Breakdown USA Tip Off Classic (Boys)

Minnesota Heats Up With Breakdown USA Tip-Off Classic

Minnesota Heats Up With Breakdown USA Tip-Off Classic

Don't miss the best players, teams, and matchups at the 2016 Breakdown USA Tip-Off Classic in Hopkins, MN, on December 10.

Dec 5, 2016 by Brett Regan
Minnesota Heats Up With Breakdown USA Tip-Off Classic
The temperature outside might not get above freezing Saturday in Hopkins, Minnesota, but the games inside the Lindbergh Center will certainly heat up as the day goes on. The Breakdown USA Tip-Off Classic is the top prep event in Minnesota and is primed to be one of the best in the showcase's history.

HOW TO WATCH

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GAME OF THE DAY
Champlin Park vs. Apple Valley (Main Court, 8:30 PM)
While this is the last game of the day, it's certainly one that is worth the wait. There will be talent all over the floor from the Champlin Park's McKinley Wright (Dayton) and Theo John (Marquette) to the Apple Valley's Tre Jones (Duke, Arizona, UCLA and more for offers). Jones, the No. 19 prospect in 2018, opened the year with a triple-double against Minneapolis North, tallying 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists (plus six blocks) in Apple Valley's win. The Jones-Wright matchup will be one of the more entertaining of the day.

BEST MATCHUP
Nathan Reuvers (Lakeville North) vs. Daniel Oturu (Cretin-Derham Hall) (Main Court, 5:30 PM)
Two of the premier big men in the state clash in what figures to be an excellent game between the Panthers and Raiders. Reuvers, who signed with Wisconsin last month, has more of an inside-out game than a traditional back-to-the-basket big, but Oturu, the more physical player of the two and No. 29-ranked player for 2018, will have to deal with Reuvers' length on both ends of the floor. Oturu is rocketing up recruiting boards across the country, and this is a perfect opportunity for him against another high-major forward right at the start of the season on a big stage. Watching these two battle will be a treat.

TOP PROSPECT
Matthew Hurt (Rochester John Marshall)
After this July, I heard from one high-major coach who had watched the best of the 2019 class extensively on the grassroots circuit. His vote for best player among that entire group? Matthew Hurt of Rochester John Marshall. He's always had splendid offensive talent, but Hurt's development on the defensive end is what's allowed him to separate himself as a nationally elite recruit. His matchup against Hopkins (Main court, 3:45 PM) will provide some interesting viewing as the Royals can roll 6-foot-8 sophomore Zeke Nnaji and 6-foot-10 junior Joseph Hedstrom on to him to cause him problems with size or maybe even 6-foot-6 Elon signee Simon Wright to counter with speed.

DUO TO WATCH
Simon Wright and Ishmael El-Amin (Hopkins)
While the Royals may not have a player of Hurt's caliber, they've got two of Minnesota's top players in Wright and El-Amin. It's an extremely dynamic twosome who could cause Marshall a lot of problems in one of the day's more interesting matchups.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT
Maple Grove vs. DeLaSalle (Main Court, 7 PM)
While the nightcap between Apple Valley and Champlin Park is the headliner, the game that precedes it should be fantastic as well. Wisconsin signee Brad Davison of Maple Grove and George Mason signee Goanar Mar of DeLaSalle are the two prospects to keep the closest eye on. But Crimson seniors Jack Hutchison and Tywhon Pickford are two of the better players in the 2017 class, while the Islanders have junior shooting guard Gabe Kalscheur and sophomores Terry Tyrell and Malik Lamin to amp up the star power in what figures to be an incredibly competitive game from two of the best from Class 4A and 3A.

SMALL-CLASS CLASHES
Spring Grove vs. Browerville (Main Court, 11 AM)  
Minneapolis North vs. Minnehaha Academy

The big schools will draw a lot of the attention Saturday, but don't overlook these battles of top five Class 2A and 1A teams. Point guard Bryce Irsfeld is the star for Browerville, while wing Chase Grinde is Spring Grove's top player for the Class 1A powerhouses. Minnehaha Academy (Class 2A) and Minneapolis North (Class 1A) will both be vying for the top ranking in their respective classes all season. Minnehaha's JaVonni Bickham is one of the best juniors in the state, while North's Nasir El-Amin is one of the best sophomores.

BEASTS IN THE EAST
Marshall vs. Minneapolis Henry (East Court, noon)
Lakeville South vs. Chaska (East Court, 1:45 PM)
Fergus Falls vs. Orono (East Court, 3:15 PM)
Esko vs. Caledonia (East Court, 4:45 PM)
Woodbury vs. Eden Prairie (East Court, 8 PM)

The main court is going to garner much of the attention Saturday, but over on the east court, there are five games that feature matchups between a pair of ranked teams. Some of the best players who will be lacing them up on the east court are: Jack Sorenson (Lakeville South), Shea Mitchell (Lakeville South), Myles Hanson (Chaska), Matt Johnson (Fergus Falls) , Jarvis Thomas (Orono), Adam Trapp (Esko), Owen King (Caledonia) and Owen Chose (Eden Prairie). There's no doubt that some of the best games of the day will take place here.

By Travis Hines

How to Watch

Breakdown USA Tip-Off Classic
WHEN:
Saturday, December 10
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