[EasternAlum]

Eastern takes on Manual tonight in a matchup of two top teams in the 7th Region. Manual returns almost everyone from last season with the exception of Jacob Jenkins, who was out for the majority of the season anyway. Eastern lost 7th Region Player of the Year Chris Dowe but returns the rest of their starters and most of their bench.

After Eastern's first game they will need to rebound better and find a way to keep Manual from getting the ball inside to Nikolic, as well as keeping track of Manual's shooters around the perimeter. I look for Manual to play a tough zone and Eastern will certainly have to hit some outside shots to loosen up the Manual D.

Eastern by 9 with a big game from Thomas and Abell