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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Feb 9, 2014 8:18:41 GMT -5
I am pretty sure a lot of VT posters have some curiosity concerning the 2014-2015 Illini schedule that Coach Hambly is putting together. Will Hambly back away from the killer scheduling that drew so much criticism last season (and caused a lot of knuckle-biting for Illini fans concerned about qualifying for the NCAA's)? So far we have heard Coach Dunning (at Stanford's banquet) talk about bringing Penn State, UCLA, and Illinois to Palo Alto for an early season tourney that will replace the Nike Big Four tourney.
Also, per Creighton's twitter we were advised that Week Four of the Jay's schedule has CU hosting Colorado, South Dakota, and Illinois.
This has the makings of a very tough early schedule. I cannot wait to hear what other opponents Illinois will face in the other two early season tourneys, especially the one hosted by the Illini.
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Post by bkellemsvb on Feb 12, 2014 16:28:54 GMT -5
+1
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Post by golfn74 on Feb 12, 2014 16:29:28 GMT -5
Palmer will be a good addition to the Illini team. Not surprised about the walk-on ststus.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 16:31:31 GMT -5
Talk around a recent club power league was that Illinois was the favorite to win the Big Ten this year - or at least to be a top team. I consider Wisconsin the favorite, just after Penn State. However, the Illini have some folks in their corner.
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Post by bkellemsvb on Feb 13, 2014 9:22:39 GMT -5
Agreed. If not this upcoming season. then definitely in 2015. I have not seend Quade, but Poulter, Masitanelli, and, Prince garner enough attention as a top recruiting class
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Post by bkellemsvb on Feb 13, 2014 9:23:01 GMT -5
Bastianelli (correction)
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Post by jma22 on Feb 13, 2014 19:55:45 GMT -5
It'll likely be a close race between Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Nebraska for the Big Ten title. Any of those four could win it. Minnesota and Purdue could also be up there.
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Post by royhobbs on Feb 14, 2014 14:30:05 GMT -5
Without Dixon, MN will be a very different team. Top 5 look about right... need to protect home turf all season, and hopefully not have to win 7 of last 11 to be tournament eligible...
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Post by braveheart on Feb 16, 2014 0:22:21 GMT -5
Don't see Minnesota in the top 5. Them and MSU are losing a lot. Could be some teams from the lower half who can win a few more matches.
What some people don't understand is that many B1G coaches would say Illinois was the hardest team to defend this past year as they were always in system (contrary to them being too simple/easy with the sky balls). Their pin hitters could hit any ball from anywhere no matter if the pass was perfect or not. And they could hit deep and with pace. I do think they had the talent to use their MH much more, but you wouldn't find too many Big Ten coaches who would speak negatively about the Illini OH/RS.
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Post by jsn112 on Feb 16, 2014 0:33:42 GMT -5
I am sorry to break the bubble for a lot of you guys, but it's still Penn State and Nebraska fighting for the top spot and then everyone else. This is just the way it is until proven otherwise.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Feb 16, 2014 8:12:06 GMT -5
Don't see Minnesota in the top 5. Them and MSU are losing a lot. Could be some teams from the lower half who can win a few more matches. What some people don't understand is that many B1G coaches would say Illinois was the hardest team to defend this past year as they were always in system (contrary to them being too simple/easy with the sky balls). Their pin hitters could hit any ball from anywhere no matter if the pass was perfect or not. And they could hit deep and with pace. I do think they had the talent to use their MH much more, but you wouldn't find too many Big Ten coaches who would speak negatively about the Illini OH/RS. Watching the Illini last season (and considering their record 18-15 overall, 12-8 conference), I would have to question if B1G coaches really felt this way. It is not like opponents did not know that the ball was going to the outsides primarily...concentrate on defending Birks (even if she happened to be in the back row) and McMahon. I believe with the addition of freshman Danielle Davis to the lineup for defense during the season, Illinois' serve reception and back row defense was the best it had been for two seasons. I wonder if Davis will inherit the libero jersey from 4 year starter Beltran, or will it go to another. Either way I am hopeful for little drop off in defense. I longed last season for more sets fed to the middles. I am a fan of MB Anna Dorn and have always felt she could be utilized a lot more on the offensive side. Her blocking has always been steady. Curious who will emerge the other MB starter, Maddie Mayers or Katie Stadick. Mayers was good early in the season (the slide being her most consistent play), but Stadick seemed to be coming on as the season progressed. Stadick would seem to me to have the higher ceiling for development. Her slide was almost as effective as Mayers, but she could also hit short sets in front or behind the setter. Too bad we did not get to see more of that late last season. The most crucial decision for the coaching staff as I see it is at setter. Was anyone happy with the setting last season? My hope is that Allison Palmer proves so capable at the setting position, that she earns the setting job (even if it is only for one season, with the following season's arrival of super-setter, Jordyn Poulter). If Palmer had not transferred to Illinois, I would not be very optimistic about a huge improvement in the team's success from last season.
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Post by 2manytourneys on Feb 16, 2014 10:52:57 GMT -5
I am sorry to break the bubble for a lot of you guys, but it's still Penn State and Nebraska fighting for the top spot and then everyone else. This is just the way it is until proven otherwise. I couldn't agree more. Two complete teams, with everyone else having too many question marks to be legitimate.
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Post by jma22 on Feb 16, 2014 14:34:26 GMT -5
I am sorry to break the bubble for a lot of you guys, but it's still Penn State and Nebraska fighting for the top spot and then everyone else. This is just the way it is until proven otherwise. I couldn't agree more. Two complete teams, with everyone else having too many question marks to be legitimate. Penn State loses quite a bit, and Nebraska loses arguably the best player in the country of last season. I'm sure they'll still be right up there, but the race will be much closer this year. Just because they're Penn State and Nebraska doesn't mean they'll always be leagues ahead of everyone else.
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Post by chisovnik on Feb 16, 2014 15:08:08 GMT -5
I couldn't agree more. Two complete teams, with everyone else having too many question marks to be legitimate. Penn State loses quite a bit, and Nebraska loses arguably the best player in the country of last season. I'm sure they'll still be right up there, but the race will be much closer this year. Just because they're Penn State and Nebraska doesn't mean they'll always be leagues ahead of everyone else. Penn State's going to be in the same situation they were in in 2010 next season. They'll be fine.
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Post by jma22 on Feb 16, 2014 17:44:55 GMT -5
Penn State loses quite a bit, and Nebraska loses arguably the best player in the country of last season. I'm sure they'll still be right up there, but the race will be much closer this year. Just because they're Penn State and Nebraska doesn't mean they'll always be leagues ahead of everyone else. Penn State's going to be in the same situation they were in in 2010 next season. They'll be fine. By "fine" do you mean dominating the entire Big Ten, or among the title contenders?
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