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Post by spikerthemovie on Sept 24, 2007 14:46:47 GMT -5
Actually, aren't Penn State, Wisconsin and Minnesota all tied for first in the conference at this point? Followed by Ohio State, Michigan, Northwestern and Purdue tied for second? Or am I not getting your system? Going soley by Big Ten records, you are correct, but by adding the regular season as a tie breaker, you get the actual standings. OK, but Big Ten conference standings are determined by Big Ten conference records, not overall, right? And I'm not a huge fan of predicting anything or giving a prognosis before the third weekend or so is completed, but I'd say Penn State is the real deal (Duh), Purdue and Ohio State will straighten the ship and get their game back on, and Michigan will come back down to earth soon. |
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Post by The Bofa on the Sofa on Sept 24, 2007 16:23:09 GMT -5
And I'm not a huge fan of predicting anything or giving a prognosis before the third weekend or so is completed, but I'd say Penn State is the real deal (Duh), Purdue and Ohio State will straighten the ship and get their game back on, and Michigan will come back down to earth soon. I don't often act fanboy, but I wonder, what reason is there to believe that Purdue's ship ISN'T straight already? Since the Utah match, they have swept Furman and FAMU beat Clemson in 5 on the road beat #21 Oregon lost to #5 USC lost to #12 Minnesota on the road Swept Iowa on the road The Clemson scare was 3 weeks ago, and since then they handled a (probably comparable to Clemson) Iowa team, so that looks straighter. They lost to Minnesota in 3, but it was three close ones, and I think Minn fans will acknowledge that it was hard fought, and anything but a dominating performance by the Gophs. Then again, who expected that much more on the road (yeah, they could have taken a game, but a 30 - 28 game in the midst of 3*30 - 24 isn't any better than what they did. Admittedly, they really didn't compete well against USC, but then again, I'm not sure how seriously to interpret that one. After playing one of their best matches of the year against Oregon in a 5-1, they switch to a 6-2 set with Gray, despite the fact that she had been out for almost 3 weeks and had just been cleared to practice two days before? For some reason, that doesn't sit with me as the most effective lineup to put on the court, and I wonder if it wasn't intentional. That match almost seemed like a "sacrificial lamb" to get Gray on the court and get some PT before the start of the Big Ten season. I don't see anything in the last three weeks that suggests Purdue is not playing like a top 20 team right now. Win against #21, losses to #5 and #12 on the road. Utah, Dayton and Duke were a long time ago. We'll see more this weekend, again, as the Buckeyes come to town. If Purdue can win one this weekend, then I think their ship is not all that crooked. |
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Post by bucky415 on Sept 25, 2007 1:46:21 GMT -5
I think the conference is weaker than I thought it would be coming into the season. Penn State is obviously very good, but I do think they will lose at least once (and, yes, I think the match in Madison is their biggest challenge). Wisconsin is looking a lot more solid after winning their first two conference matches on the road. Minnesota is looking like a stronger team after beating Purdue in close games; you have to figure they will improve with experience and wash away the memory of the Cal blowout.
After that, I am not sure. I will be interested to see how Northwestern is on friday, as I am planning a trip to Evanston. I hope they look awful that night at least. The win over Ohio State is a nice statement win for them, though. I think Illinois is improved despite their injuries. Michigan didn't go 0-2 this weekend, so that is an improvement over last year. It certainly helps that Karpiak has emerged as an offensive threat, with her and Zimmerman and Selsky back at libero, they have above average players at more positions than last year.
I think Ohio State and MSU have been disappointing to this point. I thought both had talent enough to have a chance to move up, but they both obviously have key weaknesses holding them back.
Purdue is an interesting case. p-dub makes an interesting case that they are improving, but it seems like they are stuck on a bit of a plateau as a program. Will they be able to challenge PSU at home? That would be a big step forward for them. Although Shondell's recruiting classes have been highly rated, Lynch is still the only Boiler who really frightens me if I am scouting them. They can play some defense, obviously, but Mader and Merlau haven't really made great strides offensively from where they were two years ago, in my opinion, and they don't seem to know who they want at the M2 and L2 spots. I am sad to see that Jacques isn't playing; she has had to deal with way too many injuries in her career. If she can't play, I just hope she can become a healthy person and doesn't have to deal with stuff from now on. On the good side, with the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions coming to town, there is an opportunity for instant respect. Whatever happens, this program won't be back to where it was in the foreseeable future.
Iowa and Indiana are probably better than they were, but it is hard to move up in this league. It is too bad about the Hawkeyes' injuries; I want every team to be full strength.
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Post by OverAndUnder on Sept 25, 2007 8:59:22 GMT -5
I didn't think it was a confusing question as far as halves go. Half of 10 and 12. I wasn't considering divisions like the B12 has. Also I wasn't speaking of cycles of programs, I was speaking of the present. I would agree with the B12 offhand but I really don't know that much about the lesser teams in those conferences. Understood. All I meant was that in many conferences there is very often a difference between the arithmetic half (12 teams / 2 = 6) and the strength "half" (8 strong teams that can win on any given night and 4 weak teams who regularly finish 5-17). |
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Post by AntennaMagnet on Sept 25, 2007 13:07:14 GMT -5
Yes, I agree that this weekend's matches for Northwestern will be revealing. They have not played any team that hit over .200 for most of the preseason, and more recently they gave up more points to PSU this year than last year despite a testy first game. However, last year they took the Badgers to 5 and last weekend they capitalized nicely on a lack luster performance by OSU, so at any given time.........Pablo knows they can upset the cart.
