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Post by bucky415 on Oct 23, 2021 17:54:43 GMT -5
The MVC usually gets an at-large bid, not happening. The Big West got 2 at-large bids in 2019, not happening. The Horizon ain't getting one this year either. I'm not convinced on the Big 12 getting more than 2-3 at this point. Oklahoma/TCU are winning matches and none of their bubble teams have beaten Baylor/Texas. Texas Tech is looking good, but anyone else is questionable. 8 teams (7 at-large bids) is pretty close to normal for the Big Ten and will probably happen again this year. Just root for Creighton or Marquette to win the Big East tournament, but I think these teams are fine, barring a skid. |
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Post by oldmanvb on Oct 23, 2021 18:11:13 GMT -5
There is a good chance Illinois will be in a 3 way tie for 5fh in B1G after tonight.
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Post by ilalum92 on Oct 24, 2021 1:19:59 GMT -5
We should be thankful we won tonight. Nunge hit .000 & Terry hit .036 for the match. Those numbers are abysmal. We wont last in the tourney with numbers like that.
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Post by bucky415 on Oct 24, 2021 2:25:14 GMT -5
We should be thankful we won tonight. Nunge hit .000 & Terry hit .036 for the match. Those numbers are abysmal. We wont last in the tourney with numbers like that. No, but, to be fair, remember after the second weekend, when Illini fans were concerned about them even making the tournament? That seems like a lock now, and there is a lot of upside there to advance. |
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Post by vbkahuna on Oct 24, 2021 8:33:15 GMT -5
We should be thankful we won tonight. Nunge hit .000 & Terry hit .036 for the match. Those numbers are abysmal. We wont last in the tourney with numbers like that. I suppose that would be "the glass is half empty" view. Here's "the glass is half full" view. First, winning both weekly matches in the B1G is no small achievement this year. And these two wins put Illinois in the driver's seat for a playoff bid (though not yet a guarantee). Surprise...after today, they'll be tied for 5th with Purdue and either Minnesota or Ohio State. Pretty nice neighborhood, eh? But also their overall team defense improved significantly this week. Great blocking that slowed down and pretty much controlled Michigan's hitters (especially Mruzik). Surprisingly good back row play, with spectacular digs by Kuper on bombs by Jones and Pertofsky, and increasingly solid passing by Barnes, who is developing into a quality DS. Given how shaky the Illinois defense was early in the year, if this kind of defensive play continues, it's a real game-changer for the rest of the season and the playoffs. As for the hitters, yes, the left pins went soft (tips, rolls) too much this match, but Cooney hit .425, Collins .421 (adding 4 service aces!), and Swanson .750. And the long-awaited back row attacks by Terry have finally arrived. So I'd say that the glass is actually more than half full. Savor the victories. They're hard to come by in the B1G. |
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Post by oldmanvb on Oct 24, 2021 8:59:58 GMT -5
We should be thankful we won tonight. Nunge hit .000 & Terry hit .036 for the match. Those numbers are abysmal. We wont last in the tourney with numbers like that. I agree that back row defense was significantly improved, particularly against Michigan. Balls coming off soft blocks were returned and turned into offense. Didn’t see much of that earlier in the year. Watching the outside arm of the right side blocker get used repeatedly without adjustment was frustrating. Terry’s back row offense, while not producing a lot of kills, made life for the middles much easier. As to the poor hitting from the left side, for me it is impossible to tell from television whether the Michigan block forced so many rolls and tips. Nunge hit a lot of balls long where it did not look as though she was looking for high hands, particularly cross-court shots she was hitting against Northwestern. Hopefully she was just having a bad night. With the tips and rolls I kept shouting “just hit the *#@“* ball” as though if I shouted loud enough she could hear through the computer. No one listened when I was coaching either. |
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Post by ilalum92 on Oct 24, 2021 11:47:10 GMT -5
We should be thankful we won tonight. Nunge hit .000 & Terry hit .036 for the match. Those numbers are abysmal. We wont last in the tourney with numbers like that. I suppose that would be "the glass is half empty" view. Here's "the glass is half full" view. First, winning both weekly matches in the B1G is no small achievement this year. And these two wins put Illinois in the driver's seat for a playoff bid (though not yet a guarantee). Surprise...after today, they'll be tied for 5th with Purdue and either Minnesota or Ohio State. Pretty nice neighborhood, eh? But also their overall team defense improved significantly this week. Great blocking that slowed down and pretty much controlled Michigan's hitters (especially Mruzik). Surprisingly good back row play, with spectacular digs by Kuper on bombs by Jones and Pertofsky, and increasingly solid passing by Barnes, who is developing into a quality DS. Given how shaky the Illinois defense was early in the year, if this kind of defensive play continues, it's a real game-changer for the rest of the season and the playoffs. As for the hitters, yes, the left pins went soft (tips, rolls) too much this match, but Cooney hit .425, Collins .421 (adding 4 service aces!), and Swanson .750. And the long-awaited back row attacks by Terry have finally arrived. So I'd say that the glass is actually more than half full. Savor the victories. They're hard to come by in the B1G. Yes our defense and passing was much improved this match. But you have to look at the number if attempts/kills in those percentages. Swanson & Collins number was attacks was small compared to Nunge / Terry. They are our primary two attackers and will need to step it up. Making the tourney is one thing but we need to advance and make some noise to attract better recruits. |
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Post by oldmanvb on Oct 24, 2021 12:23:39 GMT -5
Also kudos to the coaching staff and blockers for running a triple block when the other team is out of system. I saw it against Northwestern, if they ran it previously I didn’t notice.
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