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Post by dorothymantooth on Oct 8, 2008 9:36:01 GMT -5
I believe PSU's defense is underrated, or at least unfairly overshadowed by their offense.
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Post by BOTE on Oct 8, 2008 10:03:13 GMT -5
After careful evaluation of all the facts: PSU in 3
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Post by dorothymantooth on Oct 8, 2008 10:42:20 GMT -5
People really want to make this an offensive power vs defensive power match-up, and I get that. It makes for good drama, it is the strengths of the two teams. It however is somewhat misleading. People perceive defense to mean, digging, and of course digs per game is the measuring stick. Defense is actually the combination of blocking and digging. In this case stats are misleading and don't quite tell the whole story. Let me preface this by saying I agree that Minnesota is an exceptional defensive team, but it is hard to compare their digs per game vs Penn State. First of all, PSU is siding out at nearly 80%, the amount of rallies they are in is significantly lower, therefore a dramatic drop in opportunities to dig. The question is, is PSU's defense closer to Minnesota's defense, or is Minnesota's offense closer to PSU's? That would be the determinor.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2008 11:04:31 GMT -5
The answer is pretty much what you've stated. Minnesota probably has to get this match into long rally points to have a chance. I doubt they can do that.
OTOH, if Minnesota sides out at a high percentage, who knows?
Either way, Minnesota has to play at an extremely high level for an extremely long time. That's asking a lot.
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Post by wsufan on Oct 8, 2008 11:47:47 GMT -5
After careful evaluation of all the facts: PSU in 3 I love risk takers like you.
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Post by mplssetter on Oct 8, 2008 15:10:25 GMT -5
I'm going with PSU, 3-1. The gophers are a good blocking and digging team. One can argue that the digs/set stat is misleading and only shows that MN tends to get into long rallies. However, it's hard to argue against blocks/set. I think the gophers have to frustrate PSU's hitters with their block and floor defense and run an efficient offense. If they can get PSU out of their game early, get the crowd going, they may be able to take one set. Probably not two.
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Post by iknowiu on Oct 8, 2008 15:28:55 GMT -5
Didn't I see Faucette plow two serves into the net at IU?
Here is the truth...being a champion is momentary. Trying to recreate it again every match in every situation is difficult. PSU can be beat...by another team who plays consistently at their highest level. On their worst night and on some other team's best night (hopefully Minnesota) it is possible. Timing is everything.
Go Minnesota!
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Post by folympics on Oct 8, 2008 15:31:11 GMT -5
Didn't know Texas played at IU...
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Post by Serendipity on Oct 8, 2008 15:34:24 GMT -5
What f-olympics is referring to, I believe, is that Nicole FAWCETT plays at Penn State while Juliann FAUCETTE plays at Texas.
Kind of like Penn and Penn State or Ohio and Ohio State are completely different places.
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Post by folympics on Oct 8, 2008 15:36:56 GMT -5
Perfect clarification.
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Post by iknowiu on Oct 8, 2008 16:16:14 GMT -5
Thought we were discussing PSU at Minn?? Anyhow, I'm a believer that winning is as much a function of the mind as it is of the body (being reasonable here).
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Post by rogue VB fan on Oct 9, 2008 13:52:18 GMT -5
If Minnesota does upset PSU, how many Pac-10 teams will be ahead of both of them in the rankings next week?
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Post by ugopher on Oct 9, 2008 14:31:11 GMT -5
If Minnesota does upset PSU, how many Pac-10 teams will be ahead of both of them in the rankings next week? 10.
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Post by ay2013 on Oct 9, 2008 19:39:54 GMT -5
PSU better win...I could care less what a loss would do to the Pac-10 in the rankings, I just really don't think that Nebraska (who would benefit most from a PSU loss) is the best team in the country.......and don't ask me who I think is, because I'll still probably say PSU.....
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Post by dorothymantooth on Oct 9, 2008 20:56:23 GMT -5
ay, you operate on some sort of alternative plain. "probably say PSU" Find anyone to say anything otherwise. Nebraska not the second best team? Well your two alternatives are Texas and Stanford who are a combined 1-6 vs Nebraska. Just what is it that you are basing your beliefs, because it isn't reality (results) It is very difficult for me to wrap my mind around Nebraska as the #2 team in the land, but I would have to turn my back on reality to accept that.
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