Talking Turtle Says…
Once again we are down to the Field of 64 and never without controversy. We have truly seen it all in this crazy and wacky season of major upsets, coaches being fired and/or leaving, players committing felonies, injuries, and downright choking! In true fashion while trying to complete a season of drama and lackluster volleyball, the Selection Committee did not disappoint, as they once again got it WRONG. But as with all theatrics and sports, the show must go on. Let’s dive in to analyze the Field of 64, whom we hope can close out the season with some tough competitive volleyball.
The biggest shock of all in many opinions was pushing the #1 team in the country into the overall 7th seeded slot. What in the world were ya thinking Selection Committee? Over the past few weeks USC has been one of, IF not the most consistent teams in the country, having worked their way back up to the top spot. You reward them by sending them to the Hawaii Region, where there are five other ranked teams. :-! AHHH! What world do you live in? Have you been watching any ball this season, because it surely doesn’t seem like ya have. What I like at the moment is how other coaches are questioning your motives and reasons as well. Clearly something is not right here. I say this to USC however – you betta work! I hope you go in with a huge chip on your shoulder and take it to every last team in that region, thus setting up the ultimate showdown with the #2 team (in the country) and second overall seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers.
This means USC will need to go through Tulsa or Oklahoma, Oregon or Colorado State, Hawaii (sorry Northern Colorado), Pepperdine or California. Let’s talk about these teams. Tulsa obviously has some firepower in Outside Hitter Tyler Henderson, and Oklahoma is no slouch either. An All-Star Senior Setter and a balanced attack are on Oklahoma’s side. I am going to pick Oklahoma to meet USC in the second round, as they attain a bit more offense than Tulsa. The Oregon Ducks…man o’ man! You talk about one of the fastest offenses I have seen in a few years; this team can definitely be the giant slayer…IF they want to. Where they will get into trouble is transition game. It tends to be too quick at times, thus trapping hitters not supplying enough time for them to transition, and (at times) too much flash from Plum. Oregon is that kid next door that you want to play with but you’re just not so sure. They can be cool, but at times just make you want to scratch your head. They have heat in the Middle, the Right Side, the Outside, and a fantastic Setter in Plum. If the hitters can quicken up their approaches to meet that fast paced ball Plum sets, Oregon can make a serious deep run. Hawaii? Sigh. Truly feeling for Danielson, but sorry sweetie, it’s not going to happen this year either.
I am picking Oregon to meet with Pac 12 foe USC Trojans in the Regional Semis.
On the other side, if all goes to plan (depending upon whose plan) 15th seeded Pepperdine Waves should certainly get their chance against the California Golden Bears. Cal has reached the Final 16 or better since 2006 and could certainly do it again this year. Last year they completely choked (once again) versus Penn State, yet this time in the NCAA Final. However, don’t count the Waves out just yet. Led by a few of outstanding seniors in Robinson, Frederick, and Hill, and playing on their turf could find them pushing Cal. This one for me is a toss-up, as I have witnessed what both teams have to offer, and they are pretty even. Cal poses one of the best blocks in the country, as well as one of the best players in Murrey. While Pepperdine has a great deal of size up front, and solid back row defense. I am going to say Cal’s experience will come through this one in a bit of a tough battle (more mental than anything).
Unfortunately, the road stops there, as they will then face #2 Nebraska, who will certainly be ready to put an end to their season. Nebraska…oh Cornhuskers. Although they can be incredibly confusing and sketchy at times, having suffered a loss in their final regular season match, I certainly see them getting to the Regional Final with no trouble. This will put two of the biggest teams in the country up against one another, and certainly should be entertaining (at least it is on paper). Nebraska has a pretty balanced attack in both Outside Hitters – Werth and Mancuso, Rightside Hitter Broekhuis, experience in Delano, a solid libero in freshman Dykstra, and of course the incredible Lauren Cook (Setter). Speaking of the coach’s daughter. I know it was a few weeks ago, but I am going to bring it up anyway. Does anyone besides me see an issue with an athlete playing a sport having several speeding tickets, a suspended license, and has now hit someone? Oh ya, AND fled the scene. I mentioned in my last piece that it would be interesting to see just how much clout John Cook has, and boy was I right on the money with that one. Only serving a two-game suspension, Lauren clearly is back on the court and focused on getting her team to the finals. If this were any other ‘regular’ person, we all know things would be much different! “I’m just sayin.” 😉
USC will be led by three seniors who would love to cap off pretty great careers down in LA. Bateman, Williams, and Jupiter can certainly see themselves back in the Final Four this season, after a couple of debacles. Early on being up 2-0 against Penn State, a random loss to UCF, beaten by cross town rival UCLA, and a 12-match win streak snapped against Stanford all proved to put them back on track! USC has steadily risen up the ranks finding themselves back in the top spot. Preseason folks picked them to win it all (with Falyn Fonoimoana). So will this come true? Leave it to Nebraska – nope! USC can be hot when they are on. If others step up offensively, Hagglund controls the back row, and the talented Cornhuskers show up, look for this to be a serious battle. It will also be a huge chess match on the side lines with both storied coaches. My pick (of course you’d ask)?
I am going with USC!
Now let’s look to the easiest Regional.
