The past 2 years my post on the NBA Mock Draft has been pretty popular. But, of course, the T-Wolves had high draft picks--#2 last year, with which they got Derrick Williams. Two years ago I predicted they would take Wesley Johnson, and I was correct. Sorry about that. Last year I first said they would take Enes Kanter. But once he was declared ineligible and the Wolves in fact won that #2 choice, I got on the Williams bandwagon.
Well, anyway, my point about this year is, Who Cares? I mean, the Wolves' top draft pick as it stands right now will be #59. Not to mention, this is not a deal-maker draft. With the exception of Anthony Davis, there's no to-die-for type player even in the #1 and #2 slots. I mean #2 could be Andre Drummond, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Thomas Robinson, none of who is anywhere near ready to go. Derrick Williams was a much more mature #2 a year ago. The Wolves were lucky to have the pick they did.
Still I suppose they could move up with a trade. What do they need? Oh, yes, somebody that won't get hurt. Good luck with that. But seriously, if they could package Beasley and Wesley, well, that surely doesn't get you a lottery pick, but say a #15, even, is there any way you make that trade? Well, sure, because you can't use Beasley and Wesley. But if you just end up with another guy you can't use.... But, is there a gem of a guy hidden at #15 or thereabouts? Well, you know, maybe Terrence Ross. Maybe is the guy that Johnson and Ellington and Webster isn't, a guy who brings a little instant offense off the bench and picks up the tempo a little bit. But seriously, who the hell is going to take Beasley off our hands? Once upon a time you could call the Clippers. Now I don't think so. Joisey? N'awlins? I dunno. But the one opportunity worth watching for is Terrence Ross at somewhere around #15, give or take a couple. But it's addition by subtraction. Dumping some dead wood is as much or more a rationale for such a deal as the draft pick himself.
Here in any event is my Mock Draft, not as deeply thought out this year, again for the reason that the T-Wolves aren't much of a part of the proceedings this year.
1. Charlotte. With 7 wins Charlotte just needs the proverbial best available athlete, and there is no question whatsoever that that is Anthony Davis of Kentucky, the only player available who can dominate at the highest level without scoring. But he will score in the NBA and he will be an all-defense type of player as well. Sky's the limit.
2. Washington. Most mock drafts are looking either post Andre Drummond of Connecticut or big strong forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky. The Wiz like Charlotte need the best available athlete, with the difference that they're set at the point with John Wall. Or, if not, then Wall is one of the bigger busts of recent years and the Wiz are not ready to make that announcement just yet.
Still it is interesting to me that the various profiles have Drummond listed at 6-11 or 6-10, while the new K-G is listed at 6-7 or 6-6. If 6-6, he'll have to be the next Charles Barkley to go this high. He may have a bright future but his perimeter skills are not 1st round much less lottery. He will be picked by somebody who can live with his size inside, meaning somebody who plays at a particularly high tempo. Washington kinda does that. Drummond on the other had has the body that the NBA loves, but unlike K-G his desire and work ethic are regarded as unproven. So maybe you go with Thomas Robinson or you trade down here?
But I gotta go back to my point that the Wiz just needs the best available athlete who's not a point guard. Mock drafts aside--and I don't doubt that many of these folks know more and better than I do--but still I gotta go back to the best available athlete, and that's probably K-G. The Wiz take the new K-G, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Good work ethic, at his best up-tempo, which is what they have John Wall for. So go with the game plan.
3. New Orleans. The Hornets are pretty pitiful. In fact, from a draft standpoint they're worse than the Wiz. There's nobody with a lock on a starting spot. So you go with the best available athlete. And while Drummond and K-G rate more highly, the best available athlete after AD and TR are taken is probably Bradley Beal of Florida. In addition to all-around athleticism, he is perhaps the best jump shooter in the draft. He might be the best scorer in the draft. He won't be better than AD, long term, but he might be the top scorer right from his 1st year, depending in part of who takes him and how many minutes are available and how many missed shots are to be tolerated along his learning curve.
4. Cleveland. Thomas Robinson doesn't drop any farther than this. Not that the Cavs can wait for some additional production but they can probably afford to get Robby a lot of minutes as a rook since they already have Jamison and Varejao in the paint. In other words, Robby joins the starting lineup and somebody's got his back.
5. Portland (from N.J.). Portland needs a dynamic perimeter player to replace the oft-injured Brandon Roy so the next best available athlete (Drummond) might not appeal. Some like Harrison Barnes though his college career has hardly panned out as projected. I mean, he's been merely great, not Kevin Durant great. #5 is too high. Portland, I suspect, hopes that Beal is still around at #5 but I don't see that happening. James McAdoo might have been a possibility but he's decided to stay at North Carolina another year. So I guess you fall back on the best available talent and that surely is Drummond at this point.
6. Toronto. The Raptors look fairly well set up at the 2 and 4 spots. Beyond that it will be a clear case of whaddya got. And what the 2012 draft has got at #6 is size. One of the Zellers, Sullinger, Perry Jones, Terrence Jones? Your choice. And the preference among that group seems to be Cody Zeller, the Indiana version. Yet most people seem to prefer Sullinger as the best player in the Big 10. The trade-off is size and long-term potential versus a guy who is a known commodity with greater strength and less downside. I figure at #6 you go with upside and that is Zellers.
7. Sacramento. For a 19-36 team, these guys seem to have some pretty fair talent in the post and at the guards, so the forward and wing spots would be the obvious focus. That brings to mind Sullinger at the big forward and Barnes at the wing. If the future is now, then Sullinger is probably the safer pick even if he doesn't fit the need quite as well.
8. Detroit. A big forward tops of the wish list but the Pistons just missed out on Sullinger. Tyler Zeller is more of a true post, Perry Jones is next on that list but his stock has fallen pretty dramatically (as high as #2 a year ago), and Terrence Jones has lost a little luster, too. So if they decide on the best available talent then I think Damian Lillard of Weber State looks good, or if they draft to need then I guess I would go to Perry Jones. I mean, most people seem to think #8 is too high now, but like I said, a year ago they thought he was #2.
9. Utah. Still looking to replace Deron Williams at the point, and pretty sure Devon harris is not the guy, then is is not possible that they would pass on the top-rated pure 1 in the draft, Lillard.
10. New Orleans, again. If they took Beal at #3, then look for the best available front-court player at #10, and that if my top 9 are correct is either Tyler Zeller or Terrence Jones. Their stats are similar but Zeller has had 4 years of college experience and Jones just 2, so the upside potential would be advantage Jones while the more cautious pick with less downside would be Zeller. I guess I think with their 2nd pick in this draft the Hornets will eschew caution and go with Terrence Jones.
11. Portland, again. If Portland has gone inside with its 1st pick, then Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Lamb would be the top perimeter possibilities with their second pick of the 1st round. Barnes has a little more mileage on him and is probably the safer pick, and I think that's the way Portland will go.
12. Milwaukee. The Bucks moved Andrew Bogut with no obvious backup , certainly no really beefy, space-occupying type of backup, so they go for size if possible. Tyler Zeller is the obvious alternative and I can't think of a better one.
