Hypothetical matchup - Elliott Co. vs. Holmes

[5wide]

Seems like a lot of people want to discuss these two teams, so have at it.

 

That way, we can keep the other threads open and on topic and keep people from breaking the rules.

 

Enjoy.

[Wyrostek]

Holmes.

[tezzyrice]

Let's first start off with some of the match ups we'd see:

 

6'0 Riley v 6'1 Et. Faulkner

6'2 D. Johnson v 6'1 Ev. Faulkner

6'4 J. Johnson v 6'2 C. Knipp

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'2 Ferguson

6'7 Pittman v 6'7 T. Knipp

 

I see EC having a lot of trouble defending the following Holmes lineup with Rico running the point:

 

6'2 Housely v 6'1 Et. Faulkner

6'4 J. Johnson v 6'2 Ev. Faulkner

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'2 Ferguson

6'6 Rice v 6'2 C. Knipp

6'7 Pittman v 6'7 T. Knipp

[bigblueinsanity]

These two teams better worry about the first two teams they face.

[5wide]

Let's first start off with some of the match ups we'd see:

 

6'0 Riley v 6'1 Et. Faulkner

6'2 D. Johnson v 6'1 Ev. Faulkner

6'4 J. Johnson v 6'2 C. Knipp

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'2 Ferguson

6'7 Pittman v 6'7 T. Knipp

 

I see EC having a lot of trouble defending the following Holmes lineup with Rico running the point:

 

6'2 Housely v 6'1 Et. Faulkner

6'4 J. Johnson v 6'2 Ev. Faulkner

6'5 R. Johnson v 6'2 Ferguson

6'6 Rice v 6'2 C. Knipp

6'7 Pittman v 6'7 T. Knipp

 

I keep seeing posts that claim teams intentionally slow the game down vs. Holmes because they can't run with them or they're afraid to run with them. So, my question is this.

 

Would Holmes try to slow the tempo down vs. Elliott County, or would they be confident they could beat the Lions playing their game, which is fast and furious?

[Henry Steele]

I think this thread is overdue, and even though I think it is a mistake for either team to look ahead past two state tournament teams, I'll throw this out there - if this game comes to pass, I see the possibility of some BGP activity records falling. As to the game, as a Holmes guy I'll start out with the predictable "Holmes is too long and athletic and defensively sound for Elliott County and the Bulldogs will prevail". I think that is the case, but I will also say that I would rather see an uptempo game than what we saw in the Ninth Region tournament. Point is, I think Holmes wins if its in the 40's or the 80's. I don't think we've seen Holmes score like that lately because most team weren't willing to play transition basketball against them. The only fault I find with Holmes is that they have let their opponent dictate tempo, and I think it is perfectly fine with Coach Henley that Holmes plays a slow tempo.

 

If Elliott County stays true to what got them here, I think it will be a very entertaining game, but one that Holmes wins by double digits. Neither team is very deep, but Holmes goes a solid 7 deep, and it does not appear that Elliott gets much out of their bench at all. On a Saturday morning, after playing Friday, that depth difference will be important.

 

I'll be there Saturday morning if it happens.

[MountainThunder]

IF they meet in the championship game (of course they have to win first), ... I would expect a tremendous game. The irresistable force meets the immovable object. Could be a classic. I THINK that they will play, ... but I have wrong more often than not on this so take that for what it is worth.

 

I have seen Holmes and they are solid. Haven't seen Elliott this year, but know what they have done the past few seasons and they are also a very special team.

Edited March 13, 2009 by MountainThunder

[RA09]

These two teams better worry about the first two teams they face.

 

You got that right. I can not believe that any Elliott Co. or Holmes supporter would even be thinking about this game at this point.

[martstone]

It looks to me like the people that really want to sing Holmes praises have already sounded off. I read all the posts in the hijacked thread and did not want to contribute because of it. Now that you have opened the door I think I'll enter.

Holmes will not run with EC. If they do they will go belly up with their butts dragging. The claim that Holmes can run if they need to is inaccurate. I have watched them play several times and they did run, but they still didn't put that many points on the board. Their D is very good but they can't contain all five of EC's weapons at the same time. EC has better court awareness, probably because of their years of playing together. Yes I know Holmes is taller, longer, jumps higher, I've read all that stuff, but Spud Webb probably wouldn't agree with you. Your excuse for Holmes loss in this game would be "if we hadn't got in foul trouble" because that's exactly what will happen if this game is ever played. The ability for EC to handle the ball is grossly underestimated.....Now, refute all you want, I'll say no more!:idunno::popcorn:

[bigmarc78]

I keep seeing posts that claim teams intentionally slow the game down vs. Holmes because they can't run with them or they're afraid to run with them. So, my question is this.

