If Cooper can shut down Cochran for Collins tomorrow then I think Cooper has a strong chance to make it to the final four. Collins tonight looked like everything went through 24 as they didn't like taking outside shots Much at all.

That game was very hard to watch. No scoring through the first 4 minutes or so? And after a strong OT game preceding it.

Meade County was pretty inept most of the game. Will be interesting to see how they handle Collins tomorrow.

Meade County was pretty inept most of the game. Will be interesting to see how they handle Collins tomorrow.

 

I like to think that Cooper just made them look that way.

I like to think that Cooper just made them look that way.

19 turnovers can do that to a team. Coopers offense may have shown the nerves but their defense was as advertised.

I like to think that Cooper just made them look that way.

 

No doubt. The Jags had a lot to do with it.

I thought Collins was awfully lucky to get their game to OT. When EC went up 2 off the steal and layup all they had to to was foul before a shot went up as they had i think 3 fouls to give with :08 left. Instead they foul a player going to the basket and he makes both FTs to get it to OT. Visually I thought Collins was the superior team and simply couldn't put EC away in regulation. Should be an interesting game tomorrow especially if Cooper's shots are falling. Collins is very long and crashes the glass very well.

Cooper better not let Titans hang around until late game. Time after time they seem to find a way to win at the end! Ugly wins....for sure. With Cooper's rep for D, 1st team to 45 might be enough.

I'm behind Cooper as much as any 9th Region fan, and hope that they can go all the way, and taking nothing away from them, and no doubt their defense is tough, but I had to laugh a little at how the writer of this article described their victory as having "dominated throughout", and 'bolted to a 23-15 lead at halftime". Yes thankfully it eventually all fell into place for the Jags, but I don't recall seeing it exactly as this guy did.

 

Cooper Advances in Kentucky Sweet 16, Beats Meade Co. 54-39 | The River City News

Fatigue will play a factor, but I expect the quality of play from both teams to be better today. Huge stage, huge stakes - kids' pulses probably didn't come down until halftime.

 

Cooper can shoot it - and I think they will today. Jags by 7.

Jags couldn't hit open looks much of the night, shots just would not fall, especially early. That game could have gotten real ugly had they shot even decent.

 

Though not the most exciting offensive team to watch...I have to say I really really like watching Cooper play defense. Oh how I wish I could get my teams to buy in and play that hard and tough on D.

If you look at the shooting percentages of all the teams in round one, Cooper is not alone in shooting for a low percentage. I think only three teams shot better than 44% from the floor in round one.

Congrats to Cooper last night. I'll be rooting for you for the rest of the tournament. Both teams struggled offensively for a while, but Cooper showed how well rounded the team is. Meade County has some length on the front line with 6'7" Baker to two 6'4" forwards. Those guys are long and can make it difficult to shoot over (blocked quite a few shots). At the end of the day, Meade County committed 19 turnovers and Cooper took full advantage of them.

 

For Meade County to stay in this game when Baker had as many turnovers as points (seven) speaks to the toughness of the team. Chesney Weick (a Sophomore) had a really good game and started to come alive late in the season.

 

I think one of the keys was Kunkel shutting down Aiden Matthews (the other 6'4" forward). He is a solid player who has been averaging around 15 points and 8 rebounds for the later part of the season. He will be back next year as well.

 

I have a question for those of you who were at the game - If you remember the over and back call in the second half when a high pass sailed over a Cooper player toward their own basket. Aiden Matthews of Meade County took off after the ball since nobody else did. He was hoping to get the ball before it went out of bounds and take the ball to the basket for a layup. The ball ended up going out of bounds before he could get it. After the game, Aiden said the official warned him after that play and said "Don't think I don't know what you are trying to do". Then the official told him "You better watch yourself". Aiden was confused and told him that he was just going after the ball. Isn't he allowed to pick it up before a Cooper player touches it and control the ball? Can anyone tell me what the official could have thought he was trying to do that would warrant a response like that???? Maybe I'm missing something.

 

Good luck going forward Jags!!!

If you look at the shooting percentages of all the teams in round one, Cooper is not alone in shooting for a low percentage. I think only three teams shot better than 44% from the floor in round one.

 

Good post VOR. It is the first game in this huge setting for these kids. Im sure they are really hyped and nervous this first game and getting used to the back drop and awe factor at playing in Rupp the first game. I think we will see a different Jags team tonight offensively. I guarantee every coach is just happy to get out with a win that first game. Remember these kids don't even get a shoot around at Rupp before they play which I believe plays a huge part in the first round shooting percentages of most of these teams.

Congrats to Cooper last night. I'll be rooting for you for the rest of the tournament. Both teams struggled offensively for a while, but Cooper showed how well rounded the team is. Meade County has some length on the front line with 6'7" Baker to two 6'4" forwards. Those guys are long and can make it difficult to shoot over (blocked quite a few shots). At the end of the day, Meade County committed 19 turnovers and Cooper took full advantage of them.

 

For Meade County to stay in this game when Baker had as many turnovers as points (seven) speaks to the toughness of the team. Chesney Weick (a Sophomore) had a really good game and started to come alive late in the season.

 

I think one of the keys was Kunkel shutting down Aiden Matthews (the other 6'4" forward). He is a solid player who has been averaging around 15 points and 8 rebounds for the later part of the season. He will be back next year as well.

 

I have a question for those of you who were at the game - If you remember the over and back call in the second half when a high pass sailed over a Cooper player toward their own basket. Aiden Matthews of Meade County took off after the ball since nobody else did. He was hoping to get the ball before it went out of bounds and take the ball to the basket for a layup. The ball ended up going out of bounds before he could get it. After the game, Aiden said the official warned him after that play and said "Don't think I don't know what you are trying to do". Then the official told him "You better watch yourself". Aiden was confused and told him that he was just going after the ball. Isn't he allowed to pick it up before a Cooper player touches it and control the ball? Can anyone tell me what the official could have thought he was trying to do that would warrant a response like that???? Maybe I'm missing something.

 

Good luck going forward Jags!!!

 

Adam Kunkel does not get enough credit for how he plays defense. Everyone knows him by his offensive game, but he takes as much pride in his defense. Again, it doesn't matter how good you are on offense for the Jags, if you don't get after it on defense you will be sitting next to Coach Sullivan on the bench the entire game.