Many college teams have no one to match up with Hopson.

 

I can think of about 100 teams that do, UK doesnt though

If Lex Cath continues to play team ball like they have of late, they will be hard to beat. Their downfall would be IF they start going one on one.

 

They really have an opportunity to do something special!!!!

Really?? I don't believe anybody thought Lex Cath could stop Mack yet a mixture of Vee Sanford, Jordan Smart, and Taylor Stewart really seemed to have him rattled some. I'm not saying Hopson can't drop double digits on Lex Cath however he will need a team effort to help him some.

 

As for Lex Cath, they have to handle the ball well and just keep to their gameplan of mixing inside play with Novosel versus the outside shooting of Smart, Stewart, etc. and the occassional penetration inside of Sanford and Stewart.

I watched the replay on Wazoo last night, Vee did a very nice job on Mack. If Vee focuses on defense like he did against Station he can give anyone problems.

If the game is close at the end, I think it would favor UHA ala the second Mason County game when Darius Miller took over and won for them at the end. Of course, Miller was helped because Novosel and Sanford had fouled out. Has Hopson been foul prone? LexCath collapses on the penetrator very well on defense, so the officials will need to make a lot of judgment calls. LexCath needs a double digit lead to win I think. UHA has the big game experience from the All "A" as does LexCath from the 11th region tourney and their own 5/3. Both teams have been on a tear of late. UHA has some losses to teams that LexCath would probably have beaten handily. LexCath looks like a ten to fifteen point winner to me.

If Lex Cath is a physical team, they will have no problem. UHA has great athletes, but they don't like it physical. When I have seen Hopson, he is hit and miss throughout the game. If he decides to play defense he sometimes doesn't cross half court for offense, and if he is on offensively, he forgets how to play defense.

UHA can beat anyone in a playground type atmosphere. A good solid TEAM that gets after for 32 minutes will give them fits.

I think its safe to say that LexCath is physical. They also are more defensively oriented than offensive. I'm primarily worried about players getting in foul trouble for LexCath since games at Rupp are called more closely than in the 11th region. UHA on the other hand should feel free to be more creative (aggressive) in their play because at least in my perception the Rupp officiating is not as tight as is called in WKY. At least that is the way fans commented a few years ago (2002) when Catholic was last at Rupp.

This is absolutely a great first round matchup!! UHA has two of the top 10 players in the state (Hopson and Edmonson) with Hopson being ranked in the top 10 in the country, and a great TEAM in Lex Cath. Wow, this will be a must see game! The winner of this game has a great shot at winning the tournament along with Mason County, Holmes and maybe one of the Louisville schools. This may be the year for Holmes!

Lexington Catholic 73-65.

I could see an upset here, Hopson will take it to a different level in the big show.

Seen them both and Catholic's pressure, will be the key. This game will be decided by turnovers and I think Catholic wins.

 

UHA is extremely quick and will need to break the press. Catholic can hit the perimeter jumper and will extend your defense. If they are hitting from the outside, then 15pts (80-65) is my guess.

 

Rupp should be packed for this one.

LexCath has no one to match-up with Hopson.

 

You have to remember like it or not, Lexington Catholic plays defense by committee. Their offense seems to catch most peoples eyes, but their defense is unreal. Back tips every second of the game. UHA has some very gifted players yes, but this Catholic team is on a mission, and in a good sportsmanship way they "show no mercy".

 

Leonards loser "UHA", take Lexington Catholic, and hear Roberto Duran once again utter "no mas, no mas".

I can think of about 100 teams that do, UK doesnt though

 

So that leaves about 220 D1 teams that don't..........

If the game is close at the end, I think it would favor UHA ala the second Mason County game when Darius Miller took over and won for them at the end. Of course, Miller was helped because Novosel and Sanford had fouled out. Has Hopson been foul prone? LexCath collapses on the penetrator very well on defense, so the officials will need to make a lot of judgment calls. LexCath needs a double digit lead to win I think. UHA has the big game experience from the All "A" as does LexCath from the 11th region tourney and their own 5/3. Both teams have been on a tear of late. UHA has some losses to teams that LexCath would probably have beaten handily. LexCath looks like a ten to fifteen point winner to me.

 

And two of those losses that UH had. They have already beat both of those teams. Against HCC the point turnaround was 36 points. Hoptown was pretty good this year but UH beat them too. The Male loss came on a last second shot by Male. And the loss to PT was so long ago that it pretty much no longer matters. But I posted earlier about teams both LexCath and UH played... As far as I'm concerned it seems pretty even but a tiny favor to LexCath.

I think LexCath has the better team in this matchup, but I would love to watch UHA pull off the upset and see Hopson and Edmonson show everyone how good they really are. Scotty Hopson really needs to make a case for his Mr.Basketball chances.

The best team in the state versus the best player in the state (boy I hope the Mason fans don't see this).

 

I think Scotty will step it up but I still think LexCath will win. I think that LexCath will jump out to 10-0 lead (as they have been doing in the playoffs) and then UHA will play even with LC the rest of the way to no avail.