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Post by psumaui on Nov 26, 2015 18:49:50 GMT -5
I honestly see no real strong teams this year so it's up for grabs. Every team that has a chance has weak areas that can be exploited. Washington vs Penn State would be a great match since I think we could exploit their back court as we did in 2013. USC has come back to earth. Bricio has slowed down considerably. She was on a 100+ service ace pace but will be lucky if she hits 90 by end of post season. I think she was used too much this season and it showed in last few matches. Wisconsin is good but we should still beat them in 4 or less. We have the 2nd best blocking average in the country and can use that to our advantage to help our defense out by getting either clean blocks or tips that they can handle. Hawaii has best block average but I'm not sold on them at all. I have watched them all season and I predict that if they meet a top seeded team in round 2, they will fall and will be shown to be the team that they really are with RPI 27. Their only significant win was against Florida which has some serious problems and could get knocked out as early as 2nd round. The rest of their matches they won were to teams that don't have a chance to make it to post season(except maybe Long Beach State). As for us, we need to get the easy points instead of giving opposing team chances on those points. Talking about overpasses, short and long. Bryanna is doing more setter dumps but I think she should dump at every opportunity she can when she sees space in defense. I am not sure why Russ is not using Simone Lee to serve anymore because what I saw against Michigan in set 1 was she was serving undigable balls (rockets)!! Maybe he's waiting until Round 3 of post season My 1st dream match-up in post season this year would be for Hawaii to come to Happy Valley! Can't wait to see Sunday's selection show which I will be uploading on YT. In the meantime, a win at Nebraska will really boost our women's team's confidence going into post season! My Final Four Penn State Texas(default) as normal due to easier brackets UCLA Washington I also predict we have to play a BIG 10 team in Regional Semi and Finals. Possible teams coming to Happy Valley from East Coast. Harvard - Very good blocking team and is their very first year ever in NCAA tournament! - Check out their Outside Hitter 6'1"- Paige Kebe Dayton - Always a scrappy team American - Not the team they were last year but still can be a team that could push us. New Hampshire - Shouldn't be a tough match at all. Lots of good stuff above. Enjoyed it thoroughly. I was thinking the same thing about Lee, who was replaced by Rivera, then I figured the change was for Rivera's back row defense more than the serve benefit. It's unfortunate, but I think you're right, we'll end up being bunched together with 2 other Big10 teams in some bracket. I can see 4 teams from the Big10 going to the elite 8 and at least 2 getting into the final four, if the bracket is favorable to such a scenario. Can never trust that the Selection Committee will be totally unbiased. I think they like parity in the final four and try to work it out so different conferences can make it, but that's just a suspicion. UCLA in the final four is a surprise, but I did pick them and Ohio State as dark horses. I'm thinking if Ohio State makes it to Regional Final, I predict we will be their opponent which would be an ideal situation since we have had Ohio State's number for last few years. We match up very well against them! I have been watching UCLA all season and they have greatly improved while USC is going backwards. I don't think USC has much left in the tank and if Washington, Stanford or UCLA plays them in Regional Finals, I predict all three would beat them now. I don't see any other PAC12 team getting too far this year. I think they get 5 (6 at most). in post season and half will be gone by Regional Finals. For some reason, I see a Nebraska vs Wisconsin Regional Final this year. On a side note, I see a lot of people complaining on VT about the RPI and crying because their bubble teams may not get in. My answer to those individuals is this: If your teams are good enough to compete for National Championship title, then they should be good enough to be a seeded team. Never has an unseeded team won a NC! There are those rare occasions that an unseeded team makes it deep in tournament but is extremely rare! There have only been a total of 10 different National Champions in the entire history of NCAA Tournament and in the last 20 years every one of those teams came from only 4 conferences: PAC12(8), BIG10(7- all Penn State), BIG12(4), and once for BIG WEST (Long Beach State). I don't see any teams outside to top 3 Conferences winning it this year either!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2015 19:33:50 GMT -5
