|
Post by gophervballfan on May 5, 2024 15:05:35 GMT -5
Sorry, but you saying that Minnesota and Illinois are "relatively similar strength" teams is kind of crazy to say. Minnesota whooped Illinois last month...with their backup opposite playing Libero... Independent of that, our starters are better, at every single position, its not really even close except for Raina Terry. I'm not saying that Minnesota is at Nebraska/Wisconsin level right now, but lumping Minnesota in with Ohio State, Indiana, and Illinois seems like a bit of a gross oversight. Minnesota is much more comparable to Purdue right now than anyone else. I don’t disagree that Minnesota is, on paper, closer to Purdue than they are Illinois. Minnesota’s ceiling may be higher, but in terms of passing, setting quality, and overall returning point production, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that Illinois and Minneosta are of “relatively similar strength”. I think Minnesota is probably more likely to be an at large selection than Illinois, but I also think Illinois is likely good enough next year to be an at large selection as well. I’m not prepared to say Minnesota is so good on paper that they should be “expected” to be a second week NCAA tournament team, so at that point, it’s somewhere in the range of the best 32 at large quality teams in the country that also aren’t “expected” to be advancing far - those teams being, IMO, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, Louisville, Pitt in kind of their own tier or so, and then a lot of more question mark teams but still expected to be very good based on returning performances - Purdue, Stanford, Penn State etc. then the next group of at large quality teams, and I put Minnesota in that last grouping or so, and as of now it’s kind of a big group. We can agree to disagree. I personally think our setting is better. We have a much more physical setter who's an actual threat at the net and also has great floor defense and mobility when she doesn't have a knee brace on. Brooke beats Mel on the serve and thats about it. In terms of passing, again, our lib is better than Barnes, and the pins are comparable. We have actual middles and pins that can all terminate, and I don't think Illinois can really say the same. Illinois will be heavily relying on freshman in the lineup, and while that not a bad thing, I just think Minnesota is strides ahead of Illinois.
|
|
|
Post by ay2013 on May 5, 2024 15:13:06 GMT -5
I don’t disagree that Minnesota is, on paper, closer to Purdue than they are Illinois. Minnesota’s ceiling may be higher, but in terms of passing, setting quality, and overall returning point production, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that Illinois and Minneosta are of “relatively similar strength”. I think Minnesota is probably more likely to be an at large selection than Illinois, but I also think Illinois is likely good enough next year to be an at large selection as well. I’m not prepared to say Minnesota is so good on paper that they should be “expected” to be a second week NCAA tournament team, so at that point, it’s somewhere in the range of the best 32 at large quality teams in the country that also aren’t “expected” to be advancing far - those teams being, IMO, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, Louisville, Pitt in kind of their own tier or so, and then a lot of more question mark teams but still expected to be very good based on returning performances - Purdue, Stanford, Penn State etc. then the next group of at large quality teams, and I put Minnesota in that last grouping or so, and as of now it’s kind of a big group. We can agree to disagree. I personally think our setting is better. We have a much more physical setter who's an actual threat at the net and also has great floor defense and mobility when she doesn't have a knee brace on. Brooke beats Mel on the serve and thats about it. In terms of passing, again, our lib is better than Barnes, and the pins are comparable. We have actual middles and pins that can all terminate, and I don't think Illinois can really say the same. Illinois will be heavily relying on freshman in the lineup, and while that not a bad thing, I just think Minnesota is strides ahead of Illinois. Minnesota is returning its libero? That’s news to me. Also, I agree that it’s fine to disagree about returning strength by position (ie you thinking shaffmaster is definitely better than Mosher), we can all have our opinions about players, but that’s different than your original post which was that it’s “crazy” for me to say that Minnesota and Illinois are of relatively comparable strength. Objectively, I don’t see that statement as that crazy, given what Minnesota lost - leading point scorer, libero (was it not Murr?), and a hobbled setting situation that isn’t helping the other issues on the court. The second point option, Wucherer hit .186 for the season. Again, I think it’s fair to say Minnesota is closer to Purdue than Illinois, I’d also agree that Minnesotas ceiling is higher than Illinois, but I just don’t think it’s crazy to say that going into next year, Illinois and Minnesota are of relatively comparable strength.
