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Post by gibbyb1 on Aug 25, 2020 23:03:16 GMT -5
If you think John cook wouldn’t put the people on the floor that HE feels put them in the best position to win...... you’re crazy. You may disagree with who he thinks are the best players but I assure you, politics not aren’t the reason. I disagree with this post. Cook is a great coach, but he's also human. There's a lot of pressure that comes with his job. Pressure from parents. Pressure from high-profile players. I think you are describing HS or club volleyball. What high profile player was cook caving to??? What parent? You mention Callie being the player who maybe shouldn’t be out there, how is she high profile, how or why would he be beholden or influenced by her parents?  There are plenty of things you can be critical of regarding Cook, him playing kids for a reason other than them helping them win isn’t one of them. Again, you may night agree with his lineup, but his motivation for it isn’t influenced by politics. |
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Post by gibbyb1 on Aug 25, 2020 23:10:01 GMT -5
I say this with the deepest respect to Cook but there isn't much he wouldn't do for another NC. The only reason Callie was on the floor is because, at the time, Cook felt she was the best option. Hindsight is 20-20 and I think there are a few decisions Cook would have back if he could (mostly regarding SR) but the idea that politics have any consideration in the lineup isn't just wrong, it is absurd. This is just a poor analysis of Cook as a person. He loves Nebraska, he loves winning the title for us, but at the end of the day, there is more to him than winning championships. He's a deep thinker, and he's spoken openly about his beliefs and values. Honestly, championships are great for him, but I really don't think that's what he puts at the top in life. Of course there's politics. This isn't professional sports. There is pressure from parents and players, and sometimes, you have to make tough decisions that doesn't translate to winning at all costs. I 100% believe he cares about people, and he’s come a long way in that area the last 2-3 years, having said that, if you believe his line up sheet isn’t driven by winning, you just really have no idea who he is or what that program is about. Parent and player pressure isn’t shaping those choices. If there is any knock on him fair unfair, it’s that he wouldn’t be sensitive to anything other than bottom line (I think it’s unfair) I respect your opinion, but anyone even remotely close to him or that program would tell you you’re dead wrong on this narrative. |
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Post by gibbyb1 on Aug 25, 2020 23:14:09 GMT -5
Do you have any numbers for Densberger? Particularly vs Lexi Densberger handled 218 passes in 2018 and passed a 46.8% GP. Miller was slightly better at 49.8%. Sun was better than either at 50.5%. In 2019, Densberger didn't pass. Miller did but dropped slightly to 46.6%. Sun also fell (dramatically) to 38.5%. So in 2018, when they were all playing in the same season, Sun was the best passer and Miller was better than Densberger. In response, Cook gave Sun more responsibility in 2019 in SR and had Miller playing over Densberger. The result? The team GP% fell from 54.2% to 46.8%. I think the first thing to say is that, based on what he was seeing in practice, Cook clearly felt Miller (even while having a bad year) was still better than Densberger. That says quite a lot - and it's the reason he was so determined to get more passers this spring. The bigger point (and I know I've posted about this before, but it's relevant to the Sun/Densberger comparison) was the decision to give Lexi more responsibility in SR and keep things simple for Knuckles. In 2018 Maloney at libero helped Sun a lot in serve receive. She was pinching her every time Lexi passed. In 2019 the staff decided - partly because Sun had passed well in 2018 but also because Knuckles (as a converted OH) was learning the position - to leave Lexi on her own a lot more and not ask Knuckles to do what Maloney had done in SR. This kept things simple for KK (who didn't pass great on the year) but Sun, evidently, didn't thrive in that new role. I will say, and it's only my opinion so take it for whatever it's worth, that I think your libero SHOULD be taking that responsibility off your OH1 (if she isn't a great passer) in SR. Nothing Maloney did was revolutionary, it's what you'd expect from a libero at top B1G school. Looking ahead to Sun's senior year(s), whenever they may be, I'd expect to see Knuckles given much more responsibility, to allow Sun to carry less weight in SR. If KK can't handle that (I think she will), Lexi Rodriguez definitely can. Agreed 100%. You can question his choices, but not his motivation. He felt those were the best options to win and none of us are in any position to say we know better. He sees those kids everyday (we don’t) and his rate of success is well, better than any of ours. I would have made some different choices than he has over the years, but his motivation for those choices wasn’t politics or parents. |
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Post by gibbyb1 on Aug 25, 2020 23:17:52 GMT -5
