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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 14:08:58 GMT -5
So, now that the smoke is cleared: Where to Minnesota?
2014 returning who saw playing time: Nora, Hauer, Wilhite, Tapps, Schau, Lawmaster, Santana, Howard, Bohl 2014 returning who might help: Mau, White, DeFelice 2014 recruits: Maddie Beal, Molly Lohman
The only way this team contends for 3rd, imo, is if they dedicate themselves to ball control.
Where the heck are the recruits? 2015 is just Seliger-Swenson, too (and Taylor). The program is losing ground fast, imo. I sure hope there's a Plan B (and C, D ...).
Hugh cannot advance this program without better recruiting. Is this something he can do? Hasn't happened yet.
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Post by vbgirls2 on Dec 16, 2013 14:40:31 GMT -5
Minnesota will be just fine. Hugh got a late start. Laura Bush, probably was a little hesitant to bring in recruits in case Hugh had a different opinion of them. (Taylr McNeil just to name one). They need a better setter and better defense.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 14:48:31 GMT -5
I believe the expectation is that Rosado will be with the Gophers next year as well.
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Post by snickers on Dec 16, 2013 15:05:23 GMT -5
I believe the expectation is that Rosado will be with the Gophers next year as well. I believe we should lower our expectations on that one, unless she suddenly becomes proficient in English over the next six months. So far, it hasn't happened.
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Post by permagrin on Dec 16, 2013 15:11:01 GMT -5
I seriously doubt there will ever be football games for both on the same weekend, as someone stated that would be a complete nightmare. If they start having Thursday games they will probably lose me as a season ticket holder since that would be more games i cant get to. The wednesday ones are already out. I think they will be fine next year but the ball control has to and will improve.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 15:38:24 GMT -5
The problem is that the ball control could improve and the setting could improve, but it has to not only improve it has to improve enough to make up for all of the offense they are losing.
Hugh needs more talent. It's as simple as that. And if he can't find it, the program AT BEST is going to stay right where it is -- battling for 3rd.
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Post by vbcoltrane on Dec 16, 2013 15:57:09 GMT -5
I think there is a broad range of outcomes for the 2014 season, depending on how players step up, how tream chemistry evolves, etc.
I'm thinking that MN is "good" again, but not "very good". Instead of a Top 4 B1G finish and a Top 16 seed, and Top 10 or 12 final rank, I'm thinking more 5-7 B1G finish, not a Top 16 seed (but, still with the potential to make the Sweet 16), and maybe a final rank in the 18-25 range.
Good chance of a rebuilding, "down" season, below average for what they've done in the last decade or so. Then again, players could step up and they could do better than I expect. Of course, they could also do worse. If so, just be confident that MN is a great program, most programs have down years, and they'll get it together sooner rather than later.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 15:59:53 GMT -5
I think it's a great very good program, too. But what's disconcerting is what's in (or, more to the point, what's not in) the pipeline.
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Post by vbcoltrane on Dec 16, 2013 16:05:52 GMT -5
I think it's a great very good program, too. But what's disconcerting is what's in (or, more to the point, what's not in) the pipeline. Would Hugh go international to fill gaps?
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Post by ugopher on Dec 16, 2013 16:07:41 GMT -5
I think it's a great very good program, too. But what's disconcerting is what's in (or, more to the point, what's not in) the pipeline. Would Hugh go international to fill gaps? Yes, he would.
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Post by vbgirls2 on Dec 16, 2013 16:08:33 GMT -5
you can bet that Hugh will get the most of out of athletes that he has, of course he many not have the athletes in each position that he needs just yet. He is a very good coach.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 16:14:04 GMT -5
No one doubts he can coach. Can he recruit (to Minnesota)?
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Post by ugopher on Dec 16, 2013 16:16:12 GMT -5
A key will be if Hannah Tapp can continue to improve. She may huge strides this season, offensively and defensively. Of course, it seemed like her blocking numbers greatly improved when MN started running a modified 6-2 and outsides weren't able to abuse the shorter block.
That being said, can Howard handle playing back row when setting? We didn't see much of it this season.
Also, Santana needs to improve offensively. She needs to be the leader on the left side. And, limiting her options to hard, low, cross-court shots isn't going to help.
Will it be Wilhite for the second OH spot? I think she will do well back at her natural position.
I hope Hauer can improve her arm swing. With her leaping ability, a harder hit ball could make her dangerous.
Lots of questions. But, we had lots of questions at this point last year, too. But, Ruffda is right, they need to start stuffing the recruiting pipeline.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 16:19:48 GMT -5
Hannah also benefited mightily from two things: 1) she wasn't asked to do anything more than block for a great part of the season and 2) she was never the focus of the offense. The question is whether she can improve as a blocker while also being asked to become an offensive weapon AND whether she can become one of their primary offensive weapons.
Then again, that may never be her role if Santana, Nora, Hauer and Wilhite up their games. Can they?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 16:23:05 GMT -5
And I, for one, will be disappointed if they don't run a 5-1 next year. I like the option of strategically switching to a 6-2, but I really want to see what Schau can do.
Schau needs to step it up on defense, however. That's not guaranteed.
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