D4 Elite 8 Matchups to Watch

Jonathon Gilbert March 19, 2022 @ 12:02 AM

The Elite 8 in Michigan’s smallest classification has a familiar feel to it. With the return of perennial champions Southfield Christian and two of the four semifinalists from last year. There is no shortage of high level matchups. Following are three that I think will be decisive in determining who heads to East Lansing. Ewen Trout Creek vs Rudyard [player_tooltip player_id="864008" first="Jaden" last="Borseth"] vs Tate Besteman Due to his play and the Panthers enrollment. Borseth has been on the recruiting radar since his eight grade year with plenty of big game experience. While teammate Eric Abramson owned the regional. I think ETC is going to need a big game from the Copper Mountain Conference player of the year if they are going to pull the upset. Rudyard returns quite a bit from last years semifinal team. While a decent chunk comes from the backcourt duo of EJ Suggitt and 2024 Cam Peterson. I think the size and defense of Besteman are going to be key in this contest. Borseth is a well built and athletic 6-4 forward. Besteman was one of the best posts when I saw him this summer in a deep field at Cadillac Summer Shootout. That is saying something as this field featured players like [player_tooltip player_id="1068145" first="Cole" last="Jenema"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1349431" first="Gavin" last="Bisballe"] among others. If Besteman can use his long 6-7 frame to slow down Borseth. That would provide a little more wiggle room for the Bulldogs potent backcourt to get going. Besteman is mobile and has good touch around the basket. So he can also provide ample offensive production as well. Lake Leelanau St Mary vs Fulton [player_tooltip player_id="986885" first="Dylan" last="Barnowski"] vs Joe Iung Barnowski (pictured) was absolutely electric in his teams dramatic victory over undefeated McBain Northern Michigan Christian. The elastic lefty simply kept coming all night offensively. Additionally he largely took the task of guarding NMC standout [player_tooltip player_id="1211317" first="Trevin" last="Winkle"] (Calvin) While St Mary’s sports the much better record. Fulton has the historical tournament pedigree and has been battle tested in the CMAC. Arguably the most competitive small school conference in the state. The Pirates are just one of three (Bath, Pewamo-Westphalia) conference teams still active in the tournament. Iung is a 6-2 combo guard with the size to bother a guard with Barnowski’s length. He did just that in Fulton recent victory over Saginaw Nouvel’s twin sharp shooting duo of MJ and [player_tooltip player_id="1300912" first="DONNY" last="YEAGER"]. Iung was a key cog in a triangle in two defense that slowed the young shooters. He also led the way offensively with 21 points. Nearly half of Fulton’s offensive output. Also had 13 rebounds. Could we see the triangle in two applied again on Barnowski and fellow 2024 running mate [player_tooltip player_id="986572" first="Shawn" last="Bramer"]? Whatever defense is utilized it should be a big time backcourt battle. Southfield Christian vs Genesee Christian [player_tooltip player_id="986253" first="Mike" last="Lividini"] vs [player_tooltip player_id="1170692" first="Trenton" last="Boike"] Cue the Joe Tessitore clip. Southfield Christian is BACK! While not possessing the high level Division 1 talent of past years. They do have very deep and young backcourt. While not the biggest scorer of the bunch. I think Lividini will be the key. He has a tight handle and plays a moxie you would expect for a guard from this storied program. He will probably be tasked with guarding Boike. Boike looks similar but plays a different game. Boike is an excellent shooter who is not scared of the moment. Played well this summer with the Michigan Cagers on the Prep Hoops Circuit. So the Eagles speed should not overwhelm him. Two games against Flint Beecher will also help. Southfield Christian just squeaked one out against Taylor Trillium. So they are beatable. But I think Boike is going to have to have big game for the Soldiers to pull it off.