There will be no easing into this basketball season.
Intriguing, important or potentially season-defining matchups litter the first full week of the schedule, with perennially elite squads aiming for fast starts that could propel them into the state tournament.
There's also young programs looking to prove themselves against seasoned opponents that had premature postseason exits last spring and want seize on early season opportunities for revenge.
Our Top Game of the Week has a little bit of everything and a whole lot of hype, with two defending state champions squaring off in just their second game of the year — a showdown that also is being broadcast to nationwide audience on ESPNU.
Apple Valley and Minnehaha Academy were ranked No. 1 in their respective classes (4A and 2A) in Minnesota Basketball News's preseason rankings, and a win for either team would help cement that standing. This matchup is also an early opportunity for two top-tier point guards on opposite ends of their high school careers to pit themselves against high-level competition.
Tre Jones led the Eagles in points (23.3), assists (7.4) and rebounds (10) per game en route to a spot on the Star Tribune's All-Metro First Team and the state title last season, but it isn't a one-man show for the Eagles. Luke Martens (10.4 ppg) and Nathan Macho (8.3 ppg) return as part of a group of 12 seniors with back-to-back title aspirations. With the Duke-bound Jones at the helm, the Eagles will be looking to give a strong showing against a young, talented Minnehaha Academy team.
The Redhawks (1-0) return all five of their leading scorers from last season's Class 2A title-winning team, led by ESPN's top point guard in the class of 2020, Jalen Suggs.
Suggs averaged 21.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.5 steals per game his freshman year, and twice scored at least 40 points in a game. If he and fellow sophomores Terry Lockett (12.2 ppg) and Kaden Johnson (10.1 ppg) continue to develop, Minnehaha Academy could pose a serious threat to win state titles for the foreseeable future.