The Dragons are back in the Sweet 16 for the 3rd time in 4 years, after winning two tight ones in the 8th Region Quarterfinals & Semifinals, then pounding Anderson County in the title game.

 

The Aces come out of Region 3 for the first time in school history after starting the season 0-4. Catholic won each of its 3rd Region Tournament games by double digits.

 

Who prevails in the final game of the opening round?

The return of Tim Riley.

Really like the Dragons to advance in this one. I think fans at Rupp Arena will fall in love with how this team plays. South is 0-2 at Rupp, drew Hoptown first game both years. They have played Meade County from region 3 and got the win so a comparable team from that region. Tim Riley is good at his craft that is for sure but Dragons will find a way

I like South in this one as well. Now that they've been there a few times they'll come in knowing what it takes to win at state. As long as they don't have a really bad shooting night I think they'll win.

The return of Tim Riley.

 

Interesting that his very own Aces play the Dragons.

I will go with South to win this game. They are really a fun team to watch, move the ball very well, and can shoot the lights out. On the other hand as they say.......live by the 3, die by the 3.

South Oldham, then they run back into the 2nd region.

Catholic plays a very aggressive 2-3 zone. South Oldham will have to penetrate or hit shots. I'm not familiar with South Oldham but if they don't have a guard who can penetrate the zone, that'll heavily favor the Aces. Rupp can be brutal to teams who like to shoot, so if South Oldham is made to shoot, it could spell trouble.

 

Owensboro Catholic 57

South Oldham 52

They have a point guard who can dribble and drive whenever he feels like it (at least he did @ the region), I believe his last name is Williams. He usually kicks it out to open 3 shooters but all starters can shoot as well as their top 7-8. Causes big time mismatches

Catholic plays a very aggressive 2-3 zone. South Oldham will have to penetrate or hit shots. I'm not familiar with South Oldham but if they don't have a guard who can penetrate the zone, that'll heavily favor the Aces. Rupp can be brutal to teams who like to shoot, so if South Oldham is made to shoot, it could spell trouble.

 

Owensboro Catholic 57

South Oldham 52

 

That's what makes South so hard to stop. They can drive and shoot. That doesn't mean they will against Owensboro Catholic but the combination of being able to spread the floor and drive to the basket and knock down 3s makes them tough to beat.

2-3 zone? against South? I wasn't at the regional final, but isn't that the defense that Anderson came out in against South?

They have a point guard who can dribble and drive whenever he feels like it (at least he did @ the region), I believe his last name is Williams. He usually kicks it out to open 3 shooters but all starters can shoot as well as their top 7-8. Causes big time mismatches

 

You are correct. I feel they have 3 or 4 who can penetrate. Sat in the end zone for Anderson game. At times it looked like the sea was parting.

Give Tim Riley a week to prepare, I think he will have the Aces ready to stack the deck.

I don't know to much about South Oldham to be honest. At first glance, it looks like they have played a tougher schedule and in a tougher region than Owensboro Catholic. Looks like they can shoot the 3 very well. Their best 3 point shooters, Bray and Bouvet both shoot better than 40% from beyond the arc. I don't see a lot of size across the board on the Dragons roster, so at least physically, it should be a pretty even match up.

 

Owensboro Catholic is playing its best basketball of the season. Star guard Cam Obryan tore his knee in the district title game, but the Aces did not miss a beat in the 3rd region tournament. Catholic has some bulk inside with Luke Payne and some guards who can shoot and slash in RZ3 and Luke Hayden. Tim Riley is very good at manufacturing offense and even better at manufacturing defense.

 

At the end of the day, I think predicting this game is pretty simple. If South Oldham can hit shots, I think they win. IF, they struggle against the zone, Catholic wins. It all comes down to how the Dragons react to Rupp Arena.

I don't know to much about South Oldham to be honest. At first glance, it looks like they have played a tougher schedule and in a tougher region than Owensboro Catholic. Looks like they can shoot the 3 very well. Their best 3 point shooters, Bray and Bouvet both shoot better than 40% from beyond the arc. I don't see a lot of size across the board on the Dragons roster, so at least physically, it should be a pretty even match up.

 

Owensboro Catholic is playing its best basketball of the season. Star guard Cam Obryan tore his knee in the district title game, but the Aces did not miss a beat in the 3rd region tournament. Catholic has some bulk inside with Luke Payne and some guards who can shoot and slash in RZ3 and Luke Hayden. Tim Riley is very good at manufacturing offense and even better at manufacturing defense.

 

At the end of the day, I think predicting this game is pretty simple. If South Oldham can hit shots, I think they win. IF, they struggle against the zone, Catholic wins. It all comes down to how the Dragons react to Rupp Arena.

They have been there 3 of the last 4 years. One of the starters has been on the floor for all of them. I don't think the stage will overwhelm them. Doesn't mean they will make shots, but I don't think the atmosphere of Rupp will bother them much. Now if it was the YUM center.:sssh: