2020-21 Opening Week Preview

The opening week of the 2020-21 season is finally upon us.  We get started in the elements on Thursday night.  Here's are the games that stick out to me for the short opening week.

Thursday

Its a battle of titans in the Northwest Suburban as Maple Grove visits Totino-Grace.  The first 5 games in the NWS schedule this year were intended to be non-conference games between league opponents.  But with the schedule changes, those non-conference games are now moved mostly to late in the schedule.  Totino-Grace is as deep as any team in the state.  Maple Grove just rolls over quality guard play year after year and they size to go with it.  CCX Sports will be streaming that game.

The other game notable game of the night is Cristo Rey at Blake.  This is matchup of teams looking to contend in their AA sections.  Blake behind Minneapolis North in section 5.  Cristo Rey looking to once again knock off St. Croix Prep in section 4.  Its also one of the top games in the Skyline vs IMAC crossover series going on this year.  The Burgess twins vs the 3 Amigos of Ganz, Grace and Liu is worth watching here.  Neither team goes very deep.  Game stream can be found on the NFHS Network (subscription required) or follow along on twitter with me live.

Friday

Its a big battle to open the final year of the 7 team Metro West configuration.  Cooper makes the trip to Chaska in a battle of the top 2 teams in the league.  A great contrast of styles with a big, methodical Chaska group taking on an athletic and guard oriented Cooper squad that wants to play fast in the open floor. Can Cooper force enough turnovers and play the game at their pace?  CHBN will have that game online.

Cretin-Derham Hall visits Mounds View in a quality Suburban East opener.  Mounds View will have to figure out a way to slow down Tre Holloman.  The big question for CDH is how they generate offense around Holloman.  All of the other weapons around him are now gone so he'll take on a much bigger scoring burden.  Prep Spotlight will have that game (subscription required)

United Christian Academy visits Avail Academy (FEAR THE RHINO!) in a matchup of 2 of the top teams in the EMAC.  Avail with everybody back from last year.  UCA with major losses but they do return one of the top players in the league in forward Zach Corley.

Saturday

Farmington at Eastview.  Its a tough start for Farmington as they play a couple of the league favorites in the 1st 3 days.  Its home vs Lakeville N on Thursday and then this game.  While Eastview lost all 5 starters, most of the new crew saw notable reserve minutes last season and was very productive over the summer.  But its the opener so it may take time for the group to gel.  Farmington has a ton coming back plus the return of Eli Green from injury.  That experience in a shortened season with limited offseason time could be a big difference maker.

Maranatha at St. Croix Prep.  St. Croix Prep looks to continue their dominance in the Skyline.  Maranatha loses a ton but still projects to be a top half team in the league thanks to a talented group of returning youngsters.  SCPA gets the advantage of having already played as they host Concordia on Thursday.  Maranatha gets the extra couple of days off but its their season opener.

In section 6AAA, its Orono visiting Benilde-St. Margaret's.  New BSM coach Damien Johnson gets a very quick and tough look at where his team is at.  Orono returns most of their roster and will look to contend for the section title.  Connor Chappell and Andrew Mandel make up a very good front line for the Spartans.  Tough matchup for the Red Knights to start the new season.