Boys D3-D4 Regionals (3/2)

Here are the Division 3 & 4 regional previews. Division 1 & 2 to come later.

Division 3

Bangor at Aquinas - Aquinas comes into the play-offs with a target on their back, being the defending state champions in division 3. They made it look absolutely easy last year and I think this game will also look pretty easy. Aquinas is lead by senior stand-out Jimmy Whitehead who is in the Mr. Basketball conversation and who helped Aquinas dominate the state tournament last year. But as with any good team, they have more than just the one player, they are a fast moving full team who won the MVC pretty handily this year with an 11-1 conference record and a 16-3 over-all record including losing to Hopkins who is the number 1 team in Minnesota and ranked nationally. Bangor comes in with a disappointing 4-16 records.. and the combined records of the teams they beat is 26-31. I think this will probably be a lopsided game.

Arcadia at Whitehall - A classic 4 vs 5 game in Whitehall Tuesday night. These two teams met up for the first game of the season and Whitehall won at Arcadia by 15. Whitehall finished 2nd in the Dairyland Large conference behind a very talented Blair-Taylor team. Their 13-7 over-all record earned them this home game. Arcadia's over-all record of 7-13 makes for a pretty disappointing season, but they were able to beat both the Dairyland Large and Small conference champions, so an upset wouldn't be completely out of the question here.

Luther at Westby - A coulee conference rematch at Westby Tuesday night. The Norse finished 4th in the Coulee conference this year and the Knights finished last. Westby won both of the regular season match-ups pretty handily and will probably win again Tuesday. Luther will hang it's hopes on Westby being a very familiar opponent.

Melrose-Mindoro at Viroqua - Viroqua shared the Coulee crown this year with division 2 Black River Falls. Their only 3 conference losses came to co-champion BRF and arch rival Westby. The momentum isn't on their side as they come into the play-offs on a 3 game losing streak but they are heavily favored in this game. Melrose-Mindoro finished 3rd in the Dairyland Large conference, but over-all they finished the season 9-11 including losses to both of their Coulee Conference opponents, one of which being last place finisher Luther.

Brookwood at Auburndale - This could be a very good game, Brookwood finished 3rd in conference and had a respectable 13-7 record overall but came behind very good Royall and Hillsboro teams. Auburndale was 3rd in what could be an even tougher conference. Auburndale is favorite, but I wouldn't rule out a Brookwood upset.

Necedah at Wild Rose - Necedah comes in a 6th seed who finished middle of the pack in conference with a .500 record. They play a Wild Rose team who finished 3rd out of a 10 team conference and earned themselves a 3rd seed. Anything could happen, but I expect a Wild Rose victory.

Eleva Strum at Osseo-Fairchild - Eleva-Strum is the defending Division 4 State Champions but made the move up to Division 3 this year where they will face some pretty stiff competition. They make the short trip to Osseo-Fairchild this Tuesday riding a pretty successful season winning the Dairyland Small. Osseo-Fairchild won the meeting earlier in the season with no problem, but then went on to have a disappointing season finishing 5th in conference. This would be my upset pick of division 2. I wouldn't be surprised to see Eleva-Strum pull out this victory.

Division 4

Lincoln at Blair-Taylor - Blair-Taylor won the 2 season meetings by an average of more than 20 points and were undefeated in conference. This team with 1 senior has a good shot at a deep play-off run this year. The 1 seed should help them do it.

Independence at Gilmanton - Gilmanton's 3rd place finish in the Dairyland Small and 13-7 overall record earned them a surprising number 1 seed in the Division 4 playoffs. Independence hasn't won a game this year. In the two regular season meetings Gilmanton beat Independence by a combined score of 52.

Cochran-Fountain City at Plum City - C-FC played in a tough Dairyland conference this year, and when I saw them play against Blair-Taylor they were able to run with them for quite awhile. Their 6-6 finish in conference isn't as impressive as the 10-8 over all. Plum City is a decidedly mediocre team finishing 5th in a 10 team conference and having a .500 record. C-FC may pull this upset and get a chance for a rematch against Gilmanton.

Alma vs. Elmwood - Alma is a very good team who finished 2nd in the Dairyland Small to Eleva-Strum and had a 13-7 overall record. The Rivermen have a pretty good fan following and I wouldn't want to have to face them at home. Elmwood didn't win any games outside of conference and had a disappointing 7-12 record finishing near the bottom of the Dunn-St. Croix conference. Alma is highly favored in this one.

New Lisbon at Coulee Region Christian - CRCS is a hard team to predict since they aren't part of any of the local conferences. They had a 10-8 record and have looked very solid. These two teams last met at New Lisbon on Friday night and New Lisbon came away with that victory. This could be an upset game considering that, but New Lisbon is a middle of the pack Scenic Bluffs school, and I think CRCS will be out for revenge.

Cashton at Port Edwards - The Cashton boys team finished near the bottom of the Scenic Bluffs but are riding a three game winning streak coming into this game at Port Edwards. Port Edwards was 4th in conference and had a 13-7 overall record and beat a Scenic Bluffs team earlier in the year. The Blackhawks probably win this one, but I wouldn't rule out Cashton.

Royall vs Loyal - Royall is an excellent team this year finishing 2nd in conference with a 15-5 record over-all. I expect them to handle 5-15 Loyal no problem especially on their home court.

La Farge at Hillsboro - Hillsboro earned a number 1 seed by being a very good team and winning the Scenic Bluffs conference and they had a 15-5 over all record. La Farge is 1-19 overall and finished last in conference. Hillsboro should win this with no problem.

Wonewoc Center at Weston - On paper this looks like a pretty lop-sided game, but in the earlier meeting Weston only won by 5. Since then they went on to take 2nd place in conference behind a very talented North Crawford team. Wonewoc Center finished 6-14 over all but will be playing a familiar opponent.

Kickapoo vs. Highland - Kickapoo had a 12-8 over-all record and finished 3rd in the Ridge and Valley. This earned them a 4 seed and a home game, these two teams haven't met yet, but I don't think 7-13 Highland is going to give them a lot of trouble.

Ithaca at Barneveld - Ithaca is a 7th seed against a very talented Barneveld team. Ithaca is 3-17 overall and Barneveld was conference champions and were 16-4 overall. I think Barneveld is going to handle this game.

Wauzeka-Stueben at Potosi - 8 vs 1 seed here. Potosi is heavily favored over a Hornets team who didn't have a season that warrants an 8th seed in my opionion, going 8-11 and finishing 4th in an 8 team conference. Eitherway I think the Cheiftans are a good team that shouldn't have much of a problem with Wauzeka-Stueben.

Seneca at River Ridge - These teams met up once before in the season and River Ridge ran away with the game by 20 points, but I wouldn't rule Seneca out of this one completely as they have the ability to pull some upsets. They were 5th in conference and had a losing record, but were able to beat the conference 2nd place team Weston. Seneca can win if they keep it close.

De Soto at Belmont - De Soto had a dissappointing season finishing 6-14 overall but 5 of those wins came in their somewhat top-heavy conference. Belmont is 7-13 over all and is very beatable, the Pirates may be able to pull it off.

North Crawford vs Cassville - North Crawford is one of the very good D4 teams coming out of the area going 14-0 in conference and 19-1 overall. They're a tough team beat and they should have no problem with Cassville.