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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Dec 1, 2004 2:56:15 GMT -5
Colorado State... quite an interesting season. Preseason expections were high following a strong 2003 season and returning all starters. Season Recap: Lost a good match with highly ranked '03 FinalFour participant Minnesota at home to start season then knocked off another very strong '03 team with a lot of starters back in GaTech.... good start. Series of wins. Then a bad night against Utah at home... hiccup. Well at least they pummeled Utah in their other matchups to make up for it. Started another series of wins, then had to goto Nebraska, bummer. Followed-up that with a tough win at a mediocre BYU team in 5. "Character builder" or "they got heart" win? Maybe just not a good night. Finished pretty strong to win conf tourney on home court. So based on this season, the general consensus is ?,?,? a) CSU is over-rated as a top-10 team. (ok, there may very well be 10 teams that are better than CSU) b) CSU is over-rated as #16 seed. (This is rediculous) Even if Hawaii had lost to Utah, they still would have been in the top 8, right? CSU's only other losses were to Mn and Nebr. If CSU isn't a top 16 team then... well I won't say it. I'd say they could have even been a top 8 seed. I just don't understand everybody's claim that CSU hasn't merited a Top 16 seed or isn't a top 10 team. RPI is rediculous because it's so conference schedule dependant. Pablo has them at 11. They have 3 losses, one of which was emphatically avenged, and the other 2 against top-5 teams. Don't you think they may just be that good. They were last year, and they have everybody back... and they have their other OH back at full strength. Just a thought. There have only been a few Ram detractors on the board. I won't mention any names. ;D Others, like IB, have been saying all along how good this CSU team is. It will be a tough second round match provided both Hawai'i and CSU take care of business in the first round.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Dec 1, 2004 3:43:49 GMT -5
Boilers look for underdog victory in volleyball's NCAA tournamentBy Jason Parsons Assistant Sports Editor This year’s senior class was still in elementary school when the Purdue volleyball program last made it to the NCAA tournament. After 14 years and four coaches, the senior class brought Purdue back to the tournament. "I’m still pretty overwhelmed by it," senior Kim Cappa said. "When you look back on everything that the team has been through and everything the team has accomplished, it is pretty overwhelming. "It is so gratifying. I know that every person in the program, even the people who can’t be here this year to share it with us, have put so much effort into the program." The three-player senior class has endured an 11th place, 10th place and an eighth place finish before this year’s team’s sixth place finish in the Big Ten and a berth in the NCAA tournament. "Our past seasons haven’t gone what we had expected," junior Renata Dargan said. In 1990, the Carol Dewey-coached team finished 21-11 and ended in third place in the Big Ten before losing to Penn State in the NCAA tournament. Since then the team hasn’t finished above sixth place in the Big Ten, which is where the team finished in the Big Ten this year. "There’s been a lot of stuff that has happened this year that hasn’t happened in 10 years," Dargan said. "We’ve just done a lot of stuff that hasn’t been done in a long time. It’s showing the direction our program is heading." With Colorado State being 26-3 and having more tournament experience, a Boilermaker victory might not be easy. The Boilers, though, are looking for an underdog victory at 9 p.m. Thursday in Fort Collins, Colo. "There’s always that Cinderella story," senior Kim McConaha said. "We could be that Cinderella story, who knows." But …<br> "I don’t want to get ahead of myself." John Kraft/Assistant Sports Editor Senior Kim McConaha and coach Dave Shondell celebrate the Purdue volleyball teamÕs selection to the NCAA tournament. The Boilers will play Colorado State in their first tournament appearance since 1990
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Post by Boom on Dec 1, 2004 7:55:02 GMT -5
It's just not my style to whine and complain. Instead, I just come up with data and ideas, and post that. Examples: volleytalk.proboards35.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1101683397volleytalk.proboards35.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1101734071volleytalk.proboards35.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1101699270Do I think CSU got a bad deal? Which part, the hosting or the teams they host? Overall? Well, overall yeah. I thought they could be a seed -- hell UCLA got seeded. But, they did get to host. BUT, they got one of the toughest sub regionals, and Utah, another team that I am a fan of, got a much different sub regional, but they did have to travel. Overall, CSU fans get to see their awesome senior class one more time. But for the love of Peter, Paul AND Mary, I cannot figure out why the committee did this to both UH and CSU. How good is CSU? Hard to say - looked great as of late. How bad was the MWC this year? Really bad. How easy was CSU's schedule? The non-conference included Minn, G-Tech, Ohio, Nebraska, Pepperdine (who knew they would have a bad year???), and Colorado - hell they tried to schedule some good teams. Nebraska - in the middle of the conference play, I say that takes some nuts.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2004 8:04:34 GMT -5
[quote author=BiK link=board=general&thread=1101879055&start=15#1 date=1101887775]
There have only been a few Ram detractors on the board. I won't mention any names. ;D
Others, like IB, have been saying all along how good this CSU team is.
