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What’s good everyone! Took me a minute but I’m back in II Land! Ready to take my team through new heights and adventures, and form new foes ;)


Oh yay I can get a bit of a break since AI Writeup Master Kukas dropped in too! I’ll still come up with some previews though! Stay tuned….

Hello all the new members, looks like II.4 isn't gonna be a walk through for me anymore haha. Welcome to the league and hope you enjoy your stay however long or brief it is, also I feel greatly appreciated if you could take it easy on me.

We shall crunch time!

Team Previews! Part 1 coming out!

1) Kings Knights 18-4
Key Players: Gaylord Short, Andy Olsen
Maybe its a bit lazy of me to put the demotee at the top of the preseason power rankings, but Short is an NT phenom entering his prime, and will be the undisputed best player in the league by a sizeable margin. Knights seem to be building a hyper offensive attack, and it will be interesting to see what he builds on the defensive end as the season wears on.

2) Meridian Hill McMornings 17-5
Key Players: George Nash, Bert Curley
Made in America is bearing its fruits! MHM comes into the preseason as our early favorite coming out of the Big, another season of growth from his team and the orchestration of the offense from star guard Nash has this team ready to rumble! They have quality depth all around and should be a force to reckon with at the close of the season

3) Mountain Eagles 16-6
Key Players: Rene Lince, Victor Marino
If one team has the starpower to hang with the Knights, it is definitely tough and the Eagles. Lince ain't no Short yet, but he is also very close to acheiving NT Worthy status with his great all around game. Their smothering defense added USA product Pat Connor too, so we'll see how they gel into the season. Starpower doesn't match depth though, and tough will need to gather some pieces to give the stars rest if he wants to hoist a trophy come April.

4) Lion Rebels 13-9
Key Players: Rex Suitts, Kevin Grove
I think Rebels have the most to gain from promoting, as he can ride the promotion wave, train up and still have the means to go get another player. Grove and Suitts form a prolific inside/outside combination, and as Suitts gets better he could stake claim as the best big man in II.4 really soon. Time will tell if Rebels will want to gun for NBBA, or take it easy and prep for a run next season; he's sticking around for sure


5) Kiwi Sheep Pimps 14-8
Key Players: Mario Hess Araya, Akier Urzaiz
Going off rip here, I believe the league winner will come from one of these 3 Great 8 teams. Kiwi has built a formiddable roster, and MTE/Knights shouldn't overlook him. Araya is a beast, and with the right supporting cast and a star purchase to complement Araya and he will be right there in the mix.


6) Tasty Tardsicles 12-10
Key Players: Stephane Bachelier, Chik Wui Kwong
Tards are back in II.4! They have a nice wing duo, complemented by quality depth from within. I kinda like them better than Innovators, just simply due to the notion that their best player isn't susceptible to skill drop. They have some work to do though if they wanna gun for a promo, as adding a star player could help in those regards

7) Innovatus 10-12
Key Players: Chen Zigui, Juan Bridges
Big Ziggy is in for another season in II.4! He is 37 though, so age may become a factor into his play. I will also say that at the moment he is looking to sell, so this ranking may be moot by next week anyways! We'll see if Ziggy has some friends to play with throughout the season, and if not, it may be time for a rebuild soon.

8) Wellington Warthogs 10-12
Key Players: Carlos Abrahamsohn, Nolie Longino
Now Wellington does have the starpower that the other 2 teams don't have! Carlos and Nolie highlight the hogs bunch, however after his 5th man there's a bit of a drop off in quality. I did see he had a star player retire, so maybe the Hogs have something up their sleeve! I will give them the benefit of the doubt though, as they reached the semis last year, and I'll have them pencilled in as the last Great 8 berth here, as they must've done something right to be playoff bound last season!



