Someone had to start a thread on the BGP Top 20.... ?

That someone might as well be me....   ?

OK, it's a preseason poll, and let's face it - we don't even know how much we don't know yet.    This is "guesswork supreme" time, but, I'm going to lob a few things out there for consideration....

(Everyone, I have no dog in any of these fights.   Nor am I taking a stance on any of the below questions....I'm just stirring the pot to solicit discussion....which will actually help out the folks who make the BGP Top 20.....)     Have fun!   ?

• Have the Bluebirds lost so much from last year that the defending state champions are barely in the Top 20?   Granted, the Birds lost 9th Region POY Vinson and their #2 scorer (Muller) as well, but they return 5 of their top 7 players, including Herald (13.1 ppg, 55% FG shooting, 102 made threes at 53.1%(!!!)) and Barth (10.3 ppg) and a solid supporting cast.... 
• Is Lyon County truly worthy of being ranked?    I know the Region 2 folks don't feel the Lions are getting any respect because they aren't one of the state's "blueblood" programs, and I totally get that...in no way am I putting down Lyon County as a team.   They are definitely worthy of top 20 consideration.   But are they actually worthy of a spot?   Last year's squad was young and maturing, but they lost in the first round of the region to Hopkinsville....who promptly lost to Madisonville-North Hopkins....who immediately lost to University Heights.    Two of their other three losses were to region runner-ups (Murray and Owensboro Catholic), but the fourth was to a Walton-Verona team that was solid, winning the 8th Region All-A tournament, but who finished in the middle of the 8th Region pack at 15-15 on the season.   No disrespect meant to Mike Hester's up-and-coming program at Walton-Verona....but W-V was not a team in the running for a spot in the top 20 last year, either.   Walton-Verona has nearly everyone back from that squad - and the BGP 8th Region preview has them as a region title contender, but ranked 6th in the 8th Region.
• Is it possible that Western should be getting more love?   The 6th Region power, I understand, beat PRP in the preseason, who beat Ballard, I believe.....I understand it's preseason, but....I understand if the Warriors still start the year below those two, but I'm wondering if they should be this far behind....
• Speaking of the 6th....we often have disconnects between the BGP Regional rankings and the Top 20 rankings, but this one may take the award for the biggest difference in a long, long while.   Bullitt East, the defending 6th Region champ is #8 in the state in the Top 20 - but just #8 in the Region, according to the BGP Region 6 rankings...LOL     (Besides PRP and Western, the region 6 rankings also has Jtown, Doss, Evangel, Fern Creek, and Butler ahead of the Chargers.....)  ?
• How long has it been since you've seen a Top 20 poll with only one Fourth Region team in the top 20 - and that team at #20(?)    I think it's been a while.  Greenwood is probably deserving to be in the poll.....but still kind of surprised they are the only team from that tough region.    Comments from the Bowling Green-area folks?   Dragonfire?
• Not shocked to see North Laurel above 13th Region rival Knox Central - though the coaches in the BGP 13th Region rankings picked KC to win that region again - but kind of surprised to see North Laurel at #7 and Knox Central a full five spots back.    

Again, just trying to get some discussion going.    I'm expressing no opinions, just raising the questions.  What do you think about the above?   Anyone else that is missing from the poll?

CM

P.S. - I don't know who puts together the BGP Top 20, but kudos to all of them.   TOUGH, TOUGH job that is really much harder to do than to put together the regional rankings.   Those of us doing the regional rankings have the benefit of seeing most- if not all - of our region's teams each year.    It's virtually impossible to have that same level of involvement with all the top teams in the entire state.

Thanks for doing the legwork to put the BGP Top 20 together.

??

First off, thank you @ColonelMikefor starting this thread, I've been bored for a few weeks since that upset by the Colonels against my Birds in football, but now we move to the BBall game for the Defending State Champion Birds who I guess must prove their worth for some respect.

I realize that the Birds lost a LOT with the graduation of Vinson and Muller but I truly believe the returning cast is going to be lethal!  They have shooters all around.  Reminds me of the 1992 Cats, they will be scrappy, fast and on any given night you could have 4 or 5 people nailing 3's at will.  The biggest thing I am looking forward to see is how we play inside with Harris, Kocher and Benke down low.  

In the Massey, Courier Journal and Herald Leader this is a Top 10 Ranked team.  I think BGP wanted to give the Birds something to be fuming about, well it worked b/c I'm a little UPSET!

#GO BIRDS!!!

ps. Lex Cath hired a coach yet? Killin' me Smalls

I think Dunbar and Madison Central are a little bit too high.  Dunbar lost their expected best player Hall to prep school and MC losing Harrison to ineligibility and Hardge to torn ACL. 

