MONTVALE, NJ: Team Randy to the Rescue

More than halfway through the summer season, games seemed to be becoming rather predictable and uninspiring. With a Week 7 win over the Dream Team, who would have thought that Team Randy would be the ones making us pay closer attention?

Is it really possible that in a matter of weeks, Team Randy has suddenly shed the lovable loser label and become a serious threat? At 2-4, they are going to have to put together a string of victories to make a real run this season. Still, even if that doesn’t happen, we’ve seen that they have the ability to shake things up and put some fear into their opposition.

Randy came out with a purpose Wednesday night. They held a double-digit lead for much of the first half, and even after failing to hold the sizable advantage, they hung on in the end in a close one. There’s something to be said for the league’s best rebounding team. Working the glass got them out of a lot of trouble against the Dream Team - a 9 for 24 showing from the free throw line being one example.

Do we simply bash the Dream Team for a poor loss and declare them pretenders? That would be too easy. It’s time to give credit where it’s due. While the write-up on Team Randy less than a month ago was certainly derisive, it was noted that these guys have players and compete. We’ve seen just that the past few games. They’ve gone 2-2 in their last four, and played RUNt tough in defeat.

What’s changed? It’s hard to say. Maybe the ball is finally starting to bounce their way. There’s no question that if these guys play together next season, they’ll have teams looking out for them. There’s a unique inside-outside game going on with Alexis Drullinsky and Tom Grycz just killing it on the boards and guys like Alex Benisatto, Alex Bernstein and George Graham being able to stretch the defense. This team should be taken seriously.

There is, however, one little problem with our new favorite UHoops squad. Guys, when are we getting a real team name? We’ve already got championship banners for Old School and Young Gelt Militia – two quality monikers for two quality squads. Perhaps it’s fitting that “Team Randy” is laid to rest with its not-so-great history as this team takes a turn for the better. Let’s make it happen!