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Post by utoolity on Apr 17, 2014 7:00:36 GMT -5
According to Texas Tech's website they are having a medium spring. They just split spring matches with an NAIA and a D2 team. Doesn't sound like a team that'll make noise in the big12. Guess we will know more after they play better teams at lonestar this weekend. And Texas lost to Rice. The spring doesn't mean a whole lot. You're using the creme de la creme losing to a solid d1 to a big12 team losing to NAIA and d2 teams. If Texas lost to incarnate word or Abilene you'd react differently and that's about the same level of differentiation here. Tech graduated two players and got a good transfer in from the sec. I guess I expect more. Oh, and turns out tech lost to both fledgling d1's I mentioned above, in 2013, that were middle of the road d2's in 2012. I do agree it's the spring, tinkering does happen, and motivation from players isn't at an all time high.
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Post by PTW winner on Apr 17, 2014 8:03:06 GMT -5
Keep telling yourself that.... It really doesn't. Spring is when coaches goes through different experimental lineups and many will play the kids that won't see the court at all in the Fall. Some are also missing their freshmen who are expected to contribute in the Fall. In addition, Spring games are pretty relaxed with many of them being reffed by other teams that are at the tournament. My point is if the team is losing consistently, especially to low rank D1/2/NAIA teams in the Spring this is a bad sign. A close loss to Rice after being up 14-9 is not a bad sign for a spring match. BUT you can get some info about teams through their spring performances. If a team is returning most of their players and they are losing in Spring, don't put your money on them in the Fall.
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Post by Phaedrus on Apr 17, 2014 8:18:09 GMT -5
It really doesn't. Spring is when coaches goes through different experimental lineups and many will play the kids that won't see the court at all in the Fall. Some are also missing their freshmen who are expected to contribute in the Fall. In addition, Spring games are pretty relaxed with many of them being reffed by other teams that are at the tournament. My point is if the team is losing consistently, especially to low rank D1/2/NAIA teams in the Spring this is a bad sign. A close loss to Rice after being up 14-9 is not a bad sign for a spring match. BUT you can get some info about teams through their spring performances. If a team is returning most of their players and they are losing in Spring, don't put your money on them in the Fall. You are extrapolating too much. There are too many randomness involved as well as too many variables that will vary over time.
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Post by Longhorn20 on Apr 17, 2014 8:37:54 GMT -5
Tech has two seniors on collegiate national teams along with last years co-preseason big 12 freshman of the year. That doesn't sound like a last place team to me. In fact, if be surprised if their libero doesn't get libero of the year for the conference. And besides I'm not saying they're gonna be number 1, i just don't think they're gonna get last.
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Post by elevationvb on Apr 17, 2014 11:40:50 GMT -5
It's good you have enthusiasm, but saying Dalton is a "fantastic" setter is hyperbole & actually a disservice to her. She has not set in a meaningful match in more than 1 year and her freshman season was okay overall. Does she have the potential to be a very good Texas setter? Of course. She was very good this past Saturday. But until the season begins and she sets against tougher opponents than New Mexico State, I'd hold off on singling her out as "fantastic". Same goes for Collins at this point.
You are right. Shouldn't have said fantastic. But I definitely think she has the potential to be. She has much better set placement that Allison, smoother sets and just is energetic on the court. Hopefully she gets the starting role She did look good against NMSU. Let's see how she does this weekend in Dallas.
Not sure if I would describe her as energetic, but did like her confidence on the court and she seemed to have a good rapport with the team.
Watching the broadcast, I was very annoyed with analyst Nell Fortner constantly saying this was Collin's team, etc with no acknowledgement of Dalton as a setter. As the match went on and Dalton played well and the lead announcer praised Dalton, Fortner finally back off her previous comments. Collins may very well be expected to be the heir apparent, but her setting needs significant improvement during the summer.
