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Post by jake on Apr 29, 2020 11:28:09 GMT -5
Pre-conference schedules are being released and it looks like Hawaii will host Texas A & M, Portland State and Pepperdine on the first weekend. Cal Poly will apparently host Washington & Texas A&M on the third weekend. If Hawaii and UCSB keep UCLA on their schedule (with Beach also playing them), the common opponent could give an idea of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the three teams. It'd also make the Bruins RPI important for the Big West, so... Go Bru! What do you like so far in the pre-conference schedules? CAL POLY playing OOC matches at home,...for sure! Any dates, yet? These matches may be too early to expect students,...perhaps WOW Week freshmen will fill the gym.
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Post by baytree on Apr 29, 2020 12:16:02 GMT -5
Pre-conference schedules are being released and it looks like Hawaii will host Texas A & M, Portland State and Pepperdine on the first weekend. Cal Poly will apparently host Washington & Texas A&M on the third weekend. If Hawaii and UCSB keep UCLA on their schedule (with Beach also playing them), the common opponent could give an idea of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the three teams. It'd also make the Bruins RPI important for the Big West, so... Go Bru! What do you like so far in the pre-conference schedules? I don't follow the SEC that closely but I'm iffy about TAMU without Hans (who I loved), Gomez, or Patterson. Voss is good so maybe she can replace Gomez. bwf2, that's your forte. What do you think?
Does anyone know about the transfers TAMU has coming in this season? Any candidates for replacing Hans or Patterson? If not, what's the plan/outlook?
I don't follow Pepperdine closely either. Any candidates to replace Frohling? From my very limited knowledge of the WCC, it seems like Pepperdine should still do ok in conference. I have no idea what their OOC schedule is like or their probable RPI.
UCLA should be fun. I'm really looking forward to watching them this season. All the Big West teams will have their work cut out for them when they play. I hope everyone's healthy. I'd love to see Rassmussen, Van Sickle, Hellvig & vs May, McCall, & Ndiaye.
Hawaii looks ok for RPI IMO. Not as good as last season, though. I don't see any potential Baylors, Washingtons or Mizzous so far. Maybe such teams will be announced later. I also don't expect TAMU to have nearly as high an RPI as last season. Hope I'm wrong.
I like Cal Poly playing Washington. I don't think Washington will be as good this season as last but they should still be good. I think it will be a fun match!
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Post by jake on May 1, 2020 13:48:12 GMT -5
Hawaii looks ok for RPI IMO. Not as good as last season, though. I don't see any potential Baylors, Washingtons or Mizzous so far. Maybe such teams will be announced later. I also don't expect TAMU to have nearly as high an RPI as last season. Hope I'm wrong. I like Cal Poly playing Washington. I don't think Washington will be as good this season as last but they should still be good. I think it will be a fun matc I'm really interested to see Cal Poly in preseason. What kind of help will they be able to provide for Dvoracek? How much can she continue to carry that roster? How will teams deal with her defensively? After the rigors of her 2019 season, I hope she's resting up right now because the Mustangs are going to need her to put the cape on again in 2020. I really think both coach Walters & coach Borchin will avoid opponents zeroing in on Maia Dvoracek. CAL POLY should enter 2020 having a solid "three plunge" attack,...right side, left side and middle.
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Post by hapaguy on May 1, 2020 14:28:11 GMT -5
I'm really interested to see Cal Poly in preseason. What kind of help will they be able to provide for Dvoracek? How much can she continue to carry that roster? How will teams deal with her defensively? After the rigors of her 2019 season, I hope she's resting up right now because the Mustangs are going to need her to put the cape on again in 2020. I really think both coach Walters & coach Borchin will avoid opponents zeroing in on Maia Dvoracek. CAL POLY should enter 2020 having a solid "three plunge" attack,...right side, left side and middle. Looks like CP has reloaded. That's terrific. We need all the teams in the BW to up their game. I was worried that the BW was going to become like the WAC with Hawaii just steamrolling the competition year after year. No one wants to see that....
