Post by bballnut90 on Aug 29, 2015 1:22:52 GMT -5
USC looks light years better than they were a season ago.
Some observations:
1. The most notable difference is the tempo of their offense. USC is utilizing a faster offense and it was much much more effective tonight. Quick sets to the right created 1 on 1s for Abercrombie, faster outside sets created gaps for Bricio. USC has good size, but add in a fast tempo offense and they could be very very good this year.
2. The middles were established right off the bat which allowed opportunities on the pins. I don't think the setters did a great job looking for pins in transition, and everything that did go to the middle were quicks in front of the setter, but Ruddins looked dynamic with some big swings and Ogoms looked very comfortable as well. Set location was solid. Middles could be a huge weapon for SC this year if they continue to establish them early in matches. Blocking was also very good tonight by both middles.
3. Abercrombie is a beast on the right....I have no idea why she didn't see more playing time last year. Something about her swing doesn't look as textbook as other hitters, but has a quick swing and hits angles/specific shots probably better than anyone else on USC. She can also pound when she gets good contact, and she saw a good number of good sets tonight. It's also worth noting she had a couple of great swings against double blocks, and her 2 errors were barely out. She also puts up a really solid block as others have noted.
4. Baylee Johnson will be a solid player for SC this year if she can play like she did tonight consistently. She reminds me so much of Courtney Thomas from Wisconsin when Thomas was a frosh in a 6-2. For positives, they have similar setting styles and can set fast tempo balls effectively. The downside is she has Thomas's arm swing of keeping her elbow too low when she hits, which makes her susceptible to getting blocked. She's a better setter than Alice (who looked improved), but her abilities as an attacker have a long way to go. Plays with a lot of energy, she'll be a really solid player for SC.
5. Bricio looked fantastic. Looked like the same stud we've seen the last two year, but with better setting and in an offensive scheme that suits her better. She will have a worn out shoulder by the end of the season, but was outstanding tonight.
6. Ford is a high riser. Reminds me of Pressey in that regard. She didn't seem to have a ton of variety in her shots, but she looked very very good for a freshman playing in her first collegiate game. If she can play consistently and avoid errors, she should win the 2nd OH slot for the season.
7. DS Garrick looked great in the backrow. Great defender and court awareness, she'll definitely be an asset to SC this season.
8. Everyone about USC just looked better compared to a year ago. The girls looked like they like each other, they were having fun and the on court chemistry/communication was so so much better than last season's.
9. On the UNC side, McPherson is incredibly physical and will be one of the nation's top middles this year. Great blocker and attacker--she didn't have the best game but there aren't many middles I'd want on my team over her.
10. McCorkle for UNC is another high riser who has a great armswing. The box score says she only had 8 kills and hit .222....I thought she was UNC's most effective attacker and thought she had 10-15 kills.
11. UNC is solid and should do very well again in the ACC, but I have a hard time believing they can make the Final Four unless they get a really solid 3rd option after McCorkle/McPherson. I do believe USC has Final Four potential. They are a young team, but the skills and talent level is there.
Some observations:
1. The most notable difference is the tempo of their offense. USC is utilizing a faster offense and it was much much more effective tonight. Quick sets to the right created 1 on 1s for Abercrombie, faster outside sets created gaps for Bricio. USC has good size, but add in a fast tempo offense and they could be very very good this year.
2. The middles were established right off the bat which allowed opportunities on the pins. I don't think the setters did a great job looking for pins in transition, and everything that did go to the middle were quicks in front of the setter, but Ruddins looked dynamic with some big swings and Ogoms looked very comfortable as well. Set location was solid. Middles could be a huge weapon for SC this year if they continue to establish them early in matches. Blocking was also very good tonight by both middles.
3. Abercrombie is a beast on the right....I have no idea why she didn't see more playing time last year. Something about her swing doesn't look as textbook as other hitters, but has a quick swing and hits angles/specific shots probably better than anyone else on USC. She can also pound when she gets good contact, and she saw a good number of good sets tonight. It's also worth noting she had a couple of great swings against double blocks, and her 2 errors were barely out. She also puts up a really solid block as others have noted.
4. Baylee Johnson will be a solid player for SC this year if she can play like she did tonight consistently. She reminds me so much of Courtney Thomas from Wisconsin when Thomas was a frosh in a 6-2. For positives, they have similar setting styles and can set fast tempo balls effectively. The downside is she has Thomas's arm swing of keeping her elbow too low when she hits, which makes her susceptible to getting blocked. She's a better setter than Alice (who looked improved), but her abilities as an attacker have a long way to go. Plays with a lot of energy, she'll be a really solid player for SC.
5. Bricio looked fantastic. Looked like the same stud we've seen the last two year, but with better setting and in an offensive scheme that suits her better. She will have a worn out shoulder by the end of the season, but was outstanding tonight.
6. Ford is a high riser. Reminds me of Pressey in that regard. She didn't seem to have a ton of variety in her shots, but she looked very very good for a freshman playing in her first collegiate game. If she can play consistently and avoid errors, she should win the 2nd OH slot for the season.
7. DS Garrick looked great in the backrow. Great defender and court awareness, she'll definitely be an asset to SC this season.
8. Everyone about USC just looked better compared to a year ago. The girls looked like they like each other, they were having fun and the on court chemistry/communication was so so much better than last season's.
9. On the UNC side, McPherson is incredibly physical and will be one of the nation's top middles this year. Great blocker and attacker--she didn't have the best game but there aren't many middles I'd want on my team over her.
10. McCorkle for UNC is another high riser who has a great armswing. The box score says she only had 8 kills and hit .222....I thought she was UNC's most effective attacker and thought she had 10-15 kills.
11. UNC is solid and should do very well again in the ACC, but I have a hard time believing they can make the Final Four unless they get a really solid 3rd option after McCorkle/McPherson. I do believe USC has Final Four potential. They are a young team, but the skills and talent level is there.