BB: Week 8 big games

By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

According to the updated Sagarin power ratings, there are 18 big games (pitting teams rated in their respective class’s Top 20 or a battle of undefeateds) on tap for Week 8 of the 2011-12 Indiana high school boys basketball season.

Here’s a preview of those big contests via the pertinent numbers taken from johnharrell.net (rankings are from the latest coaches’ polls):

Tuesday, Jan. 10
Four biggies …

3A #6 Evansville Bosse (9-2) at 3A #13 Evansville Memorial (5-2)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM CT, Southern Indiana Athletic Conference Tournament at Memorial.
COACHES: Shane Burkhart, 48-33 in 4th year at Evansville Bosse. Rick Wilgus, 115-87 in 10th year at Evansville Memorial.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Evansville Bosse, 79.99, 61st overall, 13th in Class 3A. Evansville Memorial, 76.22, 84th overall, 18th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Evansville Bosse defeated Vincennes Lincoln, 67-57, Jan. 7. Evansville Memorial lost to Castle, 58-54, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Evansville Bosse 59-45, Evansville Memorial 31-26.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Evansville Bosse, 15-14.
LAST MEETING: Evansville Memorial 88, Evansville Bosse 86, Dec. 13, 2011.

2A #19 Lake Station (6-2) at 2A #9 Bowman Academy (5-5)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM CT.
COACHES: Bryon Clouse, 58-57 in 6th year at Lake Station. Marvin Rea, 67-28 in 5th year at Bowman Academy.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Bowman Academy, 91.19, 13th overall, 2nd in Class 2A. Lake Station, 71.03, 141st overall, 20th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Lake Station defeated Whiting, 45-42, Jan. 7. Bowman Academy lost to Romulus (Mich.), 70-53, Jan. 7.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Lake Station 35-44, Bowman Academy 37-19.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: No meetings.

1A #10 Indianapolis Lutheran (5-2) at 4A #6 North Central (Indianapolis) (8-4)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PM ET, Marion County Tournament at North Central (WJEL, 89.3 FM).
COACHES: Tom Finchum, 186-217 in 20th year at Indianapolis Lutheran. Doug Mitchell, 317-131 in 19th year at North Central (Indianapolis).
SAGARIN RATINGS: North Central (Indianapolis), 94.65, 5th overall, 4th in Class 4A. Indianapolis Lutheran, 69.68, 154th overall, 9th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Indianapolis Lutheran defeated Trinity Lutheran, 51-32, Jan. 6. North Central (Indianapolis) lost to Ben Davis, 70-66, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Indianapolis Lutheran 37-30, North Central (Indianapolis) 89-33.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: North Central (Indianapolis), 1-0.
LAST MEETING: North Central (Indianapolis), 64-33, Jan. 13, 1997.

4A #11 Roncalli (9-0) at 4A #10 Warren Central (8-2)
GAME TIME: 6:00 PM ET, Marion County Tournament at Warren Central.
COACHES: Michael Wantz, 148-62 in 10th year at Indianapolis Roncalli. Greg Graham, 41-37 in 4th year at Warren Central.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Warren Central, 96.38, 3rd overall, 2nd in Class 4A. Indianapolis Roncalli, 89.07, 17th overall, 14th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Indianapolis Roncalli defeated Indianapolis Scecina, 51-40, Jan. 7. Warren Central defeated Terre Haute South, 66-35, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Indianapolis Roncalli 45-42, Warren Central 57-40.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Warren Central, 9-0.
LAST MEETING: Warren Central, 46-41, Dec. 29, 2009.

Wednesday, Jan. 11
Two biggies …

4A #2 Carmel (8-1) at Indianapolis Cathedral (7-2)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET.
COACHES: Scott Heady, 18-14 in 2nd year at Carmel, 234-141 in 17th year overall. Andy Fagan, 24-6 in 2nd year at Indianapolis Cathedral, 58-38 in 5th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Carmel, 94.68, 4th overall, 3rd in Class 4A. Indianapolis Cathedral, 92.71, 9th overall, 8th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Carmel defeated Westfield, 54-40, Jan. 7. Indianapolis Cathedral defeated Indianapolis Howe, 74-40, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: Carmel 1-0. Indianapolis Cathedral 0-1.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Carmel 48-41, Indianapolis Cathedral 47-36.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Tied, 7-7.
LAST MEETING: Indianapolis Cathedral, 63-54, Jan. 12, 2011.

Indianapolis Northwest (5-3) at 3A #11 Indianapolis Chatard (8-1)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET.
COACHES: Mosi Barnes, 30-20 in 3rd year at Indianapolis Northwest. Travis Daugherty, 29-22 in 3rd year at Indianapolis Chatard, 104-62 in 8th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Indianapolis Chatard, 82.38, 50th overall, 9th in Class 3A. Indianapolis Northwest, 79.76, 62nd overall, 14th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Indianapolis Northwest defeated Baptist Academy, 83-62, Jan. 6. Indianapolis Chatard lost to Guerin Catholic, 51-49, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: Indianapolis Northwest 1-0. Indianapolis Chatard 1-0.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Indianapolis Northwest 41-34, Indianapolis Chatard 37-45.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Indianapolis Northwest, 11-8.
LAST MEETING: Indianapolis Chatard, 63-59, Jan. 12, 2011.

