Media outlets, including the Star Tribune, have labeled coach Lance Johnson's all-star collection of talent at Minnehaha Academy as possibly the best team ever assembled in the state of Minnesota, before the season even began.
With highly regarded Division I recruits such as Jalen Suggs, Chet Holmgren and Prince Aligbe in the Redhawks' lineup, the suggestion comes with more merit than hyperbole.
But there's another team in the state playing to similarly grand expectations without the same Beatlemania fanfare. While the Redhawks (19-2, 3-0) enter the week with two losses on their resume, Eden Prairie is the only team in Class 4A or Class 3A with an unblemished record.
Eagles players and coaches admire and respect the talent and accomplishments at Minnehaha Academy, but they aren't ready to accept that there is a team better than their own. It's a debate that will be put into action Tuesday night when Eden Prairie, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News from Feb. 12, plays at No. 1-3A Minnehaha Academy in our Top Game of the Week.
"We're very aware that their (Athletic Director Josh Thurow) and multiple players have claimed they are the best team in Minnesota history," Eden Prairie coach David Flom said. "We're looking forward to being on the same court as the best team in state history."
The Eagles (23-0, 10-0) have an all-star lineup of their own, headed by senior guard Drake Dobbs (18.7 points per game). All five senior starters have committed to play college basketball, and Flom said having the distractions of recruiting out of the way has been a big lift for a team that finished last season with a disappointing loss in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament.
Dobbs will play at Division I Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia; 6-foot-6 forward Austin Andrews (16.2 ppg) at Minnesota Duluth; 6-foot-5 guard John Henry (15.9 ppg) at Sioux Falls; 6-foot-7 forward Connor Christensen (12.8 ppg) at Dartmouth; and guard Miles Frisch (7.6 ppg) at Carleton College in Northfield.
"The biggest difference (from last season) is that when they were juniors there were a lot of external stresses, making decisions about AAU, college," Flom said. "But from Day 1 this season, the only thing that's mattered is winning."
As the victories mount for the Eagles this season, Flom said there has been some talk about the possibility of an unbeaten season. But the Eden Prairie coach maintains his squad continues to anticipate just the one game in front of them. On Tuesday night, it could be the Eagles' biggest test of the season.