I think Mercer County has a big edge in the paint against Southwestern and I think Southwestern has a very very slight edge in the backcourt and when I say very very slight I mean it. I think we are looking at the two top backcourts in the region. I think Mercer County is deeper than Souhwestern and that too is saying something as Southwestern is fairly deep as well. I expect it to be an up and down fast tempo game when they meet and lately Mercer County has had Southwestern's number. It will be an exciting game for sure.

 

I'm taking Hager and Faulkner all day and night. Hager, tough as nails, physical guard. Then you got Faulkner.....you know the rest. I'm taking Mercer's backcourt if they match up. And if James is hitting the room its ballgame.

Mark your calendars in March, Region Tourney, Mercer Co Beats SW , not even close, for the 3rd time in 4 Years,,, Mercer is better at every position, including the bench. Mercer has SW's number , when it comes down to the Regional Tourney.

I'm taking Hager and Faulkner all day and night. Hager, tough as nails, physical guard. Then you got Faulkner.....you know the rest. I'm taking Mercer's backcourt if they match up. And if James is hitting the room its ballgame.

 

I love Hager, Faulkner and James but Gover, Fitzgerald and Butt get the nod for me. Mercer has Mink, Davis and Dow so overall that gives them the edge overall. It's super close between the backcourts from both teams but I give the edge to Southwestern in backcourts.

I love Hager, Faulkner and James but Gover, Fitzgerald and Butt get the nod for me. Mercer has Mink, Davis and Dow so overall that gives them the edge overall. It's super close between the backcourts from both teams but I give the edge to Southwestern in backcourts.

 

One has to truly understand systems and what players are asked to do for their teams as opposed to strictly looking at stats. The Mercer guys are playing their roles to perfection but, as you mentioned, they also have significant contributions from interior players. So, a Gover type, high volume shooter as PG in this Mercer system wouldn't work. Hager is only shooting about 60% of the shots he did last year, while averaging about 30% less PPG. Yet he is shooting higher percentages across the board and his assists are up considerably.

 

James is a sniper that spreads the floor and no one does a better job at that. He's shooting a similar percentage as he did last year when he averaged 23 PPG for Sheldon Clark, but he also is averaging about 30% less PPG.

 

As the SG, Faulkner is shooting a similar amount as last year but a higher percentage, and his average is up slightly. He too is playing his role.

 

You may see gaudier stats (PPG) from the SW backcourt, but that's by design (for both teams). And, as I've explained above, that's not a legit basis for comparison.

One has to truly understand systems and what players are asked to do for their teams as opposed to strictly looking at stats. The Mercer guys are playing their roles to perfection but, as you mentioned, they also have significant contributions from interior players. So, a Gover type, high volume shooter as PG in this Mercer system wouldn't work. Hager is only shooting about 60% of the shots he did last year, while averaging about 30% less PPG. Yet he is shooting higher percentages across the board and his assists are up considerably.

 

James is a sniper that spreads the floor and no one does a better job at that. He's shooting a similar percentage as he did last year when he averaged 23 PPG for Sheldon Clark, but he also is averaging about 30% less PPG.

 

As the SG, Faulkner is shooting a similar amount as last year but a higher percentage, and his average is up slightly. He too is playing his role.

 

You may see gaudier stats (PPG) from the SW backcourt, but that's by design (for both teams). And, as I've explained above, that's not a legit basis for comparison.

 

I'm not thinking of stats. I'm thinking of overall play. Hager, Faulkner and James. Gover, Fitzgerald and Butt. Who guards who when Mercer and Southwestern meet? I want to know who Dylan James is going to guard from Southwestern. The game will be too fast paced for Mercer County to play a zone defense and we all know you guys won't slow it down. Even if you do slow it down who is he going to guard? Gover? Fitzgerald? Butt? In a man to man defense all three of them dudes can guard him. Everyone in the 12th Region knows he can shoot from halfcourt in. When he is taken away from Mercer County's offensive game plan what will happen then? When Mercer County plays Southwestern who will he guard? I bet he won't guard Gover, Fitzgerald or Butt. Y'all will probably put Mink on one of them and put James on one of the forwards.

 

That is why I give Southwestern the edge in the backcourt. Stats schmats.

 

And if Gover wouldn't work in Mercer's system then what will you all do with Carter Baughman next season? Same type of player as Gover.

Edited January 1, 201610 yr by PurplePride92

I'm not thinking of stats. I'm thinking of overall play. Hager, Faulkner and James. Gover, Fitzgerald and Butt. Who guards who when Mercer and Southwestern meet? I want to know who Dylan James is going to guard from Southwestern. The game will be too fast paced for Mercer County to play a zone defense and we all know you guys won't slow it down. Even if you do slow it down who is he going to guard? Gover? Fitzgerald? Butt? In a man to man defense all three of them dudes can guard him. Everyone in the 12th Region knows he can shoot from halfcourt in. When he is taken away from Mercer County's offensive game plan what will happen then? When Mercer County plays Southwestern who will he guard? I bet he won't guard Gover, Fitzgerald or Butt. Y'all will probably put Mink on one of them and put James on one of the forwards.

