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SL Xpress

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Everything posted by SL Xpress

  1. Londot did the same thing against Nebraska. At her best she's the best right side hitter in the country, along with Stanford's Kipp. At her worst she's the opponent's most valuable player.
  2. This is my favorite day of volleyball. I think all of these matches have the capability of being compelling. The two going on right now had the best chance, in my opinion, but all of them have potential. But Oregon-Nebraska now at 27 all, is killing me. Hahahahahahahahaha! Take that "I'm going to run a 6-2" John Cook. Please blow this because of it.
  3. Deuce again. Now 26-25 Nebraska. Brutal.
  4. It's amazing to me how much transfers/portal have transformed college sports. Volleyball is no different. Ohio State is one of only two programs left in the tournament with no transfers on their roster, along with Stanford (Ohio State tried to bring in multiple highly rated outside hitters, including Madisen Skinner, but struck out on all of them). Minnesota has a number of transfers on their roster, but they don't make the same kind of impact they do on other teams in the sweet 16. Their secondary middles (freshman Carter Booth is their primary middle) Arica Davis and Naya Gros are about the only significant ones, and only one of them play in any particular rotation, since they play exactly the same position. But Marquette has both Anchante (Iowa Western CC) and Hamilton (Notre Dame). Nearly every other team remaining is counting on transfers to either be the star of their team in some regard, or at least made a huge contribution to their level of play.
  5. Some quick thoughts on Marquette. As far as quality of opponent, they're about the same level as Baylor. They don't have a particularly good block at 2 blocks per set, but Murray is decent defensively at 1.1 blocks per set. Not a huge fan of their floor defense or their passing (passing is specifically the first hit receiving a serve - digs are the first contact during rallies). Although they can be good in streaks. They do have a go to left pin in Audrey Hamilton, a transfer from Notre Dame who played in Gregory last year when the Domers cames to Austin. She plays 6 rotations. So does Reitsma, their other left pin, which means they don't use a DS for the left pin on any of the 6 rotations and always have a back row hitter. Serving isn't nearly as good as Georgia's, who were one of the best servers in the country. Or Baylor's for that matter. Their big strength is their setter, Yadhira Anchante, who I think could be the best setter in the country. Like Rice's Carli Graham, she doesn't get enough acclaim, but she brings a great block, she's really good on 2nd contact attacks, she's very good defensively, she's an outstanding server, but most importantly, her sets are butter, in or out of system. She's amazing, frankly. I'd take her over pretty much anyone in the country, including SKT, who I think is one of the best 6 or so servers in the country. In large part because of Anchante, they are incredibly balanced. They have arguably the most balanced attack in the country, with 4 attackers averaging between 2.1 and 2.6 kills per set, with Hamilton the one outlier as their go to attacker at 3.5. In system, the attack can easily come from middle, right, left, or back row. Or even from the setter herself, who averages a kill per set. The key - as usual in volleyball - will be who wins the serve/reception battle. Georgia was simply served out of the gym. It's not just about aces. It's about what that first contact looks like. If the first contact gets shanked even a little bit, it means the other team won't have an optimal attack, which gives the advantage to the serving team, when they are usually at a disadvantage. Same thing the other way. If Texas' first contact gets the ball to SKT within the 3 meter line, Texas is extremely terminal because of how much talent the Longhorns have. That said, Anchante is way better than SKT setting out of system. SKT is outstanding in system, but she's not as quick as other setters and frankly isn't as good when she has to move a lot to make her sets. I fully expect a 3 set sweep, but Marquette is a very capable team. Baylor challenged Texas considerably in the 3-1 win in Austin recently. That set score doesn't reflect the difficulties the Bears presented, as Texas had to come from behind in 2 of those sets really late. Honestly we're beyond the time to be proud. I'm okay with winning a 5th 20-18 if that's what it takes to get a win. Survive and advance. But I'd prefer a quick 3 set victory so that the players keep their confidence high and rest for what will be an extremely challenging regional final. I hope this is helpful in familiarizing you with the upcoming opponent. Apologies for not getting this out sooner.
