Big 10 shakedown

[AntennaMagnet]

After two weeks into the Big 10 season, is anybody else shocked by OSU's collapse ? Here's my read:

PSU: pretty much playing as expected although some of the games against the "bottom dwellers" were a little too close for such a highly ranked team.

Wisconsin: solid team not quite yet hitting on all cylinders. preseason did not fine tune them for some reason.

MN: freshmen surge is carrying the gophers banner

Meechigan: thank goodness Karpiak is preventing them from completely collapsing like OSU.

Purdue: slow starters, good potential to come from behind.

Illinois: Frosh DeBruler has got to be one of the most entertaining players to watch in the Big 10, double wins against MSU and Northwestern will likely get them moving to the middle half of the conference.

OSU: oh my. looking towards salvaging the second half of the season to be sure.

Michigan State: bottom dwellersville

Northwestern: inconsistencies, especially among the senior OHs, make you wonder.

IU: grateful for teams that hand them victories

Iowa: ditto

[Deleted]

Wisconsin now has 3 road wins in the bag for everyone else to envy. Huge advantage in the race to finish 2nd AND puts them in a position to put serious pressure on the Lions if they could somehow split their two matches.

[bomber]

ruffda said:

Wisconsin now has 3 road wins in the bag for everyone else to envy. Huge advantage in the race to finish 2nd AND puts them in a position to put serious pressure on the Lions if they could somehow split their two matches.

Splitting with Penn State is doable, very doable, and both teams know it. Should be a barnburner in Madison in October.....

[hoosierman]

antennamagnet said:

After two weeks into the Big 10 season, Here's my read:

IU: grateful for teams that hand them victories

Yeah. Because OSU really handed that win to IU. Winning 3-1 and 30-19, 30-18, and 30-20 in the games IU won. Rude.

[smiley]

With both Indiana and Iowa sporting wins over supposedly better teams maybe the so called bottom of the B10 isn't quite so weak. So far Penn State and Wisconsin seem to be the strongest but I'd be surprised if either get through the conference undefeated.

[AntennaMagnet]

I agree that there might be some "compression" of talent between the bottom and top halves of the league, but the consistent execution of plays and the mid - game adjustments, especially with the top 3 teams, has got to be a result of coaching expertise.

[wiscvball]

Minnesota will be hurt if Jones doesn't come back quickly from her injury (ankle I think)... they have road matches @ PSU and OSU and then home against Wisconsin for the next three big ten matches. Yikes.

Wisconsin finally gets to go back home after 10 consecutive road matches with the only blemish being a 15-13 loss @ BYU in five. If Jeffers & Dykstra keep improving as they have over the last couple of weekends, UW should challenge for at least second but could give PSU a run for first.

[VBCOACH]

antennamagnet said:

Northwestern: inconsistencies, especially among the senior OHs, make you wonder.

Wonder no more. I've given-up on Northwesrtern. (The Bears, too.) This should have been a dream season for Northwstern...4 senior 4 year starters, and talented ones, too. But, between some of them being benched/beaten-out by freshmen, or just inconsistant, there's nothing there. Even their excellent soph. liebro, Nobilio, was replaced against Illinois. Whst's left to get excited about?

[ohiovalley]

Did Jurovich get the start on Saturday? I saw she had some assists. The Wildcats are a little small on the pins, but I like the style in which they play. I am surprised Aldridge has disappeared.

[smiley]

I think it's way too early in the season(s) to give up on anyone. Remember one player from the Northwestern freshman class is now starting for Illinois.

[bucky415]

I think it is too early to give up on Northwestern, as they looked good at times against the Badgers on friday. I was really surprised that the Illini were able to come in and sweep them. That isn't a rip on the Illini; I just thought they would have more trouble beating NU if they were able to do so, especially after the Illini had to go five the night before and then travel.

[Deleted]

I think if you've stuck with Northwestern this long, you've shown the patience of Job. Why give up now?

[smiley]

As an Illini fan I was worried about winning, hadn't even really considered sweeping.

To me Northwestern has always had the porential to field GREAT teams. Located in the midst of largest center of volleyball talent east of California, campus bordering Lake Michigan and Chicago, and decent facility with plenty of parking. However, at least from an outsider viewpoint, the school just doesn't seem to care much about sports.

[journeylad]

wiscvball said:

Minnesota will be hurt if Jones doesn't come back quickly from her injury (ankle I think)... they have road matches @ PSU and OSU and then home against Wisconsin for the next three big ten matches. Yikes.

And don't forget about Illinois the night after Wisconsin. I can't see them losing to OSU, but certainly, the other three are now more of a possibility. I think Jones added more than just blocking, or offense. She added some life, and spark. She was (is?) one of the keys to this team, and will be missed.

[gopherit]

I'm not close to wringing my hands yet. I can see them rallying to win at OSU, providing a springboard to a competitive match at Penn State.

I can only speak of the players I've watched in club and HS, but I know there is some fire on this team. I bet Brooke breaks out big next weekend...The only way they lose to Illinois is if they manage victories at PSU and against Wisconsin, and get a little full of themselves.