 

That is why I give Southwestern the edge in the backcourt. Stats schmats.

 

And if Gover wouldn't work in Mercer's system then what will you all do with Carter Baughman next season? Same type of player as Gover.[/

 

I think that you are spot on regarding who James and Mink would guard. James will guard a 4 and Mink a backcourt player. That's what they have done all year, so I fail to see why this will cause a match-up problem for Mercer. He won't be guarding Gover on the perimeter any more than Gover will be guarding him on the block. Since both he and Hager can play back to the basket as well, is that a potential match-up problem for their guards down low? Lastly, zone or man, you don't think a 5'8"ish guard presents a liability on defense against a Mercer backcourt with three 6'4" players, and with no player shorter than 6'3"? Swings both ways.

 

Regarding the Carter Baughman comment, if he were the Mercer PG this year, he wouldn't play with the same mindset he does on JV. Good coaches adjust, game to game and year to year. Your own Coach Adams played a style last year that I had never seen him play and it was because of personnel It was different than the previous year and different than he's playing this year. As I alluded to, Mercer kids are taking a reduced number of shots due to the balance. A PG that's a volume shooter would do more damage to team chemistry than they would do good by the points they'd score. And that is not a knock on Gover at all. He's extremely crafty, a tremendous outside shooter and very fun to watch. He's also a top player in the region and, IMO, a good argument can be made that he is Southwest's best player.

 

Next year will look much different for Mercer. They will lose Hager, Dow, Mink, Davis, (Jackson) Baughman, and Souder. They will be looking for additional scoring. I'm sure Coach Cook would welcome a a Gover type guard, and that Carter will be just fine. It's just that this year Mercer needs more of a Rondo than an Iverson mindset at PG.

I'm not thinking of stats. I'm thinking of overall play. Hager, Faulkner and James. Gover, Fitzgerald and Butt. Who guards who when Mercer and Southwestern meet? I want to know who Dylan James is going to guard from Southwestern. The game will be too fast paced for Mercer County to play a zone defense and we all know you guys won't slow it down. Even if you do slow it down who is he going to guard? Gover? Fitzgerald? Butt? In a man to man defense all three of them dudes can guard him. Everyone in the 12th Region knows he can shoot from halfcourt in. When he is taken away from Mercer County's offensive game plan what will happen then? When Mercer County plays Southwestern who will he guard? I bet he won't guard Gover, Fitzgerald or Butt. Y'all will probably put Mink on one of them and put James on one of the forwards.

 

That is why I give Southwestern the edge in the backcourt. Stats schmats.

 

And if Gover wouldn't work in Mercer's system then what will you all do with Carter Baughman next season? Same type of player as Gover.[/

 

I think that you are spot on regarding who James and Mink would guard. James will guard a 4 and Mink a backcourt player. That's what they have done all year, so I fail to see why this will cause a match-up problem for Mercer. He won't be guarding Gover on the perimeter any more than Gover will be guarding him on the block. Since both he and Hager can play back to the basket as well, is that a potential match-up problem for their guards down low? Lastly, zone or man, you don't think a 5'8"ish guard presents a liability on defense against a Mercer backcourt with three 6'4" players, and with no player shorter than 6'3"? Swings both ways.

 

Regarding the Carter Baughman comment, if he were the Mercer PG this year, he wouldn't play with the same mindset he does on JV. Good coaches adjust, game to game and year to year. Your own Coach Adams played a style last year that I had never seen him play and it was because of personnel It was different than the previous year and different than he's playing this year. As I alluded to, Mercer kids are taking a reduced number of shots due to the balance. A PG that's a volume shooter would do more damage to team chemistry than they would do good by the points they'd score. And that is not a knock on Gover at all. He's extremely crafty, a tremendous outside shooter and very fun to watch. He's also a top player in the region and, IMO, a good argument can be made that he is Southwest's best player.

 

Next year will look much different for Mercer. They will lose Hager, Dow, Mink, Davis, (Jackson) Baughman, and Souder. They will be looking for additional scoring. I'm sure Coach Cook would welcome a a Gover type guard, and that Carter will be just fine. It's just that this year Mercer needs more of a Rondo than an Iverson mindset at PG.

 

I don't disagree with any of that. I just think Southwestern has a very very slight edge in the backcourt because of all of those reasons listed above. That's all.

I have not seen Mercer play so far this year. but looking forward to seeing them when they come to Wayne Co. I know from watching Southwestern that anyone will have a tough time guarding those kids, cause everyone of them can take you off the dribble, and if you try to help out on defense, every one of them can also find the open man.

I'm not thinking of stats. I'm thinking of overall play. Hager, Faulkner and James. Gover, Fitzgerald and Butt. Who guards who when Mercer and Southwestern meet? I want to know who Dylan James is going to guard from Southwestern. The game will be too fast paced for Mercer County to play a zone defense and we all know you guys won't slow it down. Even if you do slow it down who is he going to guard? Gover? Fitzgerald? Butt? In a man to man defense all three of them dudes can guard him. Everyone in the 12th Region knows he can shoot from halfcourt in. When he is taken away from Mercer County's offensive game plan what will happen then? When Mercer County plays Southwestern who will he guard? I bet he won't guard Gover, Fitzgerald or Butt. Y'all will probably put Mink on one of them and put James on one of the forwards.

