Preseason Rankings: No. 22 Espanola Valley Sundevils
The 2015-2016 season has officially started and today we start our countdown of the top 50 programs in New Mexico Big School Division (6A-4A).
More: Preseason Rankings Home: 50-1 | Rankings 72-51 | Preseason Preview Page
The Espanola Valley Sundevils are returning after a 23-7, 7-1 season in which they reached the 2015 Final Four.
Overview: People are high on the Espanola Valley Sundevils and they should be, as the Sundevils are one of the more exciting teams to watch. However, some could argue that the Top-25 ranking could potential be too low for the Sundevils who graduate one of the best guards in the state in Jared Garduno from last season. The Sundevils will look to guards Uriah Arellano (2016) and Elias Archuleta (2016) in 2015-2016. The Devils who are a quick transition team will look to continue their pace as one of the best basketball programs north of Albuquerque in 5A.
Last Season
Record: 23-7, 7-1
Home Record: 11-0
Away Record: 7-2
Neutral Record: 5-5
Post Season: Final Four; Lost to Centennial (80-53)
Points per game: 61.96 (1859)
Points against: 55.6 (1668)
Realistic Prediction: Five of the losses suffered by Espanola Valley was by its opponent scoring over 80 points on them. One thing the Devils do well is run and push the tempo but when the opposition is better at it or can run along side the Devils they could be in trouble. This season they lose Garduno who had the ability to take over those situations when his team needed a bucket. They have quality returning players but will take a small step back in my opinion. I think the 15-19 range is not a bad spot to start and likely an Elite Eight team at best in 2016.
District Champ: 85%
Playoff Team: 75%
Elite Eight: 65%
Final Four: 10%
Title Game: 5%
Returning Players: We mentioned the two top players that return in Arrellano and Archuleta. They graduate five players from last season but have some young talent looking to fill some holes.
Roster
Uriah Arellano (2016)
Elias Archuleta (2016)
Marcos Flores (2016)
Jacob Osegeda (2016)
Josh Salazar (2017)
Luis Herrera (2017)
Leo Pacheco (2017)
JP Sena (2018)
Azaziah Salazar (2018)
The 2015-2016 season has officially started and today we start our countdown of the top 50 programs in New Mexico Big School Division (6A-4A).
More: Preseason Rankings Home: 50-1 | Rankings 72-51 | Preseason Preview Page
The Espanola Valley Sundevils are returning after a 23-7, 7-1 season in which they reached the 2015 Final Four.
Overview: People are high on the Espanola Valley Sundevils and they should be, as the Sundevils are one of the more exciting teams to watch. However, some could argue that the Top-25 ranking could potential be too low for the Sundevils who graduate one of the best guards in the state in Jared Garduno from last season. The Sundevils will look to guards Uriah Arellano (2016) and Elias Archuleta (2016) in 2015-2016. The Devils who are a quick transition team will look to continue their pace as one of the best basketball programs north of Albuquerque in 5A.
Last Season
Record: 23-7, 7-1
Home Record: 11-0
Away Record: 7-2
Neutral Record: 5-5
Post Season: Final Four; Lost to Centennial (80-53)
Points per game: 61.96 (1859)
Points against: 55.6 (1668)
Realistic Prediction: Five of the losses suffered by Espanola Valley was by its opponent scoring over 80 points on them. One thing the Devils do well is run and push the tempo but when the opposition is better at it or can run along side the Devils they could be in trouble. This season they lose Garduno who had the ability to take over those situations when his team needed a bucket. They have quality returning players but will take a small step back in my opinion. I think the 15-19 range is not a bad spot to start and likely an Elite Eight team at best in 2016.
District Champ: 85%
Playoff Team: 75%
Elite Eight: 65%
Final Four: 10%
Title Game: 5%
Returning Players: We mentioned the two top players that return in Arrellano and Archuleta. They graduate five players from last season but have some young talent looking to fill some holes.
Roster
Uriah Arellano (2016)
Elias Archuleta (2016)
Marcos Flores (2016)
Jacob Osegeda (2016)
Josh Salazar (2017)
Luis Herrera (2017)
Leo Pacheco (2017)
JP Sena (2018)
Azaziah Salazar (2018)
