Over the last few years, the Mid-Suburban league has generated multiple Division 1 players and All-State selections. That should continue in a conference that should be very balanced this year.

Barrington

Barrington has a good returning trio to lean on this year. Sophomore Oliver Gray has grown to 6-foot-5 and looks like a top-10 player in the class. He’s a smooth, explosive scorer who can create his own shot or stretch the floor off of the ball. Alec Schmidts (6-foot-4) is going to have a huge season using his size and shooting range to create mismatches. He came along nicely last year and was a leading rebounder for the team. They will also get another solid, versatile player in junior Nick Peipert, who has led their football team at quarterback. The athleticism will aid a group who should have some new faces in the supporting cast.

Buffalo Grove

Connor Woodin committed to golf at Loyola Chicago a few months ago, but he can shoot the lights out on the court. After being the focal point for the Bison last season, I’d expect Woodin to be even more effective at understanding how to navigate specialty defenses and score in various ways. There were a few of his running mates who graduated, but junior Tyler Baker is back and could take some pressure off of Woodin as a ball-handler. They will look to make some headway in a tough MSL division.

Conant

Three-year seniors Cam Lathos and Yusuf Cisse lead what should be the most stifling defense and one of the better teams in the conference. Lathos is a unique tough shot-maker at 6-foot-6 with strength to get to his spots and the range to score from all over the floor. Cisse is an elite on-ball defender who is a pass-first point guard who can alter opposing gameplans. A highly intelligent, powerful driver, he gets all of their shooters open looks and should be a bit more assertive scoring the ball when needed.

Junior forward Bradley Biedke is one to keep an eye on after playing up as a sophomore. He showed great signs over the summer at using his athletic ability to dominate on the glass, attack closeouts, and excel in transition. Their gap defense as a whole will be tough to score on as usual.

Fremd

Fremd is right up there with any team in the conference in terms of the quality of their returning pieces. Senior sharpshooter Ryan Cox (6-foot-4) will assume a leadership role and has the ability to catch fire and blow games open as both a catch-and-shoot and off-the-dribble scorer. Junior Samuel Hirsch (6-foot-4) is also back with size and athleticism on the wing. He’s a Swiss-Army knife for Fremd, defending inside and out while having the offensive game to score or distribute in the offense.

I’m looking forward to seeing the growth of 6-foot-5 sophomore Jordan Williams. His body has continued to transform, now with the frame and athletic ability to inflict damage inside as a driver or rebounder. Look for a big jump in his production, potentially emerging as an all-conference player. His classmate Rafael Pinto should be a quality piece as another rangy perimeter player who has a nose for the ball and can knock down open shots.

Hersey

Jackson Hupp (6-foot-7) is one of my favorite bigs to watch. He’s a monster on the inside and could become the top center in the area this year. On top of his power and footwork with his back to the basket, Hupp continued to show passing instincts and three-point shooting (35% last year). His point guard, Jared Ryg, also came back to be a floor general with more scoring responsibility. Ryg’s body control, defensive activity, and finishing inside separate him. There are a number of multi-sport athletes who I’m unsure on their intensions of playing basketball this year. Carson Grove (Northwestern football), Will Nolan (Iowa football), and Keegan Luxem would all provide athleticism and some strength up front for the latter two. Guard Ricky DiVito was also up as a sophomore and could see an increased role this year.

Hoffman Estates

Trendell Whiting will step into a lead role as a returning senior who played big minutes a year ago. It starts with defense for him, but he can get to the rim very well in the half court and transition. The backcourt with Whiting and Nate Cleveland will be solid. Cleveland plays with intensity and competes on both ends. He earned valuable experience as a sophomore. The grueling Mid-Suburban schedule will again be a challenge, but having the guard-play to control tempo should aid them.

Palatine

An accomplished senior class left, but Palatine has one of the premier players in the state in 6-foot-7 guard Connor May. He was an all-state player last year and is a real triple-double threat who will take on an even heavier load as a scorer. Don’t be surprised if he’s in that low-to-mid 20 points a game range this year. Senior Ian Dow will be a floor spacer for the group and junior Carter Monroe is a well-rounded athlete who is going to be a lot more impactful this year. Conrad Okulski is another junior who could provide some support with his strength and energy.

Prospect

Prospect has been a steady, competitive program for years and this season should be no different. Point guard Ben Schneider jumped on the scene last year with speed, creativity, and a good balance of three-level scoring and distributing. Schneider is a difference maker. There are a lot of seniors who will contribute to a quality defense and be opportunistic on the offensive end. Frankie Poshnjari, Cole Chapman, and Aiden Walter are all good-sized wings/forwards who can slash and rebound in crowds. Drew Terpins, another senior, is a tough guard who can shoot it from the outside in his own right. There are a number of good players in the pipeline at the underlevels to keep an eye on as well.

Rolling Meadows

Three Division 1 players graduated as part of an excellent senior class. 6-foot-7 junior guard Ian Miletic is now the vet. The good news is that he is a tremendous leader who can lead with his voice and by example. His shooting, athleticism, and defensive impact have all taken big jumps since last winter and he is a rock-solid Division 1 prospect who will blow up this year. The junior class is deep, albeit inexperienced. Jack Duffer was up last year and will be a reliable three-point threat and playmaker to complement Miletic.

Jaeden Warrener also saw some time last year, bringing direct driving and athleticism to the backcourt. Gavin Escobedo can put the ball in the hole from the perimeter or with craftiness inside. Lazar Lazarevic (6-foot-6) is lanky with some intriguing skill putting it on the ground. He will help inside along with 6-foot-4 sophomore Kenan Pekovic. They have a star to lean on in Miletic and plenty of capable supporting pieces who will get exponentially better as the year progresses.

Schaumburg

There are some really nice pieces on this Schaumburg team to make some noise this year. Point guard Jordan Tunis has been mainstay and will bring more of the same quality decision-making and quick takes to the rim that made him tough as a sophomore. Vonte McCoy is also back in the backcourt after having a big year in his own right. He’s a tenacious guard who creates offense from his defense. The junior duo will man the backcourt.

But there is a good collection of frontcourt players. 6-foot-7 senior Tyler March is a rangy forward who had flashes as a shot-blocker and face-up option. Fenwick transfer Zion Young should have an immediate impact with his physicality and strength inside. The footwork and touch are there. 6-foot-7 center Clark Easley will also be a rim protector and presence.

Wheeling

Wheeling is going to be fairly young this year after losing some key players to graduation. 6-foot-4 wing Brent Collar can make things happen on the glass, off the dribble, and on the defensive end. He’s got a chance to take a huge step forward this year. Two sophomores, Zach Neukirch and Peter Kulig, are players to keep an eye on as well. Both can do some things as ball-handlers and shoot it a bit from the perimeter. There is a foundation there for Wheeling to grow over the next few years.