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I think Nickal is best 86k guy on earth except for Aaron Pico.

No. 4 Ohio State (8-0, 0-0) begins Big Ten competition this weekend with a road contest against No. 10 Illinois (6-0, 1-0) and then a home meeting with No. 17 Rutgers (8-2, 0-0) at the Covelli Center. The matchup with the Illini will start at 8 p.m. Friday with B1G+ providing the live stream. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the match against the Scarlet Knights at 6 p.m. Sunday. The Buckeyes won a 37-34 edge in the all-time series against Illinois and have won seven of the last duals. Four of the last six battles in Champaign have gone to the Buckeyes. In the series with Rutgers, Ohio State is 10-0-1, which includes a 5-0 record in Columbus. After a tie in the first meeting (24-all) Feb. 10, 1984, Ohio State has won the last 10. 125-No. 10 Brendan McCrone (R-So.) vs. Caelan Riley (Jr.) 133-No. 9 Nic Bouzakis (R-So.) vs. No. 2 Lucas Byrd (R-Sr.) 141-No. 1 Jesse Mendez (Jr.) vs. No. 13 Danny Pucino (R-Jr.) 149-No. 12 Dylan D'Emilio (Gr.) vs. No. 11 Kannon Webster (R-Fr.) 157-No. 9 Paddy Gallagher (R-Jr.) vs. Jason Kraisser (Gr.) 165-No. 11 Sammy Sasso (Gr.) or Bryce Hepner (R-Sr.)/e'Than Birden (Fr.) vs. No. 10 Braeden Scoles (R-Fr.) 174-No. 9 Carson Kharchla (Gr.) vs. No. 21 Danny Braunagel (R-Sr.) 184-No. 14 Ryder Rogotzke (So.) vs. No. 10 Edmond Ruth (R-Sr.) 197-Seth Shumate (R-So.) vs. No. 11 Zac Braunagel (R-Sr.) HWT-No. 7 Nick Feldman (R-So.) vs. No. 11 Luke Luffman (R-Sr.)

I'm bigger than US Steel...

This is a good synopsis. I wrote up a detailed preview at the ILLINI Wrestling Blog and Forum and Beyond Plus. I also see it as a match in which each team will have five wrestlers favored to win. The Buckeyes have the two best shots at bonus (125, 141), but I also think that the ILLINI have the two best shots at upsets (174, 285). Then, there's the Kraisser wildcard. BIGGEST STORIES Two undefeated top ten teams. With a 6-3 record and coming off a 1-0 win over the #102 kid from OSU, I don't think anybody wants to see Sammy Sasso wrestle Braeden Scoles. Huge ups to Sammy for coming back, getting that 100th win, and for being a warrior and inspiration, but he's not ready yet for what Scoles brings to the table. Hepner has been out with an injury forever. I have the ILLINI favored here, and it could be bonus as well. Lucas Byrd versus the beta version of Lucas Byrd. Luuuuuke Luffman and Nick Feldman is a match that I've been waiting for and anxious to see. Luffman has been lights out this year, and all ILLINI fans are rooting for an AA. People forget how agile and quick and flexible he is. This match will go a long way to determining future seeds and rankings. Has Feldman truly recovered from injury? That'll be put to the test here. Does Ryder Rogotzke really want to go upper body with Edmond Ruth? Absolutely crucial matches up and down these lineups. Pucino has had a brilliant year, but can he keep it to a regular decision against the national champ? He couldn't at last year's dual. Little Brawlnagel can wrestle with the best in the country. (Check out his career mark versus Cam Amine). He's never faced Kharchla. Are the Huff Dogs still as delicious as they once were? I'm trying to make it back for this dual, and I'm saving room for two dogs, mustard, onions, relish and a diet coke. Sorry to those readers who're cutting weight. As for @MPhillips, I love him like a brother. Like a brother who fumbled around with his gun while our father was shot, then took sides with Moe Greene over the family, and finally, snitched us out to Hyman Roth and his um associate Johnny Ola.

Gallagher better look out, got it on good authority from @ILLINIWrestlingBlog that Kraisser is the best on top in the whole country

Ohio State higher ranked in 5, Illinois higher ranked in 5. Tasty.

No, only true freshmen get the 5 free dates

Potential shake up to the lineups. Sammy Sasso is registered (at 157 lbs.) to wrestle at the Franklin & Marshall Open on Friday: https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/seasons/LoadBalance.jsp?seasonId=841725138&pageName=EventMatches.jsp&teamId=1455765147 Rocco Welsh and Ben Davino are also slated to compete at F&M it looks like at least according to the "wrestlers" tab. This is an open so they could go unattached.

174-197 the thing that makes it interesting is that Lil Brauny, Ruth, Rogotzke, Big Brauny all could live on space mountain. And no one knows what to expect from Karchla, Sosa

“I saw people say I lost because I was hurt,” Lee said. “That’s not true. I got beat. I hate when people try to make excuses for me when I got outwrestled and beat. They’re taking credit away from someone who deserves credit. “Why not just go give love to Matt Ramos for beating me?” Lee continued. “The kid deserves the praise for making the NCAA finals. People are too busy finding ways to shove down people and not give him credit.”

