The 2010 NCAA Playoffs!

If you’re an NCAA Volleyball Fan, then you might want to READ what the Talking Turtle thinks about the 2010 NCAA Playoffs…

All right VB fans, its that time of year once again. Hard spikes, incredible digs, and controversy from the Volleyball Committee! As always sports are not that exciting without bumps and bruises, upsets, and some drama. True to form, we are now ready to go with all of the above. So, without further ado, lets break it down only as we do so well.

Before I begin, let me also start by disclaiming. What would qualify me to make these ever so lovely comments, exclamations, and predictions about volleyball? My experience/resume you may ask – sure. Lets see in a nutshell: over 15 years being around the sport, 2x National Runner-Up in college, 2x All-American, nearly going pro (before darn injury), student of the sport, coaching…blah blah blah. Needless to say, I know vb like the back of my hand (is that a spot there?); completely second nature to me. I will say that I will NEVER lead you astray!

Back to the issue at hand. Where shall we start – working our way up from the bottom? Hmm I like it on top! Florida as the #1 seed. Well deserved or is this earned because of other teams’ tougher schedules? I have seen the Gators play quite a bit this season. Like always Mary Wise has assembled a fairly strong team. I mean they did beat those Cornbots – I mean Cornhuskers. There were indeed ranked teams in the SEC besides Florida…ok maybe two or three. This team will go as far as Miss Murphy can and will take them. She has an incredible vb IQ, and does know how to win. Now the rest of the team, role players if you will, certainly have to follow suit. To get out of rounds 1-2 they will need to get past who? Right…Florida State who we all remember was HIGHLY overrated a year ago. Middle Tennessee had a nice run a couple of years ago, but…sorry, easy wins for the Gators. Louisville had a nice season thus far, but the bus stops here. We already know what they have done to Kentucky this year, so this leaves Purdue. Shondell has his team ready to go, especially after beating the Fighting Illini this past weekend. So who will pose a threat for Mary Wise and Florida? Looking ahead to the Regionals of course, I would have to say that either Texas or UCLA will meet them. Are they Final Four worthy? Yes. My educated guess is that Florida could very well be in the “show me” state come Dec. 16th.

Onto the #2 seed Nebraska. Oh faithful read Cornhuskers. You got a little shafted this time around, and honestly, kind of about time! Cook doesnt like to leave home; he likes to protect his girls. Well, its now time to step up or shut up! This has to be the toughest Region this time around. Did the committee get this one right? NO! Nebraska is good – dont get me wrong, but I could certainly see them being beaten. Once again rounds one and two are easy. No major test there, however, round three could pit them against the likes of Hawaii, Washington, and/or Michigan. You talk about being jacked! All four teams can beat anyone on any given night, but then again, thats the best part about sports. Michigan will have to be completely ON to get out of their first round match up against UW. Their passing will have to be nails, and the ball must go to more than just Hunt. This is a different team that made a great run last year out at Maples. If UW wants to win and move onto the second round, they will have to be consistent. Houston we have a problem? That seems to be one of their downfalls all season long. Can the freshman OH step up? Good ole’ Hawaii fans…your Bows certainly shot themselves in the foot this year. In ’09 they certainly had something to gripe about, but its a different tune this year! Losing to Utah State…well, enough said! Hopefully they will be fired up to make a run and prove themselves, because this regional will be a dog fight. Back to the Cornbots. Fine, the Cornhuskers. You’re good; I will give you that, but certainly beatable! Unfortunately, the way the year has gone, several teams have been lucky moving up in the ranks. If Nebraska can also remain consistent, fire from pin to pin, and block some balls, they could surely find themselves in the Regionals. Against whom you might ask? Well there is our next victim.

So Cal…did you really have to screw up and lose to an unranked team? Completely taking nothing away from ASU, because they outplayed you. What a historic and amazing season you’ve been having thus far. Ok, so you lost to USC – not terribly bad. You roll over an uninspiring and uninterested Cardinal team. This looks to be your year! Then turkey weekend comes around (potential Pac-10 conference title), and your stomachs and eyes get big. So as a result of that loss, and the complete dismantile of Hawaii in their conference finals, you are now faced with Utah State. “Interesting!” I saw them play against Hawaii (also looking exhausted and uninspired), and this team is fired up and ready to play whomever. Believing is half the battle, and these girls believe it and are still on a high. They block well, run a bit of a quicker tempo, and have solid defense in the backrow. I think this could be a fun one to watch. You are however at home Cal, so use that to your avantage. Lets say you get through, my bet is that you are headed to Seattle to face an incredible Minnesota Golden Gophers. This creates so many interesting match-ups. Both teams are fairly solid on the outsides, quick middles, and very good defense. I think this match will come down to which setter will out smart the other. Minnesota clearly is coming off their BEST win ever (maybe minus the USC beating in ’04), and are playing some motivated ball in the month of November. Can Cal get past this great defensive Gopher squad? Which team will remain consistent in these areas: setting, passing, backrow D? Can Minnesota be efficient in their offense? I am a fan of Minnesota. A great fighting spirit can take you a very long way! But, I have to go with the Bay Area on this one – Cal is too determined, too efficient (generally), and I do believe they have the Nittany Lions on their minds.

