Overview

1. I am not. I was but my friend couldn't go and I am not driving 5 hours tonight by myself 2. No 3. 50/50 but my guess is no. 4. Mizzou's team is a lower top 10 to top 15 team. Some younger guys will have to do well at Nationals for them to be in top 10 (Steed). But, I think the best is yet to come for Mizzou in the coming years with Sinclair, Mendoza, Bambinelli, Walker, Rath, Stillwell all being mainstays in the lineup for the next to 5 years. While 8 of Illinois team will get their AARP cards after the season. 5. Because, Mizzou has won 6 or the last 8 duals and there football team always beats Illinois? But you always have Basketball. I think Illinois is favored in most matchups and it could be close. Where Mizzou is qualifier level Illinois is AA level (133, 149, 285). Rumor is Hawks is out. So that will be three starters out. I thought with Hawks it would be a super close dual. I think there is a lot of pick'ems (141, 157, 165, 184 (if Hawks is able to go)

I'm going to leave this here and run:

I think that that is true. If I find out that I'm wrong, I'll correct it. There's a 24% chance of "snow showers" Thursday evening with a high of 37° and 24 mph gusts. Perfect tent weather! From the ILLINI website: Fighting Illini Wrestling Dinner Theatre Event Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm Facility: Lot 31 - Stadium Club *Ticket prices are subject to change until added to the cart. Join the Fighting Illini Wrestling team for a unique experience, Wrestling Dinner Theater! The Illini host the Missouri Tigers on Nov. 21 in the Lot 31 Stadium Club. Tickets include a buffet dinner, and pre-match entertainment. The event will also honor the 20th Anniversary of the 2005 Big Ten Championship team. Doors open at 5 PM, entertainment at 5:30 PM and the meet starts at 7 PM.

What is the story on the venue? They're wrestling in a tent on the parking lot?

Questions, questions, questions, questions, questions: 1. Who's going? 2. Will Rocky Elam be in the lineup? 3. Will Noah Surtin be in the lineup? 4. What do you think about the rest of the Tiger lineup (save Keegan, we all love him). 5. Why do I hate Mizzou so damn much?

Using the pre-season Intermat rankings we are at a 90% chance of 4 AA's for the Tigers.

Well, I admit I am 100% biased and I hope that is true about Hawks. I have enjoyed talking with Whiting, but I have history with Hawks. I know there was some talk mid-summer about Mauller wanting to go 57, I hope that does not end up so, that would really throw a wrench in the lineup. I like the plan of Steed at 57.

Sounds like Hawks has the upper hand right now. Coach Smith answers just about every question this upcoming season in interviews on flo and themat. Sounds like there are going to be some battles. Keegan staying at 65.

That would be great! I'm always amazed that we do not have higher turnouts at home duals. I think this next seasons home schedule and the change of the mat/set up will help to bring in bigger crowds. The school and teams have really done so much more in showing out in support of each other, it's bound to start making a bigger impact.

It’s time to renew those season tickets! How about a goal to average 3,000 fans a dual.

I got my NCAA tickets through Mizzou and I need ONE more ticket. Does anyone have a ticket in our section they aren't using and are willing to sell to me? Please PM me.

+1 after attending home duals for many years

I'm guessing you mean Hawks - yeah, we've known the family a long time and I think there is a few things there. I know he has a few surgeries since he senior year. I really thought once he focused solely on wrestling he would make some huge leaps, and those times off the mat have not helped. I am not sure they "know" him well enough to coach the best out of him. He's always been a pretty stoic kid who was hard to read, but would really dig deep for those he believed had his back. The grass isn't always green elsewhere, but I do know there's been a few coaches asking about him. I'd hate to see him go, especially since he is a Missouri kid.

Unfortunately I think your right. I’m a little biased toward him because he was in the room with my son when they first started wrestling. I can remember drilling moves and after just messing with the kids, playing, and thinking holy cow this kid is strong for a 5yr old.

Hawks was definitely undersized - he did weigh in at 184. They bumped him up because 1 - it gave him a match, 2 - Rocky still is not 100%. Personally, I think Smith has a preference for WI (Askren) guys and he will take Whiting. Hawks should probably be looking at the portal if he wants to be a starter.

I agree. Whiting or Hawkes then? Who do you think for next year?

We always go to several competitions a year but I am getting to the point of watching a lot of them on the iPad. I hate making the trip and then they end up sitting some guys. I hate to be that guy but it's a long drive to go watch their backups. Last year I brought some non wrestling fans with me and hyped up O'toole only to see the backup. Pretty disappointing. I missed the West Virginia dual because I was actually sick, but was glad I missed it since the best match was going to be at 125 lbs, but it didn't happen.

Haven’t had time to swing by and ask coach Smith questions yet, but in the dual against WV Hawks wrestled 197. Looked undersized and lacked the horsepower needed.

Missouri has worked its tail off to have a top 10 team for about the last 15 years or better and if we get a thousand fans to come out and support that is a lot. I know wrestling isn’t mainstream but just once I would love the Hearns packed with fans.

We will be heading there. I am hoping to see Surtin on the mats - I heard he knee was really bothering him. And I would like to see if there are any change ups at 184.

Who’s headed to the Hearns Friday night for the West Virginia dual?

If we round to the nearest whole number, Intermat has them with 3, Flo has them with 4, and Wrestlestat has them with 5.

Probability of AA by weight along with the expected number of AAs

Those are all good questions. There is some good talent at 157 in the room. Would like to see how Steed develops, plus Fisher and Gioffre are tough but need to take another step. Mauller wrestled 157 last year but I thought he was small. Whiting has great positioning but needs to work on attacks. Sinclair is a stud but I have not seen him go so I can’t give any thoughts in honesty. Depends on his transition to the next level. Cliché I know, but some can make the jump and others it takes awhile. Hawks I would love see get a shot at 184. Any of our 184 guys going up by next year are going to be undersized. More to ask coach, see if he will give any insight. There’s always a plan but you well know in wrestling lots can happen. Thinks don’t always shake out how we would like.

Do you think Whiting or Hawkes will be at 197 for a year after Elam or do you expect Sinclair to step right in after Redshirt? Also, 157 next year? You thinking Mauller?