Elite 8 - Louisville Regional | Sat 12/10 | 4pm ET | ESPNU

[trojansc]

Dec 10, 2022 18:54:08 GMT -5 austintatious said:

HCA is earned

In the case of San Diego vs. Stanford, the difference of that regional very easily could have been BYU/USC flip-flopping at the #25 / #26 in RPI line. The committee chair listed a reason of Top-25 wins and how USD only had 2, and how Stanford had more than San Diego. But if you flip those two, San Diego takes the advantage.

It's so trivial, but beyond that, when things are close, it sucks to give such a huge advantage to one team over another when people could look at both teams and come up with different seeds.

[austintatious]

Dec 10, 2022 18:52:01 GMT -5 volleyaudience said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:45:24 GMT -5 trojansc said:

I prefer neutral sites in general. So, if I had the choice, yes, I'd put them at neutral sites. Is that the better practical or financial move? No, but, it's just my preference.

If they want to do the opening round matches (when teams have byes) at higher seeded teams, that's fine with me.

I've gotten to that point also. Round of 16 and round of 8, neutral site. You're the top seeds, you don't need home court.

Then what have you earned as a 1st seed? Neutral site all teams are equally se3ded.like the world series, you play for that. HCA. Yoy earned that advantage.
When it was neutral several years ago, boring, less exciting matches and lost scads of $$$.

[trojansc]

Dec 10, 2022 18:57:01 GMT -5 n00b said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:45:24 GMT -5 trojansc said:

I prefer neutral sites in general. So, if I had the choice, yes, I'd put them at neutral sites. Is that the better practical or financial move? No, but, it's just my preference.

If they want to do the opening round matches (when teams have byes) at higher seeded teams, that's fine with me.

I just think playing in loud, packed arenas is so much better in every way. It's a better experience for the athletes. It's a better experience for the fans. It makes for a better TV product. You're growing the game by getting more people excited.

If I were the NCAA Volleyball Tournament Czar, every match before the Final Four would be a home game. Allow travel days, but higher seeds always hosts instead of having pods.

I understand that argument. If we had NFL playoffs at neutral sites - they would still be sellouts no matter what, right?

So, if we could guarantee packed arenas for volleyball no matter what, would you be in favor of neutral sites or still want higher seed hosting?

One of the highest level regional final matches I saw was USC-Stanford in Dayton, Ohio. I loved it. I didn't care as much about the atmosphere versus the level of volleyball. USC probably doesn't win at Maples.

[trojansc]

Dec 10, 2022 19:03:11 GMT -5 austintatious said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:52:01 GMT -5 volleyaudience said:

I've gotten to that point also. Round of 16 and round of 8, neutral site. You're the top seeds, you don't need home court.

Then what have you earned as a 1st seed? Neutral site all teams are equally se3ded.like the world series, you play for that. HCA. Yoy earned that advantage.
When it was neural several tears ago, biring, less exciting matches and list scads of $$$.

Again, earned is subjective in this sport. This isn't a division format where seeds are guaranteed with specific tie-breakers. The humans select the seeds. I think they've mostly gotten it right, but, let's not act like we have a perfect system with RPI.

Also... are you drunk or is your keyboard/phone broken? Your posts are getting increasingly difficult to read.

[n00b]

Dec 10, 2022 18:58:27 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:54:08 GMT -5 austintatious said:

HCA is earned

In the case of San Diego vs. Stanford, the difference of that regional very easily could have been BYU/USC flip-flopping at the #25 / #26 in RPI line. The committee chair listed a reason of Top-25 wins and how USD only had 2, and how Stanford had more than San Diego. But if you flip those two, San Diego takes the advantage.

It's so trivial, but beyond that, when things are close, it sucks to give such a huge advantage to one team over another when people could look at both teams and come up with different seeds.

Totally agree. But here are two scenarios that I would find worse:

1) San Diego hosting because they were awarded a big before the season started

2) Playing in front of 1,500 people in Ames, IA.

