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Post by Mac on Apr 4, 2006 20:34:20 GMT -5
Long Beach can be tough in the Pyramid, if they stay charged and don't get down on themselves when they're behind. They have character and need to call on it if they get behind. The Pyramid is their home court advantage.
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Post by robonthemic on Apr 4, 2006 21:26:24 GMT -5
I hope Beach plays tough at the Pyramid. Budinger and Tarr need to step it up against Cala, Perez and Batista. BYU plays big (and they are big). Beach has the potential to win that night but their "court confidence" is shifty and fluctuates during matches. Regardless, I know it is going to be an intense match-- my guess would be a 5-gamer with the "W" going to...
I'll hold off on that one, because BYU's worst enemy can also be themselves-- I saw that both nights in the 5-game UCI losses-- so I'm not ready to shoot myself in the foot quite yet. I wish I could be at the Pyramid on Thursday!
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Post by roy on Apr 4, 2006 21:55:11 GMT -5
They don't mess up and with the postseason looming they are hunting for the 1 seed. My only disagreement with this post is that BYU isn't really hunting for the top seed. They are realistically hunting for the second seed at best. UCI has 2 more wins than BYU and UCI only has 4 matches left. UCI also holds the tie break against BYU so UCI would need to lose 3 of the next 4 matches for BYU to even be in the hunt. UCI is playing Pacific and Stanford this weekend so that seems very unlikely that BYU can get the top spot at this point. However, BYU is trying to stay in the top 3. Hawaii has locked up the #2 or #3 seed. Pepperdine has 2 more loses than BYU but holds the tie break. BYU needs to win 3 of their next 4 matches to prevent a possible meeting with UCI in the MPSF semi-finals.
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Post by robonthemic on Apr 5, 2006 0:13:56 GMT -5
I can only justify my statements in saying that it is the MPSF and UCI still has CSUN @ the Matadome and UCSB at home. CSUN is hot right now and have been known to be spoilermakers for the Eaters. UCSB has beaten UCI once this season and will have Patak back. Stanford should be a lock for a victory and Pacific-- well, UCI had difficulty trying to stop Seppanen when they came to Irvine.
BYU has a the toughest remaining schedule w/ 2 at the Pyramid in Long Beach, then 2 out by you.
I want Irvine to win the top seed, but one can't rule out that some weird things can seem to happen in the MPSF, especially closer to tournament qualification time!
It's like March Madness, but it's April Anxiety!
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Post by fingrbustr on Apr 5, 2006 3:16:11 GMT -5
It'll be a bit of a drive, but I will definitely be @ the Pyramid tomorrow night. I really hope UCI can lock up the #1 seed...can't make Pennsylvania, so I'm looking forward to the MPSF semis and final in Irvine. BTW, games at Crawford court are incredible...compact venues (like Firestone Fieldhouse at Pepp) can make for quite a raucous crowd. They do assigned seating too...no worrying about trips to the bathroom
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Post by Mac on Apr 5, 2006 5:04:00 GMT -5
Surely they'd move to the Bren for the larger crowds if need be, WON'T THEY?
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Post by robonthemic on Apr 5, 2006 9:51:49 GMT -5
My "inside" connection said that the Bren will be available IF UCI hosts the tournament-- but don't tell anyone you heard it from me
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Post by lalalaluuuke on Apr 5, 2006 11:25:29 GMT -5
As tough as the next 2 weeks may be for BYU, can you imagine how prepared they will be for the playoffs after playing their last 4 matches in 2 tough places? Unless they get kicked to the curb in all 4 matches, they should the most prepared for the playoffs. It is much easier to gauge where you are at after playing quality teams than going into the playoffs after playing poor ones. Good scheduling.
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Post by volleydog on Apr 5, 2006 12:15:59 GMT -5
Good scheduling? How is going to play 4 matches in 2 of the tougher gyms, if not the toughest in Hawaii good scheduling?
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Post by pepperdoody on Apr 5, 2006 13:23:26 GMT -5
He explained that " DOG " ,playing the end of the season against UCSD or Stanford or Penn Sate or Ohio State ( lol ) would not even be as good as practicing against there own squad in practice
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Post by volleydog on Apr 5, 2006 14:21:02 GMT -5
What if they get swept twice...is that good scheduling for them? What if they split? Is it still good? Or if they win all 4 (doubtful) and lose first round, is it still good. I'm just saying that is four really tough matches on the road.
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Post by fuzzball on Apr 5, 2006 14:23:13 GMT -5
Pepp. and BYU are by far the most talented teams. Its a shame that they both won't be in the final four, and should Hawaii win the tourney, neither may go. UCI can just about guarantee an at large if they win 3 of the next four matches. They do need some help from BYU, but they do appear to have the inside track. Individually BYU has better players, but like UCI, Hawaii is a ball control/defense type team and could give BYU problems. BYU was up in games, 2-1, both nights at UCI but couldn't close it out. They had match points in game 4 of the first match, and led 10-6 in the 5th game. The ability to maintain focus and intensity was the difference between these two teams, and every other team UCI has beaten. They find a way to win close games. Last year they lost a lot of close games, seemingly finding a different way to lose each time. In losing that first match, BYU set the stage for a less dramatic comeback the next match, but still, after leading 2-1, you could see a loss of intensity on the BYU side that led to the UCI comeback, and perhaps the loss of a final four bid. It would not surprise me to see Pepp. v. BYU in the MPSF finals, winner goes on, loser stays home.
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Post by Mac on Apr 5, 2006 14:26:09 GMT -5
"Pepp. and BYU are by far the most talented teams. Its a shame that they both won't be in the final four, and should Hawaii win the tourney, neither may go."
We need an eight team tournament. Either that or in years like this the MIVA and the EIVA should bow out. (And pigs will fly.)
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Post by volleydog on Apr 5, 2006 14:28:01 GMT -5
good post fuzzball!! (just wanted to type fuzzball)
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Post by fingrbustr on Apr 5, 2006 15:35:39 GMT -5
Fuzz & Dog--I have to diagree on Pepp and BYU having more talent than everyone. I haven't bothered to count, but I'm for sure in mid to upper teens on MPSF matches watched this season. I'm closest to Firestone, so I've seen Pepperdine the most. Same with last year, same every year, going back to the Roumain/Barnett era.
There's no way they have more talent than UCI or Hawaii. They're solid across 5 positions, but they really have a huge hole at the secondary OH position. Grobe usually starts, but he is quickly subbed out for rocket-arm (but low-hitting) Tanner Sutherland. I haven't seen BYU yet, but I don't doubt the talent level of Cala/Batista/Perez. Still though, on a pure talent perspective, I'd have to go UCI 1st (JNT boys Jablonsky/Webber/Smith have a good chance @ 2012 Olympics, Harrell is a cerebral 6-5 jumping bean, Asuka is legit…Thornton is suprisingly good), LBSU 2nd (their talent level is ridiculous...Hildebrand-Tarr-Budinger-Liles-Lotman…Caldwell is pretty good, if not a little erratic…that 2nd MB position (Cape or Shea) is suspect). HAW & BYU I'd tie for 3rd (Beckwith-Delgado-Hakala-Carere super solid, Reft (my friend!) is the only 1st Team AA LIB last yr, Mau & Dante good).
Honestly…no way Pepp has more "talent" than other teams in the MPSF. Have you seen their bench? They go 7 deep (Sutherland), that's it. The rest of them are stiffs and projects. Believe me…I've watched them a ton!
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