Janesville Craig vs Madison Memorial

Huge game tomorrow night in the Big Eight Conference. Madison Memorial the four time defending conference champions are taking on Janesville Craig, the team that was suppose to displace Memorial from the top of the conference but, has so far disappointed. Memorial comes in to this game with a conference record of 6-1 and remain a top of the conference as always. Craig is 5-3 in conference and is in a two way tie for third in conference.

Everyone thought that Memorial would be good and still be towards the top half of the conference but, no one thought that they would be this good. The word on Memorial before the season started was that they were too undersized and too young to win conference or contend for a state title. Memorial may be very young but, they are extremely talented and have countered their lack of height with a full court pressing defense that forces teams to turn the ball over. Team those two things with one of the best players in the state in 6'6 junior Jeronne Maymon, who is easily one of the states top rebounders, and you have a pretty good team.

Craig came into the year with extremely high expectations. Many people that follow the Big Eight expected Craig to walk through the conference and have a chance at winning state. Craig had two losses in their first three games which really brought them back to earth and have been recovering from those losses ever since. Craig had won six straight games before they lost to the roller coaster known as Madison East but, then bounced back with a big win against Madison Lafollette.

This game is really a contrast of two styles, as Craig will look to slow the game and Memorial will look to push the tempo. Janesville Craig is far superior in the half court set and have a height advantage at every position. Madison Memorial on the other hand is far superior in the uptempo game and will probably press Craig the majority of the game and look to force some turnovers to translate into some easy baskets.

Besides forcing turnovers the other keys for Memorial is to limit Craig's touches inside and knocking down the outside shots. Craig has the height advantage and should look to work the ball into Jojo Pregont in the post and if he's double teamed kick it out to the open shooters. Maymon will need to play nearly the entire game to help keep Memorial from being dominated on the boards. On the offensive end Memorial will need to knock down their three point shots which they did not do against Middleton. Craig typically plays a 2-3 zone which will collapse on Maymon when he gets the ball inside which will leave the other Memorial players open from the outside.

For Janesville Craig the keys are basically the opposite of what Memorial's were. They need to pound the ball inside to their big guys and look to get Maymon in foul trouble and limit Maymons touches on the offensive end and when he does get the ball collapse on him and force the other Memorial players to hit the outside shot. The biggest thing is that they need to take care of the ball. Memorial lives off of forcing turnovers and if Craig can limit the turnovers, they'll take away a big part of Memorial's offense.

Starters (stats from Wishoops.net)

Madison Memorial (If there are no disciplinary things going on)
G- 6'3 SO Tre Creamer 7.6 ppg
G- 6'2 SR Devonte Maymon 11 ppg
G- 6'3 SO Vander Blue 14.5 ppg
F- 6'2 SR Derek Nkemji 7 ppg
F- 6'6 JR Jeronne Maymon 20.8 ppg

Key Reserves
G- 5'11 JR Russell Henderson 2 ppg
G- 6'1 JR Ace Davis 3.7 ppg
F- 6'4 SR Ryan Murray 4 ppg
G- 5'10 JR Xavier Jones 6 ppg (1g)

Janesville Craig (What its been both times I've seen them)
G- 6'0 SR Charley Roherty 4.7 ppg
G- 6'5 SR Cooper Cullen 16 ppg (4g)
F- 6'3 JR Kyle Goike 7.7 ppg
F- 6'6 SR Lucas Burns 14.6 ppg
C- 6'6 JR Jojo Pregont 15.6 ppg

Key Reserves
G- 6'0 JR Joey Kennedy 4 ppg
C- 6'6 JR Will Clanfield 2.8 ppg
F- 6'3 SR Tyler Uschan 2.5 ppg

I love Madison Memorial, they are a team that I always follow closely every year and try to get to as many games as possible of theirs. Unfortunately it pains me a little that I'm picking Janesville Craig to win this game 70-65. Maymon will have a huge game but, it won't be enough as Memorial will be unable to hit the outside shot and Craig will control the offensive board. At 6'5 Cooper Cullen, who does much of Craig's ball handling, will be able to see over the press applied by Memorial's 6'2 and 6'3 guards and limit Craig's turnovers. Craig will turn the ball over which will lead to easy baskets by Memorial but, as many easy baskets as they give up, Craig will be able to beat Memorial's press and get their own easy baskets.