Here's my copy and paste from the club forum. This is the best case scenario for the buck_iis. Uusing WS rank #s and WS is just wrong on this one. 125: Riley169 vs McCrone10 I'm still disappointed Renteria left, I really liked that kid, thought he was going places and he has, saw him at Corvallis late last year he is looking great, just beat the McCrone. Riley is the guy but the nuts will put up 4 or 5 here, lets say 5. 0 - 5 OhS 133: Byrd4 vs Bouzakis3 The chirp byrd versus a bouzakis, whatever that is, 3pt Illini 3 - 5 OhS 141: Pucino15 vs Mendez1 Ok gotta call this one for the bucks, 3 pts 3 - 8 OhS 149: Webster7 vs D'Emilio12 By definition this has decision written all over it, 3 IL 6 - 8 OhS 157: Kraisser44 vs Gallagher21 Kraissier things have happed but can Jason put Paddy to his back, tough call here, but ok for now lets say 3 OhS 6 - 11 OhS 165: Scoles 17 vs Sasso6 Ok I like Sammy, its great he made it back, I saw him up close and personal in Vegas and this is not the same Sammy, sorry but 3 pt Illinois 9 - 11 OhS 174: D-Braunagel27 vs Kharchia6 The little Brawny gave KOT all he wanted but I'm guessing Jason is ready for it, 3 pt bucknuts 9 - 14 OhS 184: Ruth15 vs Rogotzke16 Are you kidding ... The Destroyer of Worlds versus a ryder, this match'll be decided on their feet, 3 pt Illinois 12 - 14 OhS 197: Z-Braunagel14 vs Shumate25 The Big Brawny all day and twice on Friday, 3 pt Illini 15 - 14 IL 285: Luffman13 vs Feldman4 The dual is on the line, which kind of man is gonna show up. If my good buddy Wkn were making the call he might say Luke with the pinfeld. But me ... I think the big LL is gonna poke Nick in the ribs early, just to make sure he's good to go, and then win a hard fought decision and a dual win for the Illini. Sorry MP and buckEs, 3 pt Illinois. 18 - 14 IL

This thread feels empty without @ILLINIWrestlingBlog

Byrd, Webster, Scoles, Ruth, Big Brauny, all have to win. Riley and Pucino have to keep it to a regular decision. Rooting for the Orange but going to be tough!

Please everyone show up, "we" need a dual like this

Here you go! I was there for this one: There are several other videos of their many matches out there. Generally very entertaining, even if I didn't like most of the results!

Lots of great matchups!

Here's a fun highlight video of Smith hitting his duckunder, he also gets a bodylock in it. I have a video of him hitting a great Metzger against Russia either in Iowa City or Portland dual....it's in my library. He told me he had never hit on in a match before and it was one of the best you'll ever see. Andre would have been proud!!! lol https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=529181984884859

this precisely why Red Viking is a waste of space on this board. every single post is 'yeah, but the other side'. absolutely nothing on topic, nothing specific and nothing of importance.

Sometimes domination is boring. Ramos hit a close your eyes home run.

Crazy... he tilted Ramos in the match he lost and had put up 7 points. So I guess he didn't really prevent it.

You don't have to be west of Texas. Don't get me wrong, this is really bad and a lot of property damage. The media makes it sound like the worse thing ever. We've had much bigger fires with much larger loss of life and property. But many of these occur in places that no one cares about. High wind and low humidity happens, its not a new thing. https://hpj.com/2024/02/28/wildfires-burn-in-texas-oklahoma-kansas-and-nebraska-feb-26-27/ https://wildfiretoday.com/2017/03/07/fires-in-kansas-oklahoma-and-texas-burn-hundreds-of-thousands-of-acres/

Another match with a lot of entertainment value was Perry-Hendicks '07. The match itself wasn't that special until the last minute (it was electric) had the family storyline plus lots of Hendricks haters. Another classic for this list.

I accept your feedback and acknowledge the frustration these habits of mine might cause. Many of the headlines are from a trade periodical called Automotive News - written by a bunch of journalists who have trouble with how conservative the sports media, college administrators, and DNC have become - which is a subscription only service. I actually don't get many of the full articles myself but I keep the email notifications coming to see the headlines. Sometimes I do contact others I know who have company subscriptions to get access to the body of the articles. When I refer to articles that are available to all I will be much more mindful to include links as a common courtesy. Here is the next link I was going to send to emphasize my EVs are RIch Boy Toys theme: https://www.autonews.com/bmw/rolls-royce/ane-rolls-royce-ev-expansion/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter-ANEDontMiss-20250109

No...