13. Houston. The Rockets are doing it with mirrors, I mean their 30-25 W-L record. (This is the Knick's draft pick.) They need a little bit of everything, which is another way of saying best athlete available. But seriously, best inside athlete? That's John Henson. Or best outside athlete? That's Kendall Marshall or Austin Rivers. A couple Tar Heels and a Dookie. And if outside, scorer (Rivers) or distributor (Marshall)? Well, Houston needs it all. So which one is the best athlete? I like Kendall Marshall, so let's just say Marshall. He's got one of the best assist to turnover rates there is. He's not a big combo guy, not yet anyway, he's more of a pure distributor. I think the Rockets can live with that.
14. Phoenix. Imagine Phoenix picking 14th? This is their own pick! When was the last time that happened? Probably the last time they needed a point guard. Rumors of Nash's departure are too persistent to ignore, I think it's gonna happen. So Kendall Marshall woulda been the perfect pick, but Houston beats 'em to the punch. And there's no pure "1" worthy at this spot. So whaddya do? You go for Jeremy Lamb, the 6-5 UConn guard with lots of range.
15. Utah. Got their point guard at #9 so here you go for the best available athlete. I know, broken record. Again that's either Henson or Rivers and I think Utah opts for size this time around.
But here's the good news. If the best you can do is Henson, maybe you're open to a deal. Of course if we're smart enough to be eyeing Ross at #15, maybe so is Utah. Still, I give 'em a call!
16. New Jersey. They're probably gonna lose Deron Williams so it's back to the drawing board. But there's no pure "1" worthy here? All together now: Best available athlete. And now that's Rivers. But again, maybe there's deal to be had--package Barea or Ridnour with Beas? No, I didn't think so. I would probably prefer Rivers myself.
17. Denver. There's a bit of a break here. The obvious blue chippers, the household names, they're pretty much gone now that Marshall and Henson and Rivers are gone. What next? OK, no more of this best available athlete stuff. These are teams that have a nucleus. So both the needs and the pool dictate that you draft to need. And in Denver, where they play uptempo and already have the league's highest scoring team, you play to your strength. That means Terrence Ross of Washington, a skinny scorer who won't get overexposed defensively in Denver's schemes. Great pick for Ross, good pick for Denver.
But, again, would the Nuggies maybe like the idea of Beasley and somebody for this here pick? Doubtful, but again I spend a dime on a call. But once Ross is off the board, I just put my heels up on the table and wait my turn (in another 40 picks or so. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.)
18. Philadelphia. The Phillies have been a big surprise this year--though not so much of late--and they're the exact opposite mirror image of Denver, a team that excels in the half-court and really slows down the other's guys big weapons, and thus has given up the fewest points in the league. Well, I'm old fashioned. In this scenario you shore up your weakness. You look for a little scoring. And at #18 that means Tony Wroten, a 6-5 combo guard and another U-Dub guy. What are the odds, a team that didn't even get into the NCAAs coming in at #17 and #18?
19. Houston. Having gone small at #13, now's the perfect time to go big, but Meyers Leonard or Arnett Moultrie? Leonard is bigger at 7-1, Moultrie (6-11) is 2 years older and more ready. I mean, both are projects as all 7-footers are. But it says here Moultrie plays in 2013, with Leonard it could be 2015. And I don't think the upside is much different, so Moultrie is the obvious choice.
20. Memphis. Now here, finally, is a team that must be thinkin,' If I can just put one more piece of the puzzle in place, why, I can go places. But what piece is that and why do I think I can find one at #20. Well, what I really think is there's somebody somewhere in the NBA who is that piece, and you best your ass I'd move a #20 for that guy. So Memphis trades down for a veteran not named Michael Beasley. But since I don't know who their trade partner is, I just gotta fall back on the best available athlete, and at this point, that means Quincy Miller, the 6-9 frosh from Baylor.
21. Boston. It's very hard to tell what the Celtics are going to want to do, because I don't know who will be back next year. They're really ooooolldd and the old KG and Pierce and Allen and even Rondo are rumored to be moving. And at #21, it's not like you're gonna get somebody to build a franchise around. So Boston could be looking to move up but, if so, we're talking about really moving up, into the top 5. And for that your old-timers don't get it done, you gotta move Rondo for that. So watch for that. But failing a blockbuster, meaning Rondo is still on board, you don't need Marquis Teague. In that case you're looking at Dion Waiters, 6-4 soph guard from Syracuse.
22. Atlanta. The Hawks have been just one-more-piece short of a powerhouse for years now and can't get over the hump. So a blockbuster is a possibility here, too. But failing that, it might be time to replace Joe Johnson, or at least to find an eventual replacement, or else some inside scoring punch would be good. That means Moe Harkless, 6-8 frosh from St. John's.
23. Orlando. Here again, who knows where this team is headed, with or without Dwight Howard. If Howard is gone, you're looking for size. If he returns, you're looking for a coach. Er, no, this is the draft. You're looking for a guard. So let's just say, again, everybody, best available athlete: Marquis Teague, 6-2 point guard from Kentucky.
24. Indiana. I think the Pacers are looking for perimeter help, right about the point in the draft where size predominates again. So what to do? Best available athlete. And now we're talking Jeff Taylor of Vandy, 6-9 forward.
25. Boston. Again, it's hard to say where the Celtics are headed so let's just take the, well, you know what or who. Andrew Nicholson, 6-9 frosh from St. Bonnie.
26. Cleveland. The Cavs got Thomas Robinson at #4, so now it's, well, a guard if somebody worthy is out there. Wow, another Kentucky Wildcat, Doron Lamb.
27. Golden State. This is of course not the Warriors' own pick, it is San Antone's. David Lee is the only guy who's set so other than a big forward..... The best available might be 7-footer Fab Melo of Syracuse anyway.
28. Miami. Actually Miami's needs are severe. They're a 3-man team and 3 is not enough. Against 5, 5 is gonna win. Still, don't need a forward or a shooting guard. What they need is a "1" but there just aren't any in this part of the universe. Tyshawn Taylor of Kansas is staying in school, otherwise he is Miami's guy. In the end, if Miami cannot trade up, or then they will trade down. Houston and Kendall Marshall would be good, or Utah and Austin Rivers is acceptable; then whoever trades down can have Royce White.
29. Oklahoma City. Doesn't need anything; or, needs everything except Durant and Westbrook. How about Mason Plumlee, 6-10, Duke.
