The DBA is bigger and better than ever. We welcome 2 new teams, Salisbury Suns, moving west from SABA, and B4L Titans, a new team formed with a strong roster. We also welcome 3 expansion teams. Bournemouth Bears add the Razors to their club, back from previous years, whilst Weymouth split into Bandits 1&2, giving opportunity to loads of young talent coming up through the ranks, and then the Bandits Legends, giving opportunity to slightly older gentlemen!
That takes the league to 17 teams!
We again decided to draw into 4 conferences, to give chances to the new teams to face a range of teams, but also utilising a method to cut out uncontested games.
Conference A, B & C will have 4 teams, each playing each other home and away, to decide their ranking. After Christmas the top3 will move into Division 1, whilst each of the bottom team from each Conference, will join those from Conference D and move into Division 2.
Conference D gives 5 teams, who have elected to not be eligible for Div1, to in essence start Div2 a little early.
Division 1 will have 9 teams (3 x Top3), whilst Division 2 will have 8 teams (5 + Bottom3). Each will play each other twice, home and away, but for those that have already faced off, the previous results will carry over.
[Olly's Predictions are just a bit of fun!]
Conference A - BEARS, BANDITS1, CLASSICS, TITANS.
Bears look to defend their title and they open their season away to the new Titans. The Titans are an unknown, with former Storm and BU players on their roster they could be strong. Classics host Bandits in their opener.
Olly's Choice: I predict a Bears win and then a very close fight between the other 3. Too close to call.
Conference B - OAKS, STORM, BANDITS2, RAZORS
Oaks have gone from strength to strength, and look to go one better than last year. But can Dorset Storm upset the apple cart?? Having dropped their National League team they concentrate on their local league. Is the Bournemouth roster deep enough for the Razors to challenge??
Olly's Choice: Oaks over Storm. A bit too much for the young Bandits2.
Conference C - SALISBURY, EVOLUTION, SPARTANS, TIGERS
The "Other" Suns come in from Solent, and we know they can play. We know Evolution are always improving. Spartans are big and strong, but by their own admission, getting older. Tigers can sometimes struggle to fill their roster, but can be bolstered by BU players.
Olly's Choice: Im going to take a punt on the new Suns, with Evo possibly sharing honours. Spartans size will see them take through over Tigers.
Conference D - SEAHAWKS, BG SUNS, STORM U18, BLAZERS, LEGENDS
Storm U18 had a great season last year, but have lost a lot of players to graduation and moving on. They are still a NBL team though. Suns are always finding new players down on the mean streets of BoscVegas. Seahawks, by my own admission, are looking stronger than ever. We also know Blazers have gone on a marketing and recruitment drive.
Olly's Choice: But my pick is the Legends. Although carried on older legs, they can still play.
Season Starts: OCTOBER 3rd!!! And conferences decided by November 24th.
