Following its first taste of action, the K1 league is off to an exciting start. And as we head into the second week of games, we should be given a much better idea of where each team will stand heading into the league’s playoff tournament in May. Here is a preview of each Week 2 matchup.

Team 1 vs. Team 2
Team 1 put on a show for the ages in its opening week win against Team 7, breaking the century mark on their way to a 46-point victory. Ray Lawrence, Trey Johnson, and Dennis Koger were a three man wrecking crew, along with some pinpoint shooting from Dustin Rennewanz. They will look to take down Team 2, who had perhaps the biggest week of anyone in the opener. Team 2 came away with a pair of thrilling, two-point wins to put themselves atop the league standings. Jared Harris scored 36 points combined in the two wins to the lead the way for Team 2.

Team 6 vs. Team 9
Although Team 8 didn’t have its full roster in last week’s contest against Team 9, Team 9’s performance shouldn’t go unnoticed. Team 9 scored 84 points against a very talented Team 8, and was lethal both from behind the arc and inside the paint. KCC standouts Brian Hernandez and Red Binion look to provide a young presence to the league’s most experienced team. They should be a big favorite against a Team 6 that lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer to Team 2. Alex Mitchner looks to be a big offensive threat for Team 6.

Team 9 vs. Team 3
Team 9 will be back on the court for the second game of a doubleheader against Team 3. Team 3 appears to be one of the league’s youngest teams, and will likely struggle against the more physical, experienced teams in the league, such as Team 9. Several of Team 9’s players have played together for decades, and many are staples of the basketball community here in Kankakee, none more so than Coach “Chillz.” Expect Team 9 to score early and often, along the way to a big win against Team 3.

Team 4 vs. Team 3
A shorthanded Team 4 dropped a really tough opener to Team 2 in week one by a score of 67-65. Center Kale Maupin, a former standout at Carroll College, appears to be one of the league’s most talented players. He scored 36 points in the losing effort. For Team 3 to have a chance, they will have to slow down Maupin and the pick-and-roll game that they look to continue using. Guards Alex Thorson, Caleb Johnson, and Christian Straw will be in the primary rotation for Team 4. Center Jonathan Townsend for Team 3 had a nice game in their week one loss. He will have to play big against Maupin for them to have a chance.

Team 8 vs. Team 4
In perhaps the most anticipated matchup of the week, Team 8 will have its full squad back together, against a really talented Team 4. Seth Johnson, a former post-player for Olivet, will anchor a team that has several talented guards, including Governor State’s Gerald Duckworth. Power forward Bobby Crivokapich also appears to be a matchup nightmare, as he dropped 33 points in the team’s opener against Team 7. As Team 4’s Maupin will matchup inside against Johnson, the key to the game will likely be Team 4’s ability to score from behind the arc. Look for a very close game in this contest.

Team 5 vs. Team 7
Team 5 appears to have assembled a very intriguing team. Following a nice win against Team 3, they will look to use their young athleticism and their deep bench against a shorthanded Team 7. Terrell Hendrix is one of the most gifted offensive players in the league, and he will anchor Team 5’s offensive attack. For Team 7, they will look to bounce back, after a very difficult matchup against Team 1 and Team 8 in the opening week. Guard Patrick Cullom has already proven that he can score at this level, as has their center Shaye Carter. For Team 7 to come out on top, they will need to find production from outside these two positions, likely from either Darian Bosby or Jaquan Boxley. Team 5 enters this one as a slight favorite.