Based on his comments after the match, I think Coach Rose is subbing in Rivera for her defense and general volleyball IQ. She's somewhat filling a Lacey Fuller-type role. I noticed that Rivera has quickness and coach said he was thinking of starting her during pre-season camp. It's always interesting to hear what coach has to say about his players and the state of the team. I recall an interview he gave with Whitney and Courtney early in the season where he said he had someone in mind to start at setter, but never said who back then. Nice to know now who he had in mind. Thanks for providing it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2015 19:35:20 GMT -5
Based on his comments after the match, I think Coach Rose is subbing in Rivera for her defense and general volleyball IQ. She's somewhat filling a Lacey Fuller-type role. Then I guess Simone Lee will have to work hard and improve defense because I can see her as a huge asset on the serving line next season if she can get better at back row defense! Really hope she does, because we'll need all the help we can get next year without Courtney in the back, she's been a rock for us.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2015 19:37:36 GMT -5
Lots of good stuff above. Enjoyed it thoroughly. I was thinking the same thing about Lee, who was replaced by Rivera, then I figured the change was for Rivera's back row defense more than the serve benefit. It's unfortunate, but I think you're right, we'll end up being bunched together with 2 other Big10 teams in some bracket. I can see 4 teams from the Big10 going to the elite 8 and at least 2 getting into the final four, if the bracket is favorable to such a scenario. Can never trust that the Selection Committee will be totally unbiased. I think they like parity in the final four and try to work it out so different conferences can make it, but that's just a suspicion. UCLA in the final four is a surprise, but I did pick them and Ohio State as dark horses. I'm thinking if Ohio State makes it to Regional Final, I predict we will be their opponent which would be an ideal situation since we have had Ohio State's number for last few years. We match up very well against them! I have been watching UCLA all season and they have greatly improved while USC is going backwards. I don't think USC has much left in the tank and if Washington, Stanford or UCLA plays them in Regional Finals, I predict all three would beat them now. I don't see any other PAC12 team getting too far this year. I think they get 5 (6 at most). in post season and half will be gone by Regional Finals. For some reason, I see a Nebraska vs Wisconsin Regional Final this year. Who would you take in the NE vs WI matchup?
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Post by psumaui on Nov 26, 2015 19:57:31 GMT -5
I'm thinking if Ohio State makes it to Regional Final, I predict we will be their opponent which would be an ideal situation since we have had Ohio State's number for last few years. We match up very well against them! I have been watching UCLA all season and they have greatly improved while USC is going backwards. I don't think USC has much left in the tank and if Washington, Stanford or UCLA plays them in Regional Finals, I predict all three would beat them now. I don't see any other PAC12 team getting too far this year. I think they get 5 (6 at most). in post season and half will be gone by Regional Finals. For some reason, I see a Nebraska vs Wisconsin Regional Final this year. Who would you take in the NE vs WI matchup? I would pick Nebraska. After further thought, I placed Nebraska in place of Texas for a Final Four. Just remembered that FF is in Omaha this year which gives them extra incentive to make it to FF. Wisconsin has improved but Illinois just took them to 5 and I wouldn't bet any money on them winning their away match on Saturday match against Purdue.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2015 20:01:38 GMT -5
Who would you take in the NE vs WI matchup? I would pick Nebraska. After further thought, I placed Nebraska in place of Texas for a Final Four. Just remembered that FF is in Omaha this year which gives them extra incentive to make it to FF. Wisconsin has improved but Illinois just took them to 5 and I wouldn't bet any money on them winning their away match on Saturday match against Purdue. I really hope Texas gets some difficult teams in their bracket. I'd like to see them challenged. Like you said earlier, it seems that they always get a cake walk bracket into the final four.