 

That is why I give Southwestern the edge in the backcourt. Stats schmats.

 

And if Gover wouldn't work in Mercer's system then what will you all do with Carter Baughman next season? Same type of player as Gover.

 

If your stating that there will be a man to man match up problem to handle the SW guards (3) because one of those three will be left with a favorable match up then I would also suggest that whichever of those three try to guard Faulkner is going to leave Faulkner with a favorable match up as well. Smaller guard has no chance, Butt would not be able to stay in front of him and if he gets Fitzgerald in foul trouble that could be devastating for SW which could happen trying to guard a player like Faulkner.

Each team may want to rethink staying in man to man for this reason. I have not seen either team this season, do they each exclusively play man to man?

If your stating that there will be a man to man match up problem to handle the SW guards (3) because one of those three will be left with a favorable match up then I would also suggest that whichever of those three try to guard Faulkner is going to leave Faulkner with a favorable match up as well. Smaller guard has no chance, Butt would not be able to stay in front of him and if he gets Fitzgerald in foul trouble that could be devastating for SW which could happen trying to guard a player like Faulkner.

Each team may want to rethink staying in man to man for this reason. I have not seen either team this season, do they each exclusively play man to man?

 

I think their defensive strategy is dependent upon matchups. I also remember last year when 12th Region teams not in the same district would play each other they kept their defenses pretty basic and waited until the region tourney to show specific defensive strategies. The Lincoln County/Southwestern game in the regular season was like a pickup game. Lot of fun to watch. Not much defense.

 

I'm sure Mercer County will put Alijah Mink on Fitzgerald or Butt instead of James. I'd say Gover will guard Hager, Butt or Fitzgerald on Faulkner and Butt or Fitzgerald on James. At least that's how I'd do it but I'm not the coach.

I think their defensive strategy is dependent upon matchups. I also remember last year when 12th Region teams not in the same district would play each other they kept their defenses pretty basic and waited until the region tourney to show specific defensive strategies. The Lincoln County/Southwestern game in the regular season was like a pickup game. Lot of fun to watch. Not much defense.

 

I'm sure Mercer County will put Alijah Mink on Fitzgerald or Butt instead of James. I'd say Gover will guard Hager, Butt or Fitzgerald on Faulkner and Butt or Fitzgerald on James. At least that's how I'd do it but I'm not the coach.

 

I do not know all of those kids or how good of defensive players they are, but I know the Butt/Faulkner match up would be a very favorable one for Mercer. I just don't see any huge advantage for SW if both teams play man to man. They are all good players, coaching may be the difference maker in this one. Anyone have an opinion of who is the better X & O's coach? I do agree that neither should tip their hand in the event they play again to see who goes to Rupp.

I do not know all of those kids or how good of defensive players they are, but I know the Butt/Faulkner match up would be a very favorable one for Mercer. I just don't see any huge advantage for SW if both teams play man to man. They are all good players, coaching may be the difference maker in this one. Anyone have an opinion of who is the better X & O's coach? I do agree that neither should tip their hand in the event they play again to see who goes to Rupp.

 

I don't think there is any one person in the region who can guard Trevon. I think he wins that matchup against every team until someone can prove me wrong.

 

I don't think anyone sees a huge advantage for Southwestern if both teams play man to man.

I think their defensive strategy is dependent upon matchups. I also remember last year when 12th Region teams not in the same district would play each other they kept their defenses pretty basic and waited until the region tourney to show specific defensive strategies. The Lincoln County/Southwestern game in the regular season was like a pickup game. Lot of fun to watch. Not much defense.

 

I'm sure Mercer County will put Alijah Mink on Fitzgerald or Butt instead of James. I'd say Gover will guard Hager, Butt or Fitzgerald on Faulkner and Butt or Fitzgerald on James. At least that's how I'd do it but I'm not the coach.

 

You're saying that you would have Gover guard Hager. So, back to your comments earlier today about James having to guard one of their three backcourt players and how his inability to guard them would create a matchup issue for Mercer. So, as a coach, you would have Gover, giving up at least 9" and 50 pounds, guard a physical player whose game is to get in the lane, and who is also comfortable posting up? That doesn't present a matchup problem for Southwest?

Southwestern normal plays half or full court 2-2-1 dropping back into zone. I'd suspect they'd look at something similar against Mercer.

Southwestern normal plays half or full court 2-2-1 dropping back into zone. I'd suspect they'd look at something similar against Mercer.

 

I would agree. They won't play man, rarely do. But they certainly don't play a typical 2-3. They try to speed up the game with trapping and pressure, and are good at it.

 

In the regional tourney last year, they played variations of those defenses, then had Butt chasing Hager the second half. Don't recall any man at all.