Great interview with some harder questions, which Coach Moses did a great job with. We discuss their trip back east, their 6 on 5 and their defense + challenging schedule.
Coach Merrill Moses!!!
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Nice episode. Kudos for asking some tougher questions about the early season struggles. The NY trip - from the Yankees Mets game to staying at the New York Athletic Club all weekend - sounds like a surreal experience for all the athletes, it’s a shame a few of them have to miss it due to roster limitations. I also, similarly to you in the episode, had not realized the WCC will no longer have the bye with 8 members in the conference. That definitely makes things super interesting and goes back to the point I made earlier about why the 3 tough games in 3 days scheduling is superior for success in the conference tournament.
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Great interview with Merrell. WCC definitely tough this year, but I am not sure about the argument it is harder to win regular season than the tournament. While I can understand some teams are tougher to beat in a one off, teams do not feel that regular season games are do or die like the tournament, and now everyone has 3 big games in a row to win. Would the regular season champ have a better chance in a one off in the 4-5 or 3-6 game at NCAAs? Maybe. But I do not think UOP was a better team than SJSU last year (or peaking CBU at the end who wishes the tournament was anywhere but the Academy). Don’t want to be a hater, but a lot of love is given to UOP, often more than it seems like they earned (though they are an incredibly young team that will improve and would look a heck of a lot better with Apostolos still on roster!).
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Great job with the tough questions. Keep em’ coming!!!
If you have questions for US be sure to email waterpolowednesday@gmail.com
Great interview and episode coming this week
Might be the best episode we’ve ever done. Complete with SWOT analysis, huge MPSF Invite media updates and of course our auspicious 3 stars!!!
Don’t forget to vote for Mercury awards!!! Round 1 ends in just over 2 weeks!!!
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What a great episode guys , loved the SWOT!
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I, as well, love what you two are doing for our sport. However, I would like to see you guys spread the wealth a bit more–Yes, the foreign kids are good–no question about it, but there are other fine players (American born) from schools outside the Big Four that are having good seasons. Loved the Christian Hammonds shout out–he has been playing great.
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Is LAAC going to release more tickets for the upcoming Mercury Awards? Would love to attend!!
What great bulletin board material for UCLA’s centers. UCLA relies on their centers for their offense to hum. They’ve won back to back with these two guys. But apparently they are the 7th and 8th best centers in the MPSF?? I don’t think so. They do lack the depth they had last year at center but how many teams have that kind of depth in a given year. They will need to stay healthy though without a 3rd option.
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Exactly. I thought one of the primary engines of the Bruin attack the last two seasons was their centers’ ability to draw exclusions and 5 meter penalties, and just keep coming after you in wave after relentless wave. I guess some people have a short memory for these things.
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I am guessing the thesis is that others have gotten better while they remain their same great selves.
Cal, Stanford, and USC all added fire power down the middle.
but u r the champs until u r not, either way.
Respect your take. How would you rank the center combos of UCLA, USC, Stanford, and Cal?
I’m not saying some of the other big four teams didn’t improve at center - but to suddenly list “center play” as a weakness for UCLA, when their top two centers from last year are returning, is a total head scratcher for me.
USC has the best center in the game. I thought he was the best last year as well. I’m not sold Anderson is a step up from Jack Martin at this point in his career. Cal and Stanford have the best depth but they are going to have to work out that rotation. Szecsi is huge and great at drawing exclusions and can score. Castillo isn’t the biggest center around but he makes up for it with his movement. You don’t see him getting bullied by defenders and he is so good at drawing penalties. I don’t remember how the stats ended last year but UCLA was at the top of the board for drawn exclusions from center for most of the year. They both should have great years now that it’s not a 3 way time split.
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You can get tickets here:
Hope to see you there!
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Ooooh, Wes is in a sports coat.
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Kudos on MPSF-Overnght Live. It has elevated the experience of watching the tournament.
We all know our sport is niche, but man it feels nice to get this kind of coverage, access and attention that is normal for the higher profile sports.
Thanks to the coaches for making the time to share their perspective etc.
Good stuff. Keep it coming!
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Agree. Very nice addition. Hoping though to get more than just “big 4” coverage today but I suspect many teams will be heading to the exits after their games. There have been some great games and wins by LMU, UCI, etc. UCSD and LBSU have had great tournaments so far. Would love to hear from those coaches or players more than a top seed beating a 13-16 seed. We will see.
We just posted the interview on YouTube for members today and public tomorrow with the ucsd coach we did in person on Thursday!
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