The Dunlap (IL) varsity basketball team will host a conference game against Metamora (IL) on Friday, January 17, at 7 PM.

Dunlap vs Metamora Game Info:

What: Illinois High School Basketball
Who: Dunlap (IL) vs Metamora (IL)
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Dunlap vs Metamora

The upcoming basketball game between the Metamora Redbirds and the Dunlap Eagles promises to be an exciting match-up. Scheduled for Friday, January 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Dunlap, the game marks an important conference rivalry in the Illinois high school basketball scene.

Team Overview

Metamora (24-25 Season)
Metamora enters this contest with an impressive overall record of 16-4 and an undefeated 6-0 record in conference play. The Redbirds have dominated both at home and on the road, sporting a perfect 5-0 record at home and a solid 5-1 record away. With a potent offense averaging 60.6 points per game and a strong defense allowing just 54.1 points per game, Metamora is in excellent form.

Key players for Metamora include their impressive scoring ability, particularly in the second half, where they tend to pull away from opponents. The Redbirds have been particularly strong in the fourth quarter, averaging 20.7 points in the final frame, indicating their ability to finish games with intensity.

Dunlap (24-25 Season)
On the other hand, Dunlap has had a more challenging season, with a 6-10 overall record. The Eagles have struggled both at home (3-3) and on the road (1-4), but they have found success in conference play, with a 4-2 record. Dunlap’s offense has been inconsistent, averaging 60.4 points per game, but they often find themselves trailing in the first and third quarters, where their scoring tends to dip.

Despite these struggles, Dunlap has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly with their ability to turn games around late. Their scoring spikes in the fourth quarter, averaging 14.3 points, which could make for a thrilling finish in this rivalry game.

Head-to-Head Matchup

This will be the first of two regular-season meetings between these two teams. Metamora and Dunlap have not faced off yet this season, but both teams have been competitive in their common matchups against other teams. Metamora boasts a perfect 7-0 record against common opponents, including victories over teams like Morton, Pekin, and Canton. In contrast, Dunlap has a more modest 4-2 record against the same set of teams, with notable wins against Pekin and Canton.

The upcoming game will showcase how each team performs under conference pressure, and it will be interesting to see if Dunlap can continue their trend of fourth-quarter comebacks to challenge Metamora’s dominant play.

Key Players to Watch

• Metamora’s Offensive Efficiency: Watch for Metamora’s offensive leaders to keep the pressure on Dunlap, especially in the second half, where they tend to score significantly more points than their opponents.
• Dunlap’s Late-Game Resilience: With the Eagles’ ability to push back in the fourth quarter, players like their top scorer could be crucial in a potential late-game surge.

Common Opponents

Both teams have had notable victories against teams like Canton and Pekin, but Metamora’s 7-0 record against common opponents highlights their dominance. Dunlap will need to find a way to match Metamora’s level of play and prevent the Redbirds from taking control early on.

Record Breakdown

• Metamora: 16-4 overall, 6-0 conference, 5-0 home, 5-1 away
• Dunlap: 6-10 overall, 4-2 conference, 3-3 home, 1-4 away

Game Predictions

Metamora’s dominance this season, both offensively and defensively, gives them the edge heading into this game. However, Dunlap’s ability to battle back in the fourth quarter could make this a more competitive matchup than their overall records suggest. With the Redbirds’ consistent scoring and strong defense, they are favorites to win, but Dunlap will certainly be looking to disrupt Metamora’s perfect conference record.

Fans can expect a hard-fought contest as these two teams gear up for an intense battle in the Illinois basketball landscape. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at Dunlap, and it promises to be one not to miss!