[/quote]
The same guy who was also pushing UCLA as final 4 potential and Idaho as top 20. He has no credibility here because, as he admits, a lot of what he says is based on loyalty to players and programs.
CSU is top 16. Top 8 is a BIG stretch. And I base this solely on watching them play 5 times this year.
And I will also say that if UH loses to them, then they are not top 8 either.
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Post by Island on Dec 1, 2004 14:28:36 GMT -5
That's a weird argument. You're saying that a top 16 team can't beat a Top 8 team at home? Also, if that's the case, then why is USC still so highly regarded after losing to the Cougars? I don't know (R)uffda! , the year is too wacky to say one "should win" determines your mettle. Despite F A&M's rise to prominence, they are still not even close in rankings or seedings to Nebraska. Doesn't matter anyway. Deserves got nothing to do with it. Either you win or lose, if CSU gets to the elite 8 they get to be one of the last 8 teams standing, more important than being the 8th best team looking on the outside.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2004 14:42:07 GMT -5
That's a weird argument. You're saying that a top 16 team can't beat a Top 8 team at home? Also, if that's the case, then why is USC still so highly regarded after losing to the Cougars? I don't know (R)uffda! , the year is too wacky to say one "should win" determines your mettle. Despite F A&M's rise to prominence, they are still not even close in rankings or seedings to Nebraska. Doesn't matter anyway. Deserves got nothing to do with it. Either you win or lose, if CSU gets to the elite 8 they get to be one of the last 8 teams standing, more important than being the 8th best team looking on the outside. I understand what you are saying except I am of the belief that there is a HUGE dropoff from #16 to #8. Heck, I think there's a big dropoff from #9 to #8. I agree that this is wide open, but I'm not one of those who think any of some 20 or so teams could win it. I believe the champion will come from: Nebraska (if their passing/defense holds up) Washington USC Minnesota Ohio State Penn State I don't know about Hawaii. Their results and what I've seen are not impressive, but they have not lost. I still like their draw, too. For that reason, I add them to the teams above. Florida is a dark horse. Again, a good draw (after the 1st/2nd rounds) and if they get there, who knows? I feel the same about Texas (and they are in the same bracket--as is Hawaii). I know Stanford has been coming on, but I do not like their passing or defense. I think they are on the other side of the gap, with Tennessee, UCSB, San Diego and St. Mary's. Lots of good teams from this point on, but I don't see them winning it all. That includes CSU. So what I'm saying is that if CSU beats Hawaii, to me, that means Hawaii is also on the other side of the gap. That's where I suspect they are. But I have NO WAY of knowing for sure...
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Post by Island on Dec 1, 2004 15:22:42 GMT -5
Fair enough but I think that at neutral sites the gaps for some of the Top 8 are pretty small and I also think that there are several teams that could cause major problems for the Top 8. That's why it's so important for the Top 8 to show their mettle in their tournament because there is no margin for error. I agree that the Top 8 are pretty entrenched, very few teams outside of the Top 8 have beaten them so I concede the point.
