Actually "very soft" were my words. You should also note that my comments noted an exclusion to their out of state tournament (I should have been more specific to all out of state opponents as they give very little frame of reference).

 

Of the Kentucky teams they have played the only one that I would consider a quality opponent is Paducah Tilghman. Tilghman is borderline top 25 in the state, but probably more in the top 40 range. After that they haven't played another team that is in the top two in their region or in the top 50 in the state.

 

Playing a lot of average teams doesn't make a schedule very strong. According to Maher they have the 58 toughest schedule.

 

For a top 5-10 team I consider that soft schedule.

 

The independence Tennessee team is 18-1. Whoever came up with that combined record above is wrong.

 

Further, now you "qualify" your previous statement. I said it isn't a super tough schedule. On that we agree. You said "very soft". It clearly isn't.

The independence Tennessee team is 18-1. Whoever came up with that combined record above is wrong.

 

Further, now you "qualify" your previous statement. I said it isn't a super tough schedule. On that we agree. You said "very soft". It clearly isn't.

 

The combined record used was against KY opponents only.

The combined record used was against KY opponents only.

 

And that's silly. When you're in WKY it's easier to get to Indiana, IL and Tennessee then to Louisville. They've played some very good teams in IN, IL and TN. To ignore that is silly.

And that's silly. When you're in WKY it's easier to get to Indiana, IL and Tennessee then to Louisville. They've played some very good teams in IN, IL and TN. To ignore that is silly.

 

As was mentioned it is hard to get a good reference of just how good an out of state team is. An out of state team could be 18-1 in their home state but a 9-10 team if they were a KY team. Teams aren't punished for losing to out of state teams(see BGP rankings) and they don't get a pat on the back for beating them either. There's no good way of knowing just how good some of the out of state teams are.

I think one overlooked quality of Mercer is their size/strength. The smallest of the top six players is Mink at 6-3 and about 180 lbs...the other 4 starters are 6-4 to 6-5 and are MEN . Hager is a legit 6-4 200 lbs. Dow 6-5 195 Faulkner 6-4 maybe 180. And James 6-4 210 or so. Then Davis off the bench at 6-3 and a rock solid 235 or so. Just physically strong young men. Hhard to handle if you are normal HS kids inthe 6-0 165 to 6-4 180 lb range. Well above avg athletes at that

I think one overlooked quality of Mercer is their size/strength. The smallest of the top six players is Mink at 6-3 and about 180 lbs...the other 4 starters are 6-4 to 6-5 and are MEN . Hager is a legit 6-4 200 lbs. Dow 6-5 195 Faulkner 6-4 maybe 180. And James 6-4 210 or so. Then Davis off the bench at 6-3 and a rock solid 235 or so. Just physically strong young men. Hhard to handle if you are normal HS kids inthe 6-0 165 to 6-4 180 lb range. Well above avg athletes at that

 

Very, very true. BTW, Dow is right at 210 pounds.