What to watch for in Tuesday’s Manhattan/Washburn Rural matchup
Washburn Rural, runner-up in 6A last season, travels to face second-ranked Manhattan Tuesday night. While 6-0 Manhattan looks like one of the hottest teams in the state, Kevin Muff’s Junior Blues traditionally relish the underdog roll. Here are five things…
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Continue ReadingWashburn Rural, runner-up in 6A last season, travels to face second-ranked Manhattan Tuesday night. While 6-0 Manhattan looks like one of the hottest teams in the state, Kevin Muff’s Junior Blues traditionally relish the underdog roll. Here are five things to watch in the first big Centennial League contest of 2020:
1) Can Washburn Rural’s Joe Berry score enough?
Berry averages 22.4 points a game, but he’ll need a lot of help to combat the Indians’ balanced scoring. Senior guard Noah Krueger probably represents the best chance to get some additional output. He comes in averaging 10 a game, but probably needs to do more on Tuesday.
2) Will someone step forward as Manhattan’s top threat?
The Indians are the epitome of balance. They average 63.8 points in their 6-0 start to the season, yet their leading scorer, 6-foot-3 senior Raeshon Riddick, averages just 11.3. Can they continue to rely on broad-based production, or will someone need to take a leap forward?
3) Can Rural’s outside shooting make the difference?
Krueger shot 40% from beyond the arc last season. Junior Jack Hutchinson connected on 43% last season. If the two can find enough open shots, they might be able to make up for a lack of post scoring.
4) Will Manhattan’s Chandler Marks be too much for Rural to handle?
The 6-foot-6 football star is a rim rattler and shot blocker. He hauls down 5.5 rebounds a game. Rural tends to play a small lineup, which means Marks could present serious problems in the paint.
5) Is Manhattan’s age better than Rural’s experience?
Rural returns invaluable experience from its run to the state championship game last year. But the Indians play eight seniors, while Rural is primarily guided by juniors. This veteran Indian group went just 8-13 a year ago. While Rural’s youngsters were playing for a title. Which wins out: age or experience?