Tuesday Night Preview & Predictions
It’s a huge night in Minnesota High School Basketball. Just look at these five big games tipping off this evening! Preview and Predictions start now!
Lakeville North vs Prior Lake
The Skinny: Here it is! A top challenge for the top spot. Lakeville North was one of those 4-5 squads we picked out as a top state contender to start the year. Three losses forced them to slip down but tonight they have a chance to prove to themselves that they are a contender they think they are. And Prior Lake, you fought to the top of the mountain, now you have to defend it. Senior dominated squads going head to head. Great match-ups all over like Sam Nissen vs Tommy Jensen, Robert Jones vs Tate Staloch/Jack Rusch, and….
Top Match-Up: Dawson Garcia vs Tyler Wahl. Doesn’t get better than this. Tyler seemingly can defend everything and play all spots. Can he limited a 6-foot-10/6-foot-11 30 point per game top 2-3 Player of the Year candidate? Let’s Go!
Top Prospect to See: Dawson Garcia. Wahl is an elite defender but a big reason for Dawson’s surge has been not just his increased range and perimeter shooting consistency, but also his defense. The near 5-star prospect has a big stage and challenge tonight.
Prediction: Man, how do you pick this? Seniors all over. Prior Lake is bigger, North has more big game experience. Prior Lake is home. Tough to bet against Oxton and Wahl, but right now I can’t go against Dawson. Lakers by 1.
Eastview vs Shakopee
The Skinny: Two junior heavy squads who many say are a big contender next year, but these teams want it now. Shakopee is currently ranked, Eastview was. Eastview is bigger, Shakopee has played better team basketball.
Top Match-Up: Charlie Katona vs Tate Machacek. Charlie will play some four, play some three. When he’s on the floor against Machacek Charlie will have the skills edge but Tate is bigger as a worker four man. Ryan Thissen vs Will Cordes as well. Both are shooting the lights out. Thissen is bigger, both stroking and scoring 15-16 a night.
Top Prospect to See: Steven Crowl. A 6-foot-10 agile player scoring 20 a game and has budding interest at the mid major and high major level for Eastview.
Prediction: Eastview is due for a big win but they just haven’t been consistent enough for me to pick in a game like this. Plus Shakopee is home. Sabers by seven.
JCC vs Marshall
The Skinny: It’s time for JCC to back up their aspirations with a big win. Redwood Valley is a good win but Waseca and Marshall hammered JCC early in the year and Minneota just got JCC by nine. Marshall has lost two of three and could be vulnerable. Marshall is bigger but Rudy Voss is a top PG.
Top Match-Up: Rudy Voss vs Bryce Lance. The future is now. Rudy Voss is one of the top junior playmakers in the southern part of the state while Lance is a smooth playmaker as a sophomore with a bright future. Great battle to see.
Top Prospect to See: Matt Onken/Noah Puetz. Onken has one of the most under appreciated low post games in the state. So crafty and tough. Puetz will be the higher ranked prospect at a now 6-foot-6 and both with go at Andre Hesebeck and Jordan Hassing hard.
Prediction: I feel like this is a game that Marshall will walk on the floor with eyes wide open and ready to fight. They really need a step forward tonight and JCC may just be in the way. Marshall by 12.
Mayo vs John Marshall
The Skinny: JM has had some losses, but not to Rochester schools. JM has won 7 of 8 games and welcome a 9-4 Mayo team to their place. Mayo leads Class AAAA basketball in scoring at 82 points a game and they will put points on the board tonight. But they also give up more than any Class AAAA team. So, what do you think Matthew Hurt is likely to do?
Top Match-Up: Matthew Hurt vs Mason Madsen. Mason is one of the grinding hard working players that produces in many ways. He scores 21 a game plus boards, defends, etc. But tonight Matthew Hurt has a point to prove about who the best team in the state is. And I’ve heard Roy Williams may be watching live. Could be a fun night.
Top Prospect to See: Obviously it’s Matthew Hurt and his 36 points/11.5 boards/4.5 assists a game. He’s one of the elite players available in America. But Gabe Madsen is pretty good too with his 26 points and 11 boards a game.
Prediction: I just don’t see Matthew letting this game out of his control. Last year JM was 3-0 vs Mayo.
East Ridge vs White Bear Lake
The Skinny: White Bear Lake, here is your chance. The Bears have really stepped up to the challenge this year but now it’s time to step in the ring with the elite. Sam Schwartz is back so the WBL senior trio of Sam, Jeremy Beckler, and Isaac Tessier bring their big numbers to try and match those of the Browns (Kendall and Courtney) plus Ben Carlson.
Top Match-Up: There are two: Ben Carlson vs Jeremy Beckler, and Sam Schwartz vs Courtney Brown Jr. Sam and Courtney are two of the top workers in the senior class with both highly respected and signed (Sam at Southwest MN State and Brown at Milwaukee). Beckler and Carlson will go at it heavy in the paint.
Top Prospect to See: Kendall Brown. Kendall is the highest ranked player of the group and he might be the ex-factor. WBL is very good but they don’t have a big guard to defend Brown when Sam is working on Courtney.
Prediction: Should be fun for awhile, but Raptors pull ahead later, win by nine.