 

Would Holmes try to slow the tempo down vs. Elliott County, or would they be confident they could beat the Lions playing their game, which is fast and furious?

 

I don't think there would be an intentional slow down, Holmes would get back and play there half court sets on D which may or may not cause Elliott to slow down a little bit, Holmes would try to play within themselves offensively but if break opprotunities presented themselves I am sure they would take them. I don't see the game being in the 80's or 90's like Elliott may want it but low to mid 70's doesn't seem out of the question. I think upper 60's to low 70's is where Holmes would prefer to be anyway not 32 :lol:

[bigmarc78]

It looks to me like the people that really want to sing Holmes praises have already sounded off. I read all the posts in the hijacked thread and did not want to contribute because of it. Now that you have opened the door I think I'll enter.

Holmes will not run with EC. If they do they will go belly up with their butts dragging. The claim that Holmes can run if they need to is inaccurate. I have watched them play several times and they did run, but they still didn't put that many points on the board. Their D is very good but they can't contain all five of EC's weapons at the same time. EC has better court awareness, probably because of their years of playing together. Yes I know Holmes is taller, longer, jumps higher, I've read all that stuff, but Spud Webb probably wouldn't agree with you. Your excuse for Holmes loss in this game would be "if we hadn't got in foul trouble" because that's exactly what will happen if this game is ever played. The ability for EC to handle the ball is grossly underestimated.....Now, refute all you want, I'll say no more!:idunno::popcorn:

 

Holmes will be the best team that Elliott has played maybe outside of Cedar Hill. I could say all I want about Holmes D and how if need be they will run, but bottom line is there offensive strenght isn't running, but if a break opprotunity is there they will take it. They run sets, they play great half court defense and they get it done vs. whatever tempo presents itself. They have played vs up tempo teams, they have played vs balanced teams, they have played vs slow down team and they have done nothing but won. Not discounting Elliott Co by any stretch of the immagination, I have only heard about them never seen them and everything I have heard has been good. I think if these two played it would be a good game and I don't think the tempo would change the fact that two good teams would be going all out and the game would be close either way.

[sport09]

You got that right. I can not believe that any Elliott Co. or Holmes supporter would even be thinking about this game at this point.

 

 

I totally agree with you!:thumb:

[bigmarc78]

You got that right. I can not believe that any Elliott Co. or Holmes supporter would even be thinking about this game at this point.

 

Not looking ahead at the game, Christian Co is definately the only team I am worried about right now, but since the thread is here and I am bored I will speak on it.

[tezzyrice]

I keep seeing posts that claim teams intentionally slow the game down vs. Holmes because they can't run with them or they're afraid to run with them. So, my question is this.

 

Would Holmes try to slow the tempo down vs. Elliott County, or would they be confident they could beat the Lions playing their game, which is fast and furious?

 

No team in nky has the athletes or depth to run with Holmes which is why they intentionally slow the game down, IMO. Boone has the athletes but for whatever reason chose not to play an uptempo game? I think the reasoning for this is earlier in the year when teams were trying to run against them, it became a turnover and dunk fest. The more offensive possessions you give Holmes, the higher percntage they're going to shoot because their offense is so explosive with Rico, Riley, Pittman, and JJ.

 

As to your question:

 

I think it would be a combination of both. We all know EC is going to try and dictate the tempo by pressing/trapping the whole game which is going to lead to easy baskets for the opposition and for Holmes, several dunks. Often times Holmes lets their opponent dictate the tempo because they're confident they will prevail in the end playing whatever style is presented. This is what gives Holmes an advantage IMO. EC is used to only playing that uptempo style. When teams slow the ball down (Cedar Hill, Shelby Valley), they start getting frustrated and pressing too much offensively which leads to bad shooting games. Using those two games as examples, I'd say Holmes would use a similar game plan and use their height advantage and pound the ball inside to Pittman and Rico. EC's lack of depth would also play a factor in the game. They would have to get atleast 3 Holmes players in foul trouble before it affected them. Housely and Rice are both very capable off the bench. You get ONE EC player in foul trouble and they start struggling.

[KYSPORTSFAN]

These two teams better worry about the first two teams they face.

 

:thumb:

 

I am sure Christian County and Anderson County are loving this talk!!!