30. Chicago. Needs everything except a cruise director. Ya can't teach 6-11 so I'll go with Festus Ezell, the 6-11 post from Vandy.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Oops, Forgot to Put This in My HS Girls Recap
Next Year 2012-2013
AAAA
1. Hopkins
2. Bloomington Kennedy
3. Lakeville North
4. Osseo
5. St. Paul Central
6. Roseville
7. Park
8. Mounds View
9. Eastview
10. Cooper
AAAA PoY--Nia Coffey, Hopkins
AAA
1. DeLaSalle
2. Richfield
3. Park Center
4. Mankato East
5. Fergus Falls
6. Benilde-St. Margaret's
7. Simley
8. Chaska
9. Red wing
10. Monticello
AAA PoY--Tyseanna Johnson, DeLaSalle
AA
1. Providence
2. NRHEG
3. Esko
4. Pine Island
5. Crookston
6. Sauk Centre
7. Staples-Motley
8. Worthington
9. Jordan
10. Minnehaha
AA PoY--Carlie Wagner, NRHEG
A
1. Maranatha
2. Mountain Iron-Buhl
3. Bethlehem Academy
4. Minneota
5. Parkers Prairie
6. Upsala
7. Ada-Borup
8. Pine River-Backus
9. Win-E-Mac
10. MN Valley Lutheran
A PoY-Onye Osemenam, Maranatha
All-State
Nia Coffey, Hopkins, PoY
Tyseanna Johnson, DeLaSalle
Cayla McMorris, Park Center, jr.
Carlie Wagner, NRHEG, jr.
Rebekah Dahlman, Braham
Allina Starr, DeLaSalle
Jessica January, Richfield
Onye Osemenam, Maranatha
Jade Martin, Kennedy
Tia Elbert, Tartan, jr.
Maddie Guebert, Eastview, soph.
Phyllis Webb, Osseo
Brianna Rasmussen, Fergus Falls, jr.
Savanna Trapp, Esko
Mikaala Schackleford, Hopkins
Taylor Anderson, Hopkins
MC McGrory, Edina
Hannah Grim, Rosemount
Jessica Mathews, Bethlehem Academy
Sydney Lamberty, Park
Taylor Reiss, Minneota, soph.
Aimee Pelzer, Upsala
Kanesha Bell, Kennedy, jr.
Grace Coughlin, Benilde-St. Margaret's, jr.
T.T. Starks, Hopkins, soph.
AAAA
1. Hopkins
2. Bloomington Kennedy
3. Lakeville North
4. Osseo
5. St. Paul Central
6. Roseville
7. Park
8. Mounds View
9. Eastview
10. Cooper
AAAA PoY--Nia Coffey, Hopkins
AAA
1. DeLaSalle
2. Richfield
3. Park Center
4. Mankato East
5. Fergus Falls
6. Benilde-St. Margaret's
7. Simley
8. Chaska
9. Red wing
10. Monticello
AAA PoY--Tyseanna Johnson, DeLaSalle
AA
1. Providence
2. NRHEG
3. Esko
4. Pine Island
5. Crookston
6. Sauk Centre
7. Staples-Motley
8. Worthington
9. Jordan
10. Minnehaha
AA PoY--Carlie Wagner, NRHEG
A
1. Maranatha
2. Mountain Iron-Buhl
3. Bethlehem Academy
4. Minneota
5. Parkers Prairie
6. Upsala
7. Ada-Borup
8. Pine River-Backus
9. Win-E-Mac
10. MN Valley Lutheran
A PoY-Onye Osemenam, Maranatha
All-State
Nia Coffey, Hopkins, PoY
Tyseanna Johnson, DeLaSalle
Cayla McMorris, Park Center, jr.
Carlie Wagner, NRHEG, jr.
Rebekah Dahlman, Braham
Allina Starr, DeLaSalle
Jessica January, Richfield
Onye Osemenam, Maranatha
Jade Martin, Kennedy
Tia Elbert, Tartan, jr.
Maddie Guebert, Eastview, soph.
Phyllis Webb, Osseo
Brianna Rasmussen, Fergus Falls, jr.
Savanna Trapp, Esko
Mikaala Schackleford, Hopkins
Taylor Anderson, Hopkins
MC McGrory, Edina
Hannah Grim, Rosemount
Jessica Mathews, Bethlehem Academy
Sydney Lamberty, Park
Taylor Reiss, Minneota, soph.
Aimee Pelzer, Upsala
Kanesha Bell, Kennedy, jr.
Grace Coughlin, Benilde-St. Margaret's, jr.
T.T. Starks, Hopkins, soph.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Minnesota Hoops Player of the Year Poll 2012
Vote for the Minnesota Hoops Player of the Year to the right. Following is some info on the 10 finalists.
Seimone Augustus, Lynx. Helped the Lynx to the WNBA title. She was their leading scorer and most often defended the opponent's top perimeter threat. Not noted as a great defender, perhaps coach Reeve's greatest achievement aside from the title itself was getting Seimone to play as hard on the defensive end as she does on offense.
Rachel Banham, Gophers. Gophers leading scorer, Big 10 freshman of the year, 1st team freshman all-America.
Siyani Chambers, Hopkins. Took his team within a heartbeat of a four-peat and/or a three-peat with him at the controls. Mr. Basketball.
Nia Coffey, Hopkins. Led her team to a repeat as Class AAAA champion. World class defender and improving rapidly on offense. Will be back next year to go for #3.
James Ellisor, Bemidji State. Led the Beavs to the #1 seed in the NSIC, though in part that's due to Winona's use of an ineligible player and subsequent penalties. Still Bemidji was one of the big surprises in small college ball and Ellisor seems clearly to have been the top small college player (D2 or D3, men or women) in the state.
Tyus Jones, Apple Valley. Won a couple of the more prestigious PoY awards, and he's just a sophomore.
Kevin Love, Timberwolves. 27 points and 13 rebounds per game, NBA 3 point shooting champ, should be (but won't) an MVP candidate.
Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves. Lent a dash of, well, dash to the Wolves before his knee injury. Among the league leaders in assists and steals.
Lindsay Whalen, Lynx. The leader on the court, she scores, she orchestrates, she makes her teammates better.
Taylor Young, St. Thomas. Led the Tommies to their 1st Final Four since 2003.
Seimone Augustus, Lynx. Helped the Lynx to the WNBA title. She was their leading scorer and most often defended the opponent's top perimeter threat. Not noted as a great defender, perhaps coach Reeve's greatest achievement aside from the title itself was getting Seimone to play as hard on the defensive end as she does on offense.
Rachel Banham, Gophers. Gophers leading scorer, Big 10 freshman of the year, 1st team freshman all-America.
Siyani Chambers, Hopkins. Took his team within a heartbeat of a four-peat and/or a three-peat with him at the controls. Mr. Basketball.
Nia Coffey, Hopkins. Led her team to a repeat as Class AAAA champion. World class defender and improving rapidly on offense. Will be back next year to go for #3.
James Ellisor, Bemidji State. Led the Beavs to the #1 seed in the NSIC, though in part that's due to Winona's use of an ineligible player and subsequent penalties. Still Bemidji was one of the big surprises in small college ball and Ellisor seems clearly to have been the top small college player (D2 or D3, men or women) in the state.
Tyus Jones, Apple Valley. Won a couple of the more prestigious PoY awards, and he's just a sophomore.
Kevin Love, Timberwolves. 27 points and 13 rebounds per game, NBA 3 point shooting champ, should be (but won't) an MVP candidate.
Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves. Lent a dash of, well, dash to the Wolves before his knee injury. Among the league leaders in assists and steals.
Lindsay Whalen, Lynx. The leader on the court, she scores, she orchestrates, she makes her teammates better.
Taylor Young, St. Thomas. Led the Tommies to their 1st Final Four since 2003.
