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Post by lalalaluuuke on Apr 26, 2004 13:09:09 GMT -5
If you get a few minutes I would like to hear what everyone thinks will be the key matchups personnel wise this weekend in any of the conference tourney semi's and finals.
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Post by lalalaluuuke on Apr 26, 2004 19:25:06 GMT -5
Just giving this some thought, all 4 teams have powerful outside and opposite hitters. The team that comes out on top will be the team whose MB's have a great weekend. With the caliber of talent playing in the fieldhouse, a Touzinsky or a Hillman or a Winters won't be able to carry a team like they might have been able to during the season. The "team" that shows up will win it. That sounds obvious, but the team that gets good touches and defense from ALL of their players will be left standing. Teams that just have one or two dominant players will struggle.
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Post by My2Sense on Apr 26, 2004 20:09:09 GMT -5
Red, with the thin air up there, do teams typically struggle with serving, or is it a non factor?
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Post by BarcelonaBob on Apr 26, 2004 20:16:02 GMT -5
In the UCLA/LBSU matchup, I'd say the key matchup would be Klosterman vs. Wooten/Tarr. I think if I'm LBSU I'd rather have Wooten blocking on Klosterman in my LF, as I think Wooten is a better blocker than Tarr. I don't know how often UCLA will dial their starting rotation, as I haven't seen them play live at all this year, but if I were LBSU, I'd try to pencil in my lineup so that Wooten is matched up against Klosterman for all 3 frontrow rotations. I'm not sure if Wooten is L1 or L2, can't remember. If he's L2, and UCLA starts R1 serve, then LBSU should start R1 receive (if he's L1 then they should start R4 receive) and so on and so forth.
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Post by lalalaluuuke on Apr 26, 2004 20:45:30 GMT -5
Red, with the thin air up there, do teams typically struggle with serving, or is it a non factor? You know there is a lot of hype about that but I think it is more a mental game than anything. They say it affects serves by 2 feet, but that is a stretch I would think. I've played there and at sea level and didn't feel a huge difference. But that's just me. Sports are all about making adjustments. It seems like a good excuse if you lose I suppose. LBSU and UCLA are coming from the same elevation so against each other they have no excuse. I know the Colorado Rockies average more homeruns because the air is thinner, but they are also outdoor where it helps even more. If the air is the reason you lost then you probably have bigger problems to worry about IMO. Anyone else have experience with the elevation changes? |
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Post by doctordubya on Apr 27, 2004 10:39:34 GMT -5
Anyone else have experience with the elevation changes? Yep - the US men's volleyball team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The change in elevation from Colorado Springs to Sydney was a key factor in their somewhat disappointing tied-for-11th-with-Egypt finish. Or so Doug Beal said, anyway. |
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Post by Bookumdanoaloha on Apr 27, 2004 11:52:12 GMT -5
Bruins vs. The Beach. I don't think that you can really look at individual match ups eg. Klosterman vs. Wooten. Serving will be a key. UCLA has 5 jump servers, but with the high altitude, jump floaters may be the more effective serving weapon. There will be plenty of service errors for both teams. Serving short will also be effective. This is a neutral court and since both teams are Big Arena Teams they are even on the floor. Although the Beach has a dominate Middle in Lee, all of the Bruins players seems to get good touches on the ball. and their backcourt play is much better. Bruins go after to ball much better, and can give you that second and third effort on the court. I think you go after the weakest passer the whole match and see what they can do. It'll be interesting which player steps it up and carries his team to victory. I like Beach's talent, but Big Al shines in games like this. This is a big test for Knipe to establish himself as a good playoff coach.
BYU vs. Pepperdine. Pepp has seen more success at Smith Field House in the Conference, but BYU is loaded.
Their passing is the Best in the Conference. Their libero stinks, I would go after their libero all nite. The success of Moreno has been his team's passing, he has the time and passes to set up his offense. His a good setter, but his teamates make his him a great setter. Pepp's setter just doesn't run a good offense. Losing one their Middle starters will hurt, and their third option hitter Jim Ka needs to have an outstanding game. Rooney and Winters will try and keep it close. BYU has too much passing and Crazy Fans.