Back to the top four seeds – #3 Stanford Cardinal. What can I say about the highly touted, much expected from, incredibly talented team from Palo Alto? I am a fan – a huge fan actually. In fact, I have grown up around the school, their sports, and loved their program since I was 11 years old. I know them oh so well. Its been a long time since I have seen Stanford produce some of the most lazy, non-motivated, and purely dumb volleyball (against Cal). Yes, there are some growing pains with the freshman. However, I distinctly remember hearing some comments made by a certain upperclassman about the seniors doing whatever it took to get back to the Final Four. Hmmm…so were you tired? Working too hard this season? Maybe a break would be good – take a day off to rejuventate the spirits – nothing wrong with that! Does Stanford deserve a #3 seed? YES. Although some miss cues over the past couple of weeks. Some lackluster ball, and not so smart errors, Stanford is a phenomenal team. Looking at their path they clearly should meet up with Dayton. I watched Dayton’s conference title match; impressive, however nothing major to hurt the Card. Dayton will be at home, and Stanford must be focused and fired up enough to overcome the Dayton fans. This could also be deemed a slightly tough Regional. It also includes San Diego, who has some firepower, and had a great season. Long beach State…ehh! Good defense, great setter, but a 5-7 OH. Don’t get me wrong, seen her – all right Miss Angie Pressy’s cousin (just kidding); the girl can get up, and plays some incredible defense. But, SD will be too much for them in round one. They will then run into a loaded USC Trojans squad. Man o’ man – you talk about a sleeper. This is my pick for a sleeper team. When this team catches fire – LOOK OUT! Their matches against Cal…wow!

If USC can produce that type of play, Stanford could be in a little trouble. (Yes, I was there when Stanford beat them.) USC has two of the best outside hitter combos in the country in a junior and a freshman. But they are also riddled with inconsistencies, lack of focus, and some bad passing. So whats my prediction out of this regional? I see a rematch from season matches with USC and Stanford. USC will want redemption, and Stanford’s seniors will want to get back to the Final Four/chance at a title. (Remember if Stanford does not win the title, this could also be the second best class in a row to go through Stanford without winning it all!) If they can make great defensive plays, NOT completely rely on Alix the entire time, better setting choices, and show some passion throughout the match, I see the Stanford Cardinal booking tickets to KCMO.

Lastly, lets touch on the committee’s favorite team and loved by all (not), the Penn State Nittany Lions. Can we get off the bandwagon please? Do they deserve a #4 seed, after losing this weekend? Do teams realize that you should NEVER lose right before the selection committee makes their decisions? Hello – duh! I am not sure I have ever seen a team lose, and then get a high seed to go along with a ‘cake walk’ schedule. I have seen this team also play a lot this season. Ehh. Impressed with the freshman for obvious reasons. They are growing day by day. I am quite sure they want to keep the streak alive by collecting a fourth title, however, not so fast Penn State. I have seen them lose twice this year – in person against Stanford (hahahaha), and again this past weekend vs. Minnesota. They should have wrapped up that match in three. Agreed with most vtalkers – passing broke down, bad setting, etc. However, at this point in the season things like that should NOT be happening.  This is when you should be playing your best ball going into the tournament. Heck – ask Minnesota! Not the greatest ball, but clearly spirited, focused, and determined. Are they relying too much on the freshman OHs? Hmm maybe. Can they honestly return the Final Four? In their bracket lies other ranked teams of course. But these are teams lacking major weapons to affect PSU. Although there could be some folks upset before the Regionals. I could see UNI losing earlier than a #5 seed should – maybe to either a consistent Arizona or a stubborn Northwestern. That particular match could be a knock down drag out fight! Go ‘Cats (ha! which one?). Mizzu could also give UNI some trouble. They have a couple of hitters that can do some damage. But my pick is UNI. LSU would be the first seed up against Penn State. They are quick, solid defense, but somewhat young. Personally, I would love NOT to see them (PSU) back in the Final Four. However, maybe eating icing on the way, the Nittany Lions will breeze through to reach their fourth consecutive NCAA Semifinals.

After all is said and done what does this analysis tell us? Hmmm: #1. I might have too much time on my hands #2. Penn State will continue receiving lots of love from the NCAA Committee #3. Finally for once Nebraska has a tough road 34. Hawaii will once again have to work their butts off to get to the Final Four and #5. The final teams left standing in Kansas City Missouri will be Florida vs. Penn State (rematch) and Cal vs. Stanford (another rematch), only to see Penn State up against Cal once again as well. (This is not exactly what I would want to see happen, however.)

Sleepers – there are always Cinderella stories, and we love a good under dog. My pick this year is definitely USC. If they can get everyone on the same page, and fire from all cylinders – both middles, their incredible outsides, and their great lib can anchor their defense, they could make a very long run. A team that could also make some noise is the Texas Longhorns. Although injury ridden all season, they are now clicking and getting things done behind Senior All-American Julianne Faucette. Kocher returned to the line up, and my how things have changed. On an incredible 15 match win streak, they could certainly be dangerous! I could see another Florida vs Texas rematch, yet this time on the Longhorns’ home floor which will be tough for the Gators. Does this mean, IF these two get through, we could have one of the best battles on hand? I think we could be in for a classic!

We are just four days away from this year’s NCAA Tournament. Some very interesting things could happen. More to come with Talking Turtle!

(images from the official sites of the NCAA, Stanford, Minnesota, Penn State, Nebraska, USC & Florida)