Chippewa Falls Cardinals (2024-25 season: 0-25 overall, 0-14 conference, 8th)
Only graduated one senior from last season, their second leading scorer in Collin Nichols (7.4 PPG). Junior Owen Munson was the leading scorer last season at 10.2 points per game, and shot 37.9% (50-132) from three. An exciting name to keep an eye on is sophomore Kobe Twyman, who was the third leading scorer at 7.2 points per game and shot 40.5% (32-79) from three.
Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes (2024-25 season: 21-5 overall, 14-0 conference, 1st)
Graduated a big, and successful, senior class. Bryce Hedtke will return after being a Honorable Mention selection last season. During the 24-25 Hedtke averaged 6.6 points per game, while shooting 45.5% (40-88) from three point range. Ian Bauer is the only other returning player with significant playing time, he averaged 4.3 points per game and shot 48.9% (22-45) from three.
Eau Claire North Huskies (2024-25 season: 8-17 overall, 5-9 conference, 7th)
Elliott Bessen graduated after being a 2nd-Team All-Conference selection and being second in the conference in scoring (18.2 PPG). Tyler Barrows is back for his senior season after averaging 13.0 points per game and shooting 40.3% (56-139) from three point range. Gavin Wise brings some size at 6'5" and experience at 6.2 points per game. Zach Shipman is the other returning player who averaged over 5.0 PPG last season, 5.8 points per game.
Hudson Raiders (2024-25 season: 16-9 overall, 11-3 conference, 2nd)
Jace Mataczynski is back after being 2nd-Team All-Conference during his junior season. Mataczynski is one of the leading scorers returning for Hudson this year. Junior Alex Healy is the another returning player who averaged 5.5 points per game as a sophomore.
Menomonie Mustangs (2024-25 season: 14-12 overall, 6-8 conference, t-5th)
Graduated two All-Conference selections in Isaac Ellison (1st-Team) and Brody Thornton (2nd-Team). They do return Trevor Robert who was the Mustangs third leading scorer as a sophomore, at 9.8 points per game. The now 6'7" junior also averaged 6.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Two senior guards are back in Tyler Nelson and Jake Rue. Nelson averaged 6.3 points per game last season. Rue shot 41.4% (29-70) from three point range.
New Richmond Tigers (2024-25 season: 15-13 overall, 7-7 conference, t-3rd)
Graduated a large senior class, after a very successful season (lost in Sectional Semi-Finals). Nick Stellrecht is the only player returning who was consistently in the rotation last season. He averaged 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. New head coach, Kyle Allen.
Rice Lake Warriors (2024-25 season: 15-10 overall, 6-8 conference, t-5th)
There isn't much returning experience coming back for the Warriors. Will Svendsen has the most experience coming back after averaging 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Svendsen was selected to Honorable Mention in the Big Rivers last year. Senior Grant Pacholke saw playing time as a junior. Junior Graden Sheplee provides a little bit of height (6'4"), but didn't see much playing time as a sophomore.
River Falls Wildcats (2024-25 season: 13-12 overall, 7-7 conference, t-3rd)
Leading scorer and Honorable Mention selection, Brody Graetz is back for his senior season. Graetz averaged 16.8 points and 5.0 assists per game, while shooting 42.6% (46-108) from three point range. Tanner Bottolfson (8.2 PPG), Cal DuMond (5.3 PPG), and Austin Stellrecht (4.6 PPG) are other returning players who saw consistent minutes. Senior Gavin Carufel and junior Cullen Johnson will both be looked upon to take bigger roles this season.
Projections:
1. River Falls
2. Hudson
3. Menomonie
4. Eau Claire Memorial
5. Chippewa Falls
6. Rice Lake
7. Eau Claire North
8. New Richmond
Conference Overview:
River Falls has the most experience returning, along with the Big Rivers third leading scorer last season (Brody Graetz). After River Falls, most of the teams have pieces returning, but also lost really important players from last year. Hudson has one of the better seniors back (Jace Mataczynski) and should be a tough out. The rest of the conference seems to be a bit of a toss up. Menomonie has Trevor Robert, an interesting prospect at 6'7", and a few senior guards coming back. Eau Claire Memorial graduated so much, but they have always seem to have younger guys ready to go. Chippewa Falls comes off a rough season where they were extremely young, but growing pains should pay off for them. Maybe 5th is too high, but expect them to be improved. Rice Lake finished tied for 5th last year, and graduated a lot of points and minutes. Eau Claire North should be in about the same position, moving up a position or two should be realistic for the Huskies. New Richmond lost their coach and almost all of their experience.
Conference MVP: Brody Graetz (Senior) - River Falls
Other Players to Watch:
Bryce Hedtke (Senior) - Eau Claire Memorial
Jace Mataczynski (Senior) - Hudson
Trevor Robert (Junior) - Menomonie
Will Svendsen (Senior) - Rice Lake
Kobe Twyman (Sophomore) - Chippewa Falls
Games to Watch:
Saint Croix Central @ Menomonie (12/5/25)
River Falls @ Marshfield (12/23/25)
River Falls @ Superior (12/29/25)
Eau Claire Memorial @ Eau Claire North (2/20/26)
Hudson @ Stevens Point (2/21/26)
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