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on May 1, 2020 14:37:36 GMT -5
I really think both coach Walters & coach Borchin will avoid opponents zeroing in on Maia Dvoracek. CAL POLY should enter 2020 having a solid "three plunge" attack,...right side, left side and middle. Looks like CP has reloaded. That's terrific. We need all the teams in the BW to up their game. I was worried that the BW was going to become like the WAC with Hawaii just steamrolling the competition year after year. No one wants to see that.... This is an interesting comment... Hawaii certainly didn’t steamroll in 2017&2018 where they were very fortunate to come through with at-large bids. Last year was impressive, let’s see if they can keep it up.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2020 14:46:01 GMT -5
I really think both coach Walters & coach Borchin will avoid opponents zeroing in on Maia Dvoracek. CAL POLY should enter 2020 having a solid "three plunge" attack,...right side, left side and middle. Looks like CP has reloaded. That's terrific. We need all the teams in the BW to up their game. I was worried that the BW was going to become like the WAC with Hawaii just steamrolling the competition year after year. No one wants to see that.... Which teams did you think will be better in 2020 and which will be worse? That's a genuine question, not leading... Interested in your perspective.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2020 14:50:59 GMT -5
I'm really interested to see Cal Poly in preseason. What kind of help will they be able to provide for Dvoracek? How much can she continue to carry that roster? How will teams deal with her defensively? After the rigors of her 2019 season, I hope she's resting up right now because the Mustangs are going to need her to put the cape on again in 2020. I really think both coach Walters & coach Borchin will avoid opponents zeroing in on Maia Dvoracek. CAL POLY should enter 2020 having a solid "three plunge" attack,...right side, left side and middle. You know this already Jake but as much as I like Jordan she cannot pass. I'll need to see Stivers, Rose and Ungar in action before I'm on board with the Mustangs ball control in 2020.
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on May 1, 2020 15:03:11 GMT -5
Looks like CP has reloaded. That's terrific. We need all the teams in the BW to up their game. I was worried that the BW was going to become like the WAC with Hawaii just steamrolling the competition year after year. No one wants to see that.... This is an interesting comment... Hawaii certainly didn’t steamroll in 2017&2018 where they were very fortunate to come through with at-large bids. Last year was impressive, let’s see if they can keep it up. Hawaii's coaching staff did an outstanding job in 2017 and 2018. 2019 was a Hawai'i team with Robyn's recruits and transfers. This is only the beginning for her and future Wahine teams. Too bad Jolie got hurt last year. I hope things work out for Hawaii's seniors- there's never a good time for a pandemic but this has to suck for them.
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on May 1, 2020 15:19:04 GMT -5
This is an interesting comment... Hawaii certainly didn’t steamroll in 2017&2018 where they were very fortunate to come through with at-large bids. Last year was impressive, let’s see if they can keep it up. Hawaii's coaching staff did an outstanding job in 2017 and 2018. 2019 was a Hawai'i team with Robyn's recruits and transfers. This is only the beginning for her and future Wahine teams. Too bad Jolie got hurt last year. I hope things work out for Hawaii's seniors- there's never a good time for a pandemic but this has to suck for them. My original comment had no opinion on how Hawaii’s coaching staff did in 2017 and 2018. Just that is that those were not normal Hawaii-calibre teams (which in my mind, had been a Top 16ish team year in and year out). Which made the comment I was replying to even more strange, as if Hawaii has somehow become more dominant when actually, those 2 years were the weakest in the past 20 years, right? There is no denying Hawai’i proved itself last year (the coaching staff). Hawaii has all the power to continue its return that it is on since last year. Libero and setter uncertainty are the only things keeping me from putting Hawaii at T10 preseason
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Post by Barefoot In Kailua on May 1, 2020 15:32:29 GMT -5
Hawaii's coaching staff did an outstanding job in 2017 and 2018. 2019 was a Hawai'i team with Robyn's recruits and transfers. This is only the beginning for her and future Wahine teams. Too bad Jolie got hurt last year. I hope things work out for Hawaii's seniors- there's never a good time for a pandemic but this has to suck for them. My original comment had no opinion on how Hawaii’s coaching staff did in 2017 and 2018. Just that is that those were not normal Hawaii-calibre teams (which in my mind, had been a Top 16ish team year in and year out). Which made the comment I was replying to even more strange, as if Hawaii has somehow become more dominant when actually, those 2 years were the weakest in the past 20 years, right? There is no denying Hawai’i proved itself last year (the coaching staff). Hawaii has all the power to continue its return that it is on since last year. Libero and setter uncertainty are the only things keeping me from putting Hawaii at T10 preseason I agree with your sentiments. 2017-2018 was difficult. Good thing Maglio and Akiu were there (Akiu for 2018). I'm looking forward to seeing Lang grow under Robyn's tutelage. Ball control is a concern. Too bad the younger Akana decided to go to Nebraska. Man, she'll be a fish out of water there. Growing up in Hauula and living in Lincoln....I'd miss home.
