[olderthanIusedtobe]

UW has continued to play well. I think they had a 9 match winning streak. Got thumped at UCLA, but otherwise good. This weekend Oregon beat UCLA, so the Dawgs and Bruins are tied for first place w/ 4 matches left. They split, so I don't know how the tie breaker would work. UW swept Stanford this year, they've got a bit of a winning streak going in the series now. edit--3 of 4 matches are at home; 2 seem like gimmes w/ bottom dwelling Oregon St. and a struggling Colorado (although @ Boulder seems to give them troubles more often than not); home w/ Oregon and Washington St. could both be tough matches.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Pac 12 Champs! USC beat UCLA in 5 yesterday, Dawgs handled Cougs 3-1 today to win the conference outright. I think the announcement for playoff brackets is on Sunday.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Dawgs breezed thru 1st and 2nd round of the playoffs. Playing Texas today in Austin, 4:30 pm Pacific time, scheduled to be on ESPNU. The Longhorns are always good, tough task.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Sigh. Great start for the Dawgs, up 2-0, led most of the way thru Set 3 but couldn't hold off the Longhorns. Then Texas rolled in Set 4 and 5. Too bad. Gotta finish it off when you have the chance. UCLA got thumped by Wisconsin earlier. No Pac 12 teams advanced beyond the Sweet 16. Has that EVER happened before? I miss the old days when they were right there w/ the Big 10. Desperately need Stanford to get back to being Stanford. And USC to come back, they didn't even make the tournament this year.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

2 of the teams UW beat in the playoffs last year, Louisville and Pitt, have advanced to the Final 4 this season. I think largely with the same rosters. That was an impressive run the Dawgs went on.

[Malachai Constant]

On the other hand the Nebraska v Wisconsin was a pretty good set.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Good for Wisconsin finally winning a Championship, after knocking on the door several times. Plus Nebraska didn't win, always a plus. I was hoping for the two ACC teams to advance, but didn't happen.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

I forgot to bump this thread, missed the whole season. UW had too many injuries and went sideways after a decent start to the year. Got knocked out of the first round of the playoffs, that hardly ever happens. Today Keegan Cook left the program to take the head coaching job at Minnesota. We'll see who takes the reigns next.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

The playoffs are down to the Final 4. There are NO Big 10 teams left. That is stunning, and I love it! There are also no Pac 12 teams. I believe there has NEVER been a Final 4 w/ neither the Big 10 or Pac 12 represented. Strange times. Stanford and Oregon both just missed it. Both lost 5 setters, both probably should've won, but didn't take advantage of their opportunities and close it out when they could've. Final 4 is Texas (yawn), Louisville, Pitt and San Diego. First ever appearance of USD, back to back for Louisville and Pitt, but probably only 2nd ever for both schools.