Friday, Jan. 13
Six biggies …

2A #10 Crawford County (10-1) at 1A #14 Orleans (6-4)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET (WBRO, 89.9 FM).
COACHES: Mike Brown, 60-39 in 5th year at Crawford County, 404-174 in 25th year overall. Tom Bradley, 219-83 in 13th year at Orleans.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Crawford County, 75.96, 88th overall, 14th in Class 2A. Orleans, 73.08, 117th overall, 6th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Crawford County lost to Salem, 65-61, Jan. 7. Orleans lost to Salem, 79-54, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: Crawford County 3-1. Orleans 3-1.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Crawford County 45-64, Orleans 57-45.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Crawford County, 10-6.
LAST MEETING: Crawford County, 60-45, Jan. 14, 2011.

4A #3 Fort Wayne Northrop (12-0) at 2A #6 Fort Wayne Luers (8-3)
GAME TIME: 8:00 PM ET.
COACHES: Barak Coolman, 52-26 in 4th year at Fort Wayne Northrop. James Blackmon, 125-50 in 8th year at Fort Wayne Luers.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Fort Wayne Northrop, 89.6, 15th overall, 12th in Class 4A. Fort Wayne Luers, 82.01, 53rd overall, 6th in Class 2A.
LAST OUTING: Fort Wayne Northrop defeated Zionsville, 66-62, Jan. 7. Fort Wayne Luers defeated Muncie South, 94-65, Jan. 7.
VS. COMMON FOES: Fort Wayne Northrop 3-0. Fort Wayne Luers 3-0.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Fort Wayne Northrop 64-60, Fort Wayne Luers 57-50.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Fort Wayne Luers, 13-11.
LAST MEETING: Fort Wayne Northrop, 83-73, Dec. 30, 2011.

3A #1 Muncie Central (8-1) at 4A #19 Richmond (9-2)
GAME TIME: 8:00 PM ET (WKBV, 1490 FM).
COACHES: Matt Fine, 128-50 in 8th year at Muncie Central. Joe Luce, 42-16 in 3rd year at Richmond, 195-95 in 13th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Muncie Central, 98.67, 2nd overall, 1st in Class 3A. Richmond, 88.59, 20th overall, 17th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Muncie Central lost to Hamilton Southeastern, 60-51, Jan. 7. Richmond defeated Jay County, 48-43, Jan. 7.
VS. COMMON FOES: Muncie Central 1-0. Richmond 1-0.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Muncie Central 57-28, Richmond 60-40.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Muncie Central, 19-4.
LAST MEETING: Richmond, 59-50, sectional, Mar. 1, 2011.

4A #20 New Castle (9-1) at 4A #13 Kokomo (9-3)
GAME TIME: 8:00 PM ET (WIOU, 1350 AM).
COACHES: Steve Bennett, 246-82 in 15th year at New Castle, 397-122 in 22nd year overall. Brian McCauley, 81-45 in 6th year at Kokomo.
SAGARIN RATINGS: New Castle, 90.48, 14th overall, 11th in Class 4A. Kokomo, 88.88, 19th overall, 16th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: New Castle defeated Mount Vernon (Fortville), 64-49, Jan. 7. Kokomo defeated McCutcheon, 61-49, Jan. 7.
VS. COMMON FOES: New Castle 0-1. Kokomo 0-1.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: New Castle 46-47, Kokomo 76-48.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Kokomo, 9-7.
LAST MEETING: Kokomo, 49-38, Jan. 14, 2011.

Noblesville (7-4) at Avon (7-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET.
COACHES: Dave McCollough, 276-116 in 18th year at Noblesville, 433-211 in 29th year overall. Jason Young, 90-70 in 8th year at Avon, 142-130 in 11th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Noblesville, 88.09, 22nd overall, 18th in Class 4A. Avon, 87.8, 24th overall, 20th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Noblesville defeated McCutcheon, 61-29, Jan. 6. Avon defeated Danville, 77-51, Jan. 7.
VS. COMMON FOES: Noblesville 1-0. Avon 0-1.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Noblesville 77-41, Avon 47-51.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Tied, 6-6.
LAST MEETING: Avon, 59-58, Jan. 14, 2011.

1A #17 Shakamak (7-4) at 1A #4 North Daviess (10-2)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET (WWBL, 106.5 FM).
COACHES: Steve Brett, 47-36 in 4th year at Shakamak, 441-326 in 34th year overall. Brent Dalrymple, 163-112 in 12th year at North Daviess.
SAGARIN RATINGS: North Daviess, 71.96, 130th overall, 7th in Class 1A. Shakamak, 68.89, 159th overall, 11th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Shakamak lost to Eastern Greene, 72-35, Jan. 7. North Daviess defeated Pike Central, 49-42, Jan. 7.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Shakamak 68-48, North Daviess 53-70.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Shakamak, 10-9.
LAST MEETING: North Daviess, 47-40, Jan. 14, 2011.