2012 Season Recap
Well, another basketball season has come and gone--the 100th year, we were told, of Minnesota high school tournament ball, but the 112th year for the selection of a Minnesota Player of the Year by Minnesota Hoops. And, of course, it ain't entirely over. We don't know yet what the magnitude of the Timberwolves' improvement will be, though with Ricky Rubio and several others out with injuries it does not look like our Wolves will finish strongly.
Last year, for the first time, we were able to make it a poll of Minnesota Hoops visitors in selecting Kevin Love as the 2011 PoY. I'll be asking for your help in choosing the 2012 PoY as well. But to begin at the beginning.
Story of the Year
EDIT
1. Doh! Forgot about the Minnesota Lynx WNBA championship! I mean, it's been awhile. I guess one could ask, was that this same season? Was that part of 2011-2012, or was it last year? Was it part of 2010-2011? Well, I say it was part of the new season because Mya Moore played for Connecticut in 2010-2011, and she played for the Lynx in 2011-2012. Okay, so having solved that problem, then, are they the story of 2011-2012? Again, doh! I had the new and improved T-Wolves #1 and this was a vastly better story. So, yes, the Lynx are the story of the year.
END EDIT
2. The Minnesota Timberwolves added some new blood--most notably Ricky Rubio and coach Rick Adelman--and came out in 2013 like a new club, removed from the ineptitude of years gone by. Rubio made himself a strong Rookie of the Year candidate though, now, due to his knee injury, he will be an also-ran in that vote. Adelman should (but won't) get consideration for coach of the year. Kevin Love should (but won't) get consideration for MVP. But while most were healthy the Wolves flirted with the .500 mark and with a playoff spot, neither of which I had expected. Yes, we expected the Wolves to be better, but not this much better. And Rubio? I was a skeptic, and so his performance was the real difference-maker relative to my expectations. But in the end the Wolves have now slumped (3-7 in their last 10) to 25-29, 3.5 games out of the playoffs.
But Love is among the league leaders in scoring (26.5 ppg) and boards (13.7 rpg). Rubio is among the league leaders in assists (8.2 apg) and steals (2.2 spg). And there is optimism for the future, something that has not existed for the past 7 or 8 years. It would seem that good health is all that is really needed to make the next step. Anything less than a playoff spot (at least #6, I mean who wants to go on the road vs. #1 or 2?, so in other words, a winnable match-up in the 1st round) will be a disappointment.
3. Osseo 87 Hopkins 86 (3OT) in boys Class AAAA semi-final. There is no precedent for a three-time defending state champion to lose in triple OT in the state tournament, so by at least that standard this was one of the great games of all-time. Osseo went on to validate the win by taking the state title the next night in another thriller, 49-47 over Lakeville North on an Ian Theisen jumper at the final buzzer. Lots of Osseo and Hopkins talent returns next year so a repeat could be in order, but on the other hand Tyus Jones and Apple Valley could be ready to step in and take the spotlight in boys basketball.
4. St. Thomas women make it to the D3 Final Four. Coach Ruth Sinn and company waltzed through the MIAC undefeated and then swept through the NCAA with almost equal ease before losing to Illinois Wesleyan 67-53. The Tommies then routed #1-rated Amherst 87-60 for 3rd place. Taylor Young was named to the 4th D3Hoops all-America team, the only non-junior or senior named among 20 women. The Tommies bring back an embarrassment of riches next year and a trip to the Final Four surely will be among the team's goals and its fans' expectations.
5. Carlie Wagner arrives. The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva sophomore arrived with a bang. It was the 1st round of the girls Class AA tournament, and it was the game in which Rebekah Dahlman would break Tayler Hill's career scoring record. Well, Dahlman did, scoring 25 to get to 3,895 (versus Hill's career total of 3,888). But Wagner overshadowed Dahlman's great moment, scoring 43 and NRHEG routed the Bombers 75-45. Two nights later she scored a tournament record 48 in the third place game won by NRHEG over Pequot Lakes 71-61, giving her a tournament record of 113 points in three games, also breaking one of Tayler Hill's records.
6. Minnesota Gopher men and women finish strong. It wasn't the NCAA, to be sure. In the case of the Gopher men, it was the NIT. The Gophers won four games--all on the road or a neutral site--before getting hosed by Stanford 75-51 in the final. For the women it wasn't even the WNIT, it was something called the WBI, but hey, call it anything but late for lunch. The Gophers won 4 home games against mid-major teams like Charleston Southern, Bradley, Manhattan and Northern Iowa. Well, a win is a win.
And so both go into next year with significantly higher expectations. The women have Big 10 freshman of the year and 1st string freshmen all-American Rachel Banham back. The men bring back everybody who contributed to that NIT runner-up finish, plus Trevor Mbakwe, who blew out his knee in December, but was granted an extra year of eligibility and so will be back next year. The only real question is how in the world Tubby will distribute minutes across a ridiculously deep roster. For the women the only question is who can replace Kiara Buford as Banham's sidekick and #2 scorer. Gopher fans hope the answer is Kayla Hirt.
Team of the Year
1. Minnesota Lynx 27-7 regular season, 7-1 post-season, 34-8, WNBA champions.
2. St. Thomas women (31-2) and third place in the D3 Final Four
3. Hopkins girls (31-1) and repeat state Class AAAA champions
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-29 as of 4-1-12) for their vast improvement in W and L, and the excitement surrounding them this year
5. Minnesota Gopher men (23-15). It was an up-and-down year. Down means 6-12 in the Big 10. Up means an upset win in the Big 10 tournament and 4 straight wins in the NIT to finish 5-2.
Coach of the Year
1. Rick Adelman, Minnesota Timberwolves. More responsible for Wolves resurgence than anybody.
2. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx. Got everybody on the same page. Not an easy task, as the previous season demonstrated.
3. Ruth Sinn, St. Thomas women. Took Tommies to the D3 Final Four.
4. Brian Cosgriff, Hopkins girls. Won a second straight and fourth overall girls state title.
5. Billy McKee, Augsburg women. From doormat to .500.
Game of the Year
1. Osseo boys 87 Hopkins 86 (OT). Class AAAA boys semi-final.
EDIT: 2. Minnesota Lynx 85 San Antonio Silver Stars 67, Game 3, Conference Semi-finals
3. Gopher women 76 Ohio State 65 at Williams Arena. Well played game on both sides. OSU did not beat themseleves, but the Gophere did.
4. Augsburg women 61 St. Ben's 53. Mike Durbin's 1st loss to Augsburg in 26 years as Bennies' coach.
5. Minnesota Gopher men 77 Indiana 74. At Indiana. Early season game showed how good the Gophers could be, but never were.
6 (tie). Benilde boys 76 Hopkins 71
Wayzata girls 66 Hopkins 57
8. Eastview boys 64 Madison (WI) Memorial 37
Last year, for the first time, we were able to make it a poll of Minnesota Hoops visitors in selecting Kevin Love as the 2011 PoY. I'll be asking for your help in choosing the 2012 PoY as well. But to begin at the beginning.
