DragonFire

I’ve about lost my patience with the whistle….

I hoped for a much better start for Central, but Harlan County hasn’t surprised. Central is going to allow threes and Harlan County is going to hit some. But Dragons need to improve on the boards. 

BIG sequence to end there with that steal and three for Central.

I’m a bit surprised how poorly Central is rebounding, given overall, they have the size advantage.  

Central has three guys with three fouls in the game. 

1 minute ago, Randy Parker said:

How deep do they usually go?

Probably 7-8 in games like this.

Two Dragons with more fouls individually than Harlan County’s team.  That’s going to tax the rotation.

Central’s shot selection has been dubious so far.

I expected that Harlan County would dwarf Warren Central supporters but as I watch the crowds fill in, I’m realizing it’s going to be absolutely absurd. 

This is how Great Crossing has done quite a few teams that dared to get anywhere near beating them. 

Ashland, on the other hand, didn't need to allow Lyon to hold like they just did.

If I'm Ashland, I'm not shooting until the end.

Sometimes you need to adjust the way you play according to the game.  Lyon County doesn't seem the type that adjusts.  They lean into the "this is how we always do it" type.

Every analyst seems to be picking UConn.  Makes me pretty confident it doesn't end up them. 

I still feel the same as I have always felt about Kentucky - they can make the final four from this bracket, could lose pretty much any game along the way.  NC State is dangerous right there next to them.

Whoa......

6 hours ago, DanvilleFan said:

They should've punched a ticket in 2018 and 2021 but lost winnable games in the Conference USA tournament final.  In 2021 they melted down and blew a big lead against North Texas with less than 2 minutes to go.

Those losses, along with one other conference tournament final loss, made Rick Stansbury the only WKU coach to never take the team to the NCAA Tournament.

They lost in the final in 2019 as well. 
 

2021 was the better team, but 2018 was the most frustrating. That one guy from Marshall was hitting 25-28 footers. He just wouldn’t miss. 

16 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

 

Yes the great Lee Corso says "Not so fast my friends" lol Florida ended up winning by 5 outscoring A&M by 13 in the 2nd half.

So now I’m just mad as hell lol

It's bittersweet seeing A&M is dominating Florida.  On the one hand, I despise Florida and so am very happy they appear on their way to a loss.  But it bites knowing that Kentucky should probably have made the tournament final at least.

13 minutes ago, 1Forrest1 said:

Newport’s Kinney will play. But beat Campbell regardless of if he does or not. Covington and Jackson will be to much. Starks and Turner will consume everything around them the rim. If Anderson and Silverton get hot it might get ugly. Lowe can get you a quiet 8–10 points as well. 

It’s apparent from the thread you have confidence in Newport. I have confidence in them too - they’re my pick from the bottom to go to the finals. But I stand by what I said, they’re one of the higher potentials for an upset. That may not be particularly high chance, but I feel greater chance than those I listed below it. 

Just doesn’t feel like they’ll be able to get enough stops. 

Look, I get it that their defense is not very good, and A&M is getting open looks - but it is incredible just how far above the norm A&M is hitting these threes.

Take care of the ball folks.

17 hours ago, 12th Region Fan said:

If one could rank the likelihood of first round upsets, what would the order be? 

Coin flip games
Magoffin County/Perry County Central
Adair County/Marshall County

Most likely upset potential (with favorite being first)
Newport/Campbell County (especially depending on Kinney's status)
Harlan County/Warren Central

Outside chance (with favorite being first)
Evangel Christian/Butler County
Lyon County/Ashland

"If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn into the carpet I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now"
Great Crossing/Spencer County
Trinity/Pulaski County

Harlan County (13th Region Champions, 31-4) vs. Warren Central (4th Region Champions, 17-11)

Series History: First Meeting

Harlan County enters winners of ten in a row, with their last loss coming February 3rd to Frederick Douglass at Lafayette.  They are making their second appearance in the Sweet 16, advancing last in 2017, when they fell to Scott in the first round.

Warren Central has won their last three, after losing their district title game to Bowling Green on March 1st. They are making their 19th appearance in the Sweet 16, and third in a row.  They are the defending state champions.

36 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

Miss. State is currently leading Tennessee 47-28 with under 13 minutes left in the game. 

A reminder for Kentucky to keep their head on a swivel tonight. Of course, they lost to them the last time, so hopefully they wouldn't have needed any extra reminders.

Not sure just how high Mississippi State's NET would move, but maybe they're slowly inching up to pushing Kentucky's home win over them to Quad 1.