[More Cowbell]

Wow, are we really whining because a player finished with 4 fouls and had to be careful on defense? Because that only happens in almost every game. Truth is Hicks took a big gamble having players with 2 fouls on the floor in the first half and players with 3 fouls out there to start the 2nd half. That almost always leads to being a liability on defense and/or getting more fouls.
The gamble didn't work, it usually doesn't. SV got the benefit of a few questionable calls in this game as well. Also, saying it went downhill at the end because a player fouled out who isn't the go-to guy on offense, isn't one of the leading rebounders and isn't depended on for handling the ball is weak. Give Pikeville credit for coming back. They were the better team that night, period. A little stat for you, SV shot 85 free throws in the first 3 meetings while Pikeville shot 45. That's a massive difference and you didn't see people throwing a fit. SV even shot many more free throws in the game at Pikeville that Pikeville won. You can't count on that discrepancy to go on forever.

Having said all that, I'm hoping for a Pikeville/SV regional final. They have been the two best teams all year and have only lost to each other in the 15th.

Not whining at all, just pointing out facts. The foul trouble kept multiple SV starters on the bench for large portions of the game. If you think that didn't affect the outcome, then I don't know what to tell you. Go watch a game in person some time.

And yes, losing a senior who is one of the two primary ballhandlers, and is the second leading scorer, had a major effect on the game. That would be the same as if Pikeville had Watkins or Billiter foul out.

Funny thing is, I recall you and another Pikeville poster "whining" about the free throw discrepancy in the Paintsville game a week ago. So apparently there's something fishy if the calls go against the Panthers, but when they benefit them it's all good? Got it.