Minnesota 2018

[Deleted]

Continuing discussion from the 2017 thread.

Minnesota 2017

Let's hope this one doesn't get deleted like the first 2017 thread.

Expected roster (frosh italicized):

Setters:

SSS (senior)
Nielsen (soph)
McMenimen

Outside hitters:

Hart (junior)
Martin (soph)
McLean (junior)
Kleinman (soph)
Zeimann (soph)
Rollins

Opposite:

Samedy (soph)

Middles:

Pittman (RS soph)
Morgan (RS junior)
Buford (senior)
Rendahl

DS/liberos:

Barnes (soph)
Beckley (senior)
Litzau (junior)
McGraw

[haze]

Any chance of Rendahl getting a look for the other middle, I don't know much about her.

I see a glaring weakness in backrow, only because of experience. I really don't know anything about the other players other than Barnes who I think with continued development will be just fine. I would say losing Rosado and Goehner are big, but I really thought they took a step back, both of them, the last few games of the season. They have been great players in the program so I do think their presence and leadership will be missed.

[nooram]

Dec 9, 2017 12:32:41 GMT -5 haze said:

Any chance of Rendahl getting a look for the other middle, I don't know much about her.

I see a glaring weakness in backrow, only because of experience. I really don't know anything about the other players other than Barnes who I think with continued development will be just fine. I would say losing Rosado and Goehner are big, but I really thought they took a step back, both of them, the last few games of the season. They have been great players in the program so I do think their presence and leadership will be missed.

Goehner was mediocre to poor the whole season. Rosado was hot or cold. I don't think we will get any worse in the back row next year. We could get better.

[haze]

Dec 9, 2017 12:43:34 GMT -5 nooram said:

Dec 9, 2017 12:32:41 GMT -5 haze said:

Any chance of Rendahl getting a look for the other middle, I don't know much about her.

I see a glaring weakness in backrow, only because of experience. I really don't know anything about the other players other than Barnes who I think with continued development will be just fine. I would say losing Rosado and Goehner are big, but I really thought they took a step back, both of them, the last few games of the season. They have been great players in the program so I do think their presence and leadership will be missed.

Goehner was mediocre to poor the whole season. Rosado was hot or cold. I don't think we will get any worse in the back row next year. We could get better.

If we could get more consistent I think that would solve a lot of problems.

[Go4VeeBee]

For people asking about recruiting, I really like the lists of current players & future recruits that skiumahgopher posted in the 2017 thread:

U of M Roster Grid - By Year - updated 11-9-17 1:20 PM

U of M Roster Grid - By Position - updated 11-9-17 at 1:24 PM

[haze]

Does anyone have an opinion on Hart (passing + backrow attack) vs backrow specialist on what McCutcheon would like to do?

I feel like McCutcheon overvalues backrow passing/defense in comparison to getting a legitimate backrow attack in. Them running their offense with both Sameday and Hart as backrow options would really add an additional element to their offense.

[Wolfgang]

The big question is: will Hugh stay or go? Some say he will stay. Others say he will go. The Minnesota weather was not what he expected.

"The Minnesota weather is not what I expected," he said privately.

[Deleted]

Dec 9, 2017 13:10:02 GMT -5 haze said:

Does anyone have an opinion on Hart (passing + backrow attack) vs backrow specialist on what McCutcheon would like to do?

I feel like McCutcheon overvalues backrow passing/defense in comparison to getting a legitimate backrow attack in. Them running their offense with both Sameday and Hart as backrow options would really add an additional element to their offense.

I don't think they need both Samedy and Hart hitting out of the back row, not at the expense of passing/floor defense. And CC and Barnes need to play. I guess the real question will be whether they feel the need for the 2nd DS next year. Rollins for Martin seems like the obvious choice, but it could be Beckley, too.

Hart could certainly make a case for herself with improved back row play. But I don't think her back row attack is a good enough reason by itself. I don't feel that way about Samedy already, although I expect her to be much better next year.

[haze]

Dec 9, 2017 13:10:28 GMT -5 Wolfgang said:

The big question is: will Hugh stay or go? Some say he will stay. Others say he will go. The Minnesota weather was not what he expected.

"The Minnesota weather is not what I expected," he said privately.

What was he expecting Minnesota weather to be? I would assume he would have experience with it visiting before and his wife would have warned him about it. Where would he go, USC?

Would really hate for him to go but is what it is.

[Deleted]

Wolfgang is making up quotes.

What he really said was "Wolfgang? I don't who that is. Cheers."

[craftylefty]

I am seeing kind of a logjam at outside next year. Would understand if we have a couple players transfer out for more playing time, although I don't want it.

I'm glad we will have Buford and Morgan as upperclassmen to pick from next year. Granted, they are probably different variations of the same theme (a smaller middle) but three years of experience of training under Hugh counts for something. I don't know if they will start over Rendahl, as I know next to nothing about her, though.

[haze]

If Rendahl is a walk on, I wouldn't expect her to be in the mix at all next year. She is likely a developmental player for depth.

[craftylefty]

Dec 9, 2017 13:10:02 GMT -5 haze said:

Does anyone have an opinion on Hart (passing + backrow attack) vs backrow specialist on what McCutcheon would like to do?

I feel like McCutcheon overvalues backrow passing/defense in comparison to getting a legitimate backrow attack in. Them running their offense with both Sameday and Hart as backrow options would really add an additional element to their offense.

At least right now, I don't think losing the defense and passing of Barnes/McGraw/Beckley is worth having the back row attack, especially for both her and Samedy. One or the other, sure.

[Deleted]

Dec 9, 2017 13:56:04 GMT -5 haze said:

If Rendahl is a walk on, I wouldn't expect her to be in the mix at all next year. She is likely a developmental player for depth.

It would be a huge surprise if she were a major contributor. That's expecting a lot from a top 100 recruit and she wasn't even that.

I've seen her play, however. She does have potential. But 2018 would be expecting a lot.

Rubright, on the other hand, should be a big help. A 2019, unfortunately.

[craftylefty]

One thing to consider also is who our backup for Samedy might be, assuming she went down with an injury or had to be pulled briefly.

I could see the coaches again saving Morgan for this, leaving Buford as possibly the more likely starter at middle. Just an interesting thought.

Or, Martin on the right or even middle? Now I'm getting way ahead of myself...