Sweet 16 Preview: Muhlenberg County vs. Highlands

KSR’s Road to Rupp coverage continues with the main event, the Sweet 16. Over the next two days, we’ll be previewing each game of the tournament, which tips off Wednesday at Rupp Arena. Here’s a preview of the first game on Thursday, Muhlenburg County vs. Highlands, from Region 3 expert Adam Luckett and Region 9 expert Jack Pilgrim.

Muhlenberg County Mustangs (Region 3) vs. Highlands Bluebirds (Region 9)

Thursday, April 1, 11 a.m., Rupp Arena

Tickets, Radio affiliates, Streaming: NFHS Network

Sweet 16 Bracket

Here’s a closer look at this part of the bracket:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Capsules

Muhlenberg County Mustangs (Region 3)

Record: 19-1

Head Coach: Kyle Eades

KSR Preps Ranking: No. 12

Sweet 16 History:

• Appearances: 2010

How They Got Here:

• 10th District Championship: 47-24 W vs. Ohio County
• 3rd Region Quarterfinals: 44-33 W vs. Hancock County
• 3rd Region Semifinals: 60-39 W vs. Owensboro
• 3rd Region Championship: 46-31 W vs. Owensboro Catholic

Muhlenberg County cruised through the 3rd Region all season posting an 11-0 mark while totally locking foes down on the defensive end. The Mustangs rank No. 3 in the state in scoring defense allowing just 43.5 points per game. In their current 16-game winning streak, opponents are scoring just 42.25 points per game. The Mustangs attempt to slow the game down and try to suffocate opponents with their elite defense. With a 17.1 point scoring margin, this team has not been in many close games all year.

Congratulations to @DivineNash @c_vincent0 @LovanBrayden & @trey_lovell35 for making the 3rd Region All Tournament team. pic.twitter.com/HED3ztO6rr

— Mustang Basketball (@mcmustanghoops) March 29, 2021

Star Player: Nash Divine, Region 3 Player of the Year

The senior combo guard has an offer from Sewanee and the six-foot perimeter player paces the Mustangs. Divine is putting up 16.5 points per game and Muhlenberg County hunts shot attempts for No. 12. Divine leads the team with 12.6 field goal attempts per game while shooting 45.6% from the floor and 33.8% from three. The Mustangs need him to score in order to build leads and let the defense take over games.

Fellow senior Cole Vincent joins Divine in the backcourt and is the only other Mustang scoring in double-digits. Vincent is putting up 12.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 37.5% from deep.

Path to the Title: Muhlenberg County received a very tough draw with the tournament’s best first-round matchup. The Mustangs will be going against the field’s top-scoring offense in Highlands which will be a total clash of styles. Get past the Bluebirds and things open up.

The Mustangs would be favored over either Bullitt East or McCracken County in the quarterfinals while the Mustangs appear to be as good or better than any other potential semifinal opponent. Get a win on Thursday and the Mustangs could make a run to the state championship.

— Adam Luckett

Highlands Bluebirds (Region 9)

Record: 26-4

Head Coach: Kevin Listerman

KSR Preps Ranking: No. 2

Sweet 16 History: 

• Appearances: 1934, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1997 (Runner-Up), 1998, 1999, 2001

How They Got Here:

• 36th District Semifinals – 89-25 W vs. Bellevue
• 36th District Championship – 86-55 W vs. Newport
• 9th Region Quarterfinals – 104-62 W vs. Ryle
• 9th Region Semifinals – 74-68 W vs. St. Henry
• 9th Region Championship – 77-67 W vs. Conner

With 17 consecutive wins and pulling off victories in 23 of their last 24 games, the Bluebirds come in as one of the hottest teams in the state. The only team to keep it within ten points in postseason play is St. Henry, who came in as a potential contender to win it all. And Highlands still won that one by six.

Of the team’s losses, they’re all against quality foes, falling to the likes of St. Henry’s in the second game of the season, Lexington Catholic just two games later, Covington Catholic two games after that, and Beechwood just 13 games into the season. Four losses in the team’s first 13 games, followed by 17 consecutive wins leading up to the Sweet 16. And they’ve rolled through the competition with little-to-no resistance.

Star Player: Sam Vinson, 9th Region Player of the Year and Tournament MVP

Vinson, a strong Kentucky Mr. Basketball candidate and NKU signee, is averaging a team-high 22.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game to lead the Bluebirds to their first Sweet 16 appearance in two decades. The 6-foot-4 senior out of Fort Thomas is the only player in Highlands basketball history to finish their career with over 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists.

Three other Bluebirds are averaging at least ten points per contest, with Luke Muller putting up 16.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, William Herald averaging 13.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest and Zachary Barth averaging 10.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Path to the Title:

Luckett said it best: Highlands boasts the field’s top scoring offense at 83.5 points per game, while Muhlenburg County boasts the top scoring defense, allowing just 43.5 points per game. Something’s got to give, right?

If the Bluebirds play to their strengths and keep things uptempo, getting shots up and controlling the pace of the game, they’re a tough out for anybody in the state. Their 26 total wins, 87% winning percentage, and 17 consecutive victories leading up to the Sweet 16 confirms that.

Making it through the 9th Region, a group that had as many as four title contenders, it’s hard to look past the Bluebirds’ chances. At their best, Highlands is as good as anyone in the state.

— Jack Pilgrim