M. finally wins a tournament?
## 4. Ari K.
Ari K. spent much of last season overshadowed by Easton P. and Connor L., but his results showed that he belonged among the league’s best.
His rivalry with Easton P. became one of the NCBA’s biggest, and he finished third in the NCBA Championship.
Ari K. may not receive as much attention as some of the names above him, but another deep championship run would surprise nobody.
**Biggest question:** Can Ari K. move from contender to champion?
## 5. Samuel H.
Samuel H. may be the most unpredictable player in the top five.
His famous “Miracles on Carpet” included multiple comebacks from 6–1 deficits, including a memorable win over William A.
Samuel H. did not medal in either of the final major tournaments, which keeps him below the top four, but his ability to survive games that appear lost makes him extremely dangerous.
**Biggest question:** Can Samuel H. stop needing miracles and start controlling games from the beginning?
## Just Outside the Top 5
**Triston T.** deserves serious consideration after becoming one of the first players to defeat Connor L. and likely finishing second in The Bed Co. Season Closer Tournament.
If Triston T. starts the season strongly, he could enter the top five very quickly.
For now, though, the preseason order is clear:
**1. Easton P.**
**2. Connor L.**
**3. Logan M.**
**4. Ari K.**
**5. Samuel H.**
Four days remain until the rankings stop being predictions and start becoming results.
**John J.**
*NCBA News*
**By John J. | NCBA News**
With the new NCBA season beginning in just four days, it is time for the first preseason power rankings.
These are not the official NCBA standings. They are based on last season’s results, tournament performances, consistency and overall threat level entering the new year.
## 1. Easton P.
There is no serious argument against Easton P. starting at No. 1.
He spent a large portion of last season near or at the top of the rankings, won most of the league’s early tournaments, captured The Bed Co. Season Closer Tournament and then completed a comeback through the loser’s bracket to win the NCBA Championship.
Easton P. enters the season with the strongest overall résumé in the league.
**Biggest question:** Can he defend the championship now that everyone is trying to knock him off?
## 2. Connor L.
Connor L. may have been the biggest surprise of last season.
He seemingly appeared out of nowhere, used an unusual slow-throwing style and became good enough to take the No. 1 ranking away from Easton P.
The problem was tournaments.
Connor L. failed to medal in both The Bed Co. Season Closer Tournament and the NCBA Championship.
Still, his regular-season ability was too strong to ignore.
**Biggest question:** Can Connor L. finally turn elite regular-season play into tournament success?
## 3. Logan M.
Logan M. earns the No. 3 spot because of what he did when the season mattered most.
Known for throwing harder and faster than nearly anyone in the league, Logan M. reached the NCBA Championship Final and finished second.
He has yet to win a tournament, but coming within one match of the biggest title in the NCBA makes him one of the league’s most dangerous players.
**Biggest question:** Is this the season Logan M. finally wins a tournament?
## 4. Ari K.
Ari K. spent much of last season overshadowed by Easton P. and Connor L., but his results showed that he belonged among the league’s best.
His rivalry with Easton P. became one of the NCBA’s biggest, and he finished third in the NCBA Championship.
Ari K. may not receive as much attention as some of the names above him, but another deep championship run would surprise nobody.
**Biggest question:** Can Ari K. move from contender to champion?
## 5. Samuel H.
Samuel H. may be the most unpredictable player in the top five.
His famous “Miracles on Carpet” included multiple comebacks from 6–1 deficits, including a memorable win over William A.
Samuel H. did not medal in either of the final major tournaments, which keeps him below the top four, but his ability to survive games that appear lost makes him extremely dangerous.
**Biggest question:** Can Samuel H. stop needing miracles and start controlling games from the beginning?
## Just Outside the Top 5
**Triston T.** deserves serious consideration after becoming one of the first players to defeat Connor L. and likely finishing second in The Bed Co. Season Closer Tournament.
If Triston T. starts the season strongly, he could enter the top five very quickly.
For now, though, the preseason order is clear:
**1. Easton P.**
**2. Connor L.**
**3. Logan M.**
**4. Ari K.**
**5. Samuel H.**
Four days remain until the rankings stop being predictions and start becoming results.
**John J.**
*NCBA News*