Preseason Rankings: No. 7 Hobbs Eagles
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 reigning 6A State Champions in the Hobbs Eagles return after hanging number 17 in Tasker Arena.
Overview: Averaging a eye popping 81 points per game the fast, flying Eagles soared to another State Championship, the first under head coach Mike Smith. The Hobbs Eagles had one of the top rosters in the state led by two next level players in Trey Nelson (NMHU) and 6'11 Kelvin Jones (UTEP). The Eagles graduate their top three scorers, top two rebounders and leading assist man in point guard Trey Nelson. The Eagles will look the Pierre Swain (F/2016) in the paint after averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Last Season
Record: 30-2, 7-1
Home Record: 14-1
Away Record: 8-1
Neutral Record: 8-0
Post Season: 6A State Championships
Points per game: 81.4 (2605)
Points against: 54.7 (1753)
Realistic Prediction: A No. 7 ranking is likely to cause a stir with the Hobbs nation but numbers wise they have some holes to fill off the state title team. The Eagles showed that they might have some question marks having to fight back after being down big last week in their opener against 5A Centennial. I have them falling in the Elite Eight (before you call for my head), this team could very well be another 20-win team and I'm predicting 20-wins. I just see a lot to replace from last season and 6A is loaded with teams in the top tier.
Biggest Questions: They have to replace a difference maker in the paint with 6'11 post player, can they? They have been known to run under Smith but last season they had a defensive guy in Jones that hurt other uptempo teams.
Chances
District Champ: 90%
Playoff Team: 100%
Elite Eight: 95%
Final Four: 85%
Title Game: 75%
Returning Players: Pierre Swain was a utility man in the paint and around the basket. Guard Jordan Gonzales a senior will take over duties at point guard and Hobbs faithful have faith in him to be just as good as Nelson.
Roster
Nick Lopez (2016)
Jordan Gonzales (2016)
Pierre Swain (2016)
Nathan Smith (2016)
Cason Clay (2017)
Marcus Hodge (2017)
Deuce Goodrich (2017)
Davonte Morgan (2018)
Kaleb Alfaro (2018)
Clay Strasner (2018)
BJ Ellison (2018)
Kaleb Johnston (2018)
Rae Tarin (2019)
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 reigning 6A State Champions in the Hobbs Eagles return after hanging number 17 in Tasker Arena.
Overview: Averaging a eye popping 81 points per game the fast, flying Eagles soared to another State Championship, the first under head coach Mike Smith. The Hobbs Eagles had one of the top rosters in the state led by two next level players in Trey Nelson (NMHU) and 6'11 Kelvin Jones (UTEP). The Eagles graduate their top three scorers, top two rebounders and leading assist man in point guard Trey Nelson. The Eagles will look the Pierre Swain (F/2016) in the paint after averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Last Season
Record: 30-2, 7-1
Home Record: 14-1
Away Record: 8-1
Neutral Record: 8-0
Post Season: 6A State Championships
Points per game: 81.4 (2605)
Points against: 54.7 (1753)
Realistic Prediction: A No. 7 ranking is likely to cause a stir with the Hobbs nation but numbers wise they have some holes to fill off the state title team. The Eagles showed that they might have some question marks having to fight back after being down big last week in their opener against 5A Centennial. I have them falling in the Elite Eight (before you call for my head), this team could very well be another 20-win team and I'm predicting 20-wins. I just see a lot to replace from last season and 6A is loaded with teams in the top tier.
Biggest Questions: They have to replace a difference maker in the paint with 6'11 post player, can they? They have been known to run under Smith but last season they had a defensive guy in Jones that hurt other uptempo teams.
Chances
District Champ: 90%
Playoff Team: 100%
Elite Eight: 95%
Final Four: 85%
Title Game: 75%
Returning Players: Pierre Swain was a utility man in the paint and around the basket. Guard Jordan Gonzales a senior will take over duties at point guard and Hobbs faithful have faith in him to be just as good as Nelson.
Roster
Nick Lopez (2016)
Jordan Gonzales (2016)
Pierre Swain (2016)
Nathan Smith (2016)
Cason Clay (2017)
Marcus Hodge (2017)
Deuce Goodrich (2017)
Davonte Morgan (2018)
Kaleb Alfaro (2018)
Clay Strasner (2018)
BJ Ellison (2018)
Kaleb Johnston (2018)
Rae Tarin (2019)
