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Post by volleyfan24 on Nov 23, 2014 17:30:47 GMT -5
USC started the season as a Final Four favorite, and was picked to finish 2nd in the PAC. Unfortunately the Women of Troy have faced growing pains without some real role players in the back row. An injured Nwanebu didn't help to start the season. They ultimately made a huge mistake losing in 5 to this seasons PAC-12 bottom dweller in Cal at home. The only other match they may have been favored in was OSU this week but they fell to the Beavers. Now they are in danger of missing the tournament entirely if they don't finish with at least one more win to be .500 and tourney eligible.
Both matches are away, and UCLA and Arizona are solid squads and won't give it to them. What do we think is SC going to make the tournament or be on the outside looking in?
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Post by trollhunter on Nov 23, 2014 19:02:21 GMT -5
I am thinking that Bricio and/or Nwanebu put the USC team on their back and have a career night in one of their matches ths week.
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Post by mikegarrison on Nov 23, 2014 22:41:40 GMT -5
I am thinking that Bricio and/or Nwanebu put the USC team on their back and have a career night in one of their matches ths week. Nwanebu's back is sore enough already.
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Post by jsn112 on Nov 23, 2014 23:48:34 GMT -5
Could any USC followers please tell me why is Elise Ruddins struggling so much last year and this year? Wasn't she a highly rated prospect coming out of high school (#2)? What is she missing as a player to be successful? I admit that I have not followed her career so far, but what's going on?
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Post by beaaaaast on Nov 23, 2014 23:56:25 GMT -5
I honestly think USC doesn't deserve to make the tournament or be in the top 25.
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on Nov 23, 2014 23:59:36 GMT -5
Could any USC followers please tell me why is Elise Ruddins struggling so much last year and this year? Wasn't she a highly rated prospect coming out of high school (#2)? What is she missing as a player to be successful? I admit that I have not followed her career so far, but what's going on? Was never too impressed with Ruddins - not a great passer, her court IQ not always the best. Then there's the fact that she missed on a swing on match point against UW. Ouch.
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Post by beaaaaast on Nov 24, 2014 0:27:08 GMT -5
Could any USC followers please tell me why is Elise Ruddins struggling so much last year and this year? Wasn't she a highly rated prospect coming out of high school (#2)? What is she missing as a player to be successful? I admit that I have not followed her career so far, but what's going on? Was never too impressed with Ruddins - not a great passer, her court IQ not always the best. Then there's the fact that she missed on a swing on match point against UW. Ouch. I still remember thinking "Wow, that was the point that won the game for Washington."
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on Nov 24, 2014 1:10:50 GMT -5
Even with that said though, I'd rather see her in over Gillis. Had higher expectations from Ruddins, maybe it could happen in the future. She is USC's best option right now.
Bricio turned 20 yesterday, so its time to take over.... USC needs her to lead. She has got to take over against Arizona or UCLA because physically Nwanebu is still not there.
Nwanebu you have to feel for her trying to recover and keep USC alive. The problem is now that Nwanebu is not being keyed on, the block is keyed on Bricio.
One player I am impressed with is Whittingham. I think she is doing a fine job for a first year starter.
USC needs a setter.. But pizza/young are best options right now. I think AZ is a better chance for SC.
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Post by junior1 on Nov 24, 2014 12:53:51 GMT -5
USC, so many experiments with the lineup. Nwanebu at OH2 might work better, but hey who knows?
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Post by c4ndlelight on Nov 24, 2014 12:58:50 GMT -5
USC, so many experiments with the lineup. Nwanebu at OH2 might work better, but hey who knows? She's not that good from the left. The fact is, she's not doing too much from the backrow either - certainly not enough to justify Mick's refusal to #FreeAbercrombie. A lot of Texan posters are salivating that she might transfer after the poor season, but now Mick can say "I believed in you even when the chips were down, I gave you the chance to play back into shape, to play back row to develop as a 6-rotation player (which you want to do for your professional future), etc." It'll be a persuasive argument.
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Post by junior1 on Nov 24, 2014 13:12:59 GMT -5
Ah, still Nwanebu is recovering from what sounds like an awful injury. Her right side blocking doesn't seem to stopping many hitters these days. & like you mention, when she hits opposite she looks to have two predictable and not that powerful right side shots. How did that volleyball injury at the Montreux Volley Masters vs. Japan happen?
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Post by bigfan on Nov 24, 2014 13:57:16 GMT -5
I honestly think USC doesn't deserve to make the tournament or be in the top 25. I think Southern Cal sneaks in. I felt this bad storm coming last year at the regionals.............................a real bad vibe..............and I could not figure it out....................its not Mick.................but just alot of bad Karma.
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Post by mikegarrison on Nov 24, 2014 13:59:33 GMT -5
It's very simple, really. If USC beats AZ and/or UCLA, they are in. Agree or not, it doesn't matter. By the established criteria there is no doubt that the committee would put them in.
But if they lose both matches, they don't qualify.
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Post by bballnut90 on Nov 24, 2014 14:05:19 GMT -5
I don't see USC pulling off the upset. Just way too inconsistent. It's pretty remarkable how underwhelming USC has been this year with all the talent they have. -Gillis really struggled hitting and passing before she was yanked for Ruddins -Ruddins hasn't been much better, I'm not sure how she was the #2 recruit...she doesn't seem to hit smart shots, nor is she an elite athlete or elite passer/defender -Nwanebu has been recovering all year and isn't the same player she was last season -Abercrombie hasn't gotten off the bench in a long time which is pretty mind boggling considering how highly touted she was -Pizzasegola has had some good moments but just isn't an elite setter -All of USC's middles have had nice moments but they never get set--USC averages about 2.5 kps out of the middle -Bricio has been a stud
I'm not sure who USC has coming in next season, but I don't believe they landed any top notch setters or middles which is their biggest need at this point. I really thought USC was going to be a much more formidable squad this year--I hope they do not get into the NCAA tournament, because quite frankly, they don't deserve to.
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Post by Longhorn20 on Nov 24, 2014 14:08:23 GMT -5
I don't see USC pulling off the upset. Just way too inconsistent. It's pretty remarkable how underwhelming USC has been this year with all the talent they have. -Gillis really struggled hitting and passing before she was yanked for Ruddins -Ruddins hasn't been much better, I'm not sure how she was the #2 recruit...she doesn't seem to hit smart shots, nor is she an elite athlete or elite passer/defender -Nwanebu has been recovering all year and isn't the same player she was last season -Abercrombie hasn't gotten off the bench in a long time which is pretty mind boggling considering how highly touted she was -Pizzasegola has had some good moments but just isn't an elite setter -All of USC's middles have had nice moments but they never get set--USC averages about 2.5 kps out of the middle -Bricio has been a stud I'm not sure who USC has coming in next season, but I don't believe they landed any top notch setters or middles which is their biggest need at this point. I really thought USC was going to be a much more formidable squad this year--I hope they do not get into the NCAA tournament, because quite frankly, they don't deserve to. They actually have a top 50 middle and setter for next year.
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