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Post by vball123 on Jul 14, 2021 16:53:47 GMT -5
Looking at the wealth of talent that the badgers will have this coming season, it will be very interesting to see how the lineup shakes out. I think our best lineup will look something like this:
OH: Orzol / Demps (With Orzol going 6 ro and Demps DS’d by Reed or Boyer) Opp: Robinson (Don’t see them moving her with Gio as DS) MB: Dana / Hart (With Smrek pushing Hart. Smrek is lighting it up in the gym from what I hear) S: Sydney (obviously) Lib: Barnes
I think Loberg will be a very good backup or sub for the young outsides, but if I’m being honest I don’t see the badgers winning a natty with Grace starting. And who knows maybe Jardine shows up and pushes for time. This could be our best pin trio we’ve had in a long time. Overall very exciting
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Post by badgerbreath on Jul 14, 2021 17:20:19 GMT -5
Hmmm. Loberg's problem has been consistency. There were times in 2019 when she absolutely took over key matches, but she also goes through long periods where she looks a lot more tentative. She can also take a while to get going in a match - she rarely starts on fire. That suggests she might not do great as a sub.
Sheffield doesn't often sit veterans for younger players. Interestingly, one of the few times that happened was when Loberg replaced Gillis as OH in 2017 - but Gillis's offensive numbers were a real problem that year. Loberg was great against Stanford in the tournament that year, but she hasn't repeated that effort against the very best competition since, including Stanford. Putting her in the back row passing rotation last spring seemed to unsettle her compared to 2019 when the scheme was to prevent her passing much. She may find herself competing with Demps as a 3 rotation OH if she can't manage that better. I'm not sure she wins that battle.
I haven't seen Jardine yet, so don't know what to think about her likely role. My guess is she redshirts based on Sheffield's comments that she is a bit green if extremely talented.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2021 17:25:39 GMT -5
Assuming Orzol adjusts/transitions well (which isn't a guarantee)... I think it will be hard for Sheffield not to find a spot on the court for her.
Wisconsin last season was super limited by their OOS offense (no offense to Loberg or Haggerty). Robinson was really effective getting the in system balls but not so much the junk ones (which is perfectly fine)
Orzol has the ability to really rip at the OOS sets that will add to Wisconsin's offense and elevate their game from last season.
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Post by badgerbreath on Jul 14, 2021 17:38:15 GMT -5
Loberg has improved her OOS play, but it is definitely not dependable. If you take Sheff at his word that a key priority is improving OOS play, then Orzoł and Demps both seem a more natural fit. But it will be a different environment for Orzoł in Madison. I still feel Sheff will definitely hesitate to bench Loberg.
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Post by vball123 on Jul 14, 2021 17:39:23 GMT -5
I agree about Loberg and her consistency, she has had some bright spots but again I just don’t think she’s physical or consistent enough to do it at the highest level of competition. Looking at Kentucky and Texas from last season, the badgers were no where near the physicality of their pins (minus devyn). To truly compete and be a favorite this season we’re gonna need pins who can take those swings OOS which I think Demps and Orzol can do for them then you add in an improved Robinson with a little more experience.
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Post by badgerbreath on Jul 14, 2021 17:49:08 GMT -5
Mania...what is your projected starting lineup? I am not so sure that the best lineup come December would include both Hart and Loberg. I am sure it'll start that way, and I am not sure if that'll change at all throughout the season. But, if you threw Robinson back to middle with Rettke and had Orzoł on the right side with Loberg/Demps at OH, that might just be the ticket. Or, keep Robinson on the right side, Hart in the middle and Orzoł/Demps at OH. If Orzoł is in the lineup, I would assume she plays 6. Whether she passes or not...not sure. If she is not in the lineup for whatever reason, I could see a 2019 type of setup with DSs galore. Gio, Reed, Boyer replacing Robinson, Loberg and Demps in the back row. But, that could also take Izzy's serve out of play. I still assume Jardine is too raw to be ready. In My opinion These are starters for sure: Rettke, Hilley, Barnes, Gio, Boyer, Robinson My best guess is these are the others seriously competing for spots: Loberg, Demps, Orzol, Hart, Smrek (Does Robinson move to the middle if Orzol can play on right???) Do we see Robinson on the Left side?? Possibility. So many potential lineup combinations. Very cool for you to provide all those vids of Orzoł. I didn't have time to watch the whole match today.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2021 18:10:39 GMT -5
Loberg is familiar and comfortable. You know what you'll get, you know the ceiling and the floor. Her floor is a lot higher for 2021 than probably Demps and Jardine. Maybe Orzoł, depending upon how she adapts. I want to see a lot more of Demps. Great arm, but I didn't see enough of her to know whether she has a diversified shot selection or just went hulk smash cross court every time.
Sports fans in general have a tendency to want to replace a known player with someone they think is better. Loberg/Gillis was a great example of that (I am guilty on that one). The backup Quarterback is the most popular guy on the team syndrome.
This would be a much easier discussion if not for super seniors. No complaints about another year of Hilley-to-Rettke, though.