|
|
|
Post by tablealgebra on May 5, 2024 15:23:17 GMT -5
We can agree to disagree. I personally think our setting is better. We have a much more physical setter who's an actual threat at the net and also has great floor defense and mobility when she doesn't have a knee brace on. Brooke beats Mel on the serve and thats about it. In terms of passing, again, our lib is better than Barnes, and the pins are comparable. We have actual middles and pins that can all terminate, and I don't think Illinois can really say the same. Illinois will be heavily relying on freshman in the lineup, and while that not a bad thing, I just think Minnesota is strides ahead of Illinois. Minnesota is returning its libero? That’s news to me. Minnesota fans all think that Zeynep was their libero last year, despite the fact that their actual libero was good enough to nab a starting spot in the PVF. (I am somewhat kidding @gophervballfan but also I am not sure I believe your assessment of Zeynep vs Barnes)
|
|
|
Post by gophervballfan on May 5, 2024 16:09:29 GMT -5
We can agree to disagree. I personally think our setting is better. We have a much more physical setter who's an actual threat at the net and also has great floor defense and mobility when she doesn't have a knee brace on. Brooke beats Mel on the serve and thats about it. In terms of passing, again, our lib is better than Barnes, and the pins are comparable. We have actual middles and pins that can all terminate, and I don't think Illinois can really say the same. Illinois will be heavily relying on freshman in the lineup, and while that not a bad thing, I just think Minnesota is strides ahead of Illinois. Minnesota is returning its libero? That’s news to me. Also, I agree that it’s fine to disagree about returning strength by position (ie you thinking shaffmaster is definitely better than Mosher), we can all have our opinions about players, but that’s different than your original post which was that it’s “crazy” for me to say that Minnesota and Illinois are of relatively comparable strength. Objectively, I don’t see that statement as that crazy, given what Minnesota lost - leading point scorer, libero (was it not Murr?), and a hobbled setting situation that isn’t helping the other issues on the court. The second point option, Wucherer hit .186 for the season. Again, I think it’s fair to say Minnesota is closer to Purdue than Illinois, I’d also agree that Minnesotas ceiling is higher than Illinois, but I just don’t think it’s crazy to say that going into next year, Illinois and Minnesota are of relatively comparable strength. No, the new Lib is Zeynep, who DSed last year. I stand by original statement that its crazy that they are "of similar strength". Again, how can Minnesota, with an injured backup opposite play libero and Minnesota still massacre the Illinois team. Additionally, I agree that we weren't of our full potential last season, but our setter is considerably more healthy and thus will be more effective. Also, saying Wucher hit .186 isn't the insult you think it is. This is a new season, and soley based off the performances, depth, and potential of both these teams this season, I still think Minnesota is considerably better than Illinois.
|
|
|
Post by gophervballfan on May 5, 2024 16:11:34 GMT -5
Minnesota is returning its libero? That’s news to me. Minnesota fans all think that Zeynep was their libero last year, despite the fact that their actual libero was good enough to nab a starting spot in the PVF. (I am somewhat kidding @gophervballfan but also I am not sure I believe your assessment of Zeynep vs Barnes) I don't necessarily think there is drastic differences between the two but I still think Zeynep has a much higher ceiling, and given the time Barnes has had to develop in the Big10, Zeynep is better. Additionally, Barnes does not have good court attitude, and Zeynep is one of the most infectious and energetic people on Minnesota's court. I will admit I haven't looked at stats, but Zeynep plays some great floor defense for someone who has only played half a season of college volleyball.
|
|
|
Post by ay2013 on May 5, 2024 16:25:27 GMT -5
Minnesota is returning its libero? That’s news to me. Also, I agree that it’s fine to disagree about returning strength by position (ie you thinking shaffmaster is definitely better than Mosher), we can all have our opinions about players, but that’s different than your original post which was that it’s “crazy” for me to say that Minnesota and Illinois are of relatively comparable strength. Objectively, I don’t see that statement as that crazy, given what Minnesota lost - leading point scorer, libero (was it not Murr?), and a hobbled setting situation that isn’t helping the other issues on the court. The second point option, Wucherer hit .186 for the season. Again, I think it’s fair to say Minnesota is closer to Purdue than Illinois, I’d also agree that Minnesotas ceiling is higher than Illinois, but I just don’t think it’s crazy to say that going into next year, Illinois and Minnesota are of relatively comparable strength. No, the new Lib is Zeynep, who DSed last year. I stand by original statement that its crazy that they are "of similar strength". Again, how can Minnesota, with an injured backup opposite play libero and Minnesota still massacre the Illinois team. Additionally, I agree that we weren't of our full potential last season, but our setter is considerably more healthy and thus will be more effective. Also, saying Wucher hit .186 isn't the insult you think it is. This is a new season, and soley based off the performances, depth, and potential of both these teams this season, I still think Minnesota is considerably better than Illinois. Are you talking about some random spring match? Just so we are clear, I don’t factor spring scrimmages as it relates to my general assessment of teams heading into next year. I’ve been following women’s college volleyball long enough to know that spring matches mean absolutely nothing.