Last edited by tough at 1/23/2026 12:27:08 PM

9) Anchorage Allstars 10-12
Key Players: Jurgen Schindl, Ata Yilmaz
From 8-10 is very close, you could really scramble any of the teams right now around each other differently and I wouldn't have a problem with it. The key difference from Tigers to Anchorage is they also have starpower issues. Now, I can see that they're remedying it with some training. So as long as I see growth from their team, I'm expecting the Allstars to snag the final playoff berth in the Great. For right now though, they gotta keep cooking.


10) Wasco Tigers 9-13
Key Players: Marc Davis, Franco Pisano
Wasco I think can be very underrated, as he has a good mixture of talent across the board. However, one issue I do see if the fact they're a 42k non SBer big, which is already a hole in itself. I think they do have just enough right now to be a playoff squad, but I'm not gonna be surprised if they fall behind quickly due to starting lineup holes; one injury and they're mega screwed.

11) Maine Lobstahs 8-14
Key Players: Edward Matthews, Ray Burton
Homegrown? Check. Training? Check. Good mix of vets and youngins? Check! Lobstahs are looking like another team poised to take advantage of the promotion wave, however they will need to get some more starpower to complement Matthews. That's the only thing I think that is really standing in their way of becoming a playoff roster. If they get stuck in relegation land, I'd assume they'd curbstomp whoever they face. But let's see what Maine's gonna do, right?

12) Llama of Wall Street 7-15
Key Players: Dennis Lawson
Now I don't think this is a bad crew, but relying just on Lawson to do all the work now, that's tough. After him, a quintet of 50k caliber roleplayers which is great for D3, but now we're in D2! Well nevermind, he made this roster work in D2 last year, so what do I know? I do think the Great will be more competitive and have an edge in relegation series, but Llamas might wanna get an extra player here to be safe.


13) Sierra Oaks Cougars 5-17
Key Players: Astap Lubianets, Joon-Young Oh
Cougars make the jump into D2! They do have a solid championship roster, but it will need some tinkering if they want to keep up with the Great. They come in as the lowest salary team in the Great 8, at just a hair below 400k. Might want to start the the guards though, as I believe with the Great 8's star guards, you will need one to keep up with the trend.

14) Worker Bees 6-16
Key Players: Kwan Yiping, Algirdas Tendziagolskas
Tony9955 and the Bees made it work last season! This season shall prove no different, as his team is gonna have to be working to get some wins. Good news is, the Big looks relatively weaker, so maybe he can sneak a 6 seed and buy up before a relegation series. We'll see what is mindset is coming into the fold.

15) UofDallas 4-18
Key Players: Manfred Briquet
UD got his Silver Ticket into d2! But now it's time for a rude awakening, as his roster looks very devoid of D2 talent. We'll see what his first moves are, but a quick exit might be in play to get his money up and rebound in D3.

16) New York Nugs 2-20
Key Players: Buster Rhymes, Mika Virpi
Known the man forever! Shout out to Nugs as he's the one who helped bring my Eagle logo to life! It seems like he's selling out and rebuilding/exiting, sad to see considering his deep finals run last season. Keep it alive! Either way, whatever decision he makes should at least leave New York well off financially.

Looking forward to posting something like, "PlAYoFFs?!? You're tAlKINg aBouT pLAyOFfs?!?" in a few weeks because I'm utterly confident in my lack of confidence of my ability to win at this level. Looking forward to it!

I'm just here making money in my quest towards 25M, none of you need to worry about me haha.

Now, I'm not the original Kukas, but I did take my spin on some AI Generated writeups!
Tough's Takes
Brought to you by Copilot

The II.4 season opened with the kind of electricity that reminds everyone why this league never sleeps. A fresh year brings fresh ambitions, and Game 1 wasted no time setting the tone: new rivalries are already simmering, old grudges are resurfacing, and every team is fighting to plant its flag in the championship race. From revamped rosters to bold tactical shifts, the league feels wide‑open — and the early battles are already shaping the storylines that will define the months ahead.