However I disagree with your list of FF winners. Texas could certainly benefit from upsets and be a dangerous competitor they have a shot and they know Nebraska as well as any of the Top ten. Whether they can beat them or not is a different story. San Diego has a legitimate shot. When they play in sync, they are a terrific volleyball team. With some luck, they could be the Cinderella (I know it's unlikely but if we are talking about any chance whatsoever, they and Florida need to be mentioned).
I don't think Hawaii will win the championship this year but then again you can't even tell they'll win a match or a particular game nowadays. I'd really separate Hawaii because of all teams, they seem to like to do it the hard way. The tournament should be no exception. If Hawaii can get a foothold into this draw, they have one of the better ones based on competitiveness. But "should beats" only count on paper. Colorado and CSU are playing in state and have decent fan bases. I certainly expect them to play better than their season suggests. But am I glad that of all the teams, only Texas at the end is the big banger, a team that really wratches it up to another level. Yes. The teams that I have in high esteem and fear are largely absent for this bracket. But that's just my opinions. Hawaii fans rightly think otherwise, altitude sucks.
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Post by Island on Dec 1, 2004 15:26:40 GMT -5
I know you mentioned those teams to but I'm just indicating that I think they have a better shot than you surmise. Texas isn't a dark horse.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2004 15:33:45 GMT -5
What I don't know about Hawaii, from what I've seen on TV, is how strong their defense is. That's always the "X" factor in runs to the finals. If they can keep digging--and keep winning those 5-gamers--they can certainly make it there.
I actually think CSU may be their biggest hurdle. I like their chances if they can make it to Green Bay.
Texas, Florida and Stanford would all be tough, but only one's going to make it through. I have a hunch it will be Florida--and I'd like Hawaii's chances against Florida.
I like San Diego. It's a spunky little program. But only St Mary's has really shown much outside of the conference and we still don't know if that tells us more about the Gaels or about Stanford.
I could be underestimating Tennessee, too, for that matter.
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Post by 2c on Dec 1, 2004 16:00:43 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2004 16:15:33 GMT -5
I had forgotten they were sent to Maryland last year. That reeked.
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Post by vbfan on Dec 1, 2004 16:20:15 GMT -5
Not really surprising at all. They care more about hosting matches then what seed they are of what teams they play. I'm sure most Hawaii fans feel the same way. If they had this same subregional at home I'm sure there would be a lot less complaining.
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Post by naalii on Dec 1, 2004 16:26:19 GMT -5
I agree! CSU is an awesome team. I believe the MWC and WAC just needs to kick butt. Unfortunately, they placed CSU, Hawai'i and Rice in the same regional. I'm Hawaii supporter; however, I still have loyalities to the former WAC volleyball teams. We should have a MWC-Big 12/WAC-Big 10 Challenge or MWC-Big 10/WAC-Big 12 Challenge, similar to basketball. The MWC and WAC will hold its own. If Hawai'i and CSU get pass the 1st round game, this game will be awesome, probably a five-gamer. However, we need to take one game at a time. Good luck CSU!
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Post by The Bofa on the Sofa on Dec 1, 2004 16:26:21 GMT -5
Not really surprising at all. They care more about hosting matches then what seed they are of what teams they play. I'm sure most Hawaii fans feel the same way. If they had this same subregional at home I'm sure there would be a lot less complaining. Only if they still had their number 3 seed. If they had been at home but not gotten a top 4 seed, they would have been howling just as loud.
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Post by Island on Dec 1, 2004 16:28:15 GMT -5
Well if it makes any difference, defense might be Hawaii's strong suit. They dig very well and while they're passing is nightmarish at times, they at least keep it from going over most of the time(although tall teams can abuse the plane of the net quite a bit against Hawaii). There are many matches where the other team was hitting much harder than Hawaii and still lost because of Hawaii's floor defense. Not consistent but definitely frustrating. Blocking is pretty much like digging. They can be porous and then they can just get a hand on everything. Even when they are blocking poorly, they get hard touches on kills. Watanabe going down reduces another Hawaii advantage: depth at the libero. Not many teams have a second libero as good as Fotu. Whether it's good enough against the top teams remains to be seen. If there is anything I worry about, it's offense and the second middle but there have been positive developments in both places.
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