What If…The CLC vs Big Nine Challenge
Today’s “What If” runs through the Big 9 vs CLC Challenge that has been discussed several times but we haven’t seen, and likely won’t see. Who would win? When I first started writing about Minnesota high school basketball 13 years…
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Continue ReadingToday’s “What If” runs through the Big 9 vs CLC Challenge that has been discussed several times but we haven’t seen, and likely won’t see. Who would win?
When I first started writing about Minnesota high school basketball 13 years ago a Big Nine versus Central Lakes Conference Challenge was talked about but never happened. There was always a verbal battle of “who would win?” and “who is better?”
This would likely never happen now because the Big Nine has been expanded from ten teams to a dozen meaning there are 22 conference games. With 22 league games and the Rochester teams having to play in the Rotary that doesn’t leave much wiggle room for non-league games
What would the match-ups look like? Who would win? We dive into that now (had to leave three teams off from the Big Nine).
St. Cloud Tech vs Rochester JM. The Rockets from John Marshall are more experienced and have the star power from Matthew Hurt while St. Cloud Tech is led by Brevin Spann-Ford. Tech may actually be a bit deeper but JM has the size to match them and has much more scoring power from Hurt, Isaiah Walden, and Dedoch Chan. JM is our pick. Big Nine 1-0.
Fergus Falls vs Austin. The second place team in state against the Packers who are the only Class AAA top ten team that can come close to matching the DeLaSalle athletes. They may be the longest team in Class AAA. The Otters were second in state after a great run but the Packers are the up and comer. This would depend on when it’s played and I think it would have been early in the year so I say the Otters. Tie 1-1.
Rocori vs Northfield. Rocori’s system is tough for new teams that haven’t played them to deal with but the Raiders have several tough guys. Hunter Koep and Alex Rasmussen are quality. Derek Thompson is the best in the game but Northfield has the size to try and defend him. Rocori has the backcourt edge. Very close, but I say Rocori by a basket. CLC up 2-1.
Alexandria vs Owatonna. Alex is making a run at state while Owatonna is making a run back to being top contenders. Owatonna is a bigger program and they have a great junior class of forwards plus a nice lead guard in Jay Sullivan. Spencer Hockert against Jay Sullivan would be good, as would Dalton Kubista against Jaran Roste. I’ll go with the more experienced club, Alex. CLC up 3-1.
Sauk Rapids-Rice vs Faribault. Kade Hart inside would be able to limit Cody Landwehr and Tyler Kranz up front but not enough. The Storm lost their lead guard to a transfer where as the Falcons have TJ Hunt. The Storm seem to be deeper but the Falcons have had their coach for a couple years where as the Storm is a mystery. CLC up 3-2.
Brainerd vs Mankato East. What will Brainerd be? They will be good, likely just about .500 as they have starters back. They will run their system and have seniors doing it while the East junior class should keep them near the 20 win mark although next year is their big season. CLC up 4-2 as Brainerd gets it.
St. Cloud Apollo vs Mankato West. Apollo fought like crazy last year and gave competitive games but they were an average squad. Now they lost their coach Dean Kessler and their best players. West also lost their coach and Jake Dale so the teams are in the same boat. West has more returning and hired a veteran head guy. West wins, CLC up 4-3.
Sartell vs Winona. A couple mystery teams, we bring them together as it’s a match of teams that likely have never seen one another in competition before. Both have a couple guys back from the rotation, Winona’s are a big more talented. Winhawks win, tie it up. 4-4.
Willmar vs Rochester Mayo. Here is where the Big Nine has an edge, they can pick who they send. Mayo is better than Willmar, as will be Red Wing but Century and Albert Lea won’t be. We pick Mayo because they are off to a fresh start with a new coach plus have Trajan Grimsrud back. Noah Slagter returns for Willmar but Mayo wins. Big Nine takes it 5-4.
That is that, Big Nine would take it. Now, whatever leagues would make for a great challenge? Lake’s five against NW Suburban or South Suburban. NW Suburban vs South Suburban, or you can add in the SEC too. And of course Metro East vs Metro West would be fun.