🏀 Game of the Night Recap: Warthogs Outgun Kiwi Despite 15 Threes
The Kiwi Sheep Pimps came out firing and never cooled off from deep, drilling 15 three‑pointers and putting up a massive 126 points in a pure run‑and‑gun shootout. But even with the hot perimeter shooting, Kiwi couldn’t keep pace with the surgical efficiency of the Wellington Warthogs, who closed the night with a 136–126 win.

Kiwi actually won the first quarter 35–29 and stayed competitive through three periods, but the Warthogs exploded for 42 points in the fourth, pulling away behind their star trio.

🔥 Warthogs’ Stars Were Nearly Unstoppable
F. Apatič (36 pts, 13‑17 FG, 8‑8 FT)
A masterclass in efficiency. Apatič barely missed all night and punished Kiwi every time they failed to rotate.

C. Abrahamsohn (28 pts, 8 ast)
Pushed the pace, attacked relentlessly, and controlled the tempo in the fourth quarter.

R. Wong (22 pts, 16 reb)
Dominated the interior, outmuscling Kiwi’s bigs and giving Wellington second‑chance opportunities all game.

The Warthogs shot 48.6% from the field, hit their free throws (21‑24), and crushed Kiwi on the glass 58–47 — the real difference in a high‑possession game.

🎯 Kiwi’s Shooting Wasn’t Enough
Kiwi’s perimeter attack was electric:

K. Rae: 33 pts, 5‑8 from three

D. Katerskis: 25 pts, 5‑12 from three

D. Palma: perfect 3‑for‑3 from deep off the bench

But the problems were everywhere else:

0‑8 from three by Urzaiz

Yost’s 5‑17 shooting in the paint

Kiwi shot only 71% at the line

They were out‑rebounded by 11

And their defense simply couldn’t slow Wellington’s stars

Even with 15 threes and 31 assists, Kiwi’s man‑to‑man defense couldn’t contain the Warthogs’ balanced scoring.

📌 Bottom Line
Kiwi hit enough threes to win most nights — 15 makes at 42.9% — but Wellington’s stars were too efficient, too physical, and too dominant on the glass. The Warthogs’ late‑game surge sealed a high‑octane victory in front of a packed Pig Stye crowd.


McMornings Roll Past Lobstahs 117–100
The Meridian Hill McMornings opened their season with a sharp, disciplined performance, steadily pulling away from the Maine Lobstahs in a 117–100 win. Their Princeton offense carved out clean looks all night, and their interior defense kept Maine from ever finding a rhythm.

🔥 McMornings’ Balance Too Much for Maine
J. Adams (28 pts)
Reliable scoring all game, attacking from all three levels.

C. Cervantes (23 pts, 5 threes)
A constant perimeter threat who punished every late closeout.

G. Nash (21 pts, 5 ast)
Controlled pace and kept the offense flowing.

B. Curley (11 pts, 15 reb, +24)
Owned the glass and anchored the defense.

Meridian Hill shot 47.7%, hit 12 threes, and turned it over only six times, a model of efficiency.

🎯 Lobstahs Can’t Match the Execution
Maine got strong efforts from:

S. Carlisle: 25 pts

R. Burton: 19 pts

A. Palma: 16 pts

E. Matthews: 14 pts, 17 reb

But the Lobstahs’ 38.9% shooting, limited spacing, and inconsistent ball movement kept them chasing all night.

📌 Bottom Line
Meridian Hill’s discipline, spacing, and depth carried them to a convincing win, setting a confident tone for their season opener.

Knights Clamp Down in 105–77 Rout, Short Strengthens MVP Case
The Kings Knights opened their season with a defensive masterpiece, suffocating the Sierra Oaks Cougars in a 105–77 win built on elite perimeter pressure and a smooth, efficient offensive rhythm. From the opening tip, the Knights’ 3‑2 zone swallowed up every Cougar attempt to generate outside scoring, holding Sierra Oaks to 7‑for‑29 from three (24.1%) and just 30.4% shooting overall. It was a wire‑to‑wire defensive clinic.

🔒 Knights’ Lockdown Perimeter Defense Sets the Tone
Sierra Oaks’ guards never found daylight.

