Holmes travels out to Florence Tuesday night for a big showdown with the Rebels.

 

Holmes comes in 23-1 after extending their season win streak to 22 games with a win over Hazard.

 

Boone comes in 17-4 and on a 4 game winning streak after a win over Holy Cross.

 

Coaches have Holmes #1 in nky and Boone #2 in nky.

 

Thoughts?

Match ups:

 

6'0 Riley v 6'0 Gabbard

6'2 D. Johnson v 6'0 Popp

6'4 J. Johnson v 6'3 Cotton

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'5 McFarland

6'7 Pittman v 6'6 Earls

Like Holmes but Boone Co is the legitimate #2 team in N Ky in my opinion.

 

Gabbard/Riley match up should be a fun one to watch.

 

Holmes by 6!

Holmes won't take Boone Co likely, they know they are rated #2 in NKY for a reason. Should be a great game.

The outcome of this game really depends on whether or not Boone tries to play uptempo with Holmes or not. If they do, they'll get blown out of the gym like last year when Holmes beat them by 20.

 

Boone lacks depth so it's going to be important for them to stay out of foul trouble. I expect Henley is fully aware of this and for him to have Rico and Riley attack the rim hard and be aggressive.

 

The key match up in this game IMO is Pittman v Earls. Holmes was able to keep Mcfarland and Gabbard in check last year but Earls had a pretty solid game and really impressed me down low. We'll find out REAL quick if Mcfarland is what he's cracked up to be, as Rico will be in his hip all night. Should be a good game, but I think Holmes gets the W in a game that isn't as close as some might think.

 

Holmes 65

Boone 51

Match ups:

 

6'0 Riley v 6'0 Gabbard

6'2 D. Johnson v 6'0 Popp

6'4 J. Johnson v 6'3 Cotton

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'5 McFarland

6'7 Pittman v 6'6 Earls

 

Doesn't Brown start for the Rebels over Popp.

Holmes in this one by 10+ Boone is a solid team and it will be a hostile home court advantage but Holmes is just too good to be slowed by anyone in N.Ky IMO. I know some of you may remember me saying that Highlands, Hazard, Boone would be only stretch that I seen Holmes could lose. I still feel that way but Boone is going to have to play lights out. If not Holmes will get to Regions without a loss because I don't see any district foe stopping them.

Call me crazy but I am taking Boone Co at home. I think Holmes is primed for a loss and BC matches up pretty well with the Dogs overall.

 

I think it will be a low scoring game. The key is if Earls can contain Pittman. If they can push him away from the basket and not let him get any easy baskets I think BC can pull off the win. Might be a good loss for Holmes as well going into the Districts here in a couple weeks.

 

BC 48

Holmes 45

 

I like Gabbard and Popp playing well in this one.

Doesn't Brown start for the Rebels over Popp.

 

I don't think so...but if he does, he doesn't play more than Popp. Popp has played more minutes in every game this year.

I will go with Boone at home in a low scoring affair.

Boone- 44

Holmes- 43

I don't think so...but if he does, he doesn't play more than Popp. Popp has played more minutes in every game this year.

 

Gabbard and Popp have to get penetration in the lane and draw some fouls for the Rebels to be in this one.

Call me crazy but I am taking Boone Co at home. I think Holmes is primed for a loss and BC matches up pretty well with the Dogs overall.

 

I think it will be a low scoring game. The key is if Earls can contain Pittman. If they can push him away from the basket and not let him get any easy baskets I think BC can pull off the win. Might be a good loss for Holmes as well going into the Districts here in a couple weeks.

 

BC 48

Holmes 45

 

I like Gabbard and Popp playing well in this one.

 

BC doesn't match up with Holmes as well as you might think. Height wise, maybe, but athletically, Gabbard and Cotton are the only ones who come close to the Holmes boys. I see Boone having a tough time rebounding in this game which will lead to a lot of second chance points for the Dogs and one and done's for the Rebels.

 

Boone's lack of depth inside will really hurt them in this game, just as it did against Highlands. I see Earls being a step too slow down low guarding Pittman causing him to get in foul trouble and Mcfarland struggling to score against Rico. If Boone is going to win, Cotton, Gabbard, and Popp are going to really have to step their games up because IMO Earls and Mcfarland just aren't good enough to beat Holmes by themselves. Looking at the role players, I give the advantage to Holmes with JJ, Riley, and DJ/Housely over Popp/Gabbard/Cotton.

I will go with Boone at home in a low scoring affair.

Boone- 44

Holmes- 43

 

When was the last time you didn't pick Holmes to lose by 1? :lol:

Gabbard and Popp have to get penetration in the lane and draw some fouls for the Rebels to be in this one.

 

I think Popp is going to struggle in this game with DJ and Housely guarding him. Gabbard/Riley is about even but IMO Gabbard can't guard Riley off the dribble.

When was the last time you didn't pick Holmes to lose by 1? :lol:

 

I was pretty close on the Scott game wasn't I??? Anyway, to answer you question, the LAST game they played against Hazard!!! I said "Holmes should win this one."