You gotta be fortunate enough to shoot 49 free throws and hit 42 of them like Boyle did at the quarterfinals of the Sweet 16 last march too. Sorry... This Ballard fan is still smarting over that loss!

Pretty sure this was debated, at length, in a thread a couple of days ago. As was said then, their schedule ramps up considerably down the stretch. Much like Boyle last year, the regional tournament will do more to "prepare" them for state than their regular season schedule - IF they are fortunate enough to win the 12th. It turned out pretty well for Boyle!

 

And, like Boyle last year, whether they're good enough to win region and make a run at RUPP will be determined by whether they are good enough to do so as opposed to their schedule during the first half of their season. Period.

 

And please keep in mind that, though they did "only" beat SL by 1, it was their PG's (Hager) first game back after missing 2 weeks due to illness. He was less than 50% and was largely ineffective. If you don't think that's material, then you haven't watched Mercer play.

 

Boyle County played in the Traditional Bank tournament last year. They faced Bryan Station, CovCath, Apollo, LexCath and Trinity in a 5 days period. Then they played Clay County in their first game after that tournament. That right there prepared Boyle County for region play as well as Rupp Arena and anyone close to Boyle's program will tell you that the month of December was huge for the team's development. Boyle's schedule was ridiculous last year.

You gotta be fortunate enough to shoot 49 free throws and hit 42 of them like Boyle did at the quarterfinals of the Sweet 16 last march too. Sorry... This Ballard fan is still smarting over that loss!

 

It's all good. That was the best game they played all season long.

Mercer County does not have a challenging schedule. Let's not kid ourselves. Insults our intelligence. Mercer County will have a harder time winning the 12th Region than they will making it to the Sweet 16 Final Four. And I say that without seeing the Sweet 16 bracket.

 

South Laurel and Clay County are both better than Meade County and by all accounts the 13th>3rd Region this season. I mean seriously, South Laurel loses to Mercer County by 1 point and folks say they are one the top 14 of all schools in the state.

 

I completely agree. If Mercer gets out of the 12th (Which they will be favored to do), it might be easier for them to make it to Saturday at Rupp (depending on draw of course). Point: Top to bottom, the 12th Region is the toughest in the state in my opinion.

Mercer County is solid. They will find a better opponent on some night, but right now they are sizzlin'.

 

3rd region has about 4-5 favorites. That region is WIDE open. Daviess Co, Meade, BreckCo, and Muhlenburg could all beat each other by 1-25 points with as much as that region plays up and down. The hotter of the teams will pull out. I'm calling BreckCo.

 

Basically the credit goes to Mercer for dominating. They are playing some of the best competition around. this is a team to continue to build here with freshman and sophomores that need experience so they can have continued success and further depth moving towards post season play.

 

Scheduling the #1's and 2's in every region or in other states is unintelligent for programs trying to grow. They'll meet their match at least once or twice this season.

Mercer County is solid. They will find a better opponent on some night, but right now they are sizzlin'.

 

3rd region has about 4-5 favorites. That region is WIDE open. Daviess Co, Meade, BreckCo, and Muhlenburg could all beat each other by 1-25 points with as much as that region plays up and down. The hotter of the teams will pull out. I'm calling BreckCo.

 

Basically the credit goes to Mercer for dominating. They are playing some of the best competition around. this is a team to continue to build here with freshman and sophomores that need experience so they can have continued success and further depth moving towards post season play.

 

Scheduling the #1's and 2's in every region or in other states is unintelligent for programs trying to grow. They'll meet their match at least once or twice this season.

 

They are trying to win state this season. Like most county schools they'll have swings of cycles in talent. This is one of those years where talent is abundant and expectations are very high.

Mercer County is solid. They will find a better opponent on some night, but right now they are sizzlin'.

 

3rd region has about 4-5 favorites. That region is WIDE open. Daviess Co, Meade, BreckCo, and Muhlenburg could all beat each other by 1-25 points with as much as that region plays up and down. The hotter of the teams will pull out. I'm calling BreckCo.

 

Basically the credit goes to Mercer for dominating. They are playing some of the best competition around. this is a team to continue to build here with freshman and sophomores that need experience so they can have continued success and further depth moving towards post season play.

 

Scheduling the #1's and 2's in every region or in other states is unintelligent for programs trying to grow. They'll meet their match at least once or twice this season.

 

Just started the 4th quarter here at the Gateway Classic. Mercer is playing Muhlenberg. Been a running clock for some time now. All starters are out for Mercer and they lead 68-29.

 

If Muhlenberg beats Meade, I will buy you a steak dinner. It's not even close. Not at all. With as well as they shoot the ball, and the big, athletic kid in the middle, I believe Meade is going to surprise some folks this year.