[EKUAlum05]

Why would Hazard play Belfry the week before huge district game vs Pikeville with virtually no chance of improving RPI, especially after facing Somerset and Paintsville the previous two weeks? Never happen.

Depends on how the KHSAA handles this.

If they rule it a forfeit the book is closed and Pikeville/Hazard get a win and all the crappy RPI points from beating Jenkins that comes with it.

If the KHSAA rules it is an open date in the schedule and not a forfeit, then it leaves a conundrum. The KHSAA RPI, by the formula, should give no points for a loss, but that doesnt appear to be the case since winless teams are posting points.

If Hazard wants points instead of no points in this instance a game against Belfry isn't a bad idea. Especially considering Hazard looks like they will be a 5 or 6 win team so every point may help if they can somehow make a playoff run.

The biggest benefit definitely lies in Belfry's favor from a RPI standpoint, but there is also something to be said for a week where you get no gate, no concessions, etc versus a game that I am sure Belfry would be more than willing to travel for that gets you a large crowd.

There is also something to be said for Dixon doing Haywood a "solid" and having Belfry owe them a favor. These two have scrimmaged and did 7 on 7 together for years and both staffs are close.

I know if I were Hazard I definitely would be tempted by full gate proceeds from a travelling Belfry fanbase. That money, especially when Hazard was originally scheduled to travel to Jenkins, sure would be nice in the Bulldog Athletics department budget.