NCAA 2014 champion favorites and dark horses

[Deleted]

Let the debate begin:
1st tier (PSU, stanford, Washington)
Tier 1b (Wisconsin, Texas)

My guess is one of these 5 win it all

Illinois is a dangerous team for a match but I question their consistency.....Nebraska along these lines

Who agrees?
What teams do you think could make a run?
Florida, Florida state?

Discuss...

[volleyfan24]

The favorites are clear there aren't any true dark horses or real shocker teams to me this year the top is too good. Barring a ridiculous draw like last years Mizzou/Florida region this tournament should shake out with most teams being exactly where they should be.

[timduckforlife]

Hard to disagree with obvious 1 seeds as the favorites.

The dark horse teams is where it gets interesting. My 2, and admittedly, one is a homer pick

1. BYU - I called this one in the tourney last year. I knew they'd get Hamson back, and pretty much everyone else as well. They are the best blocking team in the country, and they have the ability to ride a 6'7" opposite.

2. Oregon - I wouldn't have actually picked them for this except for their last few matches. The ASU game, on the road, that they won in 5 fighting of 7 set points in one game. Seeing how they well their defense has been against UCLA and USC were also good indications as well. Their offense is one of the best in the country and hard to defend against. And if they've figured out their defense, they can be amazing. And if you look at their losses, they've basically all been to ranked teams and mostly on the road to those ranked teams other than UW and Stanford, if not mistaken.

[bluepenquin]

I would have Stanford, Washington, Texas, Penn State and Wisconsin on the same tier.

Everyone/anyone else would be a 'dark horse'. I like North Carolina, any other seeded PAC or B1G team, and BYU (if they get a seed). As for Unseeded teams - probably only a team from the PAC (Colorado)?

[baywatcher]

As a relative darkhorsee to win it all I'll take North Carolina, they need a good draw. SC has the talent to bushwack somebody, perhaps Texas in an orgy of OOS accomplishments.

[MsRSV]

I cannot believe this is coming from me, but what about CU? < aaaaaaack; gag; phhhhthat />

They have had some solid nights, mixed with some averages ones. If they get on a tear, could something ridiculous happen?

Now, I must go wash my hands. I feel dirty.

[tarzan22]

Stanford,Texas,Penn St.,Wisconsin and Florida are the Top Teams.
Dark Horse Team's
BYU,Florida St.,N.Carolina

[BeachbytheBay]

Tier 1: Wash, Stan, PSU, Ill, NC, FSU, Wisc, Texas

Tier 2: Flor, Oregon, BYU

Tier 3: any other Pac-12 team except OSU, + Nebraska & LB

the final four/elite eight will come from those 3 tiers.

[volleyfan24]

Nov 27, 2014 10:45:37 GMT -5 MsRSV said:

I cannot believe this is coming from me, but what about CU? < aaaaaaack; gag; phhhhthat />

They have had some solid nights, mixed with some averages ones. If they get on a tear, could something ridiculous happen?

Now, I must go wash my hands. I feel dirty.

I think the perfect storm is coming and we are in for a CSU/Colorado collision course and I hope the Rams win. I think they will home court. Combined with how good their flood D is will give Colorado fits. Plus Colorado is the tale of two teams fantastic at home and mediocre on the road. 

[trampas]

I think Stanford will win it all this year. I would like to see the tournament field first before picking a dark horse...

[mikegarrison]

Washington just lost their junior setter Beals to what looked like it might be a season-ending (possibly even next-season-ending) knee injury. Sure hope I'm wrong about that.

[badgerbreath]

I hope you are too.

[elevationvb]

Nov 28, 2014 23:14:56 GMT -5 mikegarrison said:

Washington just lost their junior setter Beals to what looked like it might be a season-ending (possibly even next-season-ending) knee injury. Sure hope I'm wrong about that.

That's terrible. Please post an update when you have the info.