Royal: 3‑14 FG, 2‑11 3PT

Ward: 2‑13 FG, 0‑2 3PT

Novak: 1‑8 FG

The Knights’ wings and guards rotated flawlessly, contested everything, and forced the Cougars into late‑clock heaves all night. Even when Sierra Oaks tried to attack inside, the Knights’ length and help defense held firm, limiting them to 28 made field goals on 92 attempts.

This was the kind of defensive performance that defines a contender.

⭐ Short Shines Again — The Early MVP Favorite
G. Short: 19 pts (9‑12 FG), +26, flawless control
Short didn’t need volume to dominate — he dictated pace, carved up the Cougars’ man‑to‑man, and scored with ruthless efficiency.

75% shooting, Zero turnovers, Perfect decision‑making

Seamless command of the offense

Every time Sierra Oaks tried to make a push, Short answered with a pull‑up, a drive, or a perfectly timed pass. Through two games, he’s been the most efficient, composed, and impactful player in the league — and tonight only strengthened his status as the early MVP frontrunner.


📌 Bottom Line
The Kings Knights didn’t just win — they imposed their identity.

Lockdown perimeter defense

Efficient, balanced scoring

Short playing like the best guard in the league

If this is the standard they’re setting in Week 1, the rest of II.4 has a serious problem on its hands.


Rebels Torch the Bees From Deep in 95–79 Win
The Lion Rebels rode a blistering shooting night from beyond the arc to a 95–79 victory over the Worker Bees, controlling the game from the opening quarter and never letting the Bees’ offense find its footing. The Rebels’ perimeter attack was the difference — they drilled 11 threes on 57.9% shooting, stretching the Bees’ 3‑2 zone until it cracked.

🔥 Rebels’ Three‑Point Barrage Breaks the Game Open
The Rebels’ wings were unstoppable from deep:

K. Brown: 23 pts, 3‑5 from three

S. Hollins: 17 pts, 3‑5 from three

S. Huerta: 12 pts, 2‑4 from three

K. Grove: 9 pts, 2‑4 from three

Every time the Bees tried to close the gap, the Rebels answered with another clean look from the perimeter. Their spacing and ball movement carved up the zone, and their 11 made threes were more than the Bees’ entire team combined (1‑20).

🎯 Worker Bees Can’t Match the Shooting Disparity
The Bees fought hard inside — Garjonis (20 pts) and Yiping (15 rebounds) kept them competitive on the glass — but the lack of perimeter scoring was fatal.

1‑for‑20 from three (5%)

Multiple starters shut out from deep

Flood and Pedrosa combined to go 0‑11 from long range

Even a strong fourth‑quarter push couldn’t overcome the massive shooting gap.

📌 Bottom Line
The Rebels’ elite three‑point shooting and disciplined perimeter defense defined the night. With efficient scoring from their wings and a +16 advantage from deep, the Rebels controlled the pace, controlled the scoreboard, and walked out of the Hive with a convincing road win.

Last edited by tough at 1/24/2026 11:30:44 PM

🏀 Game Recap: Eagles Fly Behind Connor’s Debut Explosion and Staley’s Scorching Bench Performance
The Mountain Eagles opened their season with a high‑tempo 114–101 win over the Wasco Tigers, powered by a brilliant debut from P. Connor and a huge scoring night from C. Staley off the bench. The Eagles controlled the middle quarters, outscoring Wasco 62–39 in the 2nd and 3rd, and held off a late Tigers surge to secure the victory.

🔥 Connor Makes Instant Impact in First Game as an Eagle
P. Connor: 32 pts, 13‑25 FG, 4‑10 3PT, +24
Connor wasted no time showing why the Eagles brought him in.
He attacked relentlessly, hit tough jumpers, knocked down four threes, and brought a physical scoring presence the team has been missing. His +24 was the best mark on either team, and he looked completely at home in the Eagles’ run‑and‑gun system.

This was a statement debut — and a sign he’s going to be a major piece of the offense.