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Post by hammer on May 1, 2020 15:48:44 GMT -5
I'm really interested to see Cal Poly in preseason. What kind of help will they be able to provide for Dvoracek? How much can she continue to carry that roster? How will teams deal with her defensively? After the rigors of her 2019 season, I hope she's resting up right now because the Mustangs are going to need her to put the cape on again in 2020. I really think both coach Walters & coach Borchin will avoid opponents zeroing in on Maia Dvoracek. CAL POLY should enter 2020 having a solid "three plunge" attack,...right side, left side and middle. I like your thinking ... each one a little different but all effective ...
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2020 15:59:52 GMT -5
Hawaii's coaching staff did an outstanding job in 2017 and 2018. 2019 was a Hawai'i team with Robyn's recruits and transfers. This is only the beginning for her and future Wahine teams. Too bad Jolie got hurt last year. I hope things work out for Hawaii's seniors- there's never a good time for a pandemic but this has to suck for them. My original comment had no opinion on how Hawaii’s coaching staff did in 2017 and 2018. Just that is that those were not normal Hawaii-calibre teams (which in my mind, had been a Top 16ish team year in and year out). Which made the comment I was replying to even more strange, as if Hawaii has somehow become more dominant when actually, those 2 years were the weakest in the past 20 years, right? There is no denying Hawai’i proved itself last year (the coaching staff). Hawaii has all the power to continue its return that it is on since last year. Libero and setter uncertainty are the only things keeping me from putting Hawaii at T10 preseason I think it depends on how you're ranking teams. I think Hawaii might be good enough to be a top 10 team in the country if Lang balls out and everyone stays healthy. I don't think there's any way they get a top 10 seed in the tournament, due to an overall weakening of the conference and likely limitations regarding preseason travel.
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on May 1, 2020 16:10:34 GMT -5
My original comment had no opinion on how Hawaii’s coaching staff did in 2017 and 2018. Just that is that those were not normal Hawaii-calibre teams (which in my mind, had been a Top 16ish team year in and year out). Which made the comment I was replying to even more strange, as if Hawaii has somehow become more dominant when actually, those 2 years were the weakest in the past 20 years, right? There is no denying Hawai’i proved itself last year (the coaching staff). Hawaii has all the power to continue its return that it is on since last year. Libero and setter uncertainty are the only things keeping me from putting Hawaii at T10 preseason I think it depends on how you're ranking teams. I think Hawaii might be good enough to be a top 10 team in the country if Lang balls out and everyone stays healthy. I don't think there's any way they get a top 10 seed in the tournament, due to an overall weakening of the conference and likely limitations regarding preseason travel. I completely agree they could be Top 10– but hard to put them there to begin with is the point. Hawaii has never really disappointed with pre-conference RPI. It’s more that the bottom teams in the Big West don’t schedule patsies. If the bottom could all do what Fullerton did last season, Hawaii would be Top 10 year in and year out in RPI.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2020 16:39:19 GMT -5
I think it depends on how you're ranking teams. I think Hawaii might be good enough to be a top 10 team in the country if Lang balls out and everyone stays healthy. I don't think there's any way they get a top 10 seed in the tournament, due to an overall weakening of the conference and likely limitations regarding preseason travel. I completely agree they could be Top 10– but hard to put them there to begin with is the point. Hawaii has never really disappointed with pre-conference RPI. It’s more that the bottom teams in the Big West don’t schedule patsies. If the bottom could all do what Fullerton did last season, Hawaii would be Top 10 year in and year out in RPI. Regarding their pre-conference RPI; I just mean that it might be hard to get teams to commit to coming to Hawaii due to budget restrictions. I'm sure Nebraska aren't alone in canceling some of their out of state pre-conference matches. In terms of the BW strength of schedule, even with their improvement Fullerton only reach 208 in RPI. If we agree UCSB losing 4 of their 5 best players hurts them and Bakersfield and UC San Diego will lower the average RPI of the conference (at least for a while) instead of raising it, I'm not sure UH can exceed their seeding from 2019, even if they are a better team. I'm hopeful that Beach will be better but I'm not sure they'll be able to offset the net losses for the conference.