  6. I'm not sure, but it appears you're suggesting that wasn't talked about at the time? It was a really big deal. No biggie you didn't hear about it, but it meant you weren't paying attention to pretty much any news source whatsoever. The story and interviews with him were plastered all over the place. By the way, I'm very glad Griner has been released. I sure wish Whelan had been, too. There was also an educator who was arrested shortly after Griner for stupidly taking in marijuana he had a medical prescription for. I don't know what his status is, but it can't be good.
  7. Am I supposed to factor in kenpom above all else? Is it an immutable number that once cast never changes? Texas can certainly improve over the course of the year. Arizona may not. But I like their pieces a little better right now. I'm going to enjoy this Texas team regardless. Like I said above, anything in the top 15 is fine with me. I could certainly see them in the top 10. Just don't see them as a top 5. I'll also say I think the Pac 12 is an easier path for whoever ends up dominating that conference than the Big 12. I just don't think we go about rooting for our team the same way. Nothing wrong with that, but you seem excited to take exception with the way I approach it. It will be fun having these continuing discussions with you over the course of the season. I hope you're not too disappointed, because I feel confident I won't be.
  8. I just watched the last 10 minutes of the Arizona - Cal game because I really like what Tommy Lloyd is doing out there. I forgot Devin Askew played for the Bears. Ramey and Askew gave each other an extended somewhat homoerotic hug at the end of it (it was not actually homoerotic - genuinely touching, actually, not that there's anything wrong with that). I have good memories of both of them last season, and more from Ramey. Cal still hasn't won a game, but Askew is obviously their best player averaging over 18ppg, 34mpg, on 39% shooting and 30% from 3. Ramey missed 3 games, but is averaging over 13ppg, 32mpg, and is hitting 46% of his shots including 50% from BTA. Arizona looks like a possible #1 seed to me. Although getting blasted by Utah by 15 points last week (I didn't see it) is a bit of a setback. The Wildcats won 81-68 in a game that wasn't that close. I wonder how much Gonzaga's issues are because of the departure of Lloyd.
  9. Help me out here. You found this site. Became outraged that Longhorn fans didn’t have the proper perspective on the game, and this is your way of educating us on how wrong we are. Is that about right?
  10. I’m not sure how appropriate it is to post this here, but I’ve figured out I don’t care. It won’t get enough exposure on the volleyball thread. Amazing article came out about Logan Eggleston on ESPN today. For those of you who aren’t all that familiar with the volleyball program, the best equivalency I can think of for her in popular Longhorn parlance is that she’s like the Cat Osterman of volleyball. That’s not even close to an apples to apples comparison but it’s the best I can come up with. The one way it is the same is that they’re both legends who haven’t won a national championship. Texas plays their next opponent in the Sweet Sixteen tomorrow around 1:30 (which honestly they’ll almost certainly win), then it’s 3 extraordinarily difficult matches to light the tower with a #1. I hope she pulls it off. Anyway, it’s a very nice article for a woman who represents Texas well: https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/35189651/ncaa-volleyball-tournament-texas-logan-eggleston-title
  11. Must read: https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/35189651/ncaa-volleyball-tournament-texas-logan-eggleston-title
  12. I think it's rough sometimes for those of us who dedicate enough man hours following Texas basketball that could be used to build a hydroelectric dam instead, to welcome more casual fans who are trying to check out what's going on with this team. As an explanation for who #30 is, his name is Brock Cunningham. He was recruited out of Austin Westlake by the previous coach, Shaka Smart. He wasn't a particularly highly rated recruit, although he was recruited by some strong programs, including Gonzaga. He's in his 4th year, but he's one of those players that it feels like he's been around much longer. He's listed at 6'6, so he's not actually all that tall for a basketball player, particularly the role he was playing last night, defending against 6'9 and 6'10 players, generally being the post defender for the most part during his time on the floor, since other players like Mitchell, Disu, and Bishop often weren't on the floor with him. Which is perplexing to me many of us, but beside the point. He's not particularly athletic. He's improved his shooting from the 3 point line, but he doesn't look for his shot enough to be a significant threat. Mostly he's a glue and hustle guy. He's on the floor (I mean that in the literal sense) more than anyone else. He's sneaky about grabbing offensive rebounds. He commits hard fouls. There seems to be a polarizing element on the board where some people love him, and some people wish he didn't see the floor nearly so much. He's pretty quirky, which people either find charming or off putting. I'm in the former category. He's graduated and is now earning a master's. I'm sure he'll be back for his Covid year next season, so you'll have plenty of time to root for him.