Story of the Year
EDIT
1. Doh! Forgot about the Minnesota Lynx WNBA championship! I mean, it's been awhile. I guess one could ask, was that this same season? Was that part of 2011-2012, or was it last year? Was it part of 2010-2011? Well, I say it was part of the new season because Mya Moore played for Connecticut in 2010-2011, and she played for the Lynx in 2011-2012. Okay, so having solved that problem, then, are they the story of 2011-2012? Again, doh! I had the new and improved T-Wolves #1 and this was a vastly better story. So, yes, the Lynx are the story of the year.
END EDIT
2. The Minnesota Timberwolves added some new blood--most notably Ricky Rubio and coach Rick Adelman--and came out in 2013 like a new club, removed from the ineptitude of years gone by. Rubio made himself a strong Rookie of the Year candidate though, now, due to his knee injury, he will be an also-ran in that vote. Adelman should (but won't) get consideration for coach of the year. Kevin Love should (but won't) get consideration for MVP. But while most were healthy the Wolves flirted with the .500 mark and with a playoff spot, neither of which I had expected. Yes, we expected the Wolves to be better, but not this much better. And Rubio? I was a skeptic, and so his performance was the real difference-maker relative to my expectations. But in the end the Wolves have now slumped (3-7 in their last 10) to 25-29, 3.5 games out of the playoffs.
But Love is among the league leaders in scoring (26.5 ppg) and boards (13.7 rpg). Rubio is among the league leaders in assists (8.2 apg) and steals (2.2 spg). And there is optimism for the future, something that has not existed for the past 7 or 8 years. It would seem that good health is all that is really needed to make the next step. Anything less than a playoff spot (at least #6, I mean who wants to go on the road vs. #1 or 2?, so in other words, a winnable match-up in the 1st round) will be a disappointment.
3. Osseo 87 Hopkins 86 (3OT) in boys Class AAAA semi-final. There is no precedent for a three-time defending state champion to lose in triple OT in the state tournament, so by at least that standard this was one of the great games of all-time. Osseo went on to validate the win by taking the state title the next night in another thriller, 49-47 over Lakeville North on an Ian Theisen jumper at the final buzzer. Lots of Osseo and Hopkins talent returns next year so a repeat could be in order, but on the other hand Tyus Jones and Apple Valley could be ready to step in and take the spotlight in boys basketball.
4. St. Thomas women make it to the D3 Final Four. Coach Ruth Sinn and company waltzed through the MIAC undefeated and then swept through the NCAA with almost equal ease before losing to Illinois Wesleyan 67-53. The Tommies then routed #1-rated Amherst 87-60 for 3rd place. Taylor Young was named to the 4th D3Hoops all-America team, the only non-junior or senior named among 20 women. The Tommies bring back an embarrassment of riches next year and a trip to the Final Four surely will be among the team's goals and its fans' expectations.
5. Carlie Wagner arrives. The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva sophomore arrived with a bang. It was the 1st round of the girls Class AA tournament, and it was the game in which Rebekah Dahlman would break Tayler Hill's career scoring record. Well, Dahlman did, scoring 25 to get to 3,895 (versus Hill's career total of 3,888). But Wagner overshadowed Dahlman's great moment, scoring 43 and NRHEG routed the Bombers 75-45. Two nights later she scored a tournament record 48 in the third place game won by NRHEG over Pequot Lakes 71-61, giving her a tournament record of 113 points in three games, also breaking one of Tayler Hill's records.
6. Minnesota Gopher men and women finish strong. It wasn't the NCAA, to be sure. In the case of the Gopher men, it was the NIT. The Gophers won four games--all on the road or a neutral site--before getting hosed by Stanford 75-51 in the final. For the women it wasn't even the WNIT, it was something called the WBI, but hey, call it anything but late for lunch. The Gophers won 4 home games against mid-major teams like Charleston Southern, Bradley, Manhattan and Northern Iowa. Well, a win is a win.
And so both go into next year with significantly higher expectations. The women have Big 10 freshman of the year and 1st string freshmen all-American Rachel Banham back. The men bring back everybody who contributed to that NIT runner-up finish, plus Trevor Mbakwe, who blew out his knee in December, but was granted an extra year of eligibility and so will be back next year. The only real question is how in the world Tubby will distribute minutes across a ridiculously deep roster. For the women the only question is who can replace Kiara Buford as Banham's sidekick and #2 scorer. Gopher fans hope the answer is Kayla Hirt.
Team of the Year
1. Minnesota Lynx 27-7 regular season, 7-1 post-season, 34-8, WNBA champions.
2. St. Thomas women (31-2) and third place in the D3 Final Four
3. Hopkins girls (31-1) and repeat state Class AAAA champions
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-29 as of 4-1-12) for their vast improvement in W and L, and the excitement surrounding them this year
5. Minnesota Gopher men (23-15). It was an up-and-down year. Down means 6-12 in the Big 10. Up means an upset win in the Big 10 tournament and 4 straight wins in the NIT to finish 5-2.
Coach of the Year
1. Rick Adelman, Minnesota Timberwolves. More responsible for Wolves resurgence than anybody.
2. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota Lynx. Got everybody on the same page. Not an easy task, as the previous season demonstrated.
3. Ruth Sinn, St. Thomas women. Took Tommies to the D3 Final Four.
4. Brian Cosgriff, Hopkins girls. Won a second straight and fourth overall girls state title.
5. Billy McKee, Augsburg women. From doormat to .500.
Game of the Year
1. Osseo boys 87 Hopkins 86 (OT). Class AAAA boys semi-final.
EDIT: 2. Minnesota Lynx 85 San Antonio Silver Stars 67, Game 3, Conference Semi-finals
3. Gopher women 76 Ohio State 65 at Williams Arena. Well played game on both sides. OSU did not beat themseleves, but the Gophere did.
4. Augsburg women 61 St. Ben's 53. Mike Durbin's 1st loss to Augsburg in 26 years as Bennies' coach.
5. Minnesota Gopher men 77 Indiana 74. At Indiana. Early season game showed how good the Gophers could be, but never were.
6 (tie). Benilde boys 76 Hopkins 71
Wayzata girls 66 Hopkins 57
8. Eastview boys 64 Madison (WI) Memorial 37
Friday, March 30, 2012
Minnesota 2011-2012 Season Awards Candidates
Player of the Year Candidates
Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota Lynx, PG. In case you'd forgotten, the Lynx won the WNBA title this (2011-2012) basketball season in darn near a cakewalk, and many thought that Whalen was their best player. She scored 12 ppg on 46 percent shooting and team-bests of 4 assists and 1.5 steals.
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves, PF. Just keeps getting better, and now he's pulling his team along with him. Averaging 27 points and 14 boards, while the Wolves are 25-27 and 2.5 games out of the playoffs.
Rachel Banham, Minnesota Gopher women, fr., PG. Scored 16 ppg as a true freshman, and added 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Tyus Jones, Apple Valley boys, soph., PG. Will be the most heavily recruited Minnesota boy before he's through.
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves, PG. A terrifically charismatic and creative force with the rock, he averaged 11 points and 8 assists before going down with the knee injury. Along with Adelman and Love, most responsible for the Wolves' turnaround.