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Post by psumaui on Nov 26, 2015 20:07:46 GMT -5
I would pick Nebraska. After further thought, I placed Nebraska in place of Texas for a Final Four. Just remembered that FF is in Omaha this year which gives them extra incentive to make it to FF. Wisconsin has improved but Illinois just took them to 5 and I wouldn't bet any money on them winning their away match on Saturday match against Purdue. I really hope Texas gets some difficult teams in their bracket. I'd like to see them challenged. Like you said earlier, it seems that they always get a cake walk bracket into the final four. I'd like to see them play Texas A&M in Regional Semi Finals. who will most definitely win the SEC this year if they can take care of business and beat Arkansas on Sat.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2015 21:19:36 GMT -5
So many variables, for me so little knowledge. I haven't really watched much volleyball this year--unless PSU was involved. I'll get a read on Nebraska on Saturday. I read a bit on volleytalk which we all know is a reliable and unbiased source. Nevertheless, there's a lot to be learned if you read what fans have to say when their team is having problems.
Now that I think about it, among the top teams, I've read the least from Nebraska. Probably because there haven't been all that many discussions in which PSU and Nebraska issues intersect?
From what I've read--and haven't read, I get the impression that Washington has had a good season, that Wisconsin has recovered from a very rough start, that Minnesota seems to be hitting some bumps, and that USC doesn't seem to be the lock it was a couple weeks ago.
As alluded to above, I believe the brackets will be configured so as to optimize the chances that the Final Four teams will be from different conferences. I'd imagine that the NCAA considered the 2013 Final an epic fail whereas last year's final four had just the "right mix." So while PSU will likely have to play other B1G teams in the regional semi and final (God willing PSU gets the opportunity), I would expect that fans from PAC-12 teams will complain about the same problem.
PSUMAUI's post about Hawaii--how its AVCA rank was out of sync with its RPI--is right on. What I'd point out is the coin's other side in that Florida's AVCA and RPI are even more out of sync. Florida being ranked fifth in anything--other than the SEC--is outrageous.
I hope PSU comes out of the land of red with a victory and I hope they get sent to a favorable regional. The team has been geographically fortunate the last few years--Kentucky must seem like a second home. Is the final in Columbus next year?
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Post by psumaui on Nov 26, 2015 23:01:18 GMT -5
So many variables, for me so little knowledge. I haven't really watched much volleyball this year--unless PSU was involved. I'll get a read on Nebraska on Saturday. I read a bit on volleytalk which we all know is a reliable and unbiased source. Nevertheless, there's a lot to be learned if you read what fans have to say when their team is having problems. Now that I think about it, among the top teams, I've read the least from Nebraska. Probably because there haven't been all that many discussions in which PSU and Nebraska issues intersect? From what I've read--and haven't read, I get the impression that Washington has had a good season, that Wisconsin has recovered from a very rough start, that Minnesota seems to be hitting some bumps, and that USC doesn't seem to be the lock it was a couple weeks ago. As alluded to above, I believe the brackets will be configured so as to optimize the chances that the Final Four teams will be from different conferences. I'd imagine that the NCAA considered the 2013 Final an epic fail whereas last year's final four had just the "right mix." So while PSU will likely have to play other B1G teams in the regional semi and final (God willing PSU gets the opportunity), I would expect that fans from PAC-12 teams will complain about the same problem. PSUMAUI's post about Hawaii--how its AVCA rank was out of sync with its RPI--is right on. What I'd point out is the coin's other side in that Florida's AVCA and RPI are even more out of sync. Florida being ranked fifth in anything--other than the SEC--is outrageous. I hope PSU comes out of the land of red with a victory and I hope they get sent to a favorable regional. The team has been geographically fortunate the last few years--Kentucky must seem like a second home. Is the final in Columbus next year? Yes, final four is in Columbus, Ohio next year. If Penn State makes it there, I plan on being there for that one. Remember, if NCAA vote on changing Regional selection, then the 4 Regionals in 2016 would belong to top seeds in each region coming from round 2. Stay tuned for that update after Feb 2016 annual meeting. As for Florida, I think NCAA will seed them appropriately. My guess is anywhere from 9-12. I think we will be back in KY Regional this year also since this may be last year Regional's are held there unless KY can get a top seed in the future. Yea, NCAA was not happy about two BIG 10 teams in final match in 2013 and I'm sure they will do what they can to prevent that in future. 3 BIG in one Regional and none in one of the other Regionals seems to be what we will see from now on. My guess is Iowa Regional will be the one with ZERO BIG 10 teams this year (MN was Regional that was BIG10 less last year). They could make a mistake and place Wisconsin, MN and Ohio State in Iowa's regional but not holding my breath on that one.
