Kansas @ #3 Pitt | Sweet 16 | Thu Dec 9 12pm CT

[sclawman]

Pitt's my pick to win it all, but they are capable of some bad stretches. A 3-1 victory wouldn't surprise me.

[kcvbnut]

Dec 5, 2021 23:14:38 GMT -5 friendlybanter said:

Not many people are giving Kansas a chance, as a fan, i’ll be surprised if they win. But they surprised me against Oregon and Creighton too lol. The underclassmen have starred for Kansas as Bien, Turner, and Crawford have led the way. However, the senior vets have kept them steady. Langs, Mosser, and Farris have been steady as ever. Even at RS (Davis and Szabo) and DS (Schultz and Angello) you’ve seen young players get opportunities and vets coming in and taking the load off when the moment gets too big.

But they’re going up against a Pitt team that has veterans in every single spot. Fairbanks is young, but the rest of this Pitt team is battle tested. I hope this Kansas team comes out and plays free because no one expects them to be here. This whole game will be about momentum. If Pitt comes out early and win the first set by 5+ points, Kansas will have no chance. However, If Kansas comes out and throws the first punch, things will get real interesting. Pitt is supposed to win this won at home, ton of seniors, “easy” draw. The longer Kansas is in the match, the more doubt will creep into Pitt’s minds.

I think Kansas finally has momentum again as a program. There’s been times in the past years where everything was a bit murky for Kansas. Some people think, that last weekend was just a fluke, but its been building. Remember, Turner started the year as Kansas’ THIRD setter. She didn’t become the full time setter until November. Kansas then had those TWO WEEKS off and they haven’t lost since. I don’t think that’s coincidence.

This game will come down to how well Kansas passes. Oregon and Creighton both relied heavily on one hitter. Nuneviller and Sis both had by far the most attempts on their teams. With Pitt, the attacks are coming from all over Lund, LMM, Gray, Ndee, each one could have a big game and it wouldn’t surprise. Kansas’ defense will have to be sharp. I can’t wait until Thursday because im excited to see them compete.

I agree with every word you said!

[eotexas5]

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of KU doing their 6-2 as it's clear Turner has much better hands and is more athletic than the other setter. With that being said, they have Bien and Turner, two freshman, playing major roles for the Jayhawks. It all boils down to which Kansas team shows up. If the team that played Texas on night one shows up, Pitt is going to have to work to pull this one out.

With the question re: Lund, can she go the distance? A date with (most likely) Purdue looms in the next round. Should be interesting!

[PAPittFan]

As a long time fan of all Pitt sports, I never expect anything to be easy, especially when it might be expected. I'll be shocked if it only goes 3. sets. And I wish it wasn't at such a weird time of the day. Hopefully some students can get there to watch or it could be eerily quiet.

[bluepenquin]

Win or lose - getting this far is a great springboard for Kansas in the next several years.

Keys for Kansas beating Pittsburgh:

1) Serve receive. Kansas isn't real good at this - they need to be at least decent to have a chance.
2) Scrappy defense. Kansas needs to extend points and win long points.
3) Block. They can be very good at blocking, will need to outscore Pitt blocking.
4) Terminate. KU doesn't terminate very well. They will need to at least be 'average' at terminating.
5) Bien and/or Crawford have to be better than just good.
6) Pittsburgh needs to be off (at least for a couple sets).

[gibbyb1]

Dec 6, 2021 17:13:30 GMT -5 bluepenquin said:

Win or lose - getting this far is a great springboard for Kansas in the next several years.

Keys for Kansas beating Pittsburgh:

1) Serve receive. Kansas isn't real good at this - they need to be at least decent to have a chance.
2) Scrappy defense. Kansas needs to extend points and win long points.
3) Block. They can be very good at blocking, will need to outscore Pitt blocking.
4) Terminate. KU doesn't terminate very well. They will need to at least be 'average' at terminating.
5) Bien and/or Crawford have to be better than just good.
6) Pittsburgh needs to be off (at least for a couple sets).

Kinda the keys for any team in any match

[basil]

ESPN+ link and match times updated in OP. I'll wait to add the statsbroadcast link once its available bc nobody likes the NCAA stats.

[vbjustice]

Dec 5, 2021 13:18:06 GMT -5 odinaka said:

I will be at the Fieldhouse for this one.

With Lund back doing Lund things Pitt confidence is at an all time high.

I think Pitt takes this in 3

confidence at an all time high? Noooo. Can’t wait to see the ugly stare downs with the stank faces and poo poo talking from the net.

[basil]

this was on page 4, bump

[vbcoltrane]

"mini-reverse sweep lite."

Ha.

[n00b]

From BetUS:

Pittsburgh -550
Kansas +325

o/u 170.5

[maplespear]

I'm late to the party, why hasn't this match started ?

[basil]

Dec 9, 2021 13:27:15 GMT -5 maplespear said:

I'm late to the party, why hasn't this match started ?

because the travesty BYU-Purdue took way too long...should be starting around 10:45/11ish Pacific time I'd imagine

[volleyboy12]

Dec 9, 2021 13:27:15 GMT -5 maplespear said:

I'm late to the party, why hasn't this match started ?

Purdue/BYU went five and finished at 18-16 about ten minutes ago.

[maplespear]

Dec 9, 2021 13:29:14 GMT -5 basil said:

Dec 9, 2021 13:27:15 GMT -5 maplespear said:

I'm late to the party, why hasn't this match started ?

because the travesty BYU-Purdue took way too long...should be starting around 10:45/11ish Pacific time I'd imagine

I thought they were playing somewhere else, my bad .. thank you.