Five on top

DeLaSalle: Jarvis Johnson gets the pub, but he's got a tremendous group to work with, including forwards Sacar Anim, Josh Collins and Jeffrey Daubenton.

Eden Prairie: Coach David Flom calls the Eagles "the most talented offensive team I've coached in my nine years at EP."

Hopkins: Short on experience, but savvy guards Amir Coffey and John Warren should lessen the growing pains.

Armstrong: The senior foursome of Evan Nolan, Jerome Dixon, Sean Burns and Tre Tate combined for a per-game average of 45 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists last year.

Minneapolis North: Hands down the most talented team in Class 1A. Will the Polars reach their first state tournament since 2003?

It takes a sea of hands to handle Holy Family big man Justin Dahl.

Five on the cusp

Minnetonka: Guards Justin Moes and junior Seth Coatta are perhaps the state's best outside shooting tandem.

Maple Grove: Sophomore guard Brad Davison, fresh from quarterbacking the Crimson to the state football semifinals, makes his entire team better.

Chanhassen: Joey Witthus, a 6-5 small forward who averaged nearly 23 points last year, heads an all-senior starting five.

Orono: The Spartans feature a starting front line that goes 6-5 (Ethan Larson), 6-6 (Ellis Hammer) and 6-8 (Sam Sustacek).

Wayzata: New coach Bryan Schnettler inherits a talented-but-green group with no seniors among their top 11 players.

Five worth watching

Holy Family: Justin Dahl, a 6-11 post who has signed with Northern Iowa, is the state's best senior big man.

Edina: Don't overlook the Hornets, who can score with any team in the metro. Rebounding might be a different story, however.

Waconia: Experience, size (seven players 6-4 or taller) and depth make the Wildcats a favorite in the Wright County Conference.

Minneapolis Washburn: Skilled trio of Evan Shepherd, Kevin Gleason and Jobreil Powell have 7-foot Charlie Irmiger patrolling the lane.

Minnehaha Academy: Two names that should become very familiar in freshman JaVonni Bickham and seventh-grader Jalen Suggs.

Conference champs

Who will win the West Metro conferences?

IMAC: Minnehaha Academy

Lake: Eden Prairie

Metro West: Chanhassen

Minneapolis: North

Northwest Suburban: Champlin Park*

Tri-Metro: DeLaSalle

Twin Cities: St. Croix Prep*

Wright County: Orono

(*– not considered West Metro)

Circle the date

Make a special effort to see these west-metro matchups:

Dec. 13: Tip-Off Classic — DeLaSalle vs. Apple Valley (at Minnetonka), 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 17: Maranatha at Minneapolis North, 3 p.m.

Jan. 6: Hopkins at Cretin-Derham Hall, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 13: Eden Prairie at DeLaSalle, 7 p.m.

Jan. 23: Waconia at Orono, 7 p.m.

Feb. 12: Minneapolis North at Minneapolis Henry, 7 p.m.

Feb. 20: Hopkins at Eden Prairie, 7 p.m.