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Post by bbg95 on Mar 1, 2020 20:48:01 GMT -5
This is clearly the WCC favorite. Of course, replacing Newsome and Jacobsen is no small task. I think that they have enough returning pieces, though, to stand pretty firmly over the rest of the conference. The pins are back, and so is the backcourt. The value there is pretty obvious. Regarding the big picture in the conference, I think there's a real chance that BYU doesn't finish in the top 2 in the WCC, which hasn't happened since 2011. I'm really not sure what they're going to put together this year. That's not to say that program is declining, it's just how things worked out this year. San Diego, a team that pulled off the season sweep of a good BYU team last year, has a pretty serious roster advantage in 2020. Pepperdine has some question marks, but is always solid. I don't think they're a huge threat to the Toreros, though. There's a team lurking in the weeds that could make some noise in the WCC. It's Santa Clara. All of my rambling has made me acutely aware that we don't yet have a WCC thread for this year. Yeah, I wouldn't be shocked if BYU finishes outside the top two. I would still pick them second by default just because I'm not really sold on anyone in the conference outside of San Diego (the WCC was way down overall last year from 2018). As you said, it's just how it worked out. BYU has a very young roster, and two of their expected juniors won't be on the team next year, with Gneiting going on a mission and Robinson transferring (I think both are blessings in disguise). So yeah, I expect Olmstead to work on developing all the young talent (their recruiting has been stellar lately) in preparation for 2021 and 2022. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2020 21:56:46 GMT -5
Well geez, I’ve never got a sense that there was ever a demand for a San Diego thread - can any other perennial top 20 say the same? And here it is up to two pages already. In my opinion, San Diego has been pretty stingy in the news department - see the extremely late announcements of last year’s schedule and the transfer of Camryn Tastad, so who knows what might be going on behind the scenes. As such, why not have the wild speculation (read hope) that USD is going to come through with a stellar international recruit to back-up Madill?
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Post by ilikecorn on Mar 1, 2020 22:33:55 GMT -5
Well geez, I’ve never got a sense that there was ever a demand for a San Diego thread - can any other perennial top 20 say the same? And here it is up to two pages already. In my opinion, San Diego has been pretty stingy in the news department - see the extremely late announcements of last year’s schedule and the transfer of Camryn Tastad, so who knows what might be going on behind the scenes. As such, why not have the wild speculation (read hope) that USD is going to come through with a stellar international recruit to back-up Madill? Watching the replay of the 1st BYU match (Oct. 18 in Provo) from last season right now! 7-6 Cougars in the 2nd set, San Diego leads 1 set to none  |
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Post by bucky415 on Mar 1, 2020 23:22:09 GMT -5
I don't know how many people follow USD closely here, but I have to say that I would be surprised if there was a time in which they weren't good and either a team hosting NCAA matches or a team that someone hosting NCAA matches wasn't quite wary of as a potential opponent. I am glad the Badgers played near their ceiling against them in the 2018 tournament.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2020 23:41:51 GMT -5
Yep, I thought Hawaii played their most complete match of the season to beat San Diego in the tournament.
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Post by Mocha on Mar 2, 2020 2:31:15 GMT -5
You stay classy San Diego.
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Post by swatson91 on Mar 2, 2020 12:33:08 GMT -5
I believe the middles will be fine with Turner, May and USD's top recruit Sasha Ratliff coming in.
I expect Fayad and Lukes to be 6 rotation OH, especially with Lukes arm out of the back row, with Wiblin as a great substitute if passing goes awry. Frohling is great at oppo and Benbow is one of the best liberos on the west coast. A lot will depends on Madill's setting as I don't see a backup on the roster.
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Post by Victory At Hand on Mar 2, 2020 16:20:12 GMT -5
Lukes, Fayad, Frohling, Turner, with Sasha Ratliff coming in, San Diego will be loaded in 2020.
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Post by ilikecorn on Mar 21, 2020 9:43:46 GMT -5
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Post by jackson5vb on Mar 25, 2020 0:07:51 GMT -5
Have watched them a few times over the past couple seasons. This is a really underrated team nationally. Great coaching hides their defensive weaknesses. They're a little slow but the blockers force their opponents to hit into the funnel or to tip high enough they can get solid digs. They'll increase the tough serving to compensate for the freshman Middle's blocking early in the season. They beat BYU twice last season and all their losses were to legitimate teams. Really good shot at the 2020 Sweet16!!
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Post by swatson91 on Mar 26, 2020 11:48:28 GMT -5
This team has a great shot at hosting the 1st weekend. USD always schedules challenging pre conference teams, it will be interesting to find out who they will be playing in 2020.
Team is full of weapons, Lukes, Frohling, Turner, Fayed and a great libero (Benbow).
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Post by ay2013 on Mar 26, 2020 13:50:03 GMT -5
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Post by ilikecorn on May 15, 2020 12:04:48 GMT -5
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Post by ilikecorn on May 24, 2020 22:00:22 GMT -5
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Post by ilikecorn on May 31, 2020 23:20:51 GMT -5
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