2024-25 IMAC Preview

This is the 6th preview in my 2024-2025 season preview series.  Week 2 begins with this look at the Independent Metro Athletic Conference (IMAC).  For a list of all the season previews and how they are done, click here.

Blake Bears (2023-24 season 19-10, 7-3 Conference, 2nd)
Guard Grayson Okonronkwo (24.8 PPG) is a major graduation loss as the catalyst of last year's squad.  But the rest of the roster returns.  Shooter Carson McMichael (13.7 PPG) is the top returning scorer. Noah Wagoner (10.2 PPG) and Aiden Wilson are just 2 of the other experienced guard returnees.  The front line is strong with Omar Kaba (13.6 PPG) and Ian Schnabel  (8 PPG) both returning to the lineup.

Breck Mustangs (2023-24 season 31-1, 9-0 Conference, 1st, AA State Champions)
The state AA champs need to replace Daniel Freitag (24.7 PPG) who is now at Wisconsin.  He was the piece that put them over the top last season.  Guard Hanif Muhammed (16.2 PPG) was another primary ball handler and scorer and needs to be replaced.  The wing rotation is loaded.  Miles Newton (13.2 PPG) leads that group.  JP Musoke (11.6 PPG) and DeAngelo Dungey (7.9 PPG) join him.  Mu Muhammed and Waleed Muhammed will be ball handling options.  Carter Steinbeck and Teddy Koch give them size and shooting.

Minnehaha Academy Redhawks (2023-24 season 15-16, 4-4 Conference, 4th)
Jadee Jones replaces Lance Johnson who retired after 588 career wins.  Leading scorer Lorenzo Levy (17.7 PPG) needs to be replaced but there's a core that has played together that returns.  Forward George Norsman (15.7 PPG) is the top option.  Noah Hamburge provides shooting.  Fitta Jafar is an experienced ball handler.  Adnaan Said (12.5 PPG) transfers in from Mounds Park Academy as another offensive option

Mounds Park Academy Panthers (2023-24 season 11-15, 0-8 Conference, 6th)
The school's all-time leading scorer Brendan Connolly takes over the program after spending time as an assistant on staff.  He'll need to replace 4 starters.  The Panthers do return top scorer Wyatt Srsen (21.8 PPG) on the wing. But with a lack of size, he'll need to be a rebounding factor as well.  Guards Noah Garbow and Alex Larson return to the rotation.  They look to replace the graduation losses of PG Jay Green and guard Micah Hudock (21.5 PPG)

Providence Academy Lions (2023-24 season 6-21, 2-8 Conference, 5th)
Providence has to replace 3 of their top 4 scorers with only 1 of those in double figures.  Wing George Jacobson will be the top option.  Soph point guard Leo Giwa was a bright spot last year and has a chance to break out this year.  Matt Hunter will be a front line option.  Magnus Hansen returns in the backcourt.

St. Paul Academy Spartans (2023-24 season 22-7, 5-4 Conference, 3rd)
Assistant Ramon Bender will run the program this season while head coach Kevin Keto takes a year off. The top 3 scorers need to be replaced after combining for over 54 PPG.  Mikkel Rawdown (23 PPG) was the inside guy.  Tysen Hayes and Ethan Carter were top perimeter guys.  Wing Ezra Cunningham is the top returning scorer at 10.2 PPG.  Soph guard John Grimsrud will be a major part of that rotation too.  Junior Ben Sieben could expand into a role there too.  Forward Nathan Rock returns at the top interior player. 

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Breck
2. Blake 
   
3. Minnehaha
   
4. St. Paul Academy  
   
5. Providence   
6. Mounds Park Academy 

Conference Overview
Five teams lose their top scorer and the other loses everybody except their top scorer.  Despite all that, its another strong year in the top half of the league.  Breck is still strong enough to make a run to repeat their state title so they have to be the pick here.  Blake and Minnehaha aren't very far behind though in what should be 2 very good games for 2nd place.  All 3 teams have a notable loss or 2 but return most of what they had.  In the bottom half, SPA will have to replace their top 3 with an interim coach.  But they have the most coming back.  Providence has to replace most of what they had from a 6 win team.  Mounds Park also with a new coach and major losses to replace.

Conference MVP: Miles Newton- Breck

Underclassmen to watch: 

• Waleed Muhammed - Breck
• Kellen Troup - Minnehaha 
• Leo Giwa, Henry Willihnganz - Providence
  
• John Grimsrud - St. Paul Academy
  

Conference Games to Watch

• Breck at Blake - Jan 7th
  
• Blake at Breck - Feb 21st
  

 Non-Conference Games to Watch

• Benilde-St. Margaret’s at Breck - Dec 10th
• Breck at Totino-Grace - Dec 14th (Big Stage)
• Breck at Wayzata - Dec 19th
• Breck vs Hopkins - Dec 30th (Augsburg tourney)