|
Post by mnsports255 on Dec 17, 2012 16:52:28 GMT -5
Minnesota went 1-1 this year with the new national champions. I think that tells us they can compete with anyone! Michigan beat Stanford this year. Minnesota was 1-1 with Michigan this year. I think any of the above-mentioned teams can beat any of the above-mentioned teams as they've proven. Your statement just doesn't make sense. Minnesota cannot win a national title with the players they currently have and the ones coming in next year. I'm sorry if you think this does not make sense, but they can't. By the way, if you think Minnesota could have gone 1-1 against the Texas team of November/December, I'm afraid your glasses are decidedly rose-tinted. Top ten program, no doubt. But they are losing the arms race. Badly. Now, there is a possibility that you put together a team with superior chemistry, but maybe lesser talent. Oregon is an example. Michigan, at least in November/December, was another. So, yes, it's not impossible. But is that the sort of program Hugh's trying to build? I doubt it. He wants -- needs -- better athletes. I partially agree with you on this one. I don't think Minnesota has the all around talent it takes to be a nationally feared title contender. However, as Michigan displayed, it doesn't necessarily matter, because it's about who becomes hot come December and is clicking on all cylinders. If Minnesota clicked on all cylinders this tournament, who's to say they couldn't have played Texas in the title game? So in that aspect, it's probably a combination of talent and abilities, along with just playing with momentum and playing mostly flawless ball.
|
|
|
Post by spikerthemovie on Dec 17, 2012 17:12:11 GMT -5
Minnesota went 1-1 this year with the new national champions. I think that tells us they can compete with anyone! Michigan beat Stanford this year. Minnesota was 1-1 with Michigan this year. I think any of the above-mentioned teams can beat any of the above-mentioned teams as they've proven. Your statement just doesn't make sense. Minnesota cannot win a national title with the players they currently have and the ones coming in next year. I'm sorry if you think this does not make sense, but they can't. By the way, if you think Minnesota could have gone 1-1 against the Texas team of November/December, I'm afraid your glasses are decidedly rose-tinted. Top ten program, no doubt. But they are losing the arms race. Badly. Now, there is a possibility that you put together a team with superior chemistry, but maybe lesser talent. Oregon is an example. Michigan, at least in November/December, was another. So, yes, it's not impossible. But is that the sort of program Hugh's trying to build? I doubt it. He wants -- needs -- better athletes. ...but even people who agree with that would likely point out that the man has not even been with the team for four months yet.
|
|
|
Post by mnsports255 on Dec 17, 2012 17:22:11 GMT -5
Don't know if this means Robinson is heading home (likely) or to the University of Minnesota, but she is traveling North to the Midwest today.
|
|
|
Post by lovebugsm on Dec 17, 2012 17:28:01 GMT -5
I agree give Hugh more then a half of year, plus lets see what he does with the talent they have. I am a little nervous about the class of 14 because the big names seemed to have already commited. Then again I think about when Dieter quit and they made it to the final 4 with a defensive specialist in the front row! Or when they had the top hs setter in McNeil come and never look comfortable. It's about getting the right pieces to the puzzle I truly believe that! You don't need a whole team of super stars, you need role players and solid walk ons who can make you better at practice. I look at next years team an see huge potential, it has the right mix of veterans and young stars. It has enthusiasm on the court, and chemistry (crossing my fingers with the new people too) off the court. It also has the stars in Dixon, Wittman(I believe will have a harms like year her senior year), and Santana. I can't wait for next season!
|
|
|
Post by c4ndlelight on Dec 17, 2012 17:30:24 GMT -5
I agree give Hugh more then a half of year, plus lets see what he does with the talent they have. I am a little nervous about the class of 14 because the big names seemed to have already commited. Then again I think about when Dieter quit and they made it to the final 4 with a defensive specialist in the front row! Or when they had the top hs setter in McNeil come and never look comfortable. It's about getting the right pieces to the puzzle I truly believe that! You don't need a whole team of super stars, you need role players and solid walk ons who can make you better at practice. I look at next years team an see huge potential, it has the right mix of veterans and young stars. It has enthusiasm on the court, and chemistry (crossing my fingers with the new people too) off the court. It also has the stars in Dixon, Wittman(I believe will have a harms like year her senior year), and Santana. I can't wait for next season! I'm pretty sure that '09 team's Final Four had much more to do with a _very_ favorable slate of opponents and a home regional than chemistry/enthusiasm.
|
|
|
Post by lovebugsm on Dec 17, 2012 17:39:24 GMT -5
I agree give Hugh more then a half of year, plus lets see what he does with the talent they have. I am a little nervous about the class of 14 because the big names seemed to have already commited. Then again I think about when Dieter quit and they made it to the final 4 with a defensive specialist in the front row! Or when they had the top hs setter in McNeil come and never look comfortable. It's about getting the right pieces to the puzzle I truly believe that! You don't need a whole team of super stars, you need role players and solid walk ons who can make you better at practice. I look at next years team an see huge potential, it has the right mix of veterans and young stars. It has enthusiasm on the court, and chemistry (crossing my fingers with the new people too) off the court. It also has the stars in Dixon, Wittman(I believe will have a harms like year her senior year), and Santana. I can't wait for next season! I'm pretty sure that '09 team's Final Four had much more to do with a _very_ favorable slate of opponents and a home regional than chemistry/enthusiasm. Yeah they also had some super stars.....like I said it is a mixture of things....I didn't just say enthusiasm and chemistry. But yes they did have a good bracket that year.