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Post by TuesdayGone on Jul 14, 2021 19:42:50 GMT -5
Hmmm. Loberg's problem has been consistency. There were times in 2019 when she absolutely took over key matches, but she also goes through long periods where she looks a lot more tentative. She can also take a while to get going in a match - she rarely starts on fire. That suggests she might not do great as a sub. Sheffield doesn't often sit veterans for younger players. Interestingly, one of the few times that happened was when Loberg replaced Gillis as OH in 2017 - but Gillis's offensive numbers were a real problem that year. Loberg was great against Stanford in the tournament that year, but she hasn't repeated that effort against the very best competition since, including Stanford. Putting her in the back row passing rotation last spring seemed to unsettle her compared to 2019 when the scheme was to prevent her passing much. She may find herself competing with Demps as a 3 rotation OH if she can't manage that better. I'm not sure she wins that battle. I haven't seen Jardine yet, so don't know what to think about her likely role. My guess is she redshirts based on Sheffield's comments that she is a bit green if extremely talented. In 2018 Loberg dominated #2 Texas She had 19 kills and hit .457 Loberg has also lead left side attackers in Big Ten hitting percentage last 2 years. My guess is that Demps/Loberg at 1 outside And orzol at OH2
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Post by TuesdayGone on Jul 14, 2021 19:50:15 GMT -5
I agree about Loberg and her consistency, she has had some bright spots but again I just don’t think she’s physical or consistent enough to do it at the highest level of competition. Looking at Kentucky and Texas from last season, the badgers were no where near the physicality of their pins (minus devyn). To truly compete and be a favorite this season we’re gonna need pins who can take those swings OOS which I think Demps and Orzol can do for them then you add in an improved Robinson with a little more experience. Lobergs 2 best matches of her career we’re against the most physical teams in the country Stanford and Texas
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Post by badgerbreath on Jul 14, 2021 20:19:31 GMT -5
Hmmm. Loberg's problem has been consistency. There were times in 2019 when she absolutely took over key matches, but she also goes through long periods where she looks a lot more tentative. She can also take a while to get going in a match - she rarely starts on fire. That suggests she might not do great as a sub. Sheffield doesn't often sit veterans for younger players. Interestingly, one of the few times that happened was when Loberg replaced Gillis as OH in 2017 - but Gillis's offensive numbers were a real problem that year. Loberg was great against Stanford in the tournament that year, but she hasn't repeated that effort against the very best competition since, including Stanford. Putting her in the back row passing rotation last spring seemed to unsettle her compared to 2019 when the scheme was to prevent her passing much. She may find herself competing with Demps as a 3 rotation OH if she can't manage that better. I'm not sure she wins that battle. I haven't seen Jardine yet, so don't know what to think about her likely role. My guess is she redshirts based on Sheffield's comments that she is a bit green if extremely talented. In 2018 Loberg dominated #2 Texas She had 19 kills and hit .457 Loberg has also lead left side attackers in Big Ten hitting percentage last 2 years. My guess is that Demps/Loberg at 1 outside And orzol at OH2 She did not follow up that Texas performance with a season that matched, partly because of nagging injuries. I don't entirely buy the "Loberg is not physical enough" argument, but it's absolutely true that she just wasn't her best in the last two final 4s and the badgers really needed her to be. She just was not in sync for whatever reason(s).
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Post by greatlakesvballer on Jul 15, 2021 9:03:27 GMT -5
In 2018 Loberg dominated #2 Texas She had 19 kills and hit .457 Loberg has also lead left side attackers in Big Ten hitting percentage last 2 years. My guess is that Demps/Loberg at 1 outside And orzol at OH2 She did not follow up that Texas performance with a season that matched, partly because of nagging injuries. I don't entirely buy the "Loberg is not physical enough" argument, but it's absolutely true that she just wasn't her best in the last two final 4s and the badgers really needed her to be. She just was not in sync for whatever reason(s). Right. So...like you said above...who is going to provide consistency?
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Post by northwoods on Jul 15, 2021 13:57:25 GMT -5
Sheffield singled out Smrek as someone making a big push for playing time, so I can see her getting on the court……I just don’t know how. I can see her anchoring the right side and having Robinson move into the mix at middle on the assumption Smrek’s lateral movement isn’t as good as Devyn, Hart & Rettke.
Orzol looks great at the U20 level, but to ask her to step in as a starter in the B1G after a full jr national team season, and maybe 30 days of practice in Madison is a huge ask. She is a great candidate for a red-shirt given all the changes she’ll be dealing with. I see her on the left for her Badger career, especially if that 6’0” list height is accurate.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2021 14:04:44 GMT -5
Sheffield singled out Smrek as someone making a big push for playing time, so I can see her getting on the court……I just don’t know how. I can see her anchoring the right side and having Robinson move into the mix at middle on the assumption Smrek’s lateral movement isn’t as good as Devyn, Hart & Rettke. Orzol looks great at the U20 level, but to ask her to step in as a starter in the B1G after a full jr national team season, and maybe 30 days of practice in Madison is a huge ask. She is a great candidate for a red-shirt given all the changes she’ll be dealing with. I see her on the left for her Badger career, especially if that 6’0” list height is accurate. Having a RS that cannot take OOS swings is not ideal against the best teams - as Wisconsin learned in the tournament.
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Post by badgerbreath on Jul 15, 2021 14:46:58 GMT -5
So it's clear that she is still hurting enough to protect when they don't need her. Her performances have been pretty good considering that.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2021 15:10:48 GMT -5
So it's clear that she is still hurting enough to protect when they don't need her. Her performances have been pretty good considering that. It appeared to my highly untrained eye that she got more comfortable with the ankle as things went along. Looked very tentative in her first action. Looked fairly confident last 2 matches.
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