Just saying bro, you've picked against Holmes a lot this year. Doesn't really matter to me, but just seems like you might have something personal against them.

 

So if his opinion is not for Holmes most of the time, he is against them.

 

I take it you don't like the feeling either.

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

 

I look for it to be closer than this. I agree that Earls vs. Pittman is the matchup that determines the outcome of the game.

I look for it to be closer than this. I agree that Earls vs. Pittman is the matchup that determines the outcome of the game.

 

Who will start between Popp and Brown? Why has his minutes went down recently?

Wildcatfan might be able to clear that up for us and let us know whether Popp or Brown starts. From looking at both players stats though, it seems that over he past 5 or 6 games, Popp's minutes have gone down tremendously. Anyone know is he's injured or just not performing which is keeping him off the floor?

 

Not sure, perhaps just a change, but Brown has been starting the last few games. Popp hasn't been playing much. He didn't seem to be playing bad. Spaulding, Brown, Popp, Cotton, Schulze, Gabbard, Earls, and McFarland all have played lately. Boone will need all of its guns IMO to have a chance to beat teams like Holmes.

Not sure, perhaps just a change, but Brown has been starting the last few games. Popp hasn't been playing much. He didn't seem to be playing bad. Spaulding, Brown, Popp, Cotton, Schulze, Gabbard, Earls, and McFarland all have played lately. Boone will need all of its guns IMO to have a chance to beat teams like Holmes.

 

Do you see Mcqueary (sp?) using all 8 of those players Tuesday night? I know in big games for Holmes, Henley usually only plays his top 7.

Boone really doesn't match up that well with Holmes like some think:

 

6'0 Riley v 6'0 Gabbard:

Riley is hands down the better ball handler and has a much better shot from outside as well as a better mid range game. Gabbard is probably the stronger of the two though and may be more aggressive with the ball.

Adv: Holmes

 

6'2 D. Johnson/Housely v 6'0 Popp/Brown

I see this really being a tough match up for either Popp or Brown, depending on who starts. Both D. Johnson and Housely's size and strength defensively will make it tough for Popp and Brown to get shots and get penetration in the lane. Housely's aggressiveness on offense at attacking the rim is also going to cause problems for the Boone duo.

Adv: Holmes

 

6'4 J. Johnson v 6'3 Cotton:

From an athleticism stand point, this is probably the most even match up on the floor. JJ is a much better offensive player though and on defense he will make things tough for Cotton around the rim. Cotton's best chance at scoring is to try and get offensive rebounds.

Adv: Holmes

 

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'5 Mcfarland:

For some, this might look like the most even match up on the floor, but honestly I see it as a mismatch. Rico's size, strength, and quickness are going to make things tough on Mcfarland. No way Mcfarland can guard Rico out on the perimeter and down low I see him getting in foul trouble. Mcfarland is going to have to be hitting from outside to give Boone a chance because I don't see him scoring much around the rim.

Adv: Holmes

 

6'7 Pittman v 6'6 Earls

Offensively, Earls is probably more polished in the post but Pittman is better at finishing and more explosive. Earls is going to need to be physical around the rim and not let Pittman get the ball or he'll be in foul trouble before the end of the first quarter, as Pittman is just too quick for him to guard down low. If Earls can play aggressive and get Pittman in foul trouble, I like their chances a lot more, but as long as Pittman is in the game, things are going to be tough for Boone in the paint. I'd expect to see Pittman play out on the perimeter at times and take Earls off the dribble and use his quickness to get by the big fella.

Adv: Holmes

 

Bench:

No contest. Holmes is much deeper and I see Arnold presenting match up problems for Earls/Mcfarland as well. Keep an eye out for #20 Pierre Mayfield. I see him making a big contribution off the bench for Holmes, defensively.

 

Brown is not a guard/penetrator, but he is strong. He plays forward but is undersized at that position at 6'0". Earls is not typically a true post player. He will need to play like one for Boone to have a chance.

 

Cotton has been playing well offensively lately and has improved his perimeter defense. Cotton has hops as good as anybody on Holmes and can dunk pretty much however he wants to and can dunk off one step. Boone has 3 starters who can dunk too.

