Muslim Basketball

Now that the playoffs are here, it's time to reveal who the hardest team to beat is. Realistically, no one wants to face this team just due to their size. Not to mention, Austin and Pete are two of the most talented basketball players in this league. With both of them on the court, the team is undefeated and was only really tested one time. That being said, this team has been upset before, so they have to come to play to make it all the way.

With the Big 3 of Mana, Shahzaib and Hassan Farhat, this team is undefeated and has shown no signs of weakness throughout the regular season. They have built good chemistry and have gotten their role players involved, which has only made them more difficult to beat. I expect a deep playoff run from this team and if it all comes together, a championship.

This is a team that started a little slow to begin the season but has caught fire. Towfeek and Shafic are a great backcourt and are accustomed to playing with each other. Amir Hassan, Ameer Koyas and Mo Alzubidi can also provide scoring. These 5 players can make an argument for the most well-rounded starting 5 in the league. I think what makes this team hard to predict is figuring out which of the 5 will step up and how big a role each will play in the victory.

This is another group that has a great starting 5. To lead the way are the frontcourt of Zain, Jared and Idris, the trio that made it to the finals this time last year. In the backcourt, there is Sohaib and Sal, which means additional 3 pt shooting and a savvy playmaker. Position for position, it's hard to bet against this team. We also have not seen them altogether for the most part and I think the best is yet to come. Because of their forfeit last week, they will have to face Qalqilya in the first round, which I’m sure they aren’t too happy about, considering their record. Regardless, they will need all hands on deck to begin th

Himey and Lil O have come together to form a solid squad that has deep aspirations. They finished the season 5-1 with only a loss to Baysan in a close game. They got 3 guys that can score 20 each in the same game, with Amir and Lil O being able to work off the ball. They also got a real big man in Jean and solid role players that understand who the scorers are and work hard defensively. It will be interesting to see how far this team can go, as they start their playoff run against a team they lost to early in the season. Let’s see how much this team has grown since then.

Most people would say this is too low for a team that sits at the top of the standings. I won’t say that’s a terrible argument but I place this team here mostly due to strength of schedule. To finish the regular season though, they scraped by Qalqilya and dominated Yaffa, which are solid signs of success. I just feel that the teams placed above them are a bit more complete, which has been changing due to the rise of Omar Sehwail and the return of Ahmad Chaabane. This is another team that can be thrown into the conversation of a real championship contender because they are led by two top players in Mahdy and Hassan, but also the way

It’s tough to rank this team after what happened last week.Their schedule has been difficult, but they also lost to 3 teams ranked ahead of them, which is why they sit at 7 for now. Things weren’t looking great, especially because this team is defending champions and aspirations are high, but there was no better way to end the regular season. Now they have to hope that things have come together in time for a big matchup against Baysan.

Coming into the playoffs, there is a long list of teams that really have a shot to go all the way, and you have to include this squad because they are definitely talented enough. I do think there is a bit of a drop off after the first 7, but it’s not much. Gaza has a true big, solid role player and 3 guys that can score at will. Mahrooz will have to be the man alongside Singer and Johnny Wiz will have to be more efficient for them to really make a run. Interesting team to watch in the playoffs.

I’m not sure this team is too happy with their first round matchup. It seems like they did enough to be placed higher, but they will end up in the middle of the pack and have to face Al-Wehdat. Obviously, this team is extremely top heavy. They do have other guys who have talent, but those guys need to step up and not rely on the greatness of Ty Jackson as much because he can’t do it alone. Malik, Medo, Mo Amin, OBD, Raj: How far do you guys want to go in the playoffs? Because their play is going to determine that.

Honestly, I feel like this team could’ve had a better record than they do, solely based off attendance. If Talib and Keon are playing, with Jay Mustafa and co. hustling and doing their job, these guys got a solid squad and will be a matchup issue. Probably should be ranked higher on this list, but they will just have to prove that they can all come together in the playoffs with little chemistry built.

Another team that should be ranked higher on the list, one because of attendance and two because of defensive effort. I’m assuming that once the playoffs come around, these guys will lock in on the more important side of the court and get stops. If they do not make a consistent effort in stopping teams, their season will be over by this time next week. There is definitely upset watch written all over this team, With Ish and AMP leading the way and a solid supporting cast. To start the playoffs, they face a team that they have already beaten this season. Let’s see how much can change in 2.5 months.

I think this is where the list takes a shift in teams that have a real shot at winning it all. Safad has done a great job beating teams they should, but they haven’t looked too impressive against teams ranked above them which makes me skeptical. They got plenty of hardworking guys, but I feel like they're missing a main scorer or two to make them a lethal threat. To make matters worse, they go up against the least favorable matchup possible in Sabra. They will have to come locked in if they are to have a chance at slaying the giant.

This is another team that plays really hard and will compete until the last whistle. Like Safad though, I think they are missing a piece or two from being a team others are worried about. Father time is undefeated and that is the biggest opponent for this team coming into these playoffs. If they all turn back the clock, they could probably sneak a game or two. If this was 10 years ago, they’d probably be sitting at 2 instead of 12, but hey, that’s life.

There was hope going into the playoffs that these guys were more than just an ok team, but after last week, I’m not sure how much trust I have in these guys to make noise in the dance. Yes, they were missing Moe Rayyan but that doesn’t explain losing by 40. They were also facing a Qalqilya team that really needed to get a solid win going into the playoffs, so that made matters worse. I will say, they have a shot at winning their first round matchup, if they are willing to lock in and compete for 40 minutes. They also gotta move the ball more.

I don't think Farhad has come into the playoffs as a lower seed than this, but he has done everything he can to put this team in positions to win. As the years go by, there are no signs of him slowing down which gives this team that much hope. Tariq Yasin is a solid second guy who can get his own shot and Ed can shoot the ball with the best of them, but I.m not sure they can go 40 minutes and come out on top against the 14 teams ranked ahead of them. Maybe if the games were just 20 minutes though.

They did everything they could to miss the playoffs. It looks like this team has given up on themselves and each other. What looked promising to start the season has spiraled into a trainwreck, putting it lightly. Surprisingly, losing by 45 wasn’t enough to drop their point differential and that allows them to come back next week. Please put up a fight and go out with your heads hanging high. And who knows, maybe you get the dub. Everyone is 0-0 starting now.

Great first season for these guys. I’m sure they’d like a few games back knowing that they were so close to making the playoffs. Regardless, their season cannot be considered a success and Hasnan may have to retire from President of Basketball Operations duties in the future. Thanks for playing hard and being sportsmanlike throughout the season. We hope to see you next season!

Sad to see this team at the bottom of the rankings and winless when all is said and done. Individually, there is definitely enough talent on this team to win a game or two at least, but things didn’t come together all season. Not sure what it takes to get over the hump and pull a win out, but it seems like this team couldn’t find that either. They were close in a lot of em, but close isn't good enough.