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Post by bucky415 on Oct 2, 2007 0:22:22 GMT -5
I don't know what to think of Northwestern. They really should have made the NCAAs last year, and they had their moments against Wisconsin. Gray is probably an upgrade over Purcell, and Hyser is just tough to stop. I am surprised Nobilio played poorly enough to get yanked versus the Illini, as she was impressive against the Badgers. I do think part of the problem is that Paulus and Anderson aren't really big guns for the Wildcats. They serve tough, are solid in the back row, and can put the ball away at times, but I don't see them scoring consistently on good teams. Also, it looks like Northwestern has a weakness defensively against good outsides, as Dolgner and DeBruler both torched them this weekend. On the other hand, they did shut down AWack/DuPont, who both have had big matches this season. Maybe it was just matchups.
Of course, my perception of Northwestern is colored by my usually watching them play Wisconsin, which isn't a fun matchup for most teams, as ballvolley pointed out. Here is my list of schools with more intimidating hitters than the Badgers this year: Nebraska, Stanford, Penn State, Texas. That is it, and I think setting and ball control can keep Wisconsin in the match with everyone except maybe the Cardinal and Huskers.
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Post by smiley on Oct 2, 2007 3:08:18 GMT -5
I would agree that Minn. should be favored against Illinois but the way conference play has gone so far to say the only way somebodies going to beat somebody is that this set of circumstances happens is just not very realistic. such as if they lose to both schools and their confidence is shot and thus play poorly. I'm NOT dissing anybody. But even though it's still early in the B10 it's been shown that the so called weaker teams can beat "stronger" teams.
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Post by ballvolley on Oct 2, 2007 6:51:47 GMT -5
I agree with bucky's assessment -- though i think anderson and paulus are playing in the right positions given their strengths -- ball control, and they do have heavy, lively arms and when on, look out. when off, the cats struggle. hyser has become a force, and i say gray is a big step up from purcell athleticism wise -- purcell may swatted 9'5, looks like gray is at the top of the pin. moffett is also an amazing athletic specimen. problem is that moffett/gray are r-frosh, so while they are performing well, another year of experience + this senior class would be pretty scary. and again, i think they have an at-home illini curse for the most part. and i think actually do pretty well in champagne.
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Post by smiley on Oct 2, 2007 14:16:35 GMT -5
NU might play well but they seldom win in Champaign. One problem NU has at home against Illinois is that Illinois often has more fans there than NU.
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Post by ballvolley on Oct 2, 2007 15:24:43 GMT -5
I think NU won in Chmpaigne in 05 and 06, as well as 02 and 03
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Post by smiley on Oct 2, 2007 16:40:43 GMT -5
Since '85 NU has won in Champaign in '02 and 05. Not sure about 06 but considering how seldom we won it's certainly probable. 3 out of 21. Granted the 3 were in the last five years so I'll give you they've done well here against some weak Illini teams.
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Post by ballvolley on Oct 2, 2007 16:46:29 GMT -5
not surprised that they didn't win there in the 90s when NU was a sad, sad last place year in and out. i'm pretty sure they won in 06. since 2000 they've flip flopped wins a lot to make it a decent rivalry, though sounds like illinois pretty much thumped them this first time in 07. the Nu transfer must be thrilled to go back to the school where she never played and beat them as a starter on another squad
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