2021-2022 Dairyland Predictions

Overviews:

LARGE

Melrose-Mindoro appears to be the odds on favorite to win the Dairyland, including the crossover games. The McRoberts brothers are tough matchups with their length and skill, Tristen (13.7 PPG) was a 1st-team All-Conference selection last season. Whitehall should be contenders with their junior duo of Devon McCune (11.6 PPG) and Luke Beighley (9.6 PPG). Augusta, Cochrane-Fountain City, and Eleva-Strum will be in their own tier of the Large, I'm not sure either of them have the talent to compete for the title. Expect Alma Center Lincoln to struggle again this season after having some recent success a few years back.

SMALL

Blair-Taylor is the favorite in the Dairyland-Small mostly due to their basketball history. They don't return much, but expect them to almost always be a top contender. Eau Claire Immanuel could be a contender if some of their newcomers can step up and help Brinten Rutz (12.6 PPG). Expect Alma/Pepin to jump above Gilmanton in the standings, but I don't think they will compete for a title. Independence returns the least all-conference selections of anyone in the Small.

Projections:

LARGE
1. Melrose-Mindoro Mustangs (2019-2020 season: 13-7 overall, 8-2 conference, 2nd)

2. Whitehall Norsemen (2019-2020 season: 13-9 overall, 5-5 conference, 3rd)

3. Coachrane-Fountain City Pirates (2019-2020 season: 5-16 overall, 2-8 conference, 5th)

4. Augusta Beavers (2019-2020 season: 4-18 overall, 0-10 conference, 6th)

5. Eleva-Strum Cardinals (2019-2020 season: 8-8 overall, 5-5 conference, 4th)

6. Alma Center Lincoln Hornets (2019-2020 season: 1-16 overall, 0-7 conference, 5th)

SMALL
1. Blair-Taylor Wildcats (2019-2020 season: 23-2 overall, 10-0 conference, 1st)

2. Eau Claire Immanuel Lancers (2019-2020 season: 17-3 overall, 8-0 conference, 1st)
3. Gilmanton Panthers (2019-2020 season: 11-10 overall, 5-2 conference, 2nd)
4. Alma/Pepin Rivermen (2019-2020 season: 6-13 overall, 4-3 conference, 3rd)
5. Indepedence Indees (2019-2020 season: 3-15 overall, 1-6 conference, 4th)

Dairyland Crossover Champion: Melrose-Mindoro

Sleeper: Eau Claire Immanuel

Projected POY: Tristen McRoberts (Senior) - Melrose-Mindoro

Seniors to Watch:

Colton Brecka (Alma/Pepin)

Cain Fremstad (Blair-Taylor)

Ethan Hunger (Cochrane-Fountain City)

Dalton Robinson (Augusta)

Brinten Rutz (Eau Claire Immanuel)

Conference Games to Watch:

1/4/2022 - Blair-Taylor @ Melrose-Mindoro

1/13/2022 - Blair-Taylor @ Eau Claire Immanuel

1/21/2022 - Eau Claire Immanuel @ Whitehall

2/1/2022 - Eau Claire Immanuel @ Melrose-Mindoro

2/4/2022 - Melrose-Mindoro @ Whitehall

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

11/23/2021 - Elmwood/Plum City @ Eleva Strum

11/23/2021 - Osseo-Fairchild @ Cochrane-Fountain City

11/30/2021 - Aquinas @ Melrose-Mindoro

2/1/2022 - Flambeau @ Augusta

2/7/2022 - Eau Claire Immanuel @ Spring Valley