Big Eight Shootout Preview

I really like the idea of the Big Eight shootout. Having all the teams in a conference playing at one location is really a great idea. Only thing that may be better is having a conference vs conference battle where teams from one conference are playing teams all from another conference. Since a conference battle isn't happening having everyone in the conference play at one location against an evenly matched opponent is the next best thing. So here are my predictions from the shootout.....

Day 1

Sun Praire over Stoughton
Two lower level teams from each of their conferences. I'll take Sun Praire as they come from the tougher conference and Stoughton lost their top two players from last years team.

Verona over Middleton
Verona returns four players from a state team from a year ago and Middleton lost all five starters. Verona should cruise to a win pounding it inside to big man Jason Ziemer.

Badger over Beloit
Beloit lost a lot from last years team and is in a rebuilding year so I'll go with Badger who only lost one player from last years team.

Milwaukee Bay View over Madison Lafollette
This should be the best game of the two day shootout and the most entertaining. Both teams are very much guard oriented, which should lead to a very fast paced high scoring game. Both teams are fairly young but, Bay View showed they are a very good team after beating two time defending state champs Oshkosh West, so I will go with Bay View.



Day 2

Clinton over Janesville Parker
Don't know much about either of these teams but, I'm gonna go with Clinton for the simple fact that Parker never wins.

Madison East over Eau Claire Memorial
East comes from a much better conference then EC Memorial and Marquis Mason should have a huge game in leading East to victory.

Lacrosse Aquinas over Madison West
West probably has more talent but, Aquinas is the more disciplined team and will win this game in the end.

Janesville Craig over Madison Edgewood
Edgewood is a pretty good team but, Craig is taller, more talented, and have the senior experience. Would not be surprised to see Edgewood push them to the limit, as these two teams always seem to play each other tough no matter which team is better.


Well I have the Big Eight going 3-5 but, would not be surprised to see them go 0-8 or 6-2. All the games are really evenly matched and should be pretty good games outside of the Verona vs Middleton and Beloit vs Badger. I just think both Middleton and Beloit are just to inexperienced at this time. Tomorrow I will only be able to attend the late game of Lafollette and Bay View and Saturday I will be attending the final three boys games of the day. I will probably being watching the girls but, really don't have any interest to report back on them.