The 2011 Minnesota State Boys Basketball Tournament kicks off this week. Here is a look at some storylines and things to watch as state champions in four classes will be crowned at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis this week:
MaxPreps Minnesota boys basketball playoff bracketsInside the Numbers76 - The height, in inches of
Hopkins (Minnetonka) star
Joe Coleman. The 6-foot-4 University of Minnesota recruit was, this week, named the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year. Coleman, the brother of former Minnesota Gophers standout and current European professional basketball player Dan Coleman, averaged 21.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for the state's best team.
72 - The height, in inches of
Estan Tyler of
Johnson (St. Paul). Tyler was named the St. Paul Pioneer Press Player of the Year this week and is a key catalyst of a Johnson team looking to repeat at this year's state tournament. Tyler averages 19 points per game and 4.5 assists per game. He has won 105 games in his high school career and has signed to play at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
62.6 - The field goal percentage of
Marvin Singleton, a rugged forward from Hopkins who averages 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds for the Royals.
42 - The number of points
Marshall (Duluth) senior
Caleb Johnson needs to reach the 1,000 point mark in his career.
41.4 - Estan Tyler's 3-point field goal percentage this year.
30 - The number of points 6-foot-6
Lakeville South forward
Alex Richter scored in losses to Hopkins and Johnson this year. South opens state tournament action against
Eden Prairie. Richter averaged 22 points per game this season and is receiving interest from numerous DI and DII schools.
30 - The number of wins by Class A state entrant
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, which is 30-0 heading into the state tournament. Here are some more numbers: They outscore their opponents by an average of 26.1 points and also average 19.2 assists per game. Senior
Kevin Kuefler has more than 1,200 career points and averages 19 points per game. Junior
Connor Goodwin is the top rebounder and averages 8.5 per game.
22.6 - The number of points per game scored by
Waconia 6-foot-9 senior forward/center
Shelby Moats. The Vanderbilt recruit averages 11.4 rebounds and shoots 41 percent from 3-point range. A great touch for a big man, Moats shoots 80 percent from the free throw line.
15.3 - The points per game average of
Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul) senior guard
Raijon Kelly. The Raiders enter the AAAA state tournament as perhaps a surprise entrance, but Kelly is a key reason why the Raiders emerged from a tough conference and section. He also averages 5.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
15 - The number of years the state of Minnesota has now been in a four-class format.
14.6 - The per game scoring average for
Roosevelt Scott of
Johnson (St. Paul). The Governors are deep and Scott, who also averages 5.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.9 steals, is a key cog in the Governors' machine.
8 - The number of years all tournament games will be played in Minneapolis. In previous years first round games had been played at regional locations across the state. This year, quarterfinals games will be played at both the Target Center in Minneapolis, home to the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, and Williams Arena, home to college basketball's Minnesota Golden Gophers.
4 - The number of teams making their first state tournament appearance. They include Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa and
Upsala in Class A, and
Perham and
Zimmerman in Class AA.
4 - This is the fourth year the top four teams in AAA and AAAA were seeded and their opponents determined by blind draw from the remaining list.
4 - The number of dunks Hopkins' Coleman posted in the Section final win.
3 - Lourdes (Rochester) is making its third state tournament appearance, but first since 2000.
2 - The number of state champions back to defend titles. Hopkins in AAAA and St. Paul Johnson in AAA are looking to defend their titles. No surprise, both teams earned the No. 1 seed heading into tournament action. Hopkins is seeking its third-straight state title and seventh overall for the west metro school.
0 - The number of times Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa has played in the state tournament before qualifying this year.
Watch The TournamentAll quarterfinal games will be taped for delayed webcast on
prep45.kstc45.com. All semifinal and championship games will be televised live by KSTC TV, Channel 45, and streamed live and free on the Web at prep45.kstc45.com.