MC by end of the year may be really good, but they’ll have 9-10 losses due to ridiculous schedule.  I think they play Cov Cath twice, NLaurel, GRC, Knox Central, Bardstown, possible Ballard in tourney, Dunbar, Lex Cath, Lincoln Co for starters. 

Highlands will have plenty of opportunity to show how good they really are this season. If preseason rankings gets them hyped up then use whatever works!!!! 

20 minutes ago, PurplePride92 said:

Highlands will have plenty of opportunity to show how good they really are this season. If preseason rankings gets them hyped up then use whatever works!!!! 

BILLBOARD MATERIAL.....that is the phrase I was looking for last night but couldn't think of it.

 

9 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

First off, thank you @ColonelMikefor starting this thread, I've been bored for a few weeks since that upset by the Colonels against my Birds in football, but now we move to the BBall game for the Defending State Champion Birds who I guess must prove their worth for some respect.

I realize that the Birds lost a LOT with the graduation of Vinson and Muller but I truly believe the returning cast is going to be lethal!  They have shooters all around.  Reminds me of the 1992 Cats, they will be scrappy, fast and on any given night you could have 4 or 5 people nailing 3's at will.  The biggest thing I am looking forward to see is how we play inside with Harris, Kocher and Benke down low.  

In the Massey, Courier Journal and Herald Leader this is a Top 10 Ranked team.  I think BGP wanted to give the Birds something to be fuming about, well it worked b/c I'm a little UPSET!

#GO BIRDS!!!

ps. Lex Cath hired a coach yet? Killin' me Smalls

I think the perception outside the 9th region is that the Birds were a one man show last year.  Vinson was incredible,  but he was also surrounded by a lot of talented kids. I personally think this ranking is too low, but the kids that are back have to prove their abilities to a broader audience.

The 3 returning starters (Barth, Harris and Herald) have shown glimpses, but will need to be consistent in leadership roles. Reed and Kocher need to show that they can be just as effective as last year with increased minutes.  There are also a handful of talented kids that didn't get much run last year but are definitely capable of contributing at a high level.   Kids like Duncan, Benke, Geisler, Kramer, Ryan, Vinson, and a couple others could all get meaningful minutes this year and will need to make the most of opportunities.

I guess I've gotten a little long-winded here and could've just said that the Birds are somewhat unproven but definitely have plenty of talent and the great coaching to be ranked higher.

I also think it's a sign of how much the program has changed under Listerman.  Imagine complaining about a top 20 preseason ranking, coming off of a state title. Lol

20 minutes ago, Hoopoop said:

I think the perception outside the 9th region is that the Birds were a one man show last year.  Vinson was incredible,  but he was also surrounded by a lot of talented kids. I personally think this ranking is too low, but the kids that are back have to prove their abilities to a broader audience.

The 3 returning starters (Barth, Harris and Herald) have shown glimpses, but will need to be consistent in leadership roles. Reed and Kocher need to show that they can be just as effective as last year with increased minutes.  There are also a handful of talented kids that didn't get much run last year but are definitely capable of contributing at a high level.   Kids like Duncan, Benke, Geisler, Kramer, Ryan, Vinson, and a couple others could all get meaningful minutes this year and will need to make the most of opportunities.

I guess I've gotten a little long-winded here and could've just said that the Birds are somewhat unproven but definitely have plenty of talent and the great coaching to be ranked higher.

I also think it's a sign of how much the program has changed under Listerman.  Imagine complaining about a top 20 preseason ranking, coming off of a state title. Lol

Totally agree with your assessment, can't wait to finally see them in action tonight!

On 11/29/2021 at 8:44 PM, ColonelMike said:

   ?

• Is it possible that Western should be getting more love?   The 6th Region power, I understand, beat PRP in the preseason, who beat Ballard, I believe.....I understand it's preseason, but....I understand if the Warriors still start the year below those two, but I'm wondering if they should be this far behind....
• Speaking of the 6th....we often have disconnects between the BGP Regional rankings and the Top 20 rankings, but this one may take the award for the biggest difference in a long, long while.   Bullitt East, the defending 6th Region champ is #8 in the state in the Top 20 - but just #8 in the Region, according to the BGP Region 6 rankings...LOL     (Besides PRP and Western, the region 6 rankings also has Jtown, Doss, Evangel, Fern Creek, and Butler ahead of the Chargers.....)  ?

Western beat Lexington Catholic at PRP in the preseason scrimmage.  PRP and Western did not scrimmage each other.

25 minutes ago, mwthrasher said:

Western beat Lexington Catholic at PRP in the preseason scrimmage.  PRP and Western did not scrimmage each other.

Thanks for the clarification; I was operating from old man memory...  LOL