🔥 Staley Ignites the Offense Off the Bench
C. Staley: 33 pts, 12‑26 FG, 6‑6 FT
Staley came in firing and never cooled off. His aggressive scoring and pace‑pushing gave the Eagles a massive spark, especially in the second quarter when he took over the game. His 33 points led all scorers and kept Wasco’s defense scrambling.

🐯 Tigers Dominate the Glass, But Shooting Sinks Them
Wasco actually won the rebounding battle 70–49, including 23 offensive boards — a massive effort on the glass that kept them in striking distance.

But the shooting numbers told the real story:

35.4% from the field

6‑for‑28 from three (21.4%)

Multiple starters struggling with efficiency (Davis 4‑20, Ascensão 4‑21)

The Tigers created extra possessions but couldn’t convert them, allowing the Eagles’ superior shot‑making to carry the night. Not to mention the Eagles took great care of the basketball, turning it over only three times, keeping Wasco from generating transition chances.

📌 Bottom Line
The Eagles’ revamped offense looked dangerous from the jump.

Connor’s explosive debut

Staley’s bench eruption

Efficient scoring from the core

Combined with Wasco’s cold shooting, it was more than enough to secure a confident season‑opening win.

🏀 Game Recap: Tardsicles Cruise as Rebuilding Nugs Struggle to Keep Up
The Tasty Tardsicles handled business in a 112–94 win over the New York Nugs, taking full advantage of a Nugs squad that increasingly looks like it’s entering a rebuilding phase. The Tardsicles controlled the first three quarters, built a comfortable lead, and never let New York’s late push threaten the outcome.

🔥 Tardsicles Capitalize on Nugs’ Growing Pains
The Tardsicles’ balanced attack was too much for the Nugs’ thin rotation:

E. Büki: 19 pts, 5 threes, efficient and steady

D. Benoit: 17 pts, 12 rebounds, +26 impact

F. Lovaina: 16 pts, 2 threes

Dickens & Pao Chang: Combined 21 rebounds

They shot 47.3%, hit 10 threes, and moved the ball with purpose. Their motion offense consistently created clean looks, and their defense forced New York into tough, late‑clock attempts.

🧱 Nugs Show Fight, But Look Like a Team Resetting
New York had bright spots — Caputo (23 pts), Williams (22 pts), and Virpi (17 pts, 17 rebounds) — but the overall picture was clear:

38 total rebounds to the Tardsicles’ 51

12‑for‑32 from three, but many came late

Little bench production

Multiple players forced into high‑usage roles

The Nugs played hard, but the roster looks transitional, with young players taking on outsized responsibilities and veterans struggling to carry the load.

📌 Bottom Line
The Tardsicles did exactly what a playoff‑minded team should do — take advantage of a rebuilding opponent. With efficient shooting, strong rebounding, and steady guard play, they controlled the game from start to finish while the Nugs showed flashes but not enough structure to keep pace.

🏀 Game Recap: Zigui Turns Back the Clock as Innovatus Pounds UofDallas in the Paint, 120–98
Innovatus delivered a dominant inside‑out performance in a 120–98 win over UofDallas, powered by a vintage masterpiece from 37‑year‑old C. Zigui and a bruising, Shaq‑style takeover in the paint. UofDallas fought hard behind the scoring of L. Lipcsei, but Innovatus’ interior dominance was overwhelming from start to finish.

🔥 Zigui, Age 37, Puts On a Clinic
C. Zigui: 32 pts, 20 rebounds, 13‑17 FG, +18
If there were any questions about age catching up to Zigui, he answered them emphatically.
He was unstoppable around the rim, finishing everything, controlling the glass, and anchoring the defense with two blocks and constant pressure. His footwork, strength, and efficiency looked as sharp as ever — a true throwback performance from a veteran who refuses to slow down.

