Coaches can use early season nonconference games as a measuring stick to assess their teams — and for squads with state title expectations, such as Mountain Iron-Buhl and Roseau, a contest against an equally or more talented team can be a great precursor for what’s to come in March.
Mountain Iron-Buhl visits Roseau on Friday for matchup each hope will replicate the look and feel of a state tournament game, and that's reason it is our Top Game of the Week.
Last season, the Rangers lost in the Class 1A semifinals to Sleepy Eye, while the Rams fell to Sauk Centre in the Class 2A state championship game. Both want a return trip to state, but neither wants a repeat performance, and the showdown should be telling for each on both ends of the floor.
Mt. Iron-Buhl enters the week owning an eye-popping margin of victory (44.5 points) this season. To continue at that pace, the Rangers (6-0, 1-0), who are No. 2 in the Class 1A rankings released by Minnesota Basketball News on Dec. 12, will need production from their scoring and rebounding leader, Allie Negen. The senior forward averages 17 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and a big night from Negen could lead to a big road win.
Negen will likely be the focal point of the defensive game plan used by a Roseau team looking to remain perfect against in-state competition. The only loss by the No. 1-2A Rams came against Grand Forks Red River (N.D.), 90-71, on Dec. 1.
Roseau (4-1, 2-0) boasts an explosive offense that averages 78.8 ppg. Much of that scoring has come from sisters Kacie Borowicz and Katie Borowicz, along with Julia Braaten, who have combined to average 60.5 ppg. Kacie Borowicz leads the way with 24.7 ppg.