Post by baywatcher on Dec 22, 2010 16:35:56 GMT -5
Ruffda and all the other Pac 12 detesters can go eat their Malt O' Meal. This thread is for groundless predictions on how the Pac 12 will go next year.
In Order of finish:
1. CAL: Returns everyone but a DS and Lloyd. The loss of the setter always gets everyone riled up (see Iowa State) but Barrett has been with the team two years, practiced with everyone and should know what the Coaches want. Incoming frosh are strong and could actually mix things up, with a RS/S and a highly ranked OPP that can really play.
Schedule Penn State in the preseason so the players can tell the grandkids that they lost twice to PSU in one season.
2. USC: Should be first, but failure in the national semis shows a lack of character, not talent or ability. And, is Bateman the answer. She has played with the most talent this side of Alisha Glass and has not won "the big one" for awhile. Will beat Cal in Galen (in 5 per some sort of curse), may lose at Hass and will lose a couple they shouldn't, perhaps to Stanford. A key to PSU success in 2008 was returning everyone, so RR could build without anyone having to learn. Don't think that is going to happen at USC,although it should.
3. UCLA; Returning enough and gaining enough to become a power. The coach will have the spring to put his ideas in and Camp will be back, plus a new setter. Reaves will make big steps and Kidder will be all conference. Depending a lot on big praise for the new setter.
4. Washington; the most fascinating team in the conference and one that could go up or down. Losing their setter and two best offensive weapons, but getting two super frosh and Gil. New setter, along with other top teams. Perhaps time to break out the book on using 3 MB, unless Ross dominates on the right in a hybrid 6-2. Still need an OH2.
5. Stanford. Perhaps the year other teams get even. Will need lots of new offense and a new battalion of passers. Not the recipe for success. If the Brown(e) injuries carry over there is no 3rd MB, and no second setter. Way too many scenarios for utter disaster. Of course, the remaining players have talent and remarks like this will drive the team to succeed. And somebody will be taking the Klineman and Lichtman swings and hopefully putting them away.
6. Oregon; Assuming the shining reports for the incoming frosh MB from the all star match are true, that fills a big hole for oregon. Replace Myers with Gross and all of a sudden the team has no holes and some real talent. Now they have to learn to pass and have all spring to get that straightened out.
7. Arizona; Loses a lot, Rubio always seems to get some talented replacements that need to learn to play together. Second best of the lower tier of this bifurcated conference.
8. Arizona State; showed definite Jekyll and Hyde tendencies with victories over the big girls and losses to others. Will lose Reaves, which I think is a big loss and keeps them below Arizona.
9. Utah will have a good homecourt advantage, but needs to learn to adjust to life in the Pac 12.
10. Oregon State; was marginally better than Washington State last year. Returns some players but looks to struggle again.
11. Washington State had some good players, loses some of them and needs to put together a good match.
12. Colorado; In a nightmare scenario to rebuild the program; I know they are getting some good recruits and may surprise, I guess.
In Order of finish:
1. CAL: Returns everyone but a DS and Lloyd. The loss of the setter always gets everyone riled up (see Iowa State) but Barrett has been with the team two years, practiced with everyone and should know what the Coaches want. Incoming frosh are strong and could actually mix things up, with a RS/S and a highly ranked OPP that can really play.
Schedule Penn State in the preseason so the players can tell the grandkids that they lost twice to PSU in one season.
2. USC: Should be first, but failure in the national semis shows a lack of character, not talent or ability. And, is Bateman the answer. She has played with the most talent this side of Alisha Glass and has not won "the big one" for awhile. Will beat Cal in Galen (in 5 per some sort of curse), may lose at Hass and will lose a couple they shouldn't, perhaps to Stanford. A key to PSU success in 2008 was returning everyone, so RR could build without anyone having to learn. Don't think that is going to happen at USC,although it should.
3. UCLA; Returning enough and gaining enough to become a power. The coach will have the spring to put his ideas in and Camp will be back, plus a new setter. Reaves will make big steps and Kidder will be all conference. Depending a lot on big praise for the new setter.
4. Washington; the most fascinating team in the conference and one that could go up or down. Losing their setter and two best offensive weapons, but getting two super frosh and Gil. New setter, along with other top teams. Perhaps time to break out the book on using 3 MB, unless Ross dominates on the right in a hybrid 6-2. Still need an OH2.
5. Stanford. Perhaps the year other teams get even. Will need lots of new offense and a new battalion of passers. Not the recipe for success. If the Brown(e) injuries carry over there is no 3rd MB, and no second setter. Way too many scenarios for utter disaster. Of course, the remaining players have talent and remarks like this will drive the team to succeed. And somebody will be taking the Klineman and Lichtman swings and hopefully putting them away.
6. Oregon; Assuming the shining reports for the incoming frosh MB from the all star match are true, that fills a big hole for oregon. Replace Myers with Gross and all of a sudden the team has no holes and some real talent. Now they have to learn to pass and have all spring to get that straightened out.
7. Arizona; Loses a lot, Rubio always seems to get some talented replacements that need to learn to play together. Second best of the lower tier of this bifurcated conference.
8. Arizona State; showed definite Jekyll and Hyde tendencies with victories over the big girls and losses to others. Will lose Reaves, which I think is a big loss and keeps them below Arizona.
9. Utah will have a good homecourt advantage, but needs to learn to adjust to life in the Pac 12.
10. Oregon State; was marginally better than Washington State last year. Returns some players but looks to struggle again.
11. Washington State had some good players, loses some of them and needs to put together a good match.
12. Colorado; In a nightmare scenario to rebuild the program; I know they are getting some good recruits and may surprise, I guess.