Bellingham Slam vault to seventh in ABA playoff poll
March 4, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - With two wins last week, the Bellingham Slam have vaulted into the number seven spot in the American Basketball Association's power rankings released Sunday. The ABA's power rankings are used to determine which teams compete in the league's playoffs later this month.
Last week, the Slam (22-10) defeated the Fresno Heatwave twice to advance from the tenth spot.
The ABA's power rankings use a variety of factors to determine positioning, including win-loss records and strength of schedule. A top eight finish in the poll is crucial, as those eight teams receive a first round bye in the ABA playoffs and are guaranteed a second round home playoff game. Following a first round which pits teams ranked ninth through 16th against teams seeded 17th through 24th, the remaining teams play four more rounds of single-elimination games, played at the home site of the higher-ranked seed.
For the fourth straight week, the Vermont Frost Heaves held the top spot in the ABA rankings. Bellingham lost two close games at Vermont back in February.
While the Slam have completed their schedule, it is not guaranteed that the Slam will maintain their top eight ranking as the ABA's regular season doesn't end until March 13. The Slam will have to wait until then to find out their final playoff ranking and details on the date and opponent for their first or second round home playoffs game.
For more information, call the Slam at 734-SLAM or visit their website at www.bellinghamslam.com.
----------------------------------
ABA Power Rankings - as of 3/4/2007
1. Vermont Frost Heaves
2. Arkansas Aeros
3. Jacksonville Jam
4. Texas Tycoons
5. Quad City Riverhawks
6. Rochester Razorsharks
7. Bellingham Slam
8. Minnesota Ripknees
9. Beijing Olympian
10. Wilmington Sea Dawgs
11. Mississippi Miracles
12. Detroit Panthers
13. Buffalo Silverbacks
14. Strong Island Sound
15. San Diego Wildcats
16. Quebec City Kebekwa
17. Peoria Kings
18. Hollywood Fame
19. Sauk Valley Rollers
20. Maryland Nighthawks
21. Palm Beach Imperials
22. Maywood Buzz
23. Cape Cod Frenzy
24. Atlanta Vision
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
• Discuss this story on the American Basketball Association message board...
American Basketball Association Stories from March 4, 2007
- RazorSharks Defeat Cape Cod 136-124 - Rochester RazorSharks
- Bellingham Slam vault to seventh in ABA playoff poll - Bellingham Slam
- Sound Crown Royal, 111-95 - Strong Island Sound
- Frost Heaves hold onto number one spot - ABA
- Ripknees top Panthers in overtime on three-point shot - Detroit Panthers
- Quad City Defeats Peoria 129-105 - Quad City Riverhawks
- Jam wins on the road at Orlando again - Jacksonville Slam
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
