|
Post by vbvalley on May 2, 2016 17:09:27 GMT -5
Thank you, Trollhunter. Your work and analysis is much appreciated. If Arizona had not upset UCLA yesterday, things may have been a tad more interesting, but the truth of the matter is that, with FSU being the only exception, the East Coast teams have been fairly horrible in head-to-head competition with the West Coast teams and those matches were mostly held on the East Coast. Obviously, that FSU match where FSU beat USC in Los Angeles decided the first seed.
I would imagine that USC would rather have faced the UCLA/Hawaii winner instead of Pepperdine in the semis. Also, if it gets windy in Alabama, that will help Pepperdine who trains at Zuma Beach in Malibu, a fairly windy spot. One of the criticisms with the USC facility is that it is surrounded by buildings and has very little wind. When Hawaii beat FSU, it was at Stetson on a very stormy, rainy day, so that semi with FSU against either Hawaii/UCLA will also be challenging.
|
|
|
Post by trollhunter on May 2, 2016 17:24:27 GMT -5
Good points!
Head to Head was definitely deciding factor for FSU as #1 since criteria was essentially tied. Seems fair they settled it on court.
AZ would have still gotten the bid without beating UCLA, but only because all other At-Large bubble teams choked over last 2 weeks. They may have needed that win if LBSU or some East Coast teams had finished strong.
Besides FSU, I don't think another East Coast team won a single match versus a West Coast team during regular season.
Gulf Shores is usually windy, with fairly deep sand on a real beach. That will adversely affect the teams that don't have much experience with true beach conditions.
|
|
|
Post by vbvalley on May 2, 2016 18:24:52 GMT -5
I do not think Stetson is that sheltered, but it will not really matter. USC's sand is not that hard packed (I've played there several times) but the traffic noise, weird shadows, no room behind the service lines and no wind makes it a very unrealistic place to play, plus, late in the day, you cannot take advantage of the late afternoon sun getting low behind you when you serve. It is really not that great a facility.
|
|
|
Post by Cubicle No More ... on May 2, 2016 18:43:46 GMT -5
the beach championship has been held in gulf shores, alabama since its inception right? i would think that for teams like usc, pepp, fsu, hawaii, who've all been consistent participants in the tournament, that they'd be quite familiar with the conditions.
|
|
|
Post by geddyleeridesagain on May 2, 2016 20:11:01 GMT -5
If this week's weather forecast for Gulf Shores holds true (high 70's, sunny, 8-10mph wind), I don't think conditions will be much of a factor. That would be the best weather the event has seen in years.
BTW, USC trains at Marine Street every week.
|
|
|
Post by vbvalley on May 2, 2016 20:27:28 GMT -5
Thanks, was not aware of that. Did that just start this year or has it been going on for a while? Plenty of wind and sun there in the afternoon. Smart thing to do.
Since 2012, USC has lost at Zuma with the exception of last year, only to have a much better home record against Pepperdine later in the season.
|
|