runninreb

Well said.

My point above is, in an area-based scenario, it is always both fluctuating and subjective. It's not egregious, I will also propose another problem that is never discussed. A middle TN team that flips flops each year from quad 2 to quad 3 (and it is happening), is eventually going to be caught in this trap...go west one year, make the semis and have to travel in alternating bracket, only to go east and do again the next year. For example, Smtrna traveled as a 1 seed to Whitehaven last year. Imagine they go 10-0 this year, and tssaa wants to split 10-0 teams and sends them east to quad 2 (like Riverdale)...guess what, sorry Smyrna, u have to travel again to Maryville on alternating bracket...break that down-major flaw.

I know u r correct, but this is just more flawed logic to predetermine areas...what if for example, next year Lebanon, Wilson Central, and MJ all qualify...that's nearly half a quad. Based on what they r saying, they almost have a preset prediction on area playoff teams...not a good thing to hang the hat on with high schools. I do not disagree with your projections at all, but their area logic is weak at best.

Good post and here's why...supposedly Oakland being east had to do with proximity to I-24...but last year we were referring to more Chatt area schools and this year we r projecting more I 40 teams...i.e. Farragut. So, if it is geographic, and I am in no way convinced it is, why is I-24 even an issue when there are 4 I-40 teams and 2 I-24 teams.

Wow I guess when you beat a program once in three years then all of a sudden they aren't ELITE anymore, but then again, ELITE programs don't get beat by the likes of Station Camp do they?

That is the only time I have ever been mentioned akin to a mother and it be a kind reference (by the way, I see the forest, and MJ has not trees). Sometimes we get caught up too much on what these teams are lacking and forget these are public high schools...yes, there could be 6'6 walking the halls, but if they'd rather go home and thumb the XBOX there's not much you can do about that from a coaches' perspective (you coach what you get). To a point, I would agree with the young statement with one exception. Young is not just relative to class, but also experience. If a junior starts for the first time, experience-wise, that cat's still young, even if it is late in the season.

That MJ was young.

Yes I do...how about what I am talking about? We're on the same page now...they play hard (They did), they give themselves a chance to win (they did and missed the front end of 3 one and ones in the last minute and a half), and they will be better next year (they will be). The district tournament should be fun (it has been, MJ/Beech OT, Beech/Gallatin 3 OT). None of my posts were meant to stick out bare chest and blow hard about the superiority of Mount Juliet, only to defend the fact that they got the most out of a young team this year, and I believe, even more after that game at Beech, that they did just that.

We're on the same page now...they play hard, they give themselves a chance to win, and they will be better next year. The district tournament should be fun.

We're closing the gap...I just took issue that he wouldn't outcoach anyone. I would agree they are not the favorite to win the tournament, because honestly I don't know that anyone is (gallatin could make an argument since most of it will be on their court). Coach Allen doesn't need me to sing his praises, his track record speaks for itself through his career...he is getting more than most would out of this team and that is what I congratulate. Again, if they have limited outside scoring and no solid post play, then the fact that they have 18 victories is pretty impressive (I feel like I've said that before)...but, we are closing the gap

You would guess incorrectly on the family. You're right, the talent pool is down including at MJ, which is exactly why I think they've done an outstanding job. 23-3 is a great record, but that is rarely done without great talent. 18-8 in AAA ball is rarely done without a talent base. This group he has hustles, plays together, and wouldn't be in those one possession games at all without discipline (they've won several of those as well). Every game against quality competition has been close, which I think speaks to consistency, which starts at the top. If you don't like the Hillsboro win, I left off LaVernge as well, and since you're picking and choosing, acknowledge the Clarksville win and the fact that MJ swept both rivals (WC has a 19-5 record minus their games against MJ). Again, congrats on a great team effort this year MJ...in a close game, I'll take a "slighty above average" team that is well-coached any day of the week if they compete like this one has.

Alright, just for arguments sake, you've seen them play 10 times, so based on your analysis, they are good on defense, only have one scorer, but the coach is sub-par. If I hadn't seen them play once (and I have several times), I would say that makes for a very well-coached team. Teams that aren't as talented have to play more aggressively, have more diversity in their scheme, and just generally be more mentally tough (which takes preparation from leadership, and that ain't happening from a 16 year old kid...that's coaching). I just looked it up. The team that you described won 18 games, was one game out of first in the district (lost three district games on last possession), won at Riverdale and at Clarksville, beat a talented Hillsboro team, but he can't outcoach anyone? So, it is your cousin or nephew that either got beat by this MJ squad and sits at the end of the bench and gets no PT? Hats off to Coach Allen and staff, this team, win or lose tomorrow night, has been fun to watch this season.

Why wouldn't people pick Beech to beat Northeast?

I've seen you compare MJ's schedule and their opponents quiality about 50 times on their threads this year. Our schedule (at Franklin) was much weaker. Good thing myself and the other fans didn't get too carried away with schedule comparisons before we beat Oakland last week...