The Tuesday Night Preview and Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a huge night of games across the state. So so many big games that we have to preview all the big ones, all 12!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3AAAA Maple Grove at Hopkins&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player.[player_tooltip player_id='2126442' first='Bennett' last='Cizadlo']. Bennett is scoring nearly ten points a game and he is shooting 50 percent at the arc heading into conference play. As the fourth option he could be very important tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. This is a big one. Hopkins needs a big win to replace the St. Louis Park stinker. Maple Grove wants another big win on their side. It's huge and it's the first league game for the Crimson at Hopkins so I think the super motivated Royals get it by a basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moorhead at 5AAAA Alexandria</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. [player_tooltip player_id='2451500' first='David' last='Mack']. [player_tooltip player_id='2451500' first='David' last='Mack'] might be the best athlete that does not get this new age crazy attention. If he was living in the metro he would have numerous children lining the baseline and football sidelines with cameras. He is a big time football prospect and scoring 20 a game. He's the latest Michael Floyd wideout/shooting guard star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. Moorhead is undefeated but this is their first game against a big AAAA team that is quality. They have something to prove. Alex needs this win as they have dropped three games to good teams, I think they get it by five points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8AAAA Farmington at 7AAAA Apple Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. [player_tooltip player_id='2401364' first='Benny' last='Fenske']. The Farmington guard has had an excellent year giving the Tigers a go to backcourt scoring option that has helped the team to a one loss season. Farmington, they are always that team that has to replace a lot of guys and they bring them up from the JV and continue to roll. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. I have to go with Apple Valley. They've beaten the Tigers in three of the last four games. This contest should be closer than the double figure wins last year but still Apple Valley by seven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7A Dawson-Boyd at 8A Central Minnesota Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. Carter Taatjes. The 6'3 junior is scoring 14 a game and is one of four double figure scorers for the Jays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. Dawson-Boyd has a seven game winning streak going against Central Minnesota Christian but this time it's CMC with the big man that DB has to stop with a smaller line-up. That said, [player_tooltip player_id='2823917' first='Gunner' last='Liebl'] will be the best player on the floor and extend the streak to eight with an eight point win. Symbolism! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1AA Belle Plaine at 7AAA St. Peter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. Patrick Otto. Patrick is a 6'5 sophomore big for Belle Plaine that is a part of their line-up. If he can get his frame on [player_tooltip player_id='2815210' first='Parker' last='Maloney'] and allow [player_tooltip player_id='2118474' first='Ethan' last='Martin'] to defend somebody else not having to worry about fouls that would be big. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. Belle Plaine stepped up and won two big games last week with the "number one" pressure on them. What about tonight? This is a tough one to pick, I think St. Peter by a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7AA Cannon Falls at Zumbrota-Mazeppa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. [player_tooltip player_id='3102116' first='Ryan' last='Hjellming']. Ryan is a future UST baseball player that is a good athlete and shoots it very well. He is scoring 16 points a game for Cannon Falls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. The Cougars are in the middle of a tough stretch and this might be the toughest game as the Bombers have so many wing scoring threats, Cannon Falls by five points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4AAA Mahtomedi at South St. Paul</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. [player_tooltip player_id='2126460' first='Donte' last='Branch']. The 6'2 junior guard is scoring 25 points a game and shooting over 50 percent from the arc for the year. A scorer people need to get on their radar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. SSP is 7-2 and off to their best start in a handful of years. They have a real shot to win 3AAA and contend for some things but this is one of those high level games that really test teams. Let's see how the Packers do! I think the Zephyrs win by eight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thief River Falls at 2A Red Lake County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. Will Gieske. [player_tooltip player_id='1628768' first='Connor' last='Duden'] is the big name and rightfully so, but Will is a 6'1 senior scorer to go with Connor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. Red Lake County wins by ten, I think they have a shot to win a title this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Buffalo at 1AAAA Wayzata</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. [player_tooltip player_id='2397563' first='Thomas' last='Jordan']. This sophomore has scored 21.6 points a game and tonight we get to see what he can do against high level talents like Wayzata has. Could really be a statement game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. Buffalo is undefeated but they haven't faced a real high level team, until now. Wayzata wins by 16 but it will be interesting to see if they can keep things tight for a bit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2AAA Richfield at Columbia Heights</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. [player_tooltip player_id='2140640' first='Jayvion' last='Gardner']. This 6'1 junior guard is one of several Heights players having a strong season getting the Hylanders to 6-2. Gardner has led the team in scoring a few times now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. Love seeing the bounce back from Columbia Heights as Dedrick Jenkins is doing a good job there. Not sure they are ready to upset a team like Richfield, I think the [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] win by 15, but Heights is a great story. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Le Sueur-Henderson at 4A JWP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player.[player_tooltip player_id='2417301' first='Hunter' last='Vinkemeier']. We talked Hunter up a lot expecting a big season but man.... 32.7 points and 21 rebounds a game on average? No way were we thinking that through seven games and the Giants are 5-2! He is shooting 55 percent from the field and 48 percent from the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. JWP is a tough team with guards flying around like a wolf pack on the attack. I think they win by a dozen but it will be interesting to see if Hunter can lead his team to this win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10A Liberty Classical at Spectrum</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featured Player. [player_tooltip player_id='2382257' first='Eli' last='Miller']. A six foot guard that is scoring 21 points a game with six boards and four assists a game for Spectrum. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction. I think Liberty is pushing to a special season under John Towle and I think they win by ten points. Don't be surprised to see Liberty in the final four come late March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->