MP Hoops Scouting & Analysis

It’s never too early to make some predictions.

Although March Madness is still a way away, with summer ball and the (cough) transfer season wrapped up, we can start to get a clearer look at which teams will be leading the pack next season.

District assignments have been posted since June, allowing us to see each quadrant and what it will take for teams to go all the way to East Lansing.

Here is our predicted D3 final four:

Pine River – This team is loaded with talent, which might help them reach the Breslin Center for the first time since the state semifinals and finals moved there in the 1990s. Mason Gugle (6-4) can take over games and is starting to really come into his own as a versatile scorer. Eli Smith (6-0) is a heady lead guard who adds some scoring. Stone Walker (6-7) has developed a strong offensive game and is hard to score on with his long wingspan in the paint. This quadrant has a bunch of good teams, but Pine River has great players at every level – which might be the difference.

Pewamo-Westphalia – A return to the Breslin looks likely for a program that has made a handful of appearances in the last 15 years. Northwood commit Grady Eklund (6-4) is an elite scorer with great size and athleticism. Trent Piggott (6-6) is a load in the paint with nimble footwork and elite finishing skills on the block. Sophomore Logan Farmer (6-2) could be a major breakout player and the heir apparent to Eklund as the program’s leading scorer. Tyler Spitzley (6-4) is an athletic forward who plays with energy and growing skill. A host of solid guards will round out the rotation.

Jackson Lumen Christi – After losing two years in a row to Riverview Gabriel Richard in the quarterfinal, Jackson LC has a couple of sophomore guards ready to get them over the hump. Ashton Callan (6-2) has elite upside as a scorer and backcourt leader. He could be ready to become a household name as early as this season. Brogan Burgess (5-11) should also be a consistent scorer as a versatile guard. Vandercook Lake transfer Jonathan Morgan (6-1) could step right into the starting lineup as a good shooter and all-around scorer. Isaac Maki (6-4) and Kellen Crowley (6-3) will split time in the frontcourt. Amarion Clay (5-10) and Zack Tropea (5-7) are high I.Q. guards who can start or be the 6th man.

Detroit Loyola – Always good, Loyola might make a return to the Breslin this season with a good mix of crafty guards and size in the post. Martez Davis (5-8) is a treat to watch, always playing with energy and passion. He’s a very good scorer from all over the court. Cody Champion (6-0) was impressive last season, providing the team with a wing scorer and reliable defender. Deandre Dann (6-5) is an important piece in the post. He can score, rebound and block shots. Sophomore Donovan Clark (6-4) could be the team’s x-factor. If he develops into a future college prospect, this team could be hard for D1 and D2 schools to beat, let alone D3 squads.