Bengal Maniac

Has anyone seen Holmes? Unbelievable since the Reds help pay for building it. Can't imagine many better.

Another thing to me is having it in Lexington. I just don't like anything about the city (I don't mean the people). I think it is not easy to get around. I am not a fan of hotel locations to the city and parking is not convenient. They have improved the roads going in and out. I have no restaurants I look forward to dining. Louisville would be about the same now if it was at the Yum Center with parking. Easier to get in and out of the city IMO. The restaurants are much much better. Better hotels and more downtown and they don't seem to gouge as much (they wait for the Derby for that). Louisville is just a better experience for me. I could live in Louisville. I would not want to live in Lexington at all. I do not like UL in sports, much prefer UK of the two. So it isn't that. I was raised in Louisville but never went back to live after leaving in 1972. I know many would not agree, but I'd rather have all tourneys in Louisville in all sports.

They played the Purples better than the Jags, not a knock on the Jags, they were awesome. But matchups are different. Scott had no one nearly as talented in the paint as Taylor for BG. Cooper knew Jake , had played Jakes a few times over the last three years. There would have been no unknowns for either team. That being said, Scott was playing at an extremely high level the last two weeks. It would have been a great game, I think. However, the team won it that should have. I still cannot believe after seeing BG, that Scott was within 15, but that is why you play the games. Jake is probably a guy you need to play several times to understand how good he is. BG had no idea, but learned quickly. Cooper already knew.

Is he good enough in baseball to be drafted and high enough to forego the schools to WKU and go the baseball minor league route?

I would guess he'll play a 2. What is WKU's depth there

It does seem absurd, because he has been this good for the last two years. When you think about it, though, these kids at traditionally good but not great programs fly under the radar because the school and team is not one most pay attention to in the 9th, now 10th, like Holmes and CovCath in the 9th or Mason Co. and GRC in the 10th through the years. They played in a very good Lexington Catholic Holiday Tournament, but many of the high rated schools were playing or just had played in the KOB. The people in NKY knew about him, but remember NKY is not Louisville or Lexington where the press is paid attention to on a statewide level. NKY, although those that work it are competent and try, just don't seem to have the resources to follow as much anymore and the rest of the state doesn't pay attention to we Northerners. Just the way it is. Not sure it will change. Although the play of NKY teams over the last ten years is getting noticed a lot more. I think most people don't realize in the state there are more high schools and people in NKY's 3 counties (app 350K) than in Lexington (Fayette) (app. 320K). NKY is in a much larger metro area, but most of those are in Ohio (the river might as well be the Atlantic Ocean to most NKYer's) which is part of the stigma attached to NKY, right or wrong, like it or not, it is that way. Fayette's metro is all Kentucky. Once they got to the big stage and he played at the high level he did, then it happens. It has happened before and will happen again. I think a lot of people had heard the name, but had no idea until they saw him in the flesh and under the bright lights. There are more in the state, similar maybe not quite as good, who didn't make it to Rupp that will go unnoticed by all but the locals and have nice small college careers. This is more a product of the previous things I mentioned in this lengthy post than anything personal at all against "the Jake" over the last few years.

I believe this alone will increase attendance significantly.

I was pumping gas and saw them playing. I had gloves on. It was miserable to play I would think.

He did graduate from Scott, I believe. He went to Oneida for one year and came back Scott.

Concur, I was not impressed with today's crowd. Cooper and BG had very good numbers, the rest was way down. Just cannot compete with the Cats unless your team is involved.

What will the weather be in the next few weeks? Spring will be here tomorrow.

I get it on Rupp. But I can guarantee you that Freedom Hall was the same way and I never thought they would ever leave there. I thought it was blasphemy when it did leave Freedom Hall after the rotation for a few years. I love Rupp, also. Freedom Hall was really in bad shape the last few years it was there. The problem facility wise with Rupp is the upper level, it is awful with poor seating. The lower bowl and all that is really cool. I also thing I would love it no matter where t is, however.

I am not a UL fan at all and luke warm UK. Has nothing to do with it for me. I understand what you are saying and many feel the same way you do. But I guarantee you that if Cooper would have played at Yum, Diddle, NKU, Murray, etc. you would have loved it. It is the experience.

HB, I understand your sentiments, but the state tournament for me will never be better than Freedom Hall. That is where I watched many when I started going in 1960 until 1972. My dad pulled me out of school every year from the age of 6 until i was nearly 18. I remember lots of players and teams from that era. My dad was from Ohio County and always rooted for the 3rd region teams. I still watch that region closely today because of that. I never thought Freedom Hall could be replaced and in my mind and my experiences. Rupp has nothing on it. If Rupp were to somehow lose the Greatest Show on Earth, I think it will still be awesome because the game, players, format, history and experience overrides wherever it is. I saw 18K in Freedom Hall many times, not near that many today at Rupp. I do know NCCA with UK and UL playing hurt, but... I do love The experience and being at Rupp is cool but not the reason it is great.

Bowling Green was the better team today, as simple as that. They made shots from deep, inside, and mid range. They just answered everything Cooper threw at them. Not so much what Cooper did, but what Bowling Green did. Cooper had an outstanding year. You go to these games and 15 teams leave disappointed, it seems so rough at the time. But time heals and those disappointments turn into proud experiences.

Is he still going to Austin Peay. I was really impressed with his total game.

This one's over

it's not one-sided at all. However D'Angelo just walked

They have no answer for Taylor is killing the Jags

BG is dominating. I am impressed

Right, I would say he will not need to worry about the financial obligation now. I think he will get several D-1's in the ball park of WKU type schools, which is AWESOME!!!

No problem at all. I thought that was the case. Maybe we'll meet up.

Soft 96 in Maysville broadcasts every game.

When Cov Cath jumped out to an 11-1 lead in the 9th Region Final. The most impressive thing was how calm Cooper stayed and just played their normal game and won by 13. It would be rare for them to get rattled.

I believe most people think this will be really close and not shocked by who wins. Cooper has been Top 10 all year and BG Top 5 in a variety of polls, 6 losses between them playing some really good competition.. I and others felt they had a shot when they made it to Rupp. Scott lost 12 games and were very surprising. I get that, not Cooper, though. I don't believe anyone has underestimated them at all. Just because someone or people pick one team in a close one does not mean they don't think the other team is bad.