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Post by traveler on Nov 28, 2015 16:35:52 GMT -5
from gnu2... PSUMAUI's post about Hawaii--how its AVCA rank was out of sync with its RPI--is right on. What I'd point out is the coin's other side in that Florida's AVCA and RPI are even more out of sync. Florida being ranked fifth in anything--other than the SEC--is outrageous.
LOL...well said....had me scratching my head not just this year but for the last several, though this year is the most aberrant. i've wondered if it results from the admiration for the highest-ranking female coach in what should not be a male-dominated business. Or trying to wish-fulfill the idea that some team from the ACC or SEC will rise up from the SE quadrant of the map...never having claimed an NCAA ring. Whatever it is, the persistence undermines faith in the AVCA and RPI selection systems.
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Post by nitneliun on Nov 30, 2015 11:22:53 GMT -5
FWIW, I've got Washington beating Minnesota in the championship match.
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Post by nyline on Nov 30, 2015 11:41:01 GMT -5
FWIW, I've got Washington beating Minnesota in the championship match. If that's the matchup, I hope you're wrong (and I hope you're wrong about the finals, as I'm sure you are too).
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Post by cross5 on Nov 30, 2015 12:20:00 GMT -5
This has the makings of a CRAZY bracket this year. It is entirely possible to see some major upsets very early.
In the basketball brackets I always make an upset one and often pull ahead of others picking the 12/5 and 13/ upsets.
So IF I had two brackets going I could see in the first 2 rounds: Colorado st. Over Stan. Purdue over Texas Michigan over UCLA Iowa st. or Oregon Over Wisconsin (they have difficult teams the whole way) Arizona st. Over Florida
TCU over Hawaii Illinois over Louisville Arizona over BYU Kentucky over OSU MSU over Washington
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 16:02:21 GMT -5
FWIW, I've got Washington beating Minnesota in the championship match. I think Washington made out like a bandit, getting to play Nebraska outside of Omaha. Washington is the best team in the tourney, in my opinion, and have the best chances at winning all the marbles. Regarding MN, I'm not sure they are an offense enough team to get to the finals. I'm so happy that PSU will have the opportunity to play them again in the regional final, considering both teams get that far, on a neutral court. I wrote a post after our loss to them in MN that I'd love a rematch on a neutral court. You can bet that the Nittany Lions will play them much tougher. MN's offense, statistically, is middle of the road, so PSU really has a good chance at defeating them. Having said that, Hawaii concerns me more than MN, because they are an unknown to us. That match would be interesting and fun to watch, again, if both teams get that far.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 16:06:17 GMT -5
This has the makings of a CRAZY bracket this year. It is entirely possible to see some major upsets very early. In the basketball brackets I always make an upset one and often pull ahead of others picking the 12/5 and 13/ upsets. So IF I had two brackets going I could see in the first 2 rounds: Colorado st. Over Stan. Purdue over Texas Michigan over UCLA Iowa st. or Oregon Over Wisconsin (they have difficult teams the whole way) Arizona st. Over Florida TCU over Hawaii Illinois over Louisville Arizona over BYU Kentucky over OSU MSU over Washington I agree with the craziness of the brackets this year. I was a little confused by what you meant when you wrote, "I always make an upset one and often pull ahead of others picking the 12/5 and 13/ upsets." What does that mean exactly? On a side note, wouldn't it be cool to see 2-3 teams from the Big10 in the Final Four? I just don't want Nebraska making it, they'll be tough on their home court.
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