I don't see it with Zuhn tbh. Her offense may have been an upgrade.... but she wasn't ready to put up a high level block. If anyone should've seen more court time, I think you could only argue Hayley. Perhaps that is true. My only remaining criticism would be, how much of a chance did Zuhn actually get? I definitely agree about Densberger, though, but I'm not sure if we mean it in the same way. Zuhn got a chance to show she was better for 2.5 hours every day in practice. If politics kept Callie on the floor do you think they’d be bringing in an upperclassmen transfer in her position? That kid is there for one reason only, to possibly upgrade a position that isn’t national championship level. |
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Post by knapplc on Aug 26, 2020 7:24:35 GMT -5
Probably move Hames to MB, dontcha think? middle-back? Since Nicklin said that she wants to play after college: I still believe her best shot to accomplish that is to train as a Libero. When playing Setter; Her 'ups' are just not high enough to be an effective blocker at the net at the next level, and I really think she could train to be a 'Top Libero'. I thought it was a pretty obvious joke about moving Hames to Middle Blocker, but apparently I should have used the sarcasm font. It wasn't a very good joke, I'll admit. |
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Post by ted_heise on Aug 26, 2020 7:33:06 GMT -5
middle-back? Since Nicklin said that she wants to play after college: I still believe her best shot to accomplish that is to train as a Libero. When playing Setter; Her 'ups' are just not high enough to be an effective blocker at the net at the next level, and I really think she could train to be a 'Top Libero'. I thought it was a pretty obvious joke about moving Hames to Middle Blocker, but apparently I should have used the sarcasm font. It wasn't a very good joke, I'll admit. Made *me* laugh, anyway. |
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Post by ted_heise on Aug 26, 2020 7:34:57 GMT -5
I disagree with this post. Cook is a great coach, but he's also human. There's a lot of pressure that comes with his job. Pressure from parents. Pressure from high-profile players. I think you are describing HS or club volleyball. What high profile player was cook caving to??? What parent? (stealing from the prior jokester...) Wendy Cook?  |
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Post by knapplc on Aug 26, 2020 8:01:25 GMT -5
We absolutely deserve it, and we will deliver the biggest crowd the NCAA can get, guaranteed.
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Post by oldmanred on Aug 26, 2020 8:49:55 GMT -5
I don't see it with Zuhn tbh. Her offense may have been an upgrade.... but she wasn't ready to put up a high level block. If anyone should've seen more court time, I think you could only argue Hayley. Perhaps that is true. My only remaining criticism would be, how much of a chance did Zuhn actually get? I definitely agree about Densberger, though, but I'm not sure if we mean it in the same way. Actually; they can earn their chances by doing well in scrimmages! |
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Post by knapplc on Aug 26, 2020 12:45:26 GMT -5
Your latest conversation with the Cooks, who gives us some insight into Abby Johnson's move to Bradley. overcast.fm/+NyuapLsYI |
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Post by jwvolley on Aug 26, 2020 16:18:28 GMT -5
Cook mentioned that the question of his seniors coming back in the fall of 2021 probably depends on what type of spring season/championship there is. That could just be coach talk, but interesting. Also said that the incoming recruits are all still on board with everything and some of the 2021s are set to come in January. Lexi and Lauren made big strides physically in the off season apparently despite the challenges of Covid.
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Post by coloradokidd on Aug 26, 2020 18:50:15 GMT -5
Cook mentioned that the question of his seniors coming back in the fall of 2021 probably depends on what type of spring season/championship there is. That could just be coach talk, but interesting. Also said that the incoming recruits are all still on board with everything and some of the 2021s are set to come in January. Lexi and Lauren made big strides physically in the off season apparently despite the challenges of Covid. Plus: Lexi and Lauren had originally planned on playing in the Fall and graduating in Dec. Now they might be playing in the Spring, then the Fall, and graduating Dec. 2021 - a year later. * Love to see some of the incoming Freshman in the Spring.  **Also I still agree with his idea of moving Indoor Volleyball to the Spring, and Moving Beach Volleyball to the Fall. Could see a full Conference of B1G Beach Volleyball in the Fall.  |
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Post by Kingsley on Aug 27, 2020 21:03:10 GMT -5
HOOOOOO BOYY
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2020 21:34:21 GMT -5
Great news for Nebraska. She'll get high level practice through the spring. I don't think there's any chance she gets to compete in competitive matches however. There will be enough competitive inequality this year without permitting 2021s to play in a 2020 season too.
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Post by knapplc on Aug 27, 2020 21:46:51 GMT -5
<chuckles Nebraskanly>
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There are plenty of things you can be critical of regarding Cook, him playing kids for a reason other than them helping them win isn’t one of them. Again, you may night agree with his lineup, but his motivation for it isn’t influenced by politics. 