Nia Coffey, Hopkins girls, jr., F. Girls player of the year according to several selections. A terrific force on defense, creating turnovers, mopping up on the boards. Does it all.
Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx, SG. In case you'd forgotten, the Lynx won the WNBA title last year in darn near a cakewalk, and shooting guard Augustus was the Lynx' top vote-getting in WNBA MVP voting. She was also the Lynx' leading scorer at 22 ppg on the ridiculous shooting percentage for her position of 53 percent.
Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota Gopher men, sr., PF. A man among boys until he tore his ACL. He scored 14 ppg on 60 percent shooting, and he added 9 boards per game. Now it looks like he'll be back for a 6th year.
Joey King, Eastview, sr., F. One and done in the state tournament, but he is a force and a high flyer.
James Ellisor, Bemidji State, sr., F. Led the Beavers to a shocking #1 seed in the NSIC playoffs. NSIC Player of the Year, very deservedly so.
Coach of the Year Candidates
Rick Adelman, Minnesota Timberwolves. Probably deserves more credit than anybody for the Wolves improvement.
Ruth Sinn, St. Thomas women. Took her Tommies to the Final Four for the 1st time since 2002.
Billy McKee, Augsburg women. Made a moribund program competitive again.
Tim Thiesen, Osseo boys. Pulled the big upset.
Mark Gerber, Eastview boys. The best team in the state for much of the season, no more so than when beating Lakeville North, Apple Valley and Madison (WI) Memorial in one week.
Tubby Smith, Minnesota Gophers. Gophers showed signs of breaking through.
Dave Montbriand, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa. Second time was the charm.
Matt Bowen, Bemidji State. Led Bemidji to a shocking #1 seed into NSIC post-season tournament.
Team of the Year Candidates
Hopkins girls. Repeat Class AAAA champs. Would have been unbeatable except they somehow lost one.
St. Thomas women. Made it all the way to the D3 Final Four.
Minnesota Timberwolves, Improvement, competitiveness, excitement at last.
Eastview boys. They didn't win it all but nobody has ever had a week like they had in January, beating Lakeville North, Apple Valley and Madison (WI) Memorial.
St. Thomas men. Regular season co-champion, post-season champion of the MIAC.
Osseo boys. Pulled the big upset of the year 87-86 over Hopkins in 3OT in the state semi.
Winona State men. Regular season champion of the NSIC but for use of an ineligible player.
Gopher men. Showed signs of life.
Augsburg women. Much improved, from doormat to nearly .500 in the MIAC.
Bemidji State men. Won the #1 seed into the NSIC tournament.
Game of the Year Candidates
Osseo boys 87 Hopkins 86 (3OT), state AAAA semi-final
Minnesota Gopher women 76 Ohio State 65, Big 10 regular season game
Augsburg women 61 St. Ben's 53. Mike Durkin's 1st loss to Augsburg in his 26 years on the job.
Eastview boys 64 Madison Memorial 37
Prairie Seeds boys 165 Math & Science Academy 37. All-time high scoring game for 1 team.
Augsburg men 74 Houston Baptist 68. Rare D3 over D1 upset.
Moorhead State men 81 Ausustana 76
(tie) Moorhead State men 90 Winona State 72
Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota Lynx, PG. In case you'd forgotten, the Lynx won the WNBA title this (2011-2012) basketball season in darn near a cakewalk, and many thought that Whalen was their best player. She scored 12 ppg on 46 percent shooting and team-bests of 4 assists and 1.5 steals.
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves, PF. Just keeps getting better, and now he's pulling his team along with him. Averaging 27 points and 14 boards, while the Wolves are 25-27 and 2.5 games out of the playoffs.
Rachel Banham, Minnesota Gopher women, fr., PG. Scored 16 ppg as a true freshman, and added 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Tyus Jones, Apple Valley boys, soph., PG. Will be the most heavily recruited Minnesota boy before he's through.
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves, PG. A terrifically charismatic and creative force with the rock, he averaged 11 points and 8 assists before going down with the knee injury. Along with Adelman and Love, most responsible for the Wolves' turnaround.
Nia Coffey, Hopkins girls, jr., F. Girls player of the year according to several selections. A terrific force on defense, creating turnovers, mopping up on the boards. Does it all.
Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx, SG. In case you'd forgotten, the Lynx won the WNBA title last year in darn near a cakewalk, and shooting guard Augustus was the Lynx' top vote-getting in WNBA MVP voting. She was also the Lynx' leading scorer at 22 ppg on the ridiculous shooting percentage for her position of 53 percent.
Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota Gopher men, sr., PF. A man among boys until he tore his ACL. He scored 14 ppg on 60 percent shooting, and he added 9 boards per game. Now it looks like he'll be back for a 6th year.
Joey King, Eastview, sr., F. One and done in the state tournament, but he is a force and a high flyer.
James Ellisor, Bemidji State, sr., F. Led the Beavers to a shocking #1 seed in the NSIC playoffs. NSIC Player of the Year, very deservedly so.
Coach of the Year Candidates
Rick Adelman, Minnesota Timberwolves. Probably deserves more credit than anybody for the Wolves improvement.
Ruth Sinn, St. Thomas women. Took her Tommies to the Final Four for the 1st time since 2002.
Billy McKee, Augsburg women. Made a moribund program competitive again.
Brian Cosgriff, Hopkins girls. Repeat Class AAAA champions, Cosgriff's 4th overall.
Johnny Tauer, St. Thomas men. Led Tommies to co-championship of regular season and championship of post-season in his 1st year as Steve Fritz' successor.
Mark Gerber, Eastview boys. The best team in the state for much of the season, no more so than when beating Lakeville North, Apple Valley and Madison (WI) Memorial in one week.
Tubby Smith, Minnesota Gophers. Gophers showed signs of breaking through.
Dave Montbriand, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa. Second time was the charm.
Matt Bowen, Bemidji State. Led Bemidji to a shocking #1 seed into NSIC post-season tournament.
Team of the Year Candidates
Hopkins girls. Repeat Class AAAA champs. Would have been unbeatable except they somehow lost one.
St. Thomas women. Made it all the way to the D3 Final Four.
Minnesota Timberwolves, Improvement, competitiveness, excitement at last.
Eastview boys. They didn't win it all but nobody has ever had a week like they had in January, beating Lakeville North, Apple Valley and Madison (WI) Memorial.
St. Thomas men. Regular season co-champion, post-season champion of the MIAC.
Osseo boys. Pulled the big upset of the year 87-86 over Hopkins in 3OT in the state semi.
Winona State men. Regular season champion of the NSIC but for use of an ineligible player.
Gopher men. Showed signs of life.
Augsburg women. Much improved, from doormat to nearly .500 in the MIAC.
Bemidji State men. Won the #1 seed into the NSIC tournament.
Game of the Year Candidates
Osseo boys 87 Hopkins 86 (3OT), state AAAA semi-final
Minnesota Gopher women 76 Ohio State 65, Big 10 regular season game
Augsburg women 61 St. Ben's 53. Mike Durkin's 1st loss to Augsburg in his 26 years on the job.
