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Post by EagleEye on Jan 14, 2004 8:44:05 GMT -5
Since I can't reply to the other 2004 season thread, I am starting a new one.
SUN BELT CONFERENCE
East Division
1. Western Kentucky
2. Arkansas-Little Rock
3. Middle Tennessee State
4. Arkansas State
5. Florida International
West Division
1. Denver
2. New Mexico State
3. North Texas
4. New Orleans
5. Louisiana-Lafayette
6. South Alabama
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Post by eastcoaster on Jan 14, 2004 10:34:16 GMT -5
"UNC and Maryland will battle for the top of the ACC. UNC will win out by the smallest of margins. I can't wait to watch these two teams next year.
BTW, does anyone know what will happen to the ACC tournament now that Va Tech and Miami have been added? Will there still be an ACC tournament? "
To answer these questions: there will be an ACC tournament, the ACC is hoping still that BC joins in time ... I believe it will be the same weekend it is this year at UVA ... I also still think you have to consider Georgia Tech the favorite for the conference, with UNC and Maryland as the next two. Miami will be somewere in the middle of the pack, while Va Tech will be near NC State.
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Post by fightingminime on Jan 14, 2004 12:32:58 GMT -5
Hmm . . . I think Wake is being ignored in these predictions . . they lost virtually NOTHING from their team that suprised everyone but ME in 2003. MD lost an all-region OH.
Also, don't be so quick to pass of VaTech. I know they aren't a powerhouse BUT they are working on building a solid core, and they have it in OH Annie Spicer, S Melissa Markowski and MB Katie Esbrook. Add in newcomer Rachel Dulla and you have some ball control, a great setter and a couple of girls who can put the ball away. They are a bit undersized, but that shouldn't be THAT big of a deal in the powerful ACC. With a little on-court leadership they may suprise you.
It is slightly ironic however, that the NCState 2004 setter recruit is Lauren Markowski, younger sister of the VaTech setter. Bet they didn't think they were going to be playing against each other regularly for 2 years of college.
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Post by macpahl on Jan 14, 2004 16:14:43 GMT -5
Only comment about Va Tech is that they were swept by a few middle of the pack ACC teams last year and lost to NC State. I don't think they'll be in the top half of the conference, but might not be dead last.
Wake will be good, but I don't think they'll challenge for the top of the conference--more than anything, they finished high this year b/c the conference wasn't that strong. In the end of the season they lost to Duke, UNC and Clemson--not that great.
Also, I think it's been definitively announced that BC won't be joining the ACC next year. From what I've heard, for the conference tourney with 11 teams there could be two play-in games between 8-11, with 1 and 2 getting byes, or 1 could get a bye and 2-11 could play in the first round.
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Post by fightingminime on Jan 14, 2004 16:32:30 GMT -5
My point was simply that VaTech may not be someone everyone walks all over (though I may be wrong). They will have another year of experience under their core group. So don't start dismissing teams just yet. Cheese and Rice its 8 months away.
Same thing with Wake. They have a great coach who is getting it done out there. No one paid attention when I said watch them last year. I don't care if it was a down year in the conference or not . . . people still picked UNC, Duke, Clemson and others to finish above them. Where did they finish (not in the tourney)? 3rd right? They return their best OH, best MB, S, and libero. And those girls will only get better.
Also (since we are talking the ACC here). Gotta show some Tiger love since my momma lives 10 mins away from Clemson. They have a couple of good recruits coming in, I especially like Mansfield. Fun to watch.
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Post by macpahl on Jan 14, 2004 16:53:57 GMT -5
To be honest, Wake has never gotten much respect in the ACC--over the past few years, they've had a couple of seasons that have merited a berth in the tournament and they've never gotten one. Not sure what it will take for them to be more highly regarded, but preseason polls are voted on by conference coaches and they don't even seem to pick Wake as high as some would expect/like.
They did finish 3rd, but last year the ACC was pretty weak. Only 2 teams to the tournament...usually it's 3 or 4. (Again, maybe an argument that Wake should have gotten a bid, but they didn't beat anyone great).
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Post by uncfan on Jan 14, 2004 22:18:33 GMT -5
Last season,GT was the class of the ACC.While they will be good in 04,I think that the loss of three starters(especially Eveland) will make it difficult for them to win the ACC.Their offense is so dependent on the performance of the setter.I can`t imagine that they have a setter who will play even close to Eveland`s standards in 04.If they do,then they would have to be a favorite.But,I doubt it.
Maryland will be good,but Jones was such an impact player that her loss will hurt.I expect Wake Forest and maybe Clemson to be challengers.But,I expect UNC to finish on top.The only thing that will hold them back is if their setter does not step up.Carolina`s setting was not impressive last season.I hope that McKenzie Byrd fully recovers from her surgery and plays up to her potential in 04.If she does,then UNC will win the ACC.
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Post by IdahoBoy on Jan 14, 2004 22:22:35 GMT -5
I highly doubt that G-Tech WILL run their quick offense again next year. It is an offense that is highly setter-dependent.
They do have a bit of top 25 talent on their team though, I would'nt be surprised for them to hang around at the top of the ACC.
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