Friday’s Games to Watch

A look at the top games around the state to watch on Friday...

Middleton (8-5) vs. Arrowhead (13-1) (at Fiserv Forum)

This is a 12:50 p.m. tip-off in Milwaukee. These two teams are quite familiar with each other, having faced off a few times in playoff action over the past few seasons.

Struggling a bit as of late, Middleton needs a resume-building win. Averaging 19 points and nine rebounds per game, junior center Will Garlock Will Garlock 6'11" | C Middleton | 2025 State #204 Nation WI has been as good as expected this season, but with the constant double teams, he can only do so much. If the Cardinals can get some consistency from their backcourt, they're a sneaky contender in March.

It's been business as usual for Arrowhead. This was supposed to be somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Warhawks, but they just keep on chugging behind senior guard and Green Bay commit Bennett Basich Bennett Basich 6'3" | SG Arrowhead | 2024 State WI (21.4 ppg). Senior forward Jace Gilbert Jace Gilbert 6'5" | PF Arrowhead | 2024 State WI , an Iowa State football commit, has also been fantastic, posting nearly 18 points per game.

Aquinas (13-2) at La Crosse Central (6-8)

This one has big Mississippi Valley title implications in terms of who is going to stay within striking distance of first place Onalaska.

Despite their 6-8 overall record, the Red Raiders are still only a game back of the Hilltoppers. Central lost a big chunk of its core from last season's state semifinalist squad, but still return one of the top unsigned seniors in the state, Henry Meyer Henry Meyer 6'3" | SG La Crosse Central | 2024 State WI (19.1 ppg).

Looking like a formidable threat in Division 4, Aquinas has only been beaten in league play. Their first loss of the season came against Central, in a 66-62 affair. Senior guard Walter Berns Walter Berns 6'4" | SF Aquinas | 2024 State WI leads the Bluegolds in scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (6.6 rpg) this season.

River Falls (12-3) at Eau Claire Memorial (13-3)

The top two teams in the Big Rivers Conference square off Friday night.

Memorial took the first meeting 68-61 on the road and how has a two-game lead in the conference standings. The Old Abes have a dangerous trio of Cooper Jesperson Cooper Jesperson 6'4" | SG Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 State WI (20.5 ppg), Wesley Mboga Wesley Mboga 6'4" | SF Eau Clairie Memorial | 2025 State WI (13.9 ppg), and Julius Clark Julius Clark 6'0" | SG Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 State WI (11.1 ppg) -- all juniors.

Senior guard Joey Butz Joey Butz 6'1" | SG River Falls | 2024 State WI (21.4 ppg) is in the midst of a stellar season for Falls. Junior guard Preston Johnson Preston Johnson 6'2" | PG River Falls | 2025 State WI (10.1 ppg) and junior forward Eli Johnson Eli Johnson 6'6" | PF River Falls | 2025 State WI (8.7 ppg) give this group some terrific depth as well.

Others: Luther at Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, Marquette at Sussex Hamilton