So the league chat has got a bit quiet, people holding in their tears or generally bitter about the success of others. But alas, the spirit is changing, the CBGM members are rallying to embrace a tremendous first season of the CBGM.

What better way to have the first season play out than four teams, none of the historic blue bloods, remain to be seen. This is what team basketball is all about. Sure some of these guys are 1st round NBGM draft picks and we’ll get into them. But take a look around at people’s brackets. You won’t see these names come up very easily. Madness you could say.

That’s exactly what we got. Now time to live it up. Let’s talk about the teams that fought through it all and played gritty basketball to earn this honor.

Matchup #1

Xavier Musketeers, Big East

#6 in Top 25 Ranking

(31-6) Ovr (18-2) Conf

Team MVP: Vernon Harris

Here’s a freshmen who said he’s not going pro yet. He’s got more to prove at this level. Getting his team to the Final Four, we will not experience Vernon Harris for more years to come.

Iowa Hawkeyes, Big Ten

#14 in Top 25 Ranking

(29-8) Ovr (14-6) Conf

Team MVP: Kelsey Holmes

This is the swan song for Kelsey Holmes. He’s going to do everything he can in his last game(s) as a Hawkeye. The pro’s await Kelsey but he has a chance to cement his legacy in CBGM lore for years to come. What kind of mark will he leave?

Matchup #2

Maryland Terrapins, Big Ten

#19 in Top 25 Ranking

(28-11) Ovr (12-8) Conf

Team MVP: Mark Linney

The spark plug for Maryland here is Mark Linney. This guy also wants to stick around and compete for one more season. This is a guy who is now in full steam collecting his hardware. He’s got the Big Ten championship to claim and a Final Four arrival! They do have quite a few loses to show. The are a beatable team but at the moment, they are rolling having now taken out Duke.

Memphis Tigers, AAC

#3 in Top 25 Ranking

(34-2) Ovr (19-1) Conf

Team MVP: Andre Emanuel

Is this the best team nobody knows about? Why shouldn’t we know about them? Their conference? Showing only 2 blemishes all year? Well do not overlook Memphis. Filled with senior talent and court IQ from the play calling to the execution. Memphis is flexing right now. Nobody can ignore them anymore as they climbed the ladder. The best ranked team left in the tournament.

Final thoughts…

What a great way to have the first season come to a finale as we have the spirit of CBGM that anyone can really win this thing. It goes to show you that just because you picked a brand that has a reputation, doesn’t mean that they can pull it together for team basketball at its finest.

What a pleasure it’s been to follow along all season and let’s give these teams the love and attention they deserve. It might even be you next season.

Be sure to catch the Live Sim’s!

IN GAME DATE: April 1st, 2021