Well sectionals only a week away I figured I'd do my new predictions now that we know whose actually getting to state. For the most part D1 has played out as expected but, this is mostly due to the fact that there has only been two rounds played and typically the upsets won't occur until sectionals because you seeding 1-16 in regionals so there is a wide gap between teams. The Big Eight has really shown their muscle as they account for six of the 32 teams left in D1. D2 has been somewhat different as far as the underdogs go. One of the favorites Port Washington went down to Whitefish Bay for the second time this year and in the Waunakee sectional only one, one seed made it to sectionals and a team that took last place in their conference is still alive. One big development is the return of Northwestern's star Steve Tecker who lead Northwestern to a final four finish a year ago and has been out all year after have surgery on his hips right around the start of the season but, has returned for the last two weeks and apparently scored 15 points in the regional final. Should be a great weekend of basketball if I can actually manage to get some tickets for some sectional game. There is no way that I will be able to get tickets for the Middleton Sectional that I would like to go to so may have to settle for a lower tear game. I'm thinking of heading to Deforest to catch Sauk Prairie and Mt Horeb play since its the closes game and I work until 6pm. Hopefully Saturday I will get to catch the huge Cuba City vs Blair Taylor or Aquinas that should be a great game with the winner going to state.
Division One
Marshfield Sectional
Superior over Merrill- I'm alittle nervous about this pick because every year I pick Superior to make it to state and they never do. Merrill could be poised for another upset after defeated preseason favorite Wausau West.
Antigo over Eau Claire North- Another game that makes me alittle nervous because Antigo is undefeated but, who have they really played. North has Evan Anderson and I can't imagine Antigo has gone up against many 7 footers.
Antigo over Superior- In my official wishoops bracket I have Superior here but, they've just let me down year after year and have decided to go the other way. I would really like to see Jordan Mach at state.
Green Bay West Sectional
Depere over Appleton West- Haven't seen either team or know much about them but, Depere has one of the best records in the state and has been many peoples favorite throughout the entire year.
Kaukauna over Appleton East- Tough pick here as these two are conference opponents but, East lives and dies by the three and I think they die here. Kaukauna was the better team during the regular season.
Depere over Kaukauna- Honestly this game could be a coin flip. Depere has been a let down the past few years when it appeared they were headed to state and Kaukauna comes out of the tougher conference.
Middleton Sectional
Madison East over Middleton- East is flat out the better team but, Middleton will keep this close since they will be at home but, won't be able to score on the inside or get offensive rebounds with Marquis Mason controlling the middle.
Madison Memorial over Sun Prairie- Should be a great game as Sun Prairie plays to their opponents ability and have defeated Memorial once this year already but, Memorial is playing their best ball right now and should win as long as isn't lighting it up from the outside.
Madison Memorial over Madison East- Yes they split during the regular season but, I honestly think Memorial out played East in both games and like I said Memorial is peaking at the right time.
Oshkosh Sectional
Oshkosh North over Sheboygan South- North was at state a year ago and have the best player in the sectional in Taylor Cameron.
Neenah over Beaver Dam- Neenah comes out of the tougher conference and should be battle tested for this game.
Neenah over Oshkosh North- Neenah seems to be very hot as of late and another team that appears to be peaking at the right time.
Germantown Sectional 1
Arrowhead over Waukesha West- I don't believe West has the ability to keep up with the high scoring Arrowhead team. West's best player 6'6 Ryan Solberg should beat contained by 7'1 Ben Mills for Arrowhead.
Menomonee Falls over Germantown- Falls has the height and experience over Germantown in this one. Not to mention they have JP Tokoto.
Menomonee Falls over Arrowhead- Falls gets revenge after their early defeat to Arrowhead. Falls pushes the tempo which keeps Mills out of his comfort zone.
Beloit Sectional
Beloit over Kenosha Bradford- Beloit comes out of the toughest conference in that state and should easily defeat Bradford in this one.
Verona over Burlington- Verona is battle tested and should easily win this one as well.
Beloit over Verona- Beloit has defeated Verona twice this year already and has home field advantage.
Greenfield Sectional
Milwaukee Hamiliton over Brookfield Central- Even without Cook in the game Hamiliton is far superior athletically.
Racine Park over Waterford- Park has superior talent and should force tempo causing Waterford to turn the ball over.
Milwaukee Hamiliton over Racine Park- Both teams are extremely talented but, Hamiliton's bigs are more talented.
Germantown Sectional 2
Milwaukee King over Nicolet- Both teams have survived some very close games but, King has more depth and talent and are battle tested.
Milwaukee Washington over Milwaukee Marquette- If Washington had Winters I would take them in a heartbeat but, now not so sure. Washington gets the edge because I just can't imagine Marquette upsetting another City team.
Milwaukee King over Milwaukee Washington- King is at full strength Washington isn't so they win.
Division Two
Durand Sectional
Northwestern vs Baldwin Woodville- Northwestern was at state a year ago and should benefit from having their star Steve Tecker back even though he's not at full strength.
Onalaska over Adams Friendship- Adams has benefited from a weak regional and that should be evident in this game as Onalaska wins easily.
Onalaska over Northwestern- If Northwestern was at full strength they would win this easily but, with Tecker not at full strength Onalaska gets the win.
Green Bay West Sectional
Seymour over Shawano- Seymour looks to be back to its old self behind a very strong junior class.
Waupun over Kiel- Waupun has already defeated Kiel twice this year and should be able take them down for a third time.
Waupun over Seymour- Waupun has had a slightly tougher schedule and don't think Seymour can keep up with a high scoring Waupun team.
Waunakee Sectional
Sauk Prairie over Mt Horeb- Sauk took second in the Badger North while Mt Horeb took seventh. Easy pick here.
Madison Edgewood over Delavan Darien- Edgewood seems to be peaking at the right time and comes from the better conference.
Sauk Prairie over Madison Edgewood- Sauk is just more athletic then Edgewood and has more size.
Germantown Sectional
Whitefish Bay over Ripon- Whitefish Bay has defeated a very good Port Washington team twice and play in a very tough North Shore Conference.
Wisconsin Lutheran over Catholic Memorial- Best sectional semi final game. Two great players in TJ Bray and Flavian Davis. Wisco won the last time so I go with them again.
Wisconsin Lutheran over Whitefish Bay- Wisco are the defending champs and Bay doesn't have anyone that can stop Davis.
Well should be a very very exciting weekend of basketball and heres to hoping I can get in to a couple good games.
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