  13. We're all important, Herpa Derpa. Each and every one of us. Don't let any personal insults I throw your way make you think any differently.
  14. I don't remember any fans identifying that as a potential issue before the season. Maybe you can recall someone.
  15. This guy is not a Texas fan. He's a really good participant on this board, but his favorite team is Texas Tech, so he's even more familiar with TJ Shannon than the rest of us are. Frankly, more familiar with Beard in a lot of ways, too.
  16. Fan bases crying about officiating is as reliable as the sun coming up in the morning. If I'm an Illini fan I'm excited about the win and how the team fought through adversity to come up clutch to tie the game then dominated in overtime. The team can play better so there's lots of upside. Good to see Mayer come alive finally. Dainja played great. Coleman is a terrific player. Melendez came up strong with the defensive block at the end. Shannon showed up just in time to carry the team to victory. Having so many new players and jelling this well this quickly is fantastic. But I'm not an Illini fan, so this game sucks. I do believe they'll get better for it, but I wish they hadn't choked it away in regulation.
  17. I don't know what is meant by great, or why people would get worked up about this team not being great without understanding what is meant by it. They were talented enough to win this game. I feel like this was a choke job. I don't know another way to put it. I'm okay with that, because it's not that important to me in the grand scheme of things, but they had the tools and strategy to win this game, and the execution was terrific up to the 9:30 minute mark. After that not nearly as good, but good enough to win. Then there was the shitting of the bed in the last minute, including 2 missed front ends of one and ones and another 2 misses at the free throw line. Also Carr playing hero ball instead of looking for teammates, which he's done a decent job of previously. I don't see this team being a top 5 team. Maybe later in the season? But I don't really see that either. I want them to be a top 15 team and top 3 in the conference, and that all seems very doable. This team with a top 4 seed can make it to the Sweet Sixteen, all of which means a very successful season to me. More than that, really, because the style they're playing with is what you need to have to recruit at the highest level, and I had absolutely no belief Beard would change enough to do that. Send a couple of guys to the NBA, plus the NIL, and now you're cooking with gas. But holy heck, what are we doing with our post defense? Is Brock Cunningham really going to be our primary post defender? Really? I love Brock Cunningham and all, but c'mon.
  18. There were reports he injured himself during practice prior to the game against Creighton. That's the reason he wasn't available to close out the game. I will be honest. Sometimes I feel like stuff gets said to make things nicer for the media. I'm not saying that's the case here, but I'm also saying this program isn't above that. Regardless, there's weirdness going on with Disu. I wish there wasn't, but it's obvious there is.
  19. Well, there is that deal about him being bad in one possession games. Maybe he's just bad in one possession games. I don't care long term, but this likely loss is going to bother me for sure.
  20. It's not the venue. It's the team. Texas makes floors slippery. (I do not believe Texas makes floors slippery)
  21. Just getting dominated at this point in the half court. I wonder how much of it is the unusual combination of players on the floor? This is not the half court defense I'm accustomed to.
  22. Mitchell, Disu, Bishop aren't even seeing the floor. I know there's a reason for it, but it's perplexing to me as a fan.
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