Ballard if they get there will be the heavy favorite just like they were the last two times they were runner-up. They seem to always find away to lose in the finals. There always seems to be a team in the sweet sixteen that no one looks at that steps up and wins it. Its what makes it the greatest show on earth. Cov Cath was an example last year. All the talk was about Trinity, Scott Co, and Hoptown.

 

Last year's bracket was horribly unbalanced which allowed a team like Cov Cath to go to the finals without ever playing a top 20 team. The brackets are much more even this year which will make it more difficult for a team off the radar to win it. I'm not saying it can't happen, because this year is pretty wide open. Ballard is no doubt the favorite, but how often does that actually happen?

Last year's bracket was horribly unbalanced which allowed a team like Cov Cath to go to the finals without ever playing a top 20 team. The brackets are much more even this year which will make it more difficult for a team off the radar to win it. I'm not saying it can't happen, because this year is pretty wide open. Ballard is no doubt the favorite, but how often does that actually happen?

 

Agreed with the brackets. However there is always teams that surprises everyone. No one expected Christian Co to beat Eastern with 5 D-1 starters 4 years ago or Rowan Co to be in the finals. I think Ballard will be the favorite and should win it but I will go with the odds and say they dont.

Only 3 times this since the turn of the century, and 6 times since the 70s has the #1 team in the final AP regular season poll won the title.

I think Ballard is certainly the favorite, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them go down in the finals like they have 4 times in the last 12 years (or even in the finals of the region).

Agreed with the brackets. However there is always teams that surprises everyone. No one expected Christian Co to beat Eastern with 5 D-1 starters 4 years ago or Rowan Co to be in the finals. I think Ballard will be the favorite and should win it but I will go with the odds and say they dont.

 

I had Christian winning it all that year. That was an upset, but not a huge surprise. Rowan on the other hand, I never would have dreamed would have made that run.

It amazes me that Ballards the favorite. If you like an underdog you should cheer for Ballard. They were supposed to be the 4th best team in the 7th region. They were not even picked to be the best team in their district. It was implied that players must not like playing for Renner since two starters transferred out. Jalen Perry was not even mentioned as a Mr basketball candidate before the season. He didn't even pick up an offer until after Christmas. How could they replace Snider and Martin? Well here they are... I hope they continue winning- it's not the same old Ballard team.

Your right, this Ballard team was not supposed to be this good, maybe that is why they are. This team seems more balanced than last years team. It was all about Snider and Martin, this year you have to focus on the team as a whole instead of 2 players. Perry has done an excellent job stepping up and leading this team. I really think the turn around took place when they played Monteverde and played them very well. That opened some eyes around the state to how good this team was gonna be.

It amazes me that Ballards the favorite. If you like an underdog you should cheer for Ballard. They were supposed to be the 4th best team in the 7th region. They were not even picked to be the best team in their district. It was implied that players must not like playing for Renner since two starters transferred out. Jalen Perry was not even mentioned as a Mr basketball candidate before the season. He didn't even pick up an offer until after Christmas. How could they replace Snider and Martin? Well here they are... I hope they continue winning- it's not the same old Ballard team.

 

Agree, it may be the best coaching Renner has done given the unexpected departures. Ballard is getting contributions from many different players and they have a 6'9" post who does allow their defensive scheme to work well with pressure out top. If you come into the lane, Douglas is doing a very good job altering shots at the rim. I feel he is very key to their ability to win it all. If he plays aggressive and plays his best ball of his career from here out, he could be the one who carries them over the top.

Only 3 times this since the turn of the century, and 6 times since the 70s has the #1 team in the final AP regular season poll won the title.

I think Ballard is certainly the favorite, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them go down in the finals like they have 4 times in the last 12 years (or even in the finals of the region).

 

Can i ask where to get that info..final ap poll..id like too check things out like that..very interesting fact and thanks in advance

It amazes me that Ballards the favorite. If you like an underdog you should cheer for Ballard. They were supposed to be the 4th best team in the 7th region. They were not even picked to be the best team in their district. It was implied that players must not like playing for Renner since two starters transferred out. Jalen Perry was not even mentioned as a Mr basketball candidate before the season. He didn't even pick up an offer until after Christmas. How could they replace Snider and Martin? Well here they are... I hope they continue winning- it's not the same old Ballard team.

They certainly are not an underdog now.

See Ballard-Manual update thread.

Can i ask where to get that info..final ap poll..id like too check things out like that..very interesting fact and thanks in advance

 

I have gone through bunches of old newspapers to try to find these rankings. The google newspaper archives has been fantastic. I've mostly used the Harlan, BG and Hoptown newspapers to get these rankings. Middlesboro's paper has a lot of the old UPI ratings as well, but I haven't got into those as much.

Once again Ballard can't get it done. Boyle is that team this year no one expects. After tonight I think they win it

Obviously not. Ballard played very lack luster their last several games other then Trinity.