Madison Lafollette vs Madison Memorial Preview

Madison Memorial comes into this game having already clinched the Big Eight Conference but, this is still a big rivalry game between two extremely athletic teams. Memorial is looking to finish off the season strong and if Lafollette could get a win here, they would get a huge boost for a deep playoff run. As I stated Memorial has clinched the conference and are sitting at 11-1 in conference and 14-2 overall, while Lafollette is in second place in conference and is 8-3 in conference and 11-4 overall.

This game comes down to three key factors. Can Lafollette handle the Memorial pressure and limit their turnovers? Can Darnell Small limit Jeronne Maymon on the offensive end? Finally, can Lafollette limit Memorial's second chance baskets and control the boards?

Memorial will do what they always do, trap the ball and try to force turnovers to ignite their fast break where they are at their best. They will pound the offensive glass and get second and third opportunities to score. In the half court set they will look to find Jeronne Maymon in the high post where he does a great job of creating a scoring opportunity for himself or teammates.

Lafollette will look to penetrate with their guards and score or dish out to open teammates for three. Lafollette doesn't play the trapping defense that Memorial does but, they are very comfortable getting out and running. They need to get Cashton Craig going early from the outside and continue to go to him throughout the game. In the past games I've seen Lafollette play they seem to stop going to Craig in the second half. DJ Fuller needs to look to get into the lane, where he is at his best. Fuller has a very nice little floater and can create things for teammates.

Rotation Players
Memorial
Jeronne Maymon 6'6 Jr forward 19.7 ppg - I've said it a hundred times. Maymon is the best rebounder in the state and may be the best player in my opinion. Can finish extremely well with either hand.
Vander Blue 6'3 So guard 12.4 ppg - Extremely quick guard that goes to the rim very hard with the ball in his hands and has a very nice mid range jumper. Also rebounds very well.
Devonte Maymon 6'2 Sr guard 11.2 ppg - Very athletic guard that helps out handling the ball and can penetrate inside as well as knock down the three.
Tre Creamer 6'3 So guard 6.9 ppg- Teams point guard that is a very smart player and can score when the opportunity arises.
Derek Nkemji 6'2 Sr forward 6.8 ppg- Defensive stopper that will probably guard Craig. Sacrifices his scoring to play D and help out on the inside rebounding.
Fred Ringhand 6'0 Jr guard 4.2 ppg - Very strong guard that can really shoot the ball.
Ace Davis 6'0 Jr guard 4.5 ppg - Very strong guard that plays great defense and can post up smaller defenders.
Xavier Jones 5'10 Jr guard 3.9 ppg - Does a good job of coming off the bench and running the point and can drop the open three pointer.

Lafollette
Cashton Craig 6'1 Sr guard 15.7 ppg - Sharpshooter that can get his shot off at any time, whether coming off the screen or off the dribble.
DJ Fuller 5'10 So guard 13 ppg - Can get inside at will and has a very nice floater. High energy point guard.
Javonte Walters 6'2 Sr forward 9.7 ppg - Streaky scorer that can get inside and score or hit the three. Plays some pretty good defense also.
Darnell Small 6'4 Sr forward 5.6 ppg- Football player playing basketball. Is very strong on the inside and is a very good rebounder.
Deonte Thompson 6'6 Jr forward 5.5 ppg- Brings some height off the bench. Runs the pick'n'roll great.
Michael Knop 6'0 Sr guard 4.9 ppg - Three point specialist that comes off the bench hot.
Jon Dybevik 6'0 So guard 4.8 ppg - Lead guard that handles the ball very well and has been clutch in tight games.
Caleb Krueger 6'3 Sr forward 4.4 ppg- Inside bruiser that does most of his scoring on offensive rebounds.


My final prediction for the game is that Jeronne Maymon and the Memorial defense will just be too much for Lafollette to handle. Memorial won the previous game by about 20 points, I predict this one will be slightly closer as Memorial wins by 10-15 points.