Bookum
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Post by lalalaluuuke on Apr 27, 2004 11:56:15 GMT -5
Yep - the US men's volleyball team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The change in elevation from Colorado Springs to Sydney was a key factor in their somewhat disappointing tied-for-11th-with-Egypt finish. Or so Doug Beal said, anyway. Right, and C.Springs is even higher than Provo. 6035 vs 4497 ft above sea level. That makes a big difference. I would also think traveling around half way around the world would affect them too, even after time to adjust it still isn't the same. I think if you serve BYU's libero all night you will pay for it. He is a scrappy kid who can pass as good as anyone on the team with the exception of Nando. I think Carlos's team makes him an Exceptional setter. He is already a great setter. He can set bad passes to nearly anywhere on the court with precision. Blockers cannot cheat to a specific hitter even when passes are bad. This is invaluable. Even with LBSU sweeping UCLA during the regular season I can see them winning w/ their balance. Just as BYU has won w/ balance, so too has UCLA. UCLA's "quick hitters" have to show up to play or it will be a short trip and a long vacation during the offseason for them. This is going to be a motivated team with the "only class not to leave with a ring" hanging over their heads. |
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Post by vballmom on Apr 27, 2004 13:30:14 GMT -5
Wooten is L2 when Tarr is in, but L1 when Hagstrom is in. Wooten is the better blocker and that would make sense to put him on Klosterman. The Beach has a pretty deep bench which gives them an advantage. Both teams want this badly, so it will be interesting.
What I don't understand is why they are staring the first game so late! The first game doesn't even start until 7:00, so the 2nd game could start as late as 10:00.
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Post by sistahsledge on Apr 27, 2004 13:46:55 GMT -5
Question about NCAA Championship scenarios:
If Pepperdine beats BYU but loses to LBSU in the MPSF championship, who gets the Final Four wild card?
If UCLA beats LBSU but loses to BYU, who gets the wild card?
If both UCLA and Pepperdine get to the MPSF final, does the loser stand a chance of getting the wild card?
In the past, a runner-up finish in the MPSF wasn't a guarantee of an at-large bid. Is that still the case? Is there objective criteria for deciding the at-large or is it a committee selection?
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Post by ElVolloLoco on Apr 27, 2004 13:57:06 GMT -5
Question about NCAA Championship scenarios: If Pepperdine beats BYU but loses to LBSU in the MPSF championship, who gets the Final Four wild card? If UCLA beats LBSU but loses to BYU, who gets the wild card? If both UCLA and Pepperdine get to the MPSF final, does the loser stand a chance of getting the wild card? In the past, a runner-up finish in the MPSF wasn't a guarantee of an at-large bid. Is that still the case? Is there objective criteria for deciding the at-large or is it a committee selection? As I see it: 1. BYU wins it all - 2nd place team (UCLA or CSULB) gets the at-large. 2. BYU loses in final - champion (UCLA or CSULB) goes to Final Four, BYU gets the at-large. 3. BYU loses to Pepp. Pepp loses final to UCLA or CSULB. This is a tough one. The champion makes the trip. At-large probably goes to BYU but match scores will matter. 4. BYU loses to Pepp, then Pepp wins the trophy. Pepp goes to Hawai'i, at-large to BYU.  |
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Post by Serendipity on Apr 27, 2004 15:02:09 GMT -5
I don't follow the MPSF at all, but does the tournament really matter that much for your at-large? Wouldn't the regular season have much more weight if the predicted teams don't win and finish second in the tourney?
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Post by BarcelonaBob on Apr 27, 2004 18:44:31 GMT -5
Bruins vs. The Beach. I don't think that you can really look at individual match ups eg. Klosterman vs. Wooten. Bookum Actually, when college coaches (esp. men's coaches) scout opponents and chart opponent serve and serve-receive rotations, that's exactly what they are looking for - position mismatches that are in their favor. When a team's "marquee" player (i.e Klosterman for UCLA - who takes the most swings on offense, especially in transition) has a bad night, it's usually because the opponent has done their job and figured out a gameplan to stop that player. If you stop your opponent's best options, that forces them out of their comfort zone and forces them to look for other options they normally don't use. |
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Post by vb on Apr 28, 2004 11:14:03 GMT -5
Very interesting matchup comments. You guys are bringing a whole different level of understanding to this game. Keep it up!
Meanwhile, I would love to hear about MIVA matchups alittle.
I suppose the EIVA matchups is asking too much...and i am getting greedy.
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Post by vballmom on Apr 28, 2004 13:39:56 GMT -5
I think if BYU wins it all and UCLA beats LBSU, then LBSU still has a shot at the At Large bid since they beat UCLA twice (3-0) during the regular season. If BYU doesn't make it to the finals, then they will get that At Large no matter what. LBSU fans need to go against their better natures and route for BYU against Pepperdine.
Of course, anything is possible. I think that the only way that Pepp goes is if they win it all, coming in 2nd or tied for 3rd won't do it. BYU and LBSU have been #1 and #2 for most of the season, so they are the obvious first choices for the At Large selection.
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