Saturday, Jan. 14
Six biggies …

3A #4 Andrean (6-1) at 1A #13 Lafayette Central Catholic (4-6)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET.
COACHES: Carson Cunningham, 44-33 in 4th year at Andrean. David Barrett, 119-45 in 7th year at Lafayette Central Catholic.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Andrean, 82.82, 46th overall, 8th in Class 3A. Lafayette Central Catholic, 67.65, 175th overall, 13th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Andrean defeated Rensselaer Central, 74-57, Jan. 6. Lafayette Central Catholic defeated Delphi, 64-44, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Andrean 40-30, Lafayette Central Catholic 58-38.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Lafayette Central Catholic, 8-1.
LAST MEETING: Lafayette Central Catholic, 51-44, Jan. 15, 2011.

1A #1 Barr-Reeve (9-2) at 1A #2 Loogootee (9-1)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET (WRZR, 94.5 FM).
COACHES: Bryan Hughes, 323-137 in 20th year at Barr-Reeve, 436-185 in 27th year overall. Mike Wagoner, 54-20 in 4th year at Loogootee.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Barr-Reeve, 78.22, 69th overall, 1st in Class 1A. Loogootee, 74.13, 107th overall, 4th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: Barr-Reeve defeated Forest Park, 54-44, Jan. 6. Loogootee defeated North Daviess, 45-37, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: Barr-Reeve 4-1. Loogootee 4-1.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Barr-Reeve 62-52, Loogootee 38-55.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Loogootee, 16-13.
LAST MEETING: Loogootee, 54-44, Jan. 15, 2011.

4A #2 Carmel (8-1) at 4A #13 Kokomo (9-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET (WIOU, 1350 AM).
COACHES: Scott Heady, 18-14 in 2nd year at Carmel, 234-141 in 17th year overall. Brian McCauley, 81-45 in 6th year at Kokomo.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Carmel, 94.68, 4th overall, 3rd in Class 4A. Kokomo, 88.88, 19th overall, 16th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Carmel defeated Westfield, 54-40, Jan. 7. Kokomo defeated McCutcheon, 61-49, Jan. 7.
VS. COMMON FOES: Carmel 3-0. Kokomo 2-1.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Carmel 48-41, Kokomo 76-48.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Carmel, 11-5.
LAST MEETING: Carmel, 54-53, Jan. 15, 2011.

4A #23 Indianapolis Tech (6-3) at Indianapolis Northwest (5-3)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET.
COACHES: Jason Delaney, 6-3 in 1st year at Indianapolis Tech, 87-81 in 8th year overall. Mosi Barnes, 30-20 in 3rd year at Indianapolis Northwest.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Indianapolis Tech, 91.96, 11th overall, 10th in Class 4A. Indianapolis Northwest, 79.76, 62nd overall, 14th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Indianapolis Tech defeated Ben Davis, 62-53, Jan. 7. Indianapolis Northwest defeated Baptist Academy, 83-62, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: Indianapolis Tech 2-0. Indianapolis Northwest 0-2.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Indianapolis Tech 51-20, Indianapolis Northwest 41-34.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Indianapolis Northwest, 12-6.
LAST MEETING: Indianapolis Northwest, 62-52, Jan. 18, 2011.

3A #3 Lebanon (12-1) at Fishers (5-5)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET.
COACHES: Albert Hendrix, 28-6 in 2nd year at Lebanon. Joe Leonard, 49-47 in 5th year at Fishers.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Fishers, 88.02, 23rd overall, 19th in Class 4A. Lebanon, 85.83, 34th overall, 4th in Class 3A.
LAST OUTING: Lebanon defeated Whitko, 72-62, Jan. 7. Fishers defeated Westfield, 70-59, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: None.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Lebanon 64-59, Fishers 57-46.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Fishers, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: Lebanon, 68-58, Jan. 8, 2011.

3A #1 Muncie Central (8-1) at Noblesville (7-4)
GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET.
COACHES: Matt Fine, 128-50 in 8th year at Muncie Central. Dave McCollough, 276-116 in 18th year at Noblesville, 433-211 in 29th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Muncie Central, 98.67, 2nd overall, 1st in Class 3A. Noblesville, 88.09, 22nd overall, 18th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Muncie Central lost to Hamilton Southeastern, 60-51, Jan. 7. Noblesville defeated McCutcheon, 61-29, Jan. 6.
VS. COMMON FOES: Muncie Central 0-1. Noblesville 0-1.
OPPONENTS' RECORDS: Muncie Central 57-28, Noblesville 77-41.
SERIES LAST 15 YEARS: Muncie Central, 9-5.
LAST MEETING: Muncie Central, 59-51, Jan. 15, 2011.