Sort of a toss-up between the Gainesville and Minneapolis Regionals, but for argument sake lets go with Minneapolis. Top seeds Iowa State (4) and Purdue (5) should certainly find themselves squaring off in the Regional Finals. Nothing against the others – well yes there is, but they will not be able to contend with the firepower, athleticism, and leadership of these two squads. Lurking in this half however are two teams that can create a fuss when they want to as well – Washington Huskies and Minnesota Golden Gophers. Both have displayed some mental toughness over the season, but not consistent enough. I think Purdue has one of the easiest routes to the Final Four. When is the last time they’ve seen the post season this deeply by the way? Minnesota has some real solid players and good defense, but it will not be enough. One of their biggest problems is the lackluster attitude of their coach sitting on the bench. “Attitude reflects leadership.” Has she already checked out, seeing her status will clearly change next year? Jim McLaughlin has a very young team…talented team, but it’s not their time. Maybe next year, you should schedule a better preseason buddy. Prairie View – really? I think a safe bet is on Purdue and ISU in this one.
Easy! I foresee Purdue being one of the last four standing.
Let’s look at the Gainesville Region. Oh Mary Wise…you poor thing. Like the comments though about the Selection Committee; way to not hold back! Third seeded Illinois has to go through the likes of Western Kentucky or Marquette (ehh!), Ohio State, or Tennessee to reach their second consecutive Regional Semis. This can be done. Starting out a very hot team, having gone undefeated for almost the first half of the season was no easy feat. But they faltered, and bit it pretty hard. Can they regroup, refocus, and get more production out of their Middle and Right Side attacks? I think they proved one thing is for sure – it cannot be the Bartsch and Ward show! Transferring from Florida has proved to be a great move for Colleen Ward, but can she capitalize now that she is with a winning team (more so than Florida and in a tougher conference)? Tennessee Lady Vols are nothing to sleep on! As mentioned, not in the toughest conference, but they have certainly made a name for themselves this season. Conference Player of the Year Kelsey Robinson definitely has a hot hand, but can others follow?
A tough match for sure…maybe even 5 sets, but I am going to go with my gut and say Illinois and that handsome coach of theirs will have the Regional Finals on lock.
In the bottom half of the Gainesville Regional, the ONLY two seeded teams are Northern Iowa (6) and Stanford (11). Huh? What in the same…O:-)? Can someone explain this to me please as if I were a five year old! UNI to me poses as 2009 season’s 3rd seeded Florida State team, who were crushed in the Final Four. Can they actually see a NCAA Semi? HA! You can forget it sistas. They will face either a hot Florida Gator team or an OK Missouri team. I am going to go out on a ledge (yeah right) and say that Florida will meet UNI and show them what it’s all about – a balanced attack, an even greater experienced coach/team, and the all mighty Kelly Murphy. Murphy in my opinion should certainly have a chip on her shoulder having lost the SEC Title and Conference Player of the Year award thus her senior season. One of the best we’ve had in the game to…do nothing! (Hmm maybe you should’ve gone to Texas or Stanford after all. Sigh – can you imagine?) I see Florida reaching the Regional Semis against foe Stanford Cardinal. Oh those pesky trees.
What are the Stanford Cardinal really capable of this season? They have seen some major highs and some incredible lows this season. However, were the Cardinal faithful really expecting much from this incredibly young team? It is clearly the Williams and Wopat show. But…IF others can step up as they have in spurts this season I can see them against Illinois in the Regional Final, yet losing it again (like last year). Passing and defense is not their issue; getting more production, a tiny bit smarter coaching, and STOP with the service errors >:O. If they get those things clicking at the same time…ok, I see you Stanford! But again, although a fan…
I must go with Illinois.
Lastly top seeded Texas. My little (or BIG) engine that couldn’t. Three straight Final Fours. A title match. One of the greatest matches of all time (2009) with some of the greatest players of all time. Received the top seed this year. Wow! Was it well deserved? They certainly played some tough competition this season, won their conference, and have seen the emergence of former #1 high school player and recently named Big 12 Player of the Year, Bailey Webster. Just how deep can they go into the tournament? As usual standing in their way is Four-Time Defending Champions, Penn State. But just how much of a battle are we looking at in the near future? Both teams have a pretty easy ride to the Regional Finals, although UCLA is in there as well. Sealy has done a very admiral job, but it’s not quite their turn either. I predict (as with most) that we will see another Texas vs. Penn State show down. Texas was the team flying under the radar until freshman phenom Khat Ball was injured. This was a huge blow to them, as they were just starting to click and figure things out for themselves, especially with the return of McNeal. Battle of dueling coaches, former PSU Asst. Coach Salima (can you get the setting under control honey?), and athleticism that is probably the absolute best in the country. Will this be Texas’ time to return to another Final Four? Can anyone actually STOP Penn State in the postseason? Or will those darn Nittany Lions see an unprecedented five straight National Titles? With all of their issues on campus…HA – Get real lady! These two teams are evenly matched for sure; however, I will step out and say its Longhorns time baby. Others are starting to step up at the right time. Passing has steadied out a bit, and McNeal has certainly reminded us just how much we’ve missed her.
Look for Texas to come out guns a’ blazin!
So what does all of this mean?
Answer: Thank goodness this crappy season is almost over! Bring on some real big guns (next season). But as I said the show must go on, and we have a couple more weeks to get through. My Final Four Picks you ask (ok maybe you asked).
Texas vs. Purdue
Illinois vs. USC
Winner: stay tuned with Talking Turtle
Side Dish: Click HERE for more tournament info.
Disclaimer: The views and/or opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Volleywood.Net