Preseason Rankings: No. 33 Belen 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 | Rankings 72-51 | Preseason Preview Page
The Belen Eagles return in 2015-2016 after going 14-13, 7-5 last season. The Eagles reached the state tournament falling in the first round to Gallup, 72-69 in a close game.
Overview: When the Belen Eagles made this hire for the 2012-2013 season, I claimed it was the best thing the program could have done. Well, I live by that statement and could see this being one of the best teams under head coach Patrick Mondragon. The Eagles graduate six players from last season but return some talent that they are excited about in Belen. This could be the year that they have been waiting for and this county will be a sweet spot for basketball this year. It will be tough replacing two posts like Chavez and Ulibarri but two players who could pick up that slack are Ryan Padilla (F/6'0/2016) and Bryan Valdez (G/6'2/2016).
Last Season
Record: 14-13, 7-5
Home Record: 6-6
Away Record: 6-4
Post Season: First Round, lost to Gallup (72-69)
Points per game: 51.5 (1393)
Points against: 46.8 (1264)
Realistic Prediction: The one number that sticks out is holding teams under 47 points per game. This has to be considered one of the better defensive programs (and what's the old saying, "defensive wins championships"). Many have the Eagles lower (1-5 area) but right now we are going to use the phrase we won't reward you until you earn it. They very well could be ranked that low but for now we but them just outside of the Top-25. I will put them in the 15-19 win range, a playoff team but winning a game will be just as hard as last season.
District Champ: 61%: Centennial and Los Lunas are the favorites.
Playoff Team: 99%
Elite Eight: 32.9%
Final Four: 4%
Title Game: 1%
Returning Players: The Eagles are getting better and developing this program the right way. As mentioned they have voids to fill but have some solid prospects who contributed big already last season. They will have depth in both the backcourt and front court, something teams lack moving forward each season. They will have strengths at both in terms of bodies.
Roster
Bryan Valdez (2016)
Ryan Padilla (2016)
Matthew Sharp (2016)
Markus Russell (2017)
Nicholas Trujillo (2017)
Gabriel Chavira (2017)
Justin Evans (2018)
Garrett Gallegos (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 | Rankings 72-51 | Preseason Preview Page
The Belen Eagles return in 2015-2016 after going 14-13, 7-5 last season. The Eagles reached the state tournament falling in the first round to Gallup, 72-69 in a close game.
Overview: When the Belen Eagles made this hire for the 2012-2013 season, I claimed it was the best thing the program could have done. Well, I live by that statement and could see this being one of the best teams under head coach Patrick Mondragon. The Eagles graduate six players from last season but return some talent that they are excited about in Belen. This could be the year that they have been waiting for and this county will be a sweet spot for basketball this year. It will be tough replacing two posts like Chavez and Ulibarri but two players who could pick up that slack are Ryan Padilla (F/6'0/2016) and Bryan Valdez (G/6'2/2016).
Last Season
Record: 14-13, 7-5
Home Record: 6-6
Away Record: 6-4
Post Season: First Round, lost to Gallup (72-69)
Points per game: 51.5 (1393)
Points against: 46.8 (1264)
Realistic Prediction: The one number that sticks out is holding teams under 47 points per game. This has to be considered one of the better defensive programs (and what's the old saying, "defensive wins championships"). Many have the Eagles lower (1-5 area) but right now we are going to use the phrase we won't reward you until you earn it. They very well could be ranked that low but for now we but them just outside of the Top-25. I will put them in the 15-19 win range, a playoff team but winning a game will be just as hard as last season.
District Champ: 61%: Centennial and Los Lunas are the favorites.
Playoff Team: 99%
Elite Eight: 32.9%
Final Four: 4%
Title Game: 1%
Returning Players: The Eagles are getting better and developing this program the right way. As mentioned they have voids to fill but have some solid prospects who contributed big already last season. They will have depth in both the backcourt and front court, something teams lack moving forward each season. They will have strengths at both in terms of bodies.
Roster
Bryan Valdez (2016)
Ryan Padilla (2016)
Matthew Sharp (2016)
Markus Russell (2017)
Nicholas Trujillo (2017)
Gabriel Chavira (2017)
Justin Evans (2018)
Garrett Gallegos (2018)