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Post by bucky415 on Sept 26, 2007 0:43:28 GMT -5
Interestingly, the five gamer last year was in Madison, and only a great performance from Dolgner saved the Badgers. Wisconsin swept Northwestern in Evanston. I hope that happens again and that the match in Madison is a lot less tense for the home fans.
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Post by ohiovalley on Sept 26, 2007 6:39:09 GMT -5
The Big Ten has more talent this year than any year I can remember. College volleyball is pretty darn good this year. I think the Big Ten is going to be wild this season with many unpredictable matches throughout the year. Surely, Penn State is the favorite and should be. Has the Big Ten ever seen such a tall and talented team? Wisconsin had a good opening weekend, but appeared to catch Michigan on a night in which the Wolverines experienced stage fright. The Badgers will have their share of tough nights as well. Northwestern has been the wild card thus far. I thought they would be very capable, but winning at Columbus came as a surprise since the Bucks have 6 of 7 starters back in the fold from a Sweet 16 team a year ago. Minnesota is putting some youngsters on the floor and might take some lumps early on the road, but will be pretty good in the end. Purdue seems to be recovering from several early season injuries just in time for Big Ten play. Not sure what to think about the Spartans. With Johnson and Schatzle and Hohl, I thoght MSU would be very competitive - and still may be. 0-6 in games so far with the tough road-trip out of the way. I look for Indiana to ride the emotion of a new coach and new ideas for a little while and possibly win 3-4 matches this fall. Iowa has more talent than recent memory, but still having a tough time getting over the hump. The home loss to the Hoosiers can not sit well with Hawkeye fans. Illinois is much better, but they are also 0-2. How many swings can DeBruler have before her arm falls off? I rank them like this, for now:
1. Penn State
2. Wisconsin
3. Minnesota
4. Northwestern
5. Ohio State
5. Purdue
5. Michigan
8. Illinois
8. Michigan State
10. Indiana
10. Iowa
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Post by oldasdirt on Sept 26, 2007 10:51:50 GMT -5
Northwestern got LUCKY against Ohio State to win on the road. With Amy Stevens out for most of the match, ( she is one of the primary passers ) and some SHOTTY calls from the good ol faithful female ref, Could of went either way.... In saying all that, I did like Northwesterns libero!
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2007 11:00:15 GMT -5
What's wrong with Stevens?
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Post by silversurfer on Sept 26, 2007 11:05:18 GMT -5
The Big Ten has more talent this year than any year I can remember. College volleyball is pretty darn good this year. I think the Big Ten is going to be wild this season with many unpredictable matches throughout the year. Surely, Penn State is the favorite and should be. Has the Big Ten ever seen such a tall and talented team? Wisconsin had a good opening weekend, but appeared to catch Michigan on a night in which the Wolverines experienced stage fright. The Badgers will have their share of tough nights as well. Northwestern has been the wild card thus far. I thought they would be very capable, but winning at Columbus came as a surprise since the Bucks have 6 of 7 starters back in the fold from a Sweet 16 team a year ago. Minnesota is putting some youngsters on the floor and might take some lumps early on the road, but will be pretty good in the end. Purdue seems to be recovering from several early season injuries just in time for Big Ten play. Not sure what to think about the Spartans. With Johnson and Schatzle and Hohl, I thoght MSU would be very competitive - and still may be. 0-6 in games so far with the tough road-trip out of the way. I look for Indiana to ride the emotion of a new coach and new ideas for a little while and possibly win 3-4 matches this fall. Iowa has more talent than recent memory, but still having a tough time getting over the hump. The home loss to the Hoosiers can not sit well with Hawkeye fans. Illinois is much better, but they are also 0-2. How many swings can DeBruler have before her arm falls off? I rank them like this, for now: 1. Penn State 2. Wisconsin 3. Minnesota 4. Northwestern 5. Ohio State 5. Purdue 5. Michigan 8. Illinois 8. Michigan State 10. Indiana 10. Iowa Northwestern the 4th-best team in the conference? EEK. That can't be good. |
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Post by Keystonekid on Sept 26, 2007 11:28:15 GMT -5
I don't have my AP stylebook handy, but wondering if Eek should be in all caps, and should there be an exclamation point on the end. INTERJECTION!
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Post by bownlovingfreak on Sept 26, 2007 12:02:50 GMT -5
Northwestern has a lot of seniors this year right? Jurivich, Paulus and Anderson? or did Jurivich graduate?
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Post by mango on Sept 26, 2007 13:52:55 GMT -5
Website says Aldridge a senior too for NU.
If the Wildcat's win against OSU was because Stevens was out, what does that say about the OSU depth ?
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Post by The Bofa on the Sofa on Sept 26, 2007 14:02:15 GMT -5
I don't have my AP stylebook handy, but wondering if Eek should be in all caps, and should there be an exclamation point on the end. INTERJECTION! Interjections show excitement and emotion, and are usually set apart from a sentance by an exclamation point, or by a comma when the feeling's not as strong. So when you're happy (HURRAH!), or sad (AW!), or frightened (EEK!), or mad (RATS!), excited (WOW!) or glad (HEY!), an interjection starts a sentance right. The score was tied at seven - all (uh-huh-huh) When Franklin found he had the ba-all He made a connection in the other direction And the fans started yelling out IN-TER-JECT-IONS AWWW! He threw the wrong way! DARN! He just lost the game! HURRAY! I'm for the other team! |
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Post by mango on Sept 26, 2007 15:10:16 GMT -5
Capital letters just make the page scream out with special emphasis.
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