I'll take Holmes by 30. The bulldogs will be motivated after their loss in Lexington. Newport returns a lot, but none of them are good enough to see minutes on the Holmes roster. I also feel there is a major difference in the coaching of the teams. Newport often falls into a street ball offense, while Holmes is more organized and picks spots to attack. I look for Housley to put up 15 on the Wildcats in a 82-52 win.

 

I agree. Newport has done that for years and that's the reason they haven't been very successful IMO.

McDaniel- 6'4

Darnell- 6'5

Collins- 6'2

Luther- ??

Greene-??

 

I am guessing these are the starters.

 

You forgot Brandon Tucker. I'd think he'd be the starting PG and either Luther or Collins would be odd man out?

 

If not, I'm assuming we'll see the following match ups then:

 

6'5 Darnell v 6'7 Pittman

6'4 McDaniel v 6'5 R. Johnson

6'2 Collins v 6'4 J. Johnson

6'2 Luther v 6'2 Housely

6' Greene v 6' Riley

I hope Holmes blows it open early, so some of the younger players can get some minutes. There depth can be hurting there D. With a 7 man rotation it will be a really big task to play with the same fire and passion as last year. So hopefully they can start building some depth at least on the defensive end.

I think Holmes will dominate, coming off the poor showing with something to prove, and Newport will receive the brunt of it.

You forgot Brandon Tucker. I'd think he'd be the starting PG and either Luther or Collins would be odd man out?

 

If not, I'm assuming we'll see the following match ups then:

 

6'5 Darnell v 6'7 Pittman

6'4 McDaniel v 6'5 R. Johnson

6'2 Collins v 6'4 J. Johnson

6'2 Luther v 6'2 Housely

6' Greene v 6' Riley

 

Looking at the heights this is actually one of the 9th region teams that matches up well with Holmes.

Looking at the heights this is actually one of the 9th region teams that matches up well with Holmes.

 

I agree but only as far as guards go. Inside, Holmes will have a significant height advantage with the Johnson Brothers and Pittman.

Holmes should win this one - but you never know who shows ups.

Unfortunately, Cody Collins is the odd man out and Tucker will start.

 

Go Wildcats!!!

Collins or Mcdaniel can't guard either of the Johnson brothers.

Collins or Mcdaniel can't guard either of the Johnson brothers.

 

Maybe they will play zone with their comparable size but disadvantage athletically. Its why they draw em up.

Maybe they will play zone with their comparable size but disadvantage athletically. Its why they draw em up.

 

I agree, but very few teams in the 9th can match up with Holmes.

Holmes 80-66.

Maybe they will play zone with their comparable size but disadvantage athletically. Its why they draw em up.

 

With 6'3 Collins not in the starting lineup, to give way for 6' Tucker, it makes Newport even smaller, so you may be right. With Tucker in the lineup, it should look like this:

 

6'7 Pittman v 6'5 Darnell

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'4 McDaniel

6'4 J.Johnson v 6'2 Luther (HUGE mismatch IMO)

6'2 Housely v 6' Greene

6' Riley v 6' Tucker

Maybe they will play zone with their comparable size but disadvantage athletically. Its why they draw em up.

 

Playing zone against Holmes will make it tough to keep them off of the offensive glass. Missing a blockout assignment will lead to a flush. Newport might be better served to d up man-man and let chips fall where the may.

With 6'3 Collins not in the starting lineup, to give way for 6' Tucker, it makes Newport even smaller, so you may be right. With Tucker in the lineup, it should look like this:

 

6'7 Pittman v 6'5 Darnell

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'4 McDaniel

6'4 J.Johnson v 6'2 Luther (HUGE mismatch IMO)

6'2 Housely v 6' Greene

6' Riley v 6' Tucker

 

I would say that Mcdaniel vs R. Johnson is a bigger mismatch. Luther is very athletic, and Pittman should have a field day with Darnell.

Holmes by 25.