Minnesota Gopher men 77 Indiana 74
Benilde boys 76 Hopkins 71
Wayzata girls 66 Hopkins 57
Eastview boys 64 Madison Memorial 37
Prairie Seeds boys 165 Math & Science Academy 37. All-time high scoring game for 1 team.
Augsburg men 74 Houston Baptist 68. Rare D3 over D1 upset.
Moorhead State men 81 Ausustana 76
(tie) Moorhead State men 90 Winona State 72
Minnesota Hoops Girls All-State Team
I have already published by my girls all-state basketball team but I thought I would compare it to some of the others out there. Included in my "consensus all-state" calculations are the AP and Pioneer Press all-state teams, the Tribune all-metro team, the Ms. Basketball finalists, the coaches all-state team, the all-state-tournament teams and, finally, just out today, Kevin Andersons' "Dozen" best players. I had hoped to include Gary Knox's choices from over at gPrep. There's a 2011 all-state team posted, but nothing for 2012 yet, and I got tired of waiting. But the consensus all-state team consists of the following, with my picks indicated insofar as they diverge from the consensus. They're listed in order of how many points they picked up (3 for a 1st team, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd, and etc.).
Consensus All-State (among 8 teams) with my picks for comparison
Nia Coffey, Hopkins, Sr., F
Tyseanna Johnson, DeLaSalle, Jr., F--my 1st team (note that I pick a 6th player for a total of 6 per team)
Whitney Tinjum, Chisago Lakes, Sr., F
Alexis Foley, White Bear Lake, Sr., G--my 3rd team
Jessica January, Richfield, Jr., G--my 2nd team
Marissa Grossfeld, Wayzata, Sr., F
Katybeth Biewen, Edina, Sr., G--my 2nd team
Shayne Mullaney, Eden Prairie, Sr., G--my 2nd team
Kali Peschel, Sauk Centre, Sr., F--my 4th team
Allina Starr, DeLaSalle, Jr., G--my 3rd team
Brittney Scherber, Bloomington Jefferson, Sr., G--my 3rd team
AnneMarie Healy, Providence, Sr., F
Maria Mohnke, Fergus Falls, Sr., C--not on my top 4 teams
Consensus All-State (among 8 teams) with my picks for comparison
First Team
Nia Coffey, Hopkins, Sr., F
Marissa Janning, Watertown-Mayer, Jr.., G
Jackie Johnson, Eden Prairie, Sr., C
Carlie Wagner, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, Soph., G--my 2nd team
Rebekah Dakhman, Braham, Jr., G
Jackie Johnson, Eden Prairie, Sr., C
Carlie Wagner, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, Soph., G--my 2nd team
Rebekah Dakhman, Braham, Jr., G
Second Team
Tyseanna Johnson, DeLaSalle, Jr., F--my 1st team (note that I pick a 6th player for a total of 6 per team)
Whitney Tinjum, Chisago Lakes, Sr., F
Alexis Foley, White Bear Lake, Sr., G--my 3rd team
Tessa Cichy, Hill-Murray, Sr., G--my 3rd team
Sydney Coffey, Hopkins, Sr., F--my 1st team
Sydney Coffey, Hopkins, Sr., F--my 1st team
Third Team
Jessica January, Richfield, Jr., G--my 2nd team
Marissa Grossfeld, Wayzata, Sr., F
Katybeth Biewen, Edina, Sr., G--my 2nd team
Shayne Mullaney, Eden Prairie, Sr., G--my 2nd team
Kali Peschel, Sauk Centre, Sr., F--my 4th team
Fourth Team
Allina Starr, DeLaSalle, Jr., G--my 3rd team
Brittney Scherber, Bloomington Jefferson, Sr., G--my 3rd team
AnneMarie Healy, Providence, Sr., F
Maria Mohnke, Fergus Falls, Sr., C--not on my top 4 teams
Kadidjah Shumpert, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Sr., F--my 3rd team
Kayla Timmerman, Wayzata, Sr., C
Not among the consensus but on my teams:
Cayla McMorris, Park Center, soph., F--my 2nd team
Mia Loyd, DeLaSalle, Sr., F--my 4th team
Tia Elbert, Tartan, Soph., G--my 4th team
Maddie Guebert, Eastview, Soph., G--my 4th team
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Boys HS Season Recap
The state tournament recap is elsewhere. Here we look back over the entire season. First, the consensus all-state (various different all-state, all-metro, Mr. Basketball, etc. etc.) all mushed together, plus my all-state team where it differs. Then the overall top 50 follows.
Consensus All-State and My All-State (where it differs, unless called out, I am in agreement)
1st Team
Siyani Chambers, Hopkins, sr., G--my Player of the Year, my overall state tournament MVP
Tyus Jones, Apple Valley, soph., G--AP Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year
Joey King, Eastview, sr., F
Sanjay Lumpkin, Benilde-SM, sr., F--my 3rd team
Isaiah Zierden, Benilde-SM, sr., G--my 2nd team
2nd Team
Johnny Woodard, Duluth East, sr., G--my 3rd team
Rashad Vaughn, Cooper, soph., F
Reid Travis, DeLaSalle, soph., C
Travis Vaughan, Braham, sr., G
Zach Huisken, Southwest MN Christian, sr., C--my 3rd team
3rd Team
Marcus Marshall, St. Paul Johnson, sr., G--my 1st team
Sean Scott, Spring Lake Park, sr., F--my 1st team
Austin Pohlen, Grand Rapids, sr., G
Mike Tyus, Anoka, sr., G--my 4th team
Quinton Hooker, Park Center, jr., G--not on my 1st through 4th teams
4th Team
Alex Illikainen, Grand Rapids, fr., C
Ian Theissen, Osseo, soph., C
Sander Mohn, Eden Prairie, sr., G--my 4th team
Connor Goodwin, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, sr., C--not on my 1st through 4th teams
Kebu Johnson, Blake, jr., F--not on my 1st through 4th teams
Not Consensus All-State
Anders Broman, Lakeview Christian, jr., F--my 2nd team
Tyler Flack, Lakeville North, sr., F--my 3rd team
Joey Bartlett, St. Peter, sr., F--my 4th team
Final Top 50
1. Hopkins 30-2--if they play the state tournament 10 times, Hopkins wins 7
2. Osseo 30-2--but they only play it once, and Osseo is Class AAAA champion
3. Lakeville North 30-2--Class AAAA runners-up
4. Eastview 30-2
5. DeLaSalle 26-6--Class AAA champion
6. Minneapolis Washburn 29-3--Class AAA runners-up
7. Benilde-St. Margaret's 27-2
8. Eden Prairie 23-9
9. Apple Valley 23-6
10. Woodbury 24-6
11. Roseville 24-5
12. Chanhassan 23-6
13. Cretin-Derham Hall 19-9
14. Spring Lake Park 23-6
15. St. Paul Johnson 22-9
16. Edina 19-10
17. Champlin Park 18-11
18. Minnetonka 19-9
19. Wayzata 19-8
20. Grand Rapids 25-7
21. Park Center 18-9
22. Austin 23-6
23. Moorhead 18-10
24. Mankato East 25-5
25. Owatonna 22-7
26. Mounds View 18-10
27. Blake 24-4
28. Plainview-Elgin-Millville 27-6--Class AA champion
29. Detroit Lakes 22-8
30. Tartan 20-7
31. Buffalo 17-10
32. St. Thomas 18-11
33. St. Peter 28-2
34. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 33-0--Class A champion
35. Waconia 22-7
36. Duluth Denfeld 21-8
37. Blaine 17-12
38. Southwest MN Christian 28-2--Class A runners-up
39. Willmar 18-9
40. Rocori 18-12
41. Litchfield 26-6--Class AA runners-up
42. Zimmerman 23-5
43. Eagan 15-13
44. Rogers 19-9
45. Delano 22-7
46. Rushford-Peterson 26-6
47. White Bear Lake 15-13
48. St. Michael-Albertville 20-7
49. Perham 29-3
50. Braham 20-3
Next Year
Class AAAA--Apple Valley is the early favorite, yes, even vs. Hopkins, though I would not recommend underestimating Hopkins. All of the other state tournament teams have some talent coming back and will be a contender to return to the tournament, but I doubt if any of them have enough talent to contend for the state title. On paper, in other words, Apple Valley is a pretty solid favorite. I guess I'd make Osseo #3, Park Center #4 and Eden Prairie #5.
