Finals tonight in the Stop DWI Holiday Classic.

 

Can Dixie handle Holmes' pressure?

Can Holmes contain Hatton?

 

Thoughts?

Holmes will def contain Hatton because of speed and double teaming him if have to. Holmes by 15+

What time is game?

Game is at 7:30....Male v Southern at 6.

Hatton is no doubt a phenomenal player with strong and exceptional talents, but Holmes will no doubt expose with vivid comparison the difference between their smothering quickness and finesse, and stifle his abilities in the process. His only option tonight will be open looks at the arc, which he's proved throughout his career that that's where he is most dependable. Although he's very good at it, his own dribble drive capabilities will be mostly ruined by a million hands frantically and successfully frazzling his attempts. Depending on the officiating, he may have some success in drawing fouls, and will have to have a stellar night from the charity stripe as well.

 

Holmes will have success with a full court press with hopes of getting a lot of their buckets through thievery, and in transition, while Dixie will have to settle for half court pressure that will demonstrate their prowess in doing so, forcing the Bulldogs to be more patient in finding and connecting on open looks. Bolden, McClendon, Housley, and Glover have all recently been having excellent shooting success, and this trend will need to continue. Dixie will show their strength, quickness, and discipline a bit better than most have at beating the Bulldog press, but not completely.

 

There will be a tough attempt by Dixie to try to smother and stifle Chames, but so far no team has been successful at this. I see Dixie demonstrating a better effort than others in doing so, but will not shut him down completely, especially in transition or on the boards. He will though be more limited than he has been all year. If he's able to draw fouls, he'll have to do well from the line, which is not always his best suit.

 

I see an intense and low scoring affair with the Colonels doing their best at controlling tempo, working the clock, and trying to limit the Bulldogs possessions, while trying to force foul trouble upon them. Holmes' bench depth will strongly aid here as they constantly shuffle players in and out to give rest while adding confusion to Dixie's approach.

 

For Dixie, Drew Moore's quickness, height, finesse, and basket attacking abilities will be largely called upon, and him having an exceptional night is critical in Dixie's success.

 

Ultimately I think that Holmes' quickness will win out in the tempo controlling war, as Dixie's stamina will stick around 'til late in the game, but will eventually wear thin no matter how disciplined they are. They'll give Holmes all they want, but the Bulldogs are quite capable in taking it with the victory finally being awarded to them with a final score of 58-51.

......

 

I think the margin is in the 15-20 range. The perimeter speed will be a factor, and I'm not sure Dixie will be able to keep Chames off the offensive glass. I would expect Holmes to get BH's best effort tonight, so I'd think he'll keep the 1st half fairly close. Eventually, I expect he'll wear down some and Holmes will pull away.

The match up that has me most intrigued is Moore v Bolden.

 

I wouldn't be completely surprised to see Rabe on Bolden as he is a very good defender as well, but if I had to guess, I'd go with Moore on Bolden and Rabe on McClendon.

 

It really depends on who Coach Chevy starts.

 

Last night he went with Rabe, Daria, Schreck, Hedger, and Hatton (I think that was the starters) with Moore, Niehaus, Strong, Bolin, and Moore off the bench.

 

Will be interesting to see if he goes with a bigger lineup and decides to zone with this group:

 

Rabe, Schreck, Moore, Hatton, Hedger/Bolin

Holmes' bench depth will strongly aid here as they constantly shuffle players in and out to give rest... as Dixie's stamina will stick around 'til late in the game, but will eventually wear thin

 

I like Dixie's depth way more than I like Holmes' depth. I'd take Dixie's 2nd five over the Holmes' 2nd five any day of the week.

I like Dixie's depth way more than I like Holmes' depth. I'd take Dixie's 2nd five over the Holmes' 2nd five any day of the week.

 

Tough call.

 

Dixie: Strong, Moore, Niehaus, Isbel, Bolin

Holmes: Brolley, Herndon, Glover, Arnold, Avery

 

That 2nd 5 for Holmes is basically the same group that beat Dixie's JV by 17 last year in the JV region tourney.

 

Avery didn't play against Southern last night and he is usually the 1st big man off the bench..that's why Moore got so much PT for Holmes.

 

Holmes recently got Herndon back which improves their guard depth defensively, big time. He didn't see many minutes last night either because he is still be worked back in to things. Arnold also didn't play last night.

Tough call.

 

Dixie: Strong, Moore, Niehaus, Isbel, Bolin

Holmes: Brolley, Herndon, Glover, Arnold, Avery

 

That 2nd 5 for Holmes is basically the same group that beat Dixie's JV by 17 last year in the JV region tourney.

 

Avery didn't play against Southern last night and he is usually the 1st big man off the bench..that's why Moore got so much PT for Holmes.

 

Holmes recently got Herndon back which improves their guard depth defensively, big time. He didn't see many minutes last night either because he is still be worked back in to things. Arnold also didn't play last night.

 

Herndon, Arnold, & Avery? Perhaps I've overlooked it, but I haven't heard their names in the discussion lately. Earlier on they were valuable contributors. Are they still in the mix, or am I mistaken? :idunno:

Tough call.

 

Dixie: Strong, Moore, Niehaus, Isbel, Bolin

Holmes: Brolley, Herndon, Glover, Arnold, Avery

 

That 2nd 5 for Holmes is basically the same group that beat Dixie's JV by 17 last year in the JV region tourney.

 

Avery didn't play against Southern last night and he is usually the 1st big man off the bench..that's why Moore got so much PT for Holmes.

 

Holmes recently got Herndon back which improves their guard depth defensively, big time. He didn't see many minutes last night either because he is still be worked back in to things. Arnold also didn't play last night.

 

Wow... from what I've seen of Dixie, that Isbel kid has incredible leaping ability. He's sort of emotional though, and beats himself up if he doesn't perform as he thinks he should. He needs to know not to worry and to just dust himself off and get back at it. I think that he might even be better than he himself realizes, or at least has a tremendous amount of upside to him.

Holmes wins big JV & Varsity.

Herndon, Arnold, & Avery? Perhaps I've overlooked it, but I haven't heard their names in the discussion lately. Earlier on they were valuable contributors. Are they still in the mix, or am I mistaken? :idunno:

 

Avery had 6 points against SK...he is usually a regular contributor at both ends. Probably the best athlete on the team and has nice length and size at 6'4.

 

Herndon made his first appearance last night. Hasn't suited up or been with the team since the summer but he was the best player for Holmes in some of their games. He provides very good athleticism at both ends but makes more of an impact defensively. Give him a few games and he will be a regular in the rotation.

 

Don't remember seeing Arnold play last night but usually comes off the bench and provides decent mins at the 3/4.

Wow... from what I've seen of Dixie, that Isbel kid has incredible leaping ability. He's sort of emotional though, and beats himself up if he doesn't perform as he thinks he should. He needs to know not to worry and to just dust himself off and get back at it. I think that he might even be better than he himself realizes, or at least has a tremendous amount of upside to him.

 

I really like Isbel and agree he has a lot of potential and upside. Great athlete. His biggest problem, as you said, is the mental aspect of his game. Once the light goes on for him, he will be tough to handle.

Finals tonight in the Stop DWI Holiday Classic.

 

Can Dixie handle Holmes' pressure?

Can Holmes contain Hatton?

 

Thoughts?

What's jumped out at me in recent weeks is how McClendon is finding his niche. He had five treys last night. Holmes has a D-1 recruit at one guard, and now a second guard who can light it up from beyond the arc. Pick your poison. In last year's Dixie-Holmes match-up, Hatton struggled beyond the arc but had success driving to the hoop.