2022-2023 Big Rivers Conference Preview

Overview:

There was so much talent in the 2022 graduating class out of the entire Big Rivers Conference. 2 NCAA Division 1 commits (Noah Fedderson - North Dakota State & LJ Wells - Northern Kentucky), 4 NCAA Division 2 commits (Andre Renta - St. Cloud State, Mehki Shaw - Southwest Minnesota State, Will Boser - Concordia-St. Paul, & CJ Campbell - Northern Michigan), along with numerous other players going to play at other levels. It doesn't appear their will be as many scholarship level kids this year, but the talent level is still pretty high in the conference.

Eau Claire Memorial may have lost the most talent of any school, but also returns some players that should keep them at the top. Mason Stoik (2022 Honorable Mention All-Conference), Ben Mestelle, Connor Welsch, and Cooper Jasperson is a solid group returning. 2-5 in the conference is kind of a toss up this year. Rice Lake returns their two All-Conference selections from last season (Tyler Orr - 22.0ppg and Zach Orr - 10.6ppg). Hudson always brings back athletic groups, but this year it is headed by Ben Healy. Eau Claire North plays so well together, that it's getting hard to pick them any lower than 4th every year. They don't return any big name players, but they just find a way to be competitive every year. Chippewa Falls is a team that could surprise some people this year. They return a senior class who had to step into some new roles last season, and that seemed to be a tough transition for them. I think after a season of playing in those roles they will be ready to get back to the middle of the conference again. Mason Monarski should be one of the top scorers in the conference this season. River Falls has graduated so many talented players over the last two seasons, it's hard to imagine that they won't fall off a little this year. Although they always have good athletes and somehow manage to remain competitive. Menomonie returns Charlie Morning, but also lose their top two scores from last season to graduation. That's a lot to replace on a team that couldn't get things rolling last year. New Richmond loses the Scoring Champ from last season, who also finished second in rebounding in the conference. They still struggled in their transition to the Big Rivers, I would expect more struggles this season.

Projections:

1. Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes (2021-2022 season: 22-5 overall, 13-1 conference, 1st)
2. Rice Lake Warriors (2021-2022 season: 14-11 overall, 6-8 conference, 5th)

3. Hudson Raiders (2021-2022 season: 13-11 overall, 8-6 conference, t-3rd)

4. Eau Claire North Huskies (2021-2022 season: 13-11 overall, 8-6 conference, t-3rd)

5. Chippewa Falls Cardinals (2021-2022 season: 4-21 overall, 2-12 conference, 8th)

6. River Falls Wildcats (2021-2022 season: 20-6 overall, 11-3 conference, 2nd)

7. Menomonie Mustangs (2021-2022 season: 11-15 overall, 4-10 conference, t-6th)

8. New Richmond Tigers (2021-2022 season: 8-18 overall, 4-10 conference, t-6th)

Sleeper: Chippewa Falls

Projected POY: Mason Stoik (Senior) - Eau Claire Memorial

Seniors to Watch:

Tyler Orr (Rice Lake)

Mason Monarski (Chippewa Falls)

Ben Healy (Hudson)

Charlie Morning (Menomonie)

Ben Mestelle (Eau Claire Memorial)

Conference Games to Watch:

12/2/2022 - Chippewa Falls @ Rice Lake

1/28/2023 - Eau Claire Memorial @ River Falls

2/4/2023 - River Falls @ Hudson

2/10/2023 - Eau Claire North @ Eau Claire Memorial

2/23/2023 - Chippewa Falls @ Eau Claire Memorial

Non-Conference Games to Watc

12/29/2022 - Sussex Hamilton @ Eau Claire Memorial

1/10/2023 - Chippewa Falls @ DC Everest

1/14/2023 - Caledonia vs. Rice Lake (@ La Crosse Center)

2/7/2023 - Hudson @ Minnehaha Academy

2/21/2023 - Rice Lake @ Northwestern