[More Cowbell]

I agree with ya. The draw could determine who goes to the big dance. I personally think the loser of the 59th district will have the upper hand in the regions. Paintsville will most likely win their district. That would have the winner of the 59th going against Paintsville to make it to the finals. Last year, Pikeville had the best draw of anyone in the tourney. With Shelby Valley, Paintsville, and Belfry in the other bracket was a big help to them. The same thing could happen this year also.

Actually, if you assume Paintsville wins their district, then the winner of the 59th has a better chance of not being on the same side as the Tigers. Look at it this way: there will be one other district winner on the same side as the 59th champ, which leaves a 1 in 3 chance it will be the 57th. Conversely, there is a 2 in 3 chance they go to other side of the bracket with the 59th runner-up, and there would even be a chance that they might play each other in the first round.

Of course, if Paintsville slips up and comes out of the 57th as runner-up, like they did last year, then the 59th runner-up suddenly has the better chance of avoiding them.