Class AAA--DeLaSalle will be loaded next year. It has been rumored that Wally Ellenson's (Minnesota Gophers recruit from Rice Lake, WI) brothers will be following him to the Twin Cities and enrolling at DeLaSalle (2 kids worth about 25 ppg between them). But this of course is just a rumor, like Ricky Rubio's sister coming to Hopkins. Stay tuned. Austin #2 and Grand Rapids #3 should be tough. Maybe Blake #4 and Johnson #5.
Class AA--Here I have no idea what to expect. Wide open. Let's say Litchfield #1 with Fairmont and Melrose following.
Class A--BBE has some talent coming back as does Lakeview Christian, they would be obvious #1 and #2 to start the new season. How about Dawson-Boyd #3, Browerville #4 and Sleepy Eye St. Mary's #5.
All-State--Tyus Jones, Anders Broman, Rashad Vaughn, Reid Travis, Ian Theissen
Consensus All-State and My All-State (where it differs, unless called out, I am in agreement)
1st Team
Siyani Chambers, Hopkins, sr., G--my Player of the Year, my overall state tournament MVP
Tyus Jones, Apple Valley, soph., G--AP Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year
Joey King, Eastview, sr., F
Sanjay Lumpkin, Benilde-SM, sr., F--my 3rd team
Isaiah Zierden, Benilde-SM, sr., G--my 2nd team
2nd Team
Johnny Woodard, Duluth East, sr., G--my 3rd team
Rashad Vaughn, Cooper, soph., F
Reid Travis, DeLaSalle, soph., C
Travis Vaughan, Braham, sr., G
Zach Huisken, Southwest MN Christian, sr., C--my 3rd team
3rd Team
Marcus Marshall, St. Paul Johnson, sr., G--my 1st team
Sean Scott, Spring Lake Park, sr., F--my 1st team
Austin Pohlen, Grand Rapids, sr., G
Mike Tyus, Anoka, sr., G--my 4th team
Quinton Hooker, Park Center, jr., G--not on my 1st through 4th teams
4th Team
Alex Illikainen, Grand Rapids, fr., C
Ian Theissen, Osseo, soph., C
Sander Mohn, Eden Prairie, sr., G--my 4th team
Connor Goodwin, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, sr., C--not on my 1st through 4th teams
Kebu Johnson, Blake, jr., F--not on my 1st through 4th teams
Not Consensus All-State
Anders Broman, Lakeview Christian, jr., F--my 2nd team
Tyler Flack, Lakeville North, sr., F--my 3rd team
Joey Bartlett, St. Peter, sr., F--my 4th team
Final Top 50
1. Hopkins 30-2--if they play the state tournament 10 times, Hopkins wins 7
2. Osseo 30-2--but they only play it once, and Osseo is Class AAAA champion
3. Lakeville North 30-2--Class AAAA runners-up
4. Eastview 30-2
5. DeLaSalle 26-6--Class AAA champion
6. Minneapolis Washburn 29-3--Class AAA runners-up
7. Benilde-St. Margaret's 27-2
8. Eden Prairie 23-9
9. Apple Valley 23-6
10. Woodbury 24-6
11. Roseville 24-5
12. Chanhassan 23-6
13. Cretin-Derham Hall 19-9
14. Spring Lake Park 23-6
15. St. Paul Johnson 22-9
16. Edina 19-10
17. Champlin Park 18-11
18. Minnetonka 19-9
19. Wayzata 19-8
20. Grand Rapids 25-7
21. Park Center 18-9
22. Austin 23-6
23. Moorhead 18-10
24. Mankato East 25-5
25. Owatonna 22-7
26. Mounds View 18-10
27. Blake 24-4
28. Plainview-Elgin-Millville 27-6--Class AA champion
29. Detroit Lakes 22-8
30. Tartan 20-7
31. Buffalo 17-10
32. St. Thomas 18-11
33. St. Peter 28-2
34. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 33-0--Class A champion
35. Waconia 22-7
36. Duluth Denfeld 21-8
37. Blaine 17-12
38. Southwest MN Christian 28-2--Class A runners-up
39. Willmar 18-9
40. Rocori 18-12
41. Litchfield 26-6--Class AA runners-up
42. Zimmerman 23-5
43. Eagan 15-13
44. Rogers 19-9
45. Delano 22-7
46. Rushford-Peterson 26-6
47. White Bear Lake 15-13
48. St. Michael-Albertville 20-7
49. Perham 29-3
50. Braham 20-3
Next Year
Class AAAA--Apple Valley is the early favorite, yes, even vs. Hopkins, though I would not recommend underestimating Hopkins. All of the other state tournament teams have some talent coming back and will be a contender to return to the tournament, but I doubt if any of them have enough talent to contend for the state title. On paper, in other words, Apple Valley is a pretty solid favorite. I guess I'd make Osseo #3, Park Center #4 and Eden Prairie #5.
Class AAA--DeLaSalle will be loaded next year. It has been rumored that Wally Ellenson's (Minnesota Gophers recruit from Rice Lake, WI) brothers will be following him to the Twin Cities and enrolling at DeLaSalle (2 kids worth about 25 ppg between them). But this of course is just a rumor, like Ricky Rubio's sister coming to Hopkins. Stay tuned. Austin #2 and Grand Rapids #3 should be tough. Maybe Blake #4 and Johnson #5.
Class AA--Here I have no idea what to expect. Wide open. Let's say Litchfield #1 with Fairmont and Melrose following.
Class A--BBE has some talent coming back as does Lakeview Christian, they would be obvious #1 and #2 to start the new season. How about Dawson-Boyd #3, Browerville #4 and Sleepy Eye St. Mary's #5.
All-State--Tyus Jones, Anders Broman, Rashad Vaughn, Reid Travis, Ian Theissen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)