Big Eight Preview

I know I'm alittle late with this preview since most teams have already played two or three games but, this is really the first chance I've had to make the predictions. The Big Eight is one of the conferences that I follow closely. There have already been some big ups and downs with Beloit defeated Sun Prairie who I thought would be one of the top teams in the conference and then Beloit going and losing to Janesville Craig who should be towards the bottom of the conference. The middle of the conference is really going to be up in the air and three through seven could really go anyway. Here are my predictions on the conference.

1. Madison Memorial- The defending state champs are clearly the class of the conference and have at least three scholarship players in 6'5 senior Junior Lomomba, who recently signed his D1 letter, 6'1 junior Brendan Ortiz who should keep the momentum going from his tremendous state championship game, and 6'6 senior Jamar Morris who should have a breakout year now that he will start the year out injury free. 6'4 junior Jester Weah and 6'4 senior Ngijol Songolo also saw lots of minutes starting a year ago.
2. Sun Prairie- 6'6 junior Nick Fuller might be the best player in the conference and should have an extremely impressive year. 6'5 senior Andre Wallace appears to be a solid side kick early in the season.
3. Middleton- Have one of the better coaches in the conference and always seem to play very hard for their coach. I expect a huge year out of 6'5 senior Antoine Buchanon who seemed to have a ton of talent a year ago but, could never get things going.
4. Madison East- Height is always an issue but, they play with alot of heart. 5'8 senior Rudy Bentley should have a big year and teams with 5'10 junior Jermel McLin to form a very solid back court.
5. Verona- Solid coach and a team that always plays well and hard. 6'4 senior Bryan Dalton seems to be poised for a big big year early on.
6. Beloit- Have a ton of talent but, see if they can put it all together. Appears that they will be having an up and down year as they have already beaten Sun Prairie and then lost to Janesville Craig.
7. Madison Lafollette- Don't know much about the Lancers but, they bring back four starters so they could easily make the move higher in the conference.
8. Madison West- Another talented team but, they can never seem to put it all together. Things go there way and they should be able to move up but, usually they seem to be towards the bottom.
9. Janesville Craig- Would of had them tied with Parker here but, already getting a big win against Beloit has me thinking alittle different.
10. Janesville Paker- Don't know much about them but, their Parker so they go here.

Predicted conference records
Madison Memorial 18-0
Sun Prairie 15-3
Middleton 11-7
Madison East 10-8
Verona 10-8
Beloit 9-9
Madison Lafollette 9-9
Madison West 5-13
Janesville Craig 3-15
Janesville Paker 1-17

All Conference Picks
1st Team
6'5 senior Junior Lomomba Madison Memorial
6'1 junior Brendan Ortiz Madison Memorial
6'6 junior Nick Fuller Sun Prairie
5'8 senior Rudy Bentley Madison East
6'4 senior Bryan Dalton Verona

2nd Team
6'5 senior Antoine Buchanon Middleton
6'6 senior Jamar Morris Madison Memorial
5'10 senior Kwame Latimer Madison West
6'0 senior Matt Hunter Madison Lafollette
6'4 sophomore Andre Neal Beloit

HM
5'10 junior Jermel McLin Madison East
6'4 junior Jester Weah Madison Memorial
6'5 senior Andre Wallace Sun Prairie
6'2 senior Brett Pickarts Janesville Craig
6'1 senior Demetrious Durley Madison East

Well there are my picks for the Big Eight conference. I'm sure I will end up being way off by the end of the year but, oh well always fun to see how close I can get.