|
|
|
Post by gophervballfan on May 5, 2024 17:04:35 GMT -5
No, the new Lib is Zeynep, who DSed last year. I stand by original statement that its crazy that they are "of similar strength". Again, how can Minnesota, with an injured backup opposite play libero and Minnesota still massacre the Illinois team. Additionally, I agree that we weren't of our full potential last season, but our setter is considerably more healthy and thus will be more effective. Also, saying Wucher hit .186 isn't the insult you think it is. This is a new season, and soley based off the performances, depth, and potential of both these teams this season, I still think Minnesota is considerably better than Illinois. Are you talking about some random spring match? Just so we are clear, I don’t factor spring scrimmages as it relates to my general assessment of teams heading into next year. I’ve been following women’s college volleyball long enough to know that spring matches mean absolutely nothing. My reasoning is not 100% going off a singular spring match, but I don't think it should be ignored given it is their most recent match. You were citing a "hobbled" Mel from last season, although she is no longer wearing the brace and much more mobile. I think this maybe got too tangential, but minus the spring match, my reasoning still stands. For the past 3-4 years, Minnesota has always been towards the bottom of the top group in the big 10. Illinois has always been in the middle/bottom of the middle of the big 10. Don't think they are comparable.
|
|
|
Post by dbro1970 on May 5, 2024 17:37:54 GMT -5
There are entirely too many teams in the B1G! They should set up a relegation scheme where the bottom 2 teams each year get sent to the Missouri Valley Conference. Based on what sport, football?
|
|
|
Post by dbro1970 on May 5, 2024 17:40:19 GMT -5
Firstly, it doesn't matter where I am based, I watch tons of volleyball, across all conferences, and have for a long time, and am well aware of the "fan" growth in the middle of the country. If you want to represent that Michigan State is going to turn out 8k fans for a random Big 10 match, fine, but I think it does nothing to prove your point when you look at outliers. If almost 7k can turn out for Rutgers v. Nebraska, it makes one wonder why the average attendance is 1k. But that's neither here nor there. Knowledgeable volleyball fans are well aware of the environment of the typical Big 10 venues, but lets not pretend that these are some fortresses that make otherwise average teams unbeatable. In the last three years, MSU, Michigan, Northwestern, Maryland, Rutgers, Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois have collectively lost home matches to Duke (twice), Wichita State, Western Michigan (twice), Bowling Green, Princeton (twice), FIU, Iowa State, Grand Canyon, Jacksonville State, Chicago State, North Carolina State, Wright State, North Carolina, UIC, DePaul, Washington, Colorado....On the flipside, all of the Pac-12 teams have went into large crowds and hostile environments and come away with wins. More importantly, again, on the margins, HCA usually matters for any team, but if you are somehow suggesting that these bottom Big 10 teams somehow have a greater HCA because of number of fans or how rowdy they can get, that isn't reflected in the data. I do think that upsets can happen - look at Minnesota @ Rutgers last year, but Minnesota didn't lose that match because they were phased by the fans at the Rutgers gym, or not used to playing in rowdy gyms. In general, the definitively better team usually ends up winning regardless of where the match is played, and HCA only becomes a factor for teams of the same relative strength. This is why I said that the west coast teams matchups against teams like Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue seems immaterial to this discussion about venue because the prognostication for those teams is that they will be definitively better teams than the west coast foursome (with the exception of perhaps Oregon). For the Big 10 teams of relatively similar strength (IMO Minnesota, Ohio State, Indiana, Illinois) I think HCA can surely play a role in their favor and those teams likely should be favored in some capacity when playing home matches against the west coast foursome (with the exception of perhaps Oregon). Where it gets trickier is the bottom of the league. If a team like MSU reveals itself purely on their side of the net, to be a team of relatively similar strength, then yes, I expect their HCA can help them get a win, but if those bottom Big 10 teams (and to me, next year, that is MSU, Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa, Maryland, and Rutgers) are NOT of relatively similar strength as the west coast foursome, suggesting that venue/fans will play some outsized role that adversely affects the west coast foursome who apparently (to you) have no clue how the fans are in Big 10 gyms, just seems a bit silly. Sorry, but you saying that Minnesota and Illinois are "relatively similar strength" teams is kind of crazy to say. Minnesota whooped Illinois last month...with their backup opposite playing Libero... Independent of that, our starters are better, at every single position, its not really even close except for Raina Terry. I'm not saying that Minnesota is at Nebraska/Wisconsin level right now, but lumping Minnesota in with Ohio State, Indiana, and Illinois seems like a bit of a gross oversight. Minnesota is much more comparable to Purdue right now than anyone else. I would say minnesota and Ohio State are together then indiana and Illinois.
