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Week 1 WSN/WBCA Coaches Poll

The first WSN/WBCA Boys Basketball Coaches Poll of the season has been released. It is obviously very early and things will change tremendously over the course of the year, but this gives a bit of a guide as to some of the programs to keep an eye on as the season progresses. Remember, in addition to the Coaches Poll you can also check out Team Stats, winning percentage and RPI by clicking here.

Division 1

Madison Memorial was the favorite to win the Division 1 title last year, but came up just short in the state title game against Arrowhead. The Spartans enter the 2010-11 season as the favorites once again, despite the graduation of standout guards Vander Blue and Tre Creamer. However, with returning players like Junior Lomomba, Brendan Ortiz, Tre Brunette, and Miles Chamberlain the Spartans have the depth, athleticism, and talent to keep the program at a high level. The team they lost to in last season's state final, Arrowhead, lost some significant contributors, and opens the season outside the Top 15, but don't be surprised to see them back in at some point. De Pere comes in ranked #2 and have some strong and talented athletes to make them the favorites in the FRCC. While several Milwaukee Public Schools lost players to prep schools in the off-season, the MPS is well-represented in the Top 15, with Hamilton at #3, King at #4, and Washington at #9. Menomonee Falls rounds out the top five behind junior J.P. Tokoto. Appleton East, Germantown, and Sun Prairie are teams to keep an eye on throughout the season as each boasts plenty of young talent.

Division 2

Onalaska brings back a pair of Division 1 college prospects in junior Nick Arenz and rising sophomore Matt Thomas, and the Hilltoppers are #1 in the first Coaches Poll just as they were in the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook pre-season rankings. While the 5-division alignment dropped many former D1 schools down to D2, it is mostly holdovers who make up the top five. #3 Waunakee is one of the primary beneficiaries of the 5-division move thanks to not having to face Madison Memorial every year anymore. Seymour is #2, Wisconsin Lutheran #4 and Monroe #5. Conspicuous by its absence is defending champion Catholic Memorial, who lost Mr. Basketball T.J. Bray and fellow backcourt mate Derek Schell amongst other players. Merrill comes in at #7 despite an 0-2 record to start the year, although both losses were to out of state opponents. Having the state's top senior, Virginia recruit Paul Jesperson, certainly helps their case.

Division 3

While the 5-Division model did address some of the concerns voiced by public/private debaters by moving many public schools down to Division 4, the appearance of five private schools in the top six of Division 3 is likely to ignite another round of debates. Defending champion Racine St. Catherine's gets the early nod, followed by Roncalli, Dominican, East Troy (the only public school in the top six), Aquinas, and St. John's Northwest Military Academy. D3 may be the deepest division this season, with plenty of quality teams 1-15 and several on the outside looking in.

Division 4

There are no defending state champions in Division 4, as last year's titlist Randolph (like almost all former D4 schools) dropped to Division 5 this year. Blair-Taylor, who have made two straight state tournament appearances, is the early favorite according to the coaches, and why not, they've got outstanding size, skill, athleticism, and experience. Racine Lutheran is an under the radar program despite being ranked #2 in the Coaches Poll (and #1 in the WBY pre-season rankings) but will likely make their presence known this year. Regis, Amherst and Oostburg round out the top five. SWAL foes Darlington and Cuba City come in at #7 and #10 respectively, and should once again have some great battles not only in the regular season, but the post-season as well.

Division 5

The race is on to be crowned the first ever Division 5 champion, and the contestants are almost the exact same ones that competed in Division 4 previously, albeit with one significant addition. Sheboygan Lutheran and Wisconsin recruit Sam Dekker actually played in the Division 3 playoffs last year and will drop down two divisions this season. They come in ranked #4 in the early going with solid wins over Green Bay NEW Lutheran (ranked #7 and a the state runner-up last year) and Cedar Grove-Belgium, with Dekker averaging 37.5 points per game. Randolph is the favorite amongst the coaches despite losing Kyle Kelm to UW-Milwaukee as well as several other key contributors from last year's Division 4 state title team. An early season loss to Beaver Dam is nothing to be ashamed of either as the Golden Beavers are a ranked Division 2 team. Benton, Suring, and Seneca also find places in the top five.

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