w00t Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 We've played some great games (Tulsa, Michigan, WMU second time), some games where we played well, but not as well as the scoreline indicated (North Carolina), some games where we escaped with a win where our opponent played us tough (Creighton, Penn St., WMU first time), some games where we clinically handled weak opponents (Oakland, FAU, Buffalo), and some games where we looked tentative or just plain awful and it cost us (OSU, CSU). Based on our body of work, what are people thinking as far as our chances to bring home the gold? I'm nervous about the potential meeting with Indiana. Their record is suspect but they played good competition and are really unpredictable. If we get past that one, I really like our odds against whoever comes out of the bottom half of our bracket. I disagree about the characterization of our group as the group of death, as all four regions seem equally weak. I think there are only three teams with a legitimate shot at winning it all, and they got the 2-4 seeds. It would have been better for us if Maryland had been seeded according to their RPI and gotten the top spot and bumped Louisville down to the #2. (Probably the only way we would have gotten a matchup against our former coach, as I can't see Louisville making the finals). Other games of interest: Indiana vs. presumably Tulsa in 2nd round Maryland vs. presumably Virginia in 3rd round UNC vs. Michigan St. (or Butler) in 3rd round UNC vs. SMU (or Creighton) in Quarterfinals I have a bad feeling that it's now or never for UA to go all the way in soccer. I could be wrong, but I don't think a team with this much raw talent will ever be assembled again. The field is comparatively weak to boot. If our team comes out focused, hungry, and unselfish, I like our odds... take any of those three things away and we could have another OSU or CSU match on our hands where we look tentative, uninspired, and sloppy. There is no sport so kind to the fortunes of the weaker team as soccer, so every game (even the first one) will be nerve wracking. I made the bet personally... my travel plans are finalized for Santa Barbara. Here's hoping we protect home field and get at least that far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbozeglav Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 I have a bad feeling that it's now or never for UA to go all the way in soccer. I could be wrong, but I don't think a team with this much raw talent will ever be assembled again. I want to say I heard that exact same quote about last year's team... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jem101 Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 I have a bad feeling that it's now or never for UA to go all the way in soccer. I could be wrong, but I don't think a team with this much raw talent will ever be assembled again. I want to say I heard that exact same quote about last year's team... Unfortunately, we're probably going to be losing more than three starters. I would say at least Korb, Ampai, Nagbe, Kofi, and Valentin are gone. But let's not worry about that right now. The next five games are all that matter at the moment. One of the things to remember is that all of our poor performances came after dominant performances. CSU after the 7-1 beat down of Michigan and OSU after the 4-0 victory against Tulsa on national TV. I think they can be attributed to lack of focus and cockiness. I would like to think that neither of these will be an issue in the tourney. Porter will have these guys focused and ready to play dominant football. I think that we will look back and see the imperfections in our record will in the long run help the Zips in their quest for a championship. That being said, I'm not buying plane tickets till we get there. Poor college students can't afford to take risks in a sport where anything can happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 Unfortunately, we're probably going to be losing more than three starters. I would say at least Korb, Ampai, Nagbe, Kofi, and Valentin are gone. But let's not worry about that right now. The next five games are all that matter at the moment. +1 The next five games are all that matter, ONE at a time. As far as starters leaving, we know Korb and Ampai are gone. We shouldn't worry about the others until the season is over. Since we can't play for them, the best thing to do now is not worry, but to show up, get others to show up, pack Lee Jackson Field and make it miserable for our opponent(s). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rear The Foo Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Meves will be the key for the next four games. There will be no more slouch teams from here on out. Every save by Meves will be critical to the team's success. Mark those words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Meves will be the key for the next four games. There will be no more slouch teams from here on out. Every save by Meves will be critical to the team's success. Mark those words. Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fknbuflobo Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Memories. Who remembers the day before Thanksgiving two years ago @ St. V-M? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatwad Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Memories. Who remembers the day before Thanksgiving two years ago @ St. V-M? Great game. That was a lot of fun. Too bad we got hosed and had to go to Northwestern less than a week later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yazan07 Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 Memories. Who remembers the day before Thanksgiving two years ago @ St. V-M? Against Ohio State? Oh man I remember I got there late because of class but I saw the end of regulation and all of overtime and that game was NUTS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fknbuflobo Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 It can be argued that the Northwestern hosing was the beginning of the Lee Jackson renovation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.