I would agree that SC didn’t look the sharpest today either, and UCLA was definitely in control the whole way. After jumping out to a 5-1 lead, they led by about four the rest of the way, but never got the breakthrough they needed. I think it’s a little absurd to say, “It almost felt as though they took exclusions so they could work on 5-man D the whole game.” Adam was probably happiest when Princeton went 7x6 down 4 with 15 seconds left to get 6x7 practice.
1 Like
A post was merged into an existing topic: Fantasy Water Polo - Fall 2025
In my opinion Stanford looked like the best team today. Their defense was suffocating and their shooters can put it away from my situation as well as having two of the best centers in the game.
Not a good take. Could say Stanford was super happy to see the Ucla players playing the whole game
Just saying, NCAA coverage has been great online. So much better than last years quarters.
2 Likes
I was pleasantly surprised
USC is purpose built to try to beat UCLA this year. In each 4th quarter this year vs the Bruins only one american has started for SC and that is Mills. We will see, both have to take care of business today which will be a challenge.
1 Like
Not sure this matters, Adam will have them in great shape, well tapered and with 3 full lines to sub, fatigue wont be a core issue for UCLA. Standford has a much shorter bench, but these teams will leave it all out there. Will be agreat game.
2 Likes
Center defenders are taught to not give a shot at any cost, take the exclusion so they cant shoot, so yes ball gets in the defender is most often purposfully taking the penalty. So not an officiating style or thing, more strategy IMHO. The no ball exclusion when a center flops a ton bugs me though, seems like a euro thing.
2 Likes
Both games will be amazing today and I’m excited to watch both.
For the USC Fordham game, the key for USC is gonna be to test Bonelo DuPuis early. He’s the biggest weakness on Fordham and they need to test him early. They also need to pull through and move on Provenziani, Toth, Silvestri. The less those guys play, the better for USC. USC is the deeper team. Both teams will be very well conditioned. Fordham lives and dies in transition, so if USC can control that, they have the advantage in this game. Stylistically, this is a better matchup for Fordham than a UCLA or Stanford so they’re gonna like this matchup. But the talent disparity and goalie is gonna prove to be too much for Fordham. I’ll take USC 17-13.
Stanford UCLA has the potential to be the game of the year. It is extremely difficult to beat a well coached team four teams in a season, especially when you factor in that Stanford has held leads in those games and they are playing at home. Stanford dosent have much to lose. Almost everyone on this forum thinks we’re gonna have a USC UCLA final tomorrow. The pressure is on UCLA to make it back there. Stanford needs to draw a lot of exclusions and test Tauscher early. He did not have a good game yesterday and got beat over the head countless times. Stanford has the shooters to do it with Botond, G.P. And Forer. They also need to limit Ryder. He’s gonna get two goals minimum, but can they limit it to just 2 and make others beat them? When the focus is on the shooters, can guys like Chase McFarland, Ryan Ohl, and Indart step up? For me, this game will come down to how dominant Alex Gheorghe is. The key for UCLA is gonna be to swim Gheorghe 2-2 and make him play as much defense as possible. I’m curious where Flacks will put Gheorghe on defense as UCLA almost always goes into a 4-2 from position 3 and putting him at X3 makes him play a ton of drive defense. UCLA also needs to move on Forer and post him up. He’s undersized and they take him out of the game, that’s one less lethal shooter to worry about. This game will also come down to Stanfords ability to convert in the fourth quarter, which has been their achilleas heal in previous matchups. This is gonna be a chess match between Adam and Brian and I’m excited to see how it plays out. It’s hard to predict a winner and I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if Stanford wins this game, but if I have to put $ on it, I’ll take UCLA 13-12.
3 Likes
We call that “the Eppel” in the US. It will be on display today. By the way, if I am USC I am not using Vukazic at center defender in the first half. You know Eppel is going to pin some cheap exclusions on him. Use the other guys first.
1 Like
No we don’t call it that.
1 Like
USC looks solid. Fordham not so much.
The officiating complaints would be easier to evaluate if they were directed at individual plays and the resulting calls.
1 Like
USC field blockers are doing well and they’re causing 6x5 opportunities and when they do, Fordham looks lost on 5 man
You really like Stanford
When you limit Fordhams transition opportunities, it becomes a lot easier to beat them. Balazs is already rolled and this game is starting to get really chippy. USC needs to keep their cool and get out of this game with no red cards or injuries.
2 Likes
10:3 USC in the third.
The game is getting out of Fordham’s reach fast.
and thats it for Silvestri
Concordia gave USC a better game. This is so boring. If you thought UCLA Princeton was boring (which I didn’t) this is a snooze fest.
2 Likes