 

There's a reason why McFarland and Popp lead Northern Kentucky in steals by a wide margin. They are both very good defenders. McFarland has good quickness for his size and long arms. McFarland has been hitting from outside. I think he will draw some fouls on Rico too. He has to be careful not to force things.

Do you see Mcqueary (sp?) using all 8 of those players Tuesday night? I know in big games for Holmes, Henley usually only plays his top 7.

 

Boone has always seemed to like to play about 9 from what I can tell the last few years.

In the games I have seen Earls play, I have not been very impressed. I think Pittman will have his way. I also do not think this game will be as close as some think it will. Boone is obviously the number 2 team in NKY. But the gap between 1 and 2 is large. Boone is not that impressive. I'll say Holmes by 15+ as long as they come to play.

Brown is not a guard/penetrator, but he is strong. He plays forward but is undersized at that position at 6'0". Earls is not typically a true post player. He will need to play like one for Boone to have a chance.

 

So do you think that might play in to Holmes favor when Brown is in since Housely and D. Johnson are likely much quicker and bigger than Brown? I agree Earls will have to play like a true post player. If he stays outside, Holmes will kill Boone on the boards as they won't have any size down there.

 

Cotton has been playing well offensively lately and has improved his perimeter defense. Cotton has hops as good as anybody on Holmes and can dunk pretty much however he wants to and can dunk off one step. Boone has 3 starters who can dunk too.

 

I've always been impressed with Cotton's athleticism. Not sure if you remember or not, but over the summer I said if he worked on his basketball skills, he would be tough. IMO he is the only one who is going to be able to rebound with Holmes.

 

There's a reason why McFarland and Popp lead Northern Kentucky in steals by a wide margin. They are both very good defenders. McFarland has good quickness for his size and long arms. McFarland has been hitting from outside. I think he will draw some fouls on Rico too. He has to be careful not to force things.

 

I just really can't see Mcfarland causing problems for Rico. Rico is much bigger and stronger than last year and it's very noticable. Mcfarland really struggled against him last year.

Boone Co. by 1.

One thing I can say about Boone is they always seem to play Holmes tough at home:

 

06/07 Holmes 55 Boone 47

04/05 Holmes 79 Boone 73

 

Holmes went to state both years. Boone is 1-5 against Holmes though since that 04/05 season.

Popp Is a very solid player, physically. He's built like an Ox. I dont think Housley or Johnson will "Bully" him around the basket. But as for all the other match ups, I agree with Eta.

One thing I can say about Boone is they always seem to play Holmes tough at home:

 

06/07 Holmes 55 Boone 47

04/05 Holmes 79 Boone 73

 

Holmes went to state both years. Boone is 1-5 against Holmes though since that 04/05 season.

 

Believe Boone upset Holmes McFarland's freshman year at Boone.

Popp Is a very solid player, physically. He's built like an Ox. I dont think Housley or Johnson will "Bully" him around the basket. But as for all the other match ups, I agree with Eta.

 

I would not say Popp is built like an Ox. He seems more wiry. I've seen him guard bigger players.

So do you think that might play in to Holmes favor when Brown is in since Housely and D. Johnson are likely much quicker and bigger than Brown? I agree Earls will have to play like a true post player. If he stays outside, Holmes will kill Boone on the boards as they won't have any size down there.

 

 

 

I've always been impressed with Cotton's athleticism. Not sure if you remember or not, but over the summer I said if he worked on his basketball skills, he would be tough. IMO he is the only one who is going to be able to rebound with Holmes.

 

 

 

I just really can't see Mcfarland causing problems for Rico. Rico is much bigger and stronger than last year and it's very noticable. Mcfarland really struggled against him last year.

 

Earls is the key for Boone. He has to rebound. McFarland is playing much better this year. As long as he lets the game come to him and doesn't force things, he should have a good game. Boone will have to play well as a team to win. Rico is not much bigger than McFarland IMO. I've seen him and McFarland up close recently. McFarland is Boone's leading rebounder. Cotton also has to rebound, but he seems to be playing on the perimeter as a guard the last several games. Boone will play very hard, and they have been playing good defense.