The Big Nine Preview
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The state of Minnesota has 48 conferences so it’s time for us to start previewing the 2021-22 season. We at Prep Hoops will hit up the previews via conferences, sections, individual teams, and some individual ways over the next 2.5…
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Continue ReadingThe state of Minnesota has 48 conferences so it’s time for us to start previewing the 2021-22 season. We at Prep Hoops will hit up the previews via conferences, sections, individual teams, and some individual ways over the next 2.5 months, and today we get rolling with the Big Nine Preview (ABC order).
Conference Commentary
Top Ten in State: Mankato East, Austin, Mankato West, Owatonna
After winning Section 1AAAA last season and bringing back all of their key ingredients from a 2-loss Big Nine team, Owatonna is our pick to win the league. They have their center and both backcourt members returning which is all of their top production. Mankato East is right behind them with their long, active line-up so we expect them to be neck and neck with the Huskies. Austin is always a contender and will be right on everyone’s heels while last year’s champ Mankato West has a great shot too. Austin and West lost the most value from their starting groups but they are still right there as contenders, they just have 1 or 2 more big roles to fill than the other top contenders.
Compete with Most: Rochester Mayo, Winona, Rochester Century, Northfield, Red Wing, Albert Lea
Albert Lea you say? Yes I know they were winless last season and have a long, long way to go to even match 2020’s finish, but I just can’t see a team with a Pal Wal Pal Wal 6'5" | PF Albert Lea | 2023 State MN in the line-up not being competitive. Rochester Mayo has to replace most of their starters but Isaiah Hanson Isaiah Hanson 6'4" | SG Rochester Mayo | 2023 State MN is their best returning player. Century has a great frontline and solid guard play while Northfield has some talent coming of age. Red Wing has their top three players back.
Rebuilding: Rochester JM, Faribault
21-22 Conference Predictions
Big Nine
- Owatonna
- Mankato East
- Austin
- Mankato West
- Rochester Century
- Northfield
- Winona
- Red Wing
- Rochester Mayo
- Albert Lea
- Rochester JM
- Faribault
Preseason All Big Nine
First Team
BJ Omot BJ Omot 6'8" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State #231 Nation MN of Mankato East (sr)
Mekhi Collins Mekhi Collins 6'5" | PF Mankato West | 2022 State MN of Mankato West (sr)
Brayden Williams Brayden Williams 6'3" | PG Owatonna | 2022 State MN of Owatonna (sr)
Emmanuel Manyuon Emmanuel Manyuon 6'1" | SG Austin | 2022 MN of Austin (sr)
Jasper Hedin Jasper Hedin 6'5" | SF Winona | 2022 State MN of Winona (sr)
Second Team
Puolrah Gong Puolrah Gong 6'6" | PF Mankato East | 2022 State MN of Mankato East (sr)
Jaden Wysocki Jaden Wysocki 6'6" | PF Rochester Century | 2022 State MN of Rochester Century (sr)
Evan Dushek Evan Dushek 6'8" | C Owatonna | 2022 State MN of Owatonna (sr)
Pal Wal Pal Wal 6'5" | PF Albert Lea | 2023 State MN of Albert Lea (jr)
Soren Richardson Soren Richardson 6'2" | SG Northfield | 2023 MN of Northfield (jr)
Third Team
Ty Creger Ty Creger 6'0" | PG Owatonna | 2022 State MN of Owatonna (sr)
Luke Kottom Luke Kottom 6'8" | PF Rochester Century | 2022 State MN of Rochester Century (sr)
Isaiah Hanson Isaiah Hanson 6'4" | SG Rochester Mayo | 2023 State MN of Rochester Mayo (jr)
Victor Idris Victor Idris 6'4" | SF Austin | 2022 State MN of Austin (sr)
Sean Clement Sean Clement 6'3" | SG Mankato East | 2022 State MN of Mankato East (sr)
Fourth Team
Cham Okey Cham Okey 6'3" | SG Austin | 2023 MN of Austin (jr)
Louis Magers Louis Magers 6'4" | SF Mankato West | 2022 State MN of Mankato West (sr)
Denval Atkinson Denval Atkinson 6'4" | PF Red Wing | 2022 MN of Red Wing (sr)
Jalen Hayes Jalen Hayes 6'1" | SF Mankato East | 2023 State MN of Mankato West (jr)
Deso Buck Deso Buck 6'1" | SG Red Wing | 2022 State MN of Red Wing (sr)