First

As I think you know, I've told folks all year that SL was underrated. I never saw Christian County so I wasn't sure what to expect in this one. I will say that SL at #2 is too high. I'd put them in the 12-14 range, possibly as high as 10th.

Dow started for most of the season. A similar adjustment (him coming off the bench) was made towards the end of the year last year as well. If he could've stayed in the game at all last night, it would've been a different outcome.

Stats for Dunbar: Hollingsworth 24 (12-24)/3/3 Kelley 9/6 Brown 8/0/1 Brown 4/10 Lewis 3/3/4 Williams 2/3/1 Stats for Mercer: Hager 22 (9-12)/9/5 Faulkner 16/4/1 James 8/2 Mink 6/1 Souder 3/2/1 Dow 0/5

I think there was some of that on both sides. Some of Mercer's key guys weren't their normal selves tonight either. It was a great game between two high level teams but neither team truly played its best game.

Hager and Faulkner have always been Mercer kids. No home grown talent?

It goes way back to his boy losing a starting spot on a team. I'm talking 7 years ago. It's personal for him.....still.

He is a little slow on the uptake.

You are irrational. Mercer led a lot of the second half. They even had the ball with 10 seconds left and down 1 with a chance to win and you are running your mouth that Mercer can't play with good teams. That was a 50/50 game and everyone that watched it knows it, except you. Are you even listening to yourself? Oh, and their athleticism was just too much for Mercer, right? Wrong. Mercer's backcourt was too slow, right? Wrong. Dunbar's PG gonna tear up Hager, right? Wrong. They couldn't keep him in in front of them. It kills ya to admit it, doesn't it? Can't do it, can you? All your hate aside, Hollingsworth is such a nice player. I expect Dunbar to go on and win it all, though Christian County and BG may have something to say about that.

Mercer being up 1 with Hager and Dow having to sit some minutes for fouls. That's a good thing for the Titans.

With the exception of Cordia, any team that came out of that region this year would've been overmatched at Rupp. Still, this experience is something that those Buckhorn kids can tell their kids about. It's always a big deal to win your region and get to play at Rupp Arena.

Just read somethimg talking about Mercer's schedule. They are 4-1 against (current) top 20 teams. It also said that Dunbar is 13–3.

#TOGETHERWERISE Boys, let's get this.

Yeah, unfortunately!

As mentioned, Dylan James. The last 2 seasons, he has gone a combined 188-412. That's 46% of a LOT of shots. His stroke is a thing of beauty, and he's about as good from 25 feet as he is from 20.

Looks like 9 of the top 20 wil be at Rupp.

Further support that Dunbar and Mercer should be a dandy!

I too think Mercer must limit transition buckets and attempt to keep those guys out of the lane. I think the other key for Mercer is keeping Dunbar off the offensive glass. I will say it will be equally as difficult for Dunbar to keep Mercer's 2 slashers out of the lane. They get there and finish very well. It doesn't appear to me that Dunbar has an eraser in there - like an Elkins of Boyle. Am I wrong on that?

South Laurel is the real deal. Lawrence County is good too. They are a level above the other 2 mountain teams. They each have a shot at winning their first game.

Nah, I (and I think we) respect your opinion and approach. Always have. You support your team and make intelligent posts. You demonstrate respect where respect is due. There's a right and wrong way to do things. Unfortunately, many others take the wrong approach.

All depends on what you consider exciting. Is it flashy and athletic; is it the ability to control a game and do it all; is it a prolific shooter; is it an excellent leader? This Mercer roster has all of the above. Their 2 seniors (Hager and Dow) will get their education paid for via basketball. That's not speculation, that's fact. James, a junior, will end up playing college ball as well. Faulkner, just a sophomore, will certainly have his education paid for due to basketball. Not often that you see a high school roster where you can say that about 4 of their starters.

If I'm doing my math right, that doubles the threat for Mercer LOL. Dunbar has two players that have made at least one three-pointer per game. Those two shoot at a clip of 31% and 34%, respectively.

Look again. Faulkner has made 56; James 102. That averages out to 1.65 & 3, respectively. There's not a better shooter in the state than James, and Faulkner is shooting 40% on 156 attempts. That's pretty darn good.

Faulkner shoots 40% from deep? What do you consider as good?

Stats for Mercer's "big 3" in the regional tourney: Faulkner 19.7 & 6.7 (44% FG) James 18.7 & 5.7 (50% FG) Hager 18.3 & 8.0 & 6.7 APG (66% FG) James shot 45% from three for the year and Faulkner shot 40%. Hager averaged nearly 8 APG. Then they have Dow who is averaging a double-double, along with Mink and a few key reserves. Make no mistake about it, they have the talent to win this game. All this talk about these kids not being used to or unable to play against that type of quickness and talent - Dow, Hager, James and Faulkner have played AAU for years and have fared pretty well. Dunbar is a GREAT team. Mercer may or may not win, but they're fully capable.