|
|
|
Post by ggopher on Dec 17, 2012 19:05:14 GMT -5
First of all, I don't know any sure way to predict at this point if the talent that they currently recruited at MN is going to be good enough, nor would I accept the opinion of anyone here in their ability to predict who is going to be great and who isn't. That's all a bit premature in my mind. Secondly, MN will probably never be able to out recruit the Stanfords, PSU's, Texas, or Nebraska's of the volleyball world. They will always be a team that most relies on being able to recruit the top MN talent, with the hopes of getting a big name here and there. That pretty much defines MN volleyball for as long as I have watched it. Hugh will have to develop the talent pool that he is given, and not be trying to chase after the limited number of top blue chip players. That strategy is sure to lead to failure as he is unlikely to land very many of them. Plus how many highly recruited players ultimately don't play up to their potential? The top teams recruit them by the bushel and let competition sort out who stays and who goes. MN cannot afford to do that, plus I would rather see the local players play their VB here. It just gives the team more of a local flavor and leads to the development of the local talent pool. Much more fun to watch than some team full of mercenary superstars.
|
|
vb4me
Sophomore
Posts: 202
|
Post by vb4me on Dec 17, 2012 19:52:03 GMT -5
Any player who knows anything about volleyball should certainly consider Minnesota with Hugh as the coach. He did an amazing job with his team this season.
|
|
|
Post by snickers on Dec 17, 2012 19:57:03 GMT -5
First of all, I don't know any sure way to predict at this point if the talent that they currently recruited at MN is going to be good enough, nor would I accept the opinion of anyone here in their ability to predict who is going to be great and who isn't. That's all a bit premature in my mind. Secondly, MN will probably never be able to out recruit the Stanfords, PSU's, Texas, or Nebraska's of the volleyball world. They will always be a team that most relies on being able to recruit the top MN talent, with the hopes of getting a big name here and there. That pretty much defines MN volleyball for as long as I have watched it. Hugh will have to develop the talent pool that he is given, and not be trying to chase after the limited number of top blue chip players. That strategy is sure to lead to failure as he is unlikely to land very many of them. Plus how many highly recruited players ultimately don't play up to their potential? The top teams recruit them by the bushel and let competition sort out who stays and who goes. MN cannot afford to do that, plus I would rather see the local players play their VB here. It just gives the team more of a local flavor and leads to the development of the local talent pool. Much more fun to watch than some team full of mercenary superstars. I don't agree with you and don't think Hugh would either. He is going after the top recruits and will likely land more than Hebert did. And look at it this way: he arrived in August, when the 2013 classes were essentially signed, yet he was able to nab Wilhite, who will be their highest-ranked recruit. (Sounds like a top libero from PR is also committed.) At the same time, many of the top 2014s had already committed, so he is already chasing the second-tier top recruits for 2014. So 2015 will likely be the first class where he will have had adequate time to recruit, and that class has started out very strong with Swenson already committed. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I think it's safe to say that he will still get the top, elite local talent (like Hebert did), and will nab more elite players from across the country -- at least more than we've seen in the past.
|
|
|
Post by ggopher on Dec 17, 2012 20:46:15 GMT -5
snickers, you are correct about Hugh not having the time to do a good job of recruiting. I hope I am wrong, and that his name will draw more talent. His name recognition will only go so far, at some point he will need to win in order to draw the blue chip players (done a good job of winning so far). I'm somewhat optimistic that he will do that, but not to the extent that the top VB programs are able to consistantly get the top recruits year after year. I guess I enjoy being the underdog. Makes the upsets more fun!
|
|
|
Post by mplssetter on Dec 18, 2012 3:25:46 GMT -5
Minnesota may get a big time transfer! Robinson? Tiffany Baker?
|
|
|
Post by ugopher on Dec 18, 2012 9:27:51 GMT -5
Interesting that people feel that MN cannot recruit with Texas, Stanford, and Nebraska. I realize those schools have a number of positives going for them but how do you explain Penn State's success? They have landed a number of top recruits and, on the surface, State College seems to have less going for it is a city than Minneapolis. Yet, Russ seems to do pretty well in recruiting.
Something that Hugh can offer that many other coaches may not be able to, is international contacts after the player's collegiate career is over. With more players looking to play professionally, this is something that could help MN.
|
|
|
Post by ugopher on Dec 18, 2012 9:34:54 GMT -5
Don't know if this means Robinson is heading home (likely) or to the University of Minnesota, but she is traveling North to the Midwest today. Would MN be interested in another OH? With Wittman, Santana, Willhite, and Hauer in the mix they may not see it as a need. A middle would be of interest, however. At least to me.
|
|
|
Post by Wiswell on Dec 18, 2012 9:41:53 GMT -5
...And look at it this way: he arrived in August, when the 2013 classes were essentially signed, yet he was able to nab Wilhite, who will be their highest-ranked recruit... Nabbing Wilhite was preying on the misfortune of others, not some great recruiting skill. Don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge her personally from going there, but if WI hadn't been a mess I don't think she would have reneged.
|
|
|
Post by ugopher on Dec 18, 2012 10:04:22 GMT -5
...And look at it this way: he arrived in August, when the 2013 classes were essentially signed, yet he was able to nab Wilhite, who will be their highest-ranked recruit... Nabbing Wilhite was preying on the misfortune of others, not some great recruiting skill. Don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge her personally from going there, but if WI hadn't been a mess I don't think she would have reneged. My understanding is that Hugh didn't approach Wilhite but Wilhite approached MN. A combination of things probably led to this, primarily Capezio not coming to MN and the WI coaching situation.
|
|