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on May 1, 2020 17:14:25 GMT -5
I completely agree they could be Top 10– but hard to put them there to begin with is the point. Hawaii has never really disappointed with pre-conference RPI. It’s more that the bottom teams in the Big West don’t schedule patsies. If the bottom could all do what Fullerton did last season, Hawaii would be Top 10 year in and year out in RPI. Regarding their pre-conference RPI; I just mean that it might be hard to get teams to commit to coming to Hawaii due to budget restrictions. I'm sure Nebraska aren't alone in canceling some of their out of state pre-conference matches. In terms of the BW strength of schedule, even with their improvement Fullerton only reach 208 in RPI. If we agree UCSB losing 4 of their 5 best players hurts them and Bakersfield and UC San Diego will lower the average RPI of the conference (at least for a while) instead of raising it, I'm not sure UH can exceed their seeding from 2019, even if they are a better team. I'm hopeful that Beach will be better but I'm not sure they'll be able to offset the net losses for the conference. Re: this season, obviously I can't speak on their possible RPI because we don't even know if there will be a season. I can say that I like Texas A&M a lot - excellent scheduling choice. When it comes to post-season, your numerical RPI and significant wins/losses pretty determine if you get a seed. Almost always, under #20-#21 is a death sentence, unless your name is Penn State and you make an unprecedented appearance as a seed despite being OUTSIDE of the Top 25 in RPI. Hawaii has never had a problem with picking up significant wins in the non-conference. Their issue is pretty much exclusively numerical RPI. Why? Because the rest of the Big West as a whole doesn't do a good enough job in RPI scheduling. Fullerton's actual RPI ranking is pretty much irrelevant - nobody ever cares about the bottom team's numerical ranking in the conference. They only care about Fullerton's Win % out-of conference. RPI math is weird and flawed. Cal Poly should schedule tougher than the rest of the conference because they are a proven team that can compete. I'd say ideally LBSU should schedule the next toughest as they could be next in line talent-wise. Then, UCSB and UCI should schedule a little more conservatively. Not complete patsies, but a mixture. They are big question marks for me, but could still be better than expected so should take a few risks on Top 50 teams. The rest of the Big West should schedule cakewalks and rack up the most wins as possible in the non-conference. That pretty much destroys THOSE schools chances at an at-large bid because their strength of schedule will be awful, but realistically they didn't/won't have a chance anyways. It's a sacrifice bottom of conference teams need to make until they up their level. The problem is the Big West is not geographically setup to have success, RPI-wise. It's complicated and not logistically realistic for many west-coast teams. Hard to explain, but my best example is a team like Temple. Temple didn't have to travel more than 2 hours in the non-conference, and racked up a Top-50 RPI strength of schedule without actually playing a Top 50 team. How is that even possible? Playing high win % teams of Eastern conferences. It's easy for them and pretty much not possible for West-coast mid majors. These rankings are what are most important. These are the cumulative winning %'s of all the non-conference matches, sorted by conference. Conference | 2019 | 2018 | PAC-12 | .740 | .784 | Big Ten | .706 | .830 | SEC | .695 | .687 | Big 12 | .653 | .683 | ACC | .613 | .635 | AAC | .612 | .634 | WCC | .579 | .645 | Big East | .562 | .496 | Big West | .552 | .567 | MWC | .508 | .555 | MVC | .456 | .627 |
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