[beachvolleyball23]

Is ESPN cutting out every 2 points for anyone else? Its becoming impossible to watch

[volleynerd]

even though I am heartbroken for Brooke, it feels less painful that they lost to Louisville, and they get shot at redemption after falling just short last season..... Wisconsin rematch on the way maybe???

[n00b]

Dec 10, 2022 19:04:22 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:57:01 GMT -5 n00b said:

I just think playing in loud, packed arenas is so much better in every way. It's a better experience for the athletes. It's a better experience for the fans. It makes for a better TV product. You're growing the game by getting more people excited.

If I were the NCAA Volleyball Tournament Czar, every match before the Final Four would be a home game. Allow travel days, but higher seeds always hosts instead of having pods.

I understand that argument. If we had NFL playoffs at neutral sites - they would still be sellouts no matter what, right?

So, if we could guarantee packed arenas for volleyball no matter what, would you be in favor of neutral sites or still want higher seed hosting?

One of the highest level regional final matches I saw was USC-Stanford in Dayton, Ohio. I loved it. I didn't care as much about the atmosphere versus the level of volleyball. USC probably doesn't win at Maples.

Yes. If we filled arenas like NCAA basketball, I'd want to copy that exactly. But the atmosphere is awesome because the arena is sold out.

[bigfan]

Dec 10, 2022 18:55:03 GMT -5 trojansc said:

I'm so sad for Brooke.

But at the same time I'm so happy for Lazaro. Seriously. Lazaro is one of the best teammates ever. I'm jealous because I could never have the infectious positive energy she has. She also has some erratic mistakes/moments but always bounces right back.

I will miss watching Brooke play USC and UCLA in person. She reminds me of Rafa Nadal...........she plays with such great joy and competes on every point like it is her last.

[vbcoltrane]

Dang, I could only follow scores. After that massive third set and getting to 23-21 I figured Oregon would pull it out. Kudos to both teams. Bummed that the 5th set sucked in terms of competitiveness. I hate that.

[raian13]

Holy can’t believe Louisville survived!!!

[ted_heise]

Any hints on the recording? I’ve tried ESPN+ on demand and my YouTube TV recording of the ESPN broadcast, and both end at about 18s in the 4th set. What in the world?

[ilikecorn]

Dec 10, 2022 20:07:14 GMT -5 ted_heise said:

Any hints on the recording? I’ve tried ESPN+ on demand and my YouTube TV recording of the ESPN broadcast, and both end at about 18s in the 4th set. What in the world?

Official replay links

ESPNU www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/9e03e08c-3f86-4056-921c-73f36e1f69c9

ESPN+ www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/9b92cc38-1086-4814-bd0a-bbc08e0768dd

both have the whole match for me but ymmv

[austintatious]

Dec 10, 2022 18:52:01 GMT -5 volleyaudience said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:45:24 GMT -5 trojansc said:

I prefer neutral sites in general. So, if I had the choice, yes, I'd put them at neutral sites. Is that the better practical or financial move? No, but, it's just my preference.

If they want to do the opening round matches (when teams have byes) at higher seeded teams, that's fine with me.

I've gotten to that point also. Round of 16 and round of 8, neutral site. You're the top seeds, you don't need home court.

Then what have you earned as a 1st seed? Neutral site all teams are equally se3ded.like the world series, you play for that. HCA. Yoy earned that advantage.
When it was neural several tears ago, biring, less exciting matches and list scads of $$$.

[c4ndlelight]

Dec 10, 2022 20:58:46 GMT -5 austintatious said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:52:01 GMT -5 volleyaudience said:

I've gotten to that point also. Round of 16 and round of 8, neutral site. You're the top seeds, you don't need home court.

Then what have you earned as a 1st seed? Neutral site all teams are equally se3ded.like the world series, you play for that. HCA. Yoy earned that advantage.
When it was neural several tears ago, biring, less exciting matches and list scads of $$$.

You earn your draw (not having to play another 1st seed to get to the final four, easier S16 matchup).