2021-2022 Big Rivers Predictions

Overview:

Eau Claire Memorial has by far the most overall talent in the league this year, and should be the favorites to win the Big Rivers. Seniors LJ Wells (14.2 PPG), Mehki Shaw (ACL injury), and Will Boser (20.7 PPG) along with a solid junior class will make for tough matchups for every other team. Hudson, Menomonie, New Richmond, and Rice Lake all seem to be the next tier of teams. All of them have one player that will be a standout throughout the season (Hudson - Andre Renta (13.1 PPG), Menomonie - Noah Fedderson (13.0 PPG), New Richmond - CJ Campbell (25.3 PPG), and Rice Lake - Tyler Orr (16.4 PPG)). If anyone else steps up on either of these teams, they could potentially push Eau Claire Memorial for the title. Eau Claire North is kind of in their own tier, where they have solid players but no real standouts. River Falls and Chippewa Falls both lost so much talent after graduating loaded senior classes in 2021. There is not much experience returning on either of them, so I imagine them struggling a little this season.

Projections:

1. Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes (2020-2021 season: 13-9 overall, 6-6 conference, 3rd)
2. New Richmond Tigers (2020-2021 season: 10-9 overall, 10-4 conference, 2nd - Middle Border)

3. Menomonie Mustangs (2020-2021 season: 11-12 overall, 5-7 conference, 6th)

4. Hudson Raiders (2020-2021 season: 15-6 overall, 8-4 conference, 2nd)

5. Rice Lake Warriors (2020-2021 season: 10-13 overall, 2-10 conference, 7th)

6. Eau Claire North Huskies (2020-2021 season: 14-8 overall, 5-7 conference, 5th)

7. River Falls Wildcats (2020-2021 season: 21-3 overall, 10-2 conference, 1st)

8. Chippewa Falls Cardinals (2020-2021 season: 13-10 overall, 6-6 conference, 3rd)

***New Richmond left the Middle Border Conference and has joined the Big Rivers Conference as of 2021-2022***

Sleeper: Hudson

Projected POY: Noah Fedderson (Senior) - Menomonie

Seniors to Watch:

Will Boser (Eau Claire Memorial)

CJ Campbell (New Richmond)

Andre Renta (Hudson)

Mehki Shaw (Eau Claire Memorial)

LJ Wells (Eau Claire Memorial)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/3/2021 - Eau Claire Memorial @ Rice Lake

12/10/2021 - Hudson @ New Richmond

2/5/2022 - Eau Claire Memorial @ Eau Claire North

2/24/2022 - New Richmond @ Eau Claire Memorial

2/24/2022 - Menomonie @ Hudson

Non-Conference Games to Watch:

12/7/2021 - La Crosse Central @ Menomonie

12/14/2021 - Eau Claire Memorial @ Stevens Point

12/30/2021 - Appleton North vs. Eau Claire Memorial (@ Resch Center)

1/22/2022 - Maranatha Christian Academy vs. Rice Lake (@ Minneapolis North)

1/25/2022 - New Richmond @ Medford