💪 Innovatus Dominates the Paint Like Prime Shaq
This was old‑school, smash‑mouth basketball:

59 rebounds

16 offensive boards

49‑for‑93 shooting (52.7%)

Multiple bigs in double‑digit scoring

Repeated deep‑post seals and second‑chance finishes

Roberts (18 pts, 15 reb), Thomas (12 pts, 9 reb), and Zigui formed a three‑headed interior monster that UofDallas simply couldn’t match. Innovatus’ “Look Inside” offense worked to perfection, punishing mismatches and wearing down the defense possession after possession.

🎯 Lipcsei Fights to Keep UofDallas Alive
L. Lipcsei: 23 pts, 10‑17 FG, 3‑4 from three
Lipcsei was the lone consistent spark for UofDallas, scoring efficiently from all levels and creating what offense he could against Innovatus’ 3‑2 zone. He hit big shots in the second and third quarters to keep the game within reach, but the lack of support and the rebounding deficit made it an uphill battle.

Briquet (20 pts) and Wheeler (12 pts, 11 reb) contributed, but UofDallas’ 37 total rebounds and 22% from three couldn’t keep pace with Innovatus’ interior avalanche.

📌 Bottom Line
Innovatus won this game the old‑fashioned way — dominating the paint, controlling the glass, and leaning on their ageless superstar.

Zigui looked timeless

The frontcourt overwhelmed UofDallas physically

Lipcsei’s strong night wasn’t enough to counter the size and efficiency

If Innovatus keeps getting this level of production inside, they’re going to be a nightmare matchup for anyone in the league.

🏀 Llama of Wall Street Win 98–81 Behind Smarter Basketball
Llama of Wall Street delivered one of the cleanest, most disciplined performances of the night in a 98–81 victory over the Anchorage Allstars. The game stayed close early, but once Llama settled into their inside‑focused attack, their efficiency and decision‑making completely separated the two teams.

🔥 Llama Win With Smart, Patient Shot Selection
Llama didn’t bother with low‑percentage looks — they attacked the paint, worked for high‑value shots, and it showed, shooting 50.6% from the field

Instead of jacking threes, they leaned into their strengths: post touches, cuts, and mid‑range looks created through the “Look Inside” offense. It was a masterclass in playing to your identity.

🧠 Taking Care of the Ball Was the Difference
The Allstars also displayed great ball security, finishing with 21 assists but only 2 turnovers — an incredibly rare stat line that kept their offense flowing all night; however they shot tougher shots to a tune of 31‑for‑97 shooting (32%) and just 4‑for‑26 from deep.

While Anchorage was efficient, the Llama's were better


📌 Bottom Line
Llama of Wall Street didn’t win with flash — they won with discipline, efficiency, and mistake‑free basketball.



Anchorage battled on the boards, but their poor shooting and lack of offensive rhythm couldn’t keep up with Llama’s clean, controlled performance.

And for everyone who hates reading game recaps and justs wants a single post talking about the games, here we go!

Closing Take:

Night one of II.4 basketball delivered exactly what this league promises every season: chaos, star power, and a whole lot of storylines already taking shape. The contenders wasted no time announcing themselves — the Kings Knights locked down the perimeter and watched Short look every bit like the early MVP favorite, while Innovatus bulldozed UofDallas behind a vintage, age‑defying masterpiece from Zigui and a frontcourt that dominated like it was 2001. The Mountain Eagles unveiled a new offensive identity, powered by Connor’s explosive debut and Staley’s instant‑offense eruption off the bench. Meanwhile, the Tardsicles handled business against a New York Nugs squad that looks firmly in rebuild mode, and Llama of Wall Street showed the value of discipline, winning with smart shot selection and mistake‑free basketball.

Even the high‑scoring shootouts had their own flavor — Kiwi hit 15 threes and still couldn’t keep pace with the Warthogs’ star‑driven efficiency, and Meridian Hill’s balanced, Princeton‑style execution overwhelmed Maine in a methodical opener. Across the board, night one showcased a league full of contrasting styles, rising stars, aging legends refusing to fade, and teams already jockeying for early positioning in what looks like a wide‑open II.4 race.

If this is how the season starts, the rest of the year is going to be a ride.