One of the more interesting match-ups the Breakdown has put together this year.  The Crimson and Trojans are a bit under the radar with Maple Grove seeing their top returning player transfer and New Prague losing three key seniors.  With that said Maple Grove has three starters back in their line-up and the Paul Friendshuh era is about to begin in New Prague.  These are teams that could pull some upsets this year and surprise in March.

Paul Friendshuh vs Erik Olson: This is 6-foot-8 going against 6-foot-6, junior highly rated prospect versus an established bruising senior.  Friendshuh had been about potential more than results until last May when Pump N Run Coach Nick Carroll helped turned on the switch that has made Friendshuh a more physical presence.  Paul is skilled with a nice touch and the ability to get up and down.  Olson will need to be physical with him and those that know Erik tell you that he’ll have no problem with that.  Don’t be surprised if both players finish with double-doubles.

Why Maple Grove will win:

• The Crimson will be much deeper and they have better talent than New Prague.  Olson, Brycen Wojta, and Jake Wieneke are all experienced returning starters who are likely to play college basketball.
• Maple Grove won 16 games last year with a strong junior class.  That group of talent is now seniors and this is the year that the program has been pointing to for some time now.

Why New Prague will win:

• Friendshuh gets a lot of attention but the Trojan senior class is nothing to look over.  Guards Joe Kneip, Luke Rynda, and Nick Johnson combined to average 19 points a game last winter and they could double that in 2012-13.  This could be a very balanced team.
• If New Prague gets outside shooting from Johnson and Rynda it will take pressure of Friendshuh who will then have room to go one on one with the Crimson frontcourt.  Maple Grove has some solid bigs but none of them will be able to consistently stop Paul without help.

Our Prediction:  Maple Grove