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Post by elevationvb on Apr 17, 2014 11:44:10 GMT -5
Tech has two seniors on collegiate national teams along with last years co-preseason big 12 freshman of the year. That doesn't sound like a last place team to me. In fact, if be surprised if their libero doesn't get libero of the year for the conference. And besides I'm not saying they're gonna be number 1, i just don't think they're gonna get last. In recent years, Tech has played easy non conference schedules and then tanked during conference play.
I doubt they win more than 5 conference games during the season.
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Post by c4ndlelight on Apr 17, 2014 11:49:44 GMT -5
2014 Rank 1. Texas 2. Kansas 3. Oklahoma 4. Iowa State. 5. Baylor 6. Kansas State 7. West Virginia 8. TCU 9, Texas Tech (Profiles added later) I think that's a bit high for Oklahoma. McLaurin leaves a big void in the block and attack that I don't think they can fill; and they lose ball control as well. I like Baylor, and I think K-State bounces back from an underwhelming 2013.
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Post by oldvbguy on Apr 17, 2014 14:33:41 GMT -5
Iowa State will be interesting this fall. Have to break in a new setter, middle and who knows if they can continue their run of outstanding liberos. Between Maas and Hahn they have had the best player at that position in the Big 12 for six or seven years in a row. Will be a challenge but I think they have enough weapons to finish second behind Texas this year.
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Post by Longhorn20 on Apr 17, 2014 14:59:00 GMT -5
I am also making another crazy prediction. I believe that Baylor will be second.
There ya go, two crazy predictions: Baylor-2nd Tech-not last
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Post by elevationvb on Apr 17, 2014 15:00:43 GMT -5
I am also making another crazy prediction. I believe that Baylor will be second. There ya go, two crazy predictions: Baylor-2nd Tech-not last Kind of easy to pick Tech not last when TCU is in the conference!
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Post by Phaedrus on Apr 17, 2014 15:30:36 GMT -5
I am also making another crazy prediction. I believe that Baylor will be second. There ya go, two crazy predictions: Baylor-2nd Tech-not last Kind of easy to pick Tech not last when TCU is in the conference! TCU or WVU?
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Post by PTW winner on Apr 17, 2014 19:53:54 GMT -5
I am also making another crazy prediction. I believe that Baylor will be second. There ya go, two crazy predictions: Baylor-2nd Tech-not last Tech could possibly work there way up to 7th. Not sure about Baylor at #2 but i do think they will be tough team in the top half. With Malloy they will be very good and if Staiger gets close to100% back then they will be great.
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Post by volleyhead on Apr 17, 2014 21:03:07 GMT -5
2014 Rank 1. Texas 2. Kansas 3. Oklahoma 4. Iowa State. 5. Baylor 6. Kansas State 7. West Virginia 8. TCU 9, Texas Tech (Profiles added later) I think that's a bit high for Oklahoma. McLaurin leaves a big void in the block and attack that I don't think they can fill; and they lose ball control as well. I like Baylor, and I think K-State bounces back from an underwhelming 2013. I would agree about K-State. I talked with someone who saw them play Illinois and Wichita State last weekend and they said they looked really good even though they lost several veterans...their new kids are really playing well. My prediction is 1. Texas 2. Iowa State 3. Kansas State 4. Oklahoma 5. Baylor 6. Kansas 7. West Virginia 8. TCU 9. Texas Tech
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Post by upyours on Apr 18, 2014 11:28:35 GMT -5
Whats the word on Kansas? They are as high as 2 on these list and as low as 6th. Apparently the new setter is doing well at Iowa State anyone have comments on her? Baylors Malloy is the real deal. Going to China with National team group and is 6 rotations of solidness & power. I really liked the Jones kid from last year at Baylor, she's a big bomber. WVU could surprise some because they return most everyone.
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Post by bucky415 on Apr 18, 2014 11:53:22 GMT -5
For what it's worth, I think Incarnate Word and Abilene Christian are transitioning to division 1. They are in the Southland Conference.
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