|
|
|
Post by ilalum92 on May 5, 2024 23:56:31 GMT -5
Minnesota is returning its libero? That’s news to me. Also, I agree that it’s fine to disagree about returning strength by position (ie you thinking shaffmaster is definitely better than Mosher), we can all have our opinions about players, but that’s different than your original post which was that it’s “crazy” for me to say that Minnesota and Illinois are of relatively comparable strength. Objectively, I don’t see that statement as that crazy, given what Minnesota lost - leading point scorer, libero (was it not Murr?), and a hobbled setting situation that isn’t helping the other issues on the court. The second point option, Wucherer hit .186 for the season. Again, I think it’s fair to say Minnesota is closer to Purdue than Illinois, I’d also agree that Minnesotas ceiling is higher than Illinois, but I just don’t think it’s crazy to say that going into next year, Illinois and Minnesota are of relatively comparable strength. No, the new Lib is Zeynep, who DSed last year. I stand by original statement that its crazy that they are "of similar strength". Again, how can Minnesota, with an injured backup opposite play libero and Minnesota still massacre the Illinois team. Additionally, I agree that we weren't of our full potential last season, but our setter is considerably more healthy and thus will be more effective. Also, saying Wucher hit .186 isn't the insult you think it is. This is a new season, and soley based off the performances, depth, and potential of both these teams this season, I still think Minnesota is considerably better than Illinois. IL had a piece meal line-up for that match. We had to cancel the other spring scrimmage due to player injuries. Basing our talent level off how we performed in the spring match doesnt make much sense.
|
|
|
Post by vergyltantor on May 8, 2024 20:18:09 GMT -5
Bob Thompson Former Fox Sports President joins 365 Sports Radio to discuss the Big 10 TV contract and how the networks will draft for the different games.
|
|
|
Post by northwoods on May 9, 2024 10:35:46 GMT -5
There are entirely too many teams in the B1G! They should set up a relegation scheme where the bottom 2 teams each year get sent to the Missouri Valley Conference. Based on what sport, football? Why not all of them? If you are going to have an acknowledged Power 5 conference, why not have designated mid-majors with agreements to take & promote (maybe) in a relegation format. You could make it really interesting in Football/M Basket, and have the relegated teams loose the conference revenue stream associated with that sport for the year(s) they are relegated. That would stress out some ADs.
|
|
|
Post by ilalum92 on May 17, 2024 13:24:18 GMT -5
IL picks up NU OH Averie Hernandez. Great addition to compliment Raina. 2 Fab 50 Frosh coming. Transfer pick ups at setter & L/DS. TdB healthy and ready to go. We are going to surprise some people in the BIG 1683920
|
|
|
Post by jwvolley on May 17, 2024 14:35:18 GMT -5
Not saying it in their team thread bc I don’t wanna necessarily rain on their parade, but Hernandez will not help the passing for Illinois
|
|
|
Post by Pasquale on May 17, 2024 15:14:16 GMT -5
Illinois badly needed an OH and recruited Hernandez for her offense, not necessarily for her passing. During the offseason, Tamas actively recruited backrow players and added three Defensive Specialists/Liberos to shore up passing and defense this year. Hernandez will be a welcome addition to the roster.
|
|