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AAU 16 Open: Preview and Predictions

Of the Open divisions at AAU, 16 Open packs the most punch. With that, the division should bring the most drama and we are very much looking forward to it. The four-day event is set for June 21-24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Below, we take a brief look at the field, including nationally-ranked teams, players to know plus our predictions.

Number of Teams: 79

Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (19):

  • 1. Mintonette Sports m.61 OH
  • 4. Boiler Jrs 16 Gold IN
  • 6. Legacy 16-1 Adidas MI
  • 8. Skyline 16 Royal TX
  • 9. A5 16-1 Gabe GA
  • 15. MN Select 16-1 MN
  • 16. Team Pineapple 16 Black IN
  • 24. WPVC 16 Armour Black FL
  • 25. Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal FL
  • 29. GP 16 Rox FL
  • 31. EC Power KOP 16 Empire PA
  • 36. Academy 16 Diamond NC
  • 38. Tri-State Elite 16 Blue OH
  • 39. SPVB 16 Elite IL
  • 40. Rev 16-1 Fury IN
  • 41. Academy 16 Yeti IN
  • 46. Sunshine 16 LA
  • 47. Tribe 16 Elite Navy FL
  • 49. OT 16 Roberto FL

 

5-Star Players to Know:

 

4-Star Players to Know:

 

Outlook: There is no doubt that 16 Open is the premier division at AAU this season. The field is loaded, featuring five teams inside the Top 10 from Vballrecruiter’s Top 50 national rankings. It includes two from the Top 5, one being top-ranked Mintonette. There are 19 total from the Top 50, including 11 teams which qualified for 16 Open at USAV nationals in July. With such a strong field, we shouldn’t have to wait as long for the action to heat up. We could see some clubs squaring off on Day 2 if the draw breaks right. Mintonette enters looking to defend its 15 Open title from last year when it defeated Skyline in the final. Skyline is back too. However, there’s no guarantee either makes it that far again. Legacy is coming off its SummerFest victory, when it defeated Mintonette in the final. A5 and Boiler Jrs are certainly going to have a big say in what happens. Then there are many teams that can cause havoc. MN Select, Team Pineapple and Tribe all have the ability to make a deep run and put themselves in position to medal. Plenty others could spring big upsets. The ranked teams aren’t the only ones who can make things happen. Northern Lights, Triangle, Jupiter Elite, KiVA, FarOut, Kairos and Illini Elite are not featured in the Top 50 but all have shown at varying times this season they can make life difficult on opponents. The first day starts with 79 teams. Only 20 get eliminated heading into Day 2, but that’s when it picks up. Days 2 and 3 teams must finish first or second in their respective pools to move on. Teams are competing to make the 16-team gold bracket on Day 4. That’s a large gold bracket. It means the two teams which make the championship match are going to be playing four matches in one day having already played three days in a row. That’s a tough ask no matter who makes it that far.

Prediction: I’m taking Legacy to build on its victory at SummerFest and continue on to win gold at AAU. Legacy tops Boiler Jrs in the final. Mintonette and MN Select take third.

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