The first semifinal clash at NKU on Friday night will be a rematch of a December 14th contest, which the Jags handily won 65-41.

 

Who will come out on top Friday night?

It will be a much closer game this time around. The Tigers have improved immensely and are on a mission. I've been a big fan of the Jags all season, but I think they will have their hands full with this feisty Beechwood bunch who are presently on fire.

Will Beechwood be tough enough mentally to stay smart and under control against Cooper's physical bully style defense? That is what this game comes down to for Beechwood to get a win.

Beechwood plays with a lot of poise. They were down 8-9 most of the game against CCH and ever wilted.

Beechwood plays with a lot of poise. They were down 8-9 most of the game against CCH and ever wilted.

 

True. However only being down 8 to 9 is a lot different than being down 20 or more like they were against Cooper the first time.

 

I think Cooper will hold Beechwood to the 40s again. It will come down to if Beechwood can slow down Cooper on offense.

 

This should be a very good game, with Cooper pulling away some in the 4th.

 

Cooper 51

Beechwood 44

Cooper plays such a slow & grinding style... I believe Beechwood scores in the 50-60 range... i believe the question will be... can Cooper muster up the offense to outscore Beechwood. I believe the answer is yes, albeit, I will not be one-bit shocked if Beechwood pulls this out. Scotty Draud is a man possessed.

This is a tough game to pick. Cooper's defense is definitely the best I have seen in the 9th region, but Beechwood has been on a roll as of late. If Beechwood can shoot like they did in the Quarterfinals (12/17 from 3), which I do not expect them to do, then they can win this game. Keeping Deere & Houston in check is going to be tough as well. If Cooper can continue to do what they have done all year by playing stifling defense and scoring by committee, then they should come out on top. I am excited for this one and think the winner of this game will go to Rupp next week.

 

With that being said...

 

Tigers - 54

Jags - 52

Beechwood shot very well against Dixie but Cooper will not give up so many open shots. For Beechwood to win they have to shoot free throws around 80% and hit almost all of their open looks.

 

I take Beechwood by 4.

Cooper 7-10 point win.

I will take Cooper in a relatively close one. When Cooper holds teams under 51 points and they typically find "enough" offense, they are undefeated. Michael Spencer will be the key to this game for the Jags. If he shuts down Draud like he did in the first meeting and Cooper finds a decent amount of offense, Cooper will win this game by 5-8 points IMO, if they don't they won't.

 

Should be a good one regardless as Beechwood is the hottest team in the 9th right now.

Cooper plays such a slow & grinding style... I believe Beechwood scores in the 50-60 range... i believe the question will be... can Cooper muster up the offense to outscore Beechwood. I believe the answer is yes, albeit, I will not be one-bit shocked if Beechwood pulls this out. Scotty Draud is a man possessed.

 

Considering Cooper already beat Beechwood by 20 plus this year by winning 65 to 41. I think its fair to say Cooper can definitely out score Beechwood.

True. However only being down 8 to 9 is a lot different than being down 20 or more like they were against Cooper the first time.

 

I think Cooper will hold Beechwood to the 40s again. It will come down to if Beechwood can slow down Cooper on offense.

 

This should be a very good game, with Cooper pulling away some in the 4th.

 

Cooper 51

Beechwood 44

 

That score sounds about right, but I am not sure who will win.

Heart says Beechwood; head says Cooper.

 

Jags by 5.

Considering Cooper already beat Beechwood by 20 plus this year by winning 65 to 41. I think its fair to say Cooper can definitely out score Beechwood.

 

I agree. Was just saying... on Friday night. What happened before doesn’t always necessarily happen again. I agree Cooper likely wins. 67-63.

This final 4 creates an interesting dynamic. If you look solely at wins from earlier this year:

 

- Cooper would want Newport to beat CCH.

- Beechwood would want CCH to beat Newport.

- Newport would want Beechwood to beat Cooper.

- CCH would want Cooper to beat Beechwood.

 

These teams have bounced back and forth in the 9th region rankings all year!

 

I firmly believe any of them can win both Friday and Saturday!

 

I am going with Cooper playing CCH in the finals.