He did stuff like reach back while on bottom and let guys get to his legs. As a fan, he was tough to watch at times but you knew know matter the score he was going to try something big. I knew he was special when he was a freshman in a dual against UNC. He upper body tossed Austin O’Connor twice and nearly stuck him. someone did a highlight reel of BA. The video is like 7+ minutes which is insane but indicative of how often he did spectacular moves in his career

If I were choosing a wrestler for young wrestlers to emulate it would be Parker Keckeisen. Every match of his has multiple things you can point to in terms of hustle, toughness, AND mat IQ. I always loved the guys who were one trick ponies...dudes who do one thing, be it a move or a position, so well that you know exactly what they're going to do and they just dare you to stop it. Jake Patacsil, James Flemming "The Snapper", AJ Schopp, Hell, Dylan Ness had a ton of success and he didn't know how to sprawl!

Hamiti is quick enough for this. Double ankle picks, I can see it. 🌪

Okie State is very common.....been around for a long time.

had to throw that "PF" word in there didn't you....lol

MCILRAVY....

Bishop McCort 37, Wyoming Seminary 17 106-Keegan Bassett (BM) maj dec Wyatt Stauffer, 12-4 113-Eli Herring (BM) dec Wyatt Spencer, 8-5 120-Shamus Regan (WS) maj dec Jack Silfies, 12-2 126-Austin Carfley (BM) dec Nikos Filipos, 5-4 132-Jax Forrest (BM) maj dec Dale Corbin, 19-8 138-Sam Herring (BM) dec Matthew Botello, 1-0 144-Jackson Butler dec Matthew Dimen, 4-2 150-Bo Bassett tech fall Wyatt Fry, 21-5 157-Devon Magro (BM) dec Vince Bouzakis, 14-13 TB-1 165-Jack Chamberlain (WS) maj dec Jayden O’Farrill, 20-10 175-Melvin Miller (BM) maj dec Brian Chamberlain, 20-9 190-CJ Pensiero (BM) tech fall Nolan McCarthy 215-Jude Correa (WS) pinned Matteo Noronha, :19 285-Anderson Palian (WS) dec Caleb Rodriguez, 3-1

The internet is king...

But will he be favored over Dean Hamiti?

Word is he put his money on Angelo Ferrari to beat them both in the finals at the same time

He hasn’t really missed much on Iowa’s schedule. Two competition days to be exact.

What's disrespectful about that? I've heard OSU referred to by a lot more insulting things than "Okie State".

Didn't he have 6 falls at NCAAs one year? He pinned 3 guys and got pinned by 3 guys. Fun for the fans, but I bet his coach gets ulcers.

I don't think you can fairly answer this question (what D1 coach does a lot with less) simply by looking at NCAA finishes. It's useful for differentiating the very top teams, but not for differentiating the next tier of teams. Consider, for example, two different hypothetical mid-tier D1 schools, each of whom is only able to attract a mediocre group of recruits. Coach 1 is killing it with them, and by the end of 4 years, the average WrestlStat ranking of his starters is 25, with all in the 20-35 range. Coach 2 is mailing it in, and after 4 years, his starters have an average WrestlStat ranking of 95. Huge difference! Problem is, NCAA results don't show it, since neither team has guys who are able to put up any points at the big show. And if Coach 2 happens to have one guy who suddenly gets good, his team may place higher at NCAAs than Coach 1, despite his overall team being far worse. Last year, for example, Minnesota took 22nd at NCAAs, while Air Force took 21st. Does that mean Air Force is a better program overall than Minnesota? I don't think anyone would say that. Pretty much all of Air Force's 21.5 points came from a single guy. Everyone would agree Minny is the stronger program overall, and in a dual, Minny would win 9 out of 10. You make the point that Keckeisen was sort of like Hendrickson last year, accounting for almost all of UNI's points. That's fair as far as it goes, but ignores the rest of the team. Most regard UNI so highly is that their team may not be a bunch of AAs, but they're all hammers, up and down the lineup. Schwab's like Coach 1 in the above example, taking a group of guys who weren't highly recruited, and making them good enough that they can hold a team like Nebraska to single digits on a given day. True, they don't have many clear AA candidates beyond Keckeisen (there's Downey, maybe Happel), but their worst-ranked guy is #31, and second worst is #21. How many other schools can say that about their second-worst starter is #21 or better? They're an absolute nightmare in a dual -- arguably top 5 in the country. And they're doing this with nothing. Most years they don't crack the top 20 in recruiting rankings, and the best they've ever been ranked by Flo the in the past 5 recruiting classes (2020-24) is 18th. So no, I don't think it's any sort of "indictment of the times" to say Schwab takes the prize for Who Does Most With the Less. Without Keckeisen in their lineup, their NCAA point total will go down, but UNI will still have a monster lineup and win a ton of duals over schools with higher-ranked recruiting classes.

I dropped 22 pounds in one week. We lost in the 3rd round of the football playoffs and my first wrestling dual was the following Thursday. I dropped from 190 to 168 to wrestle a state champ who obliged me by whipping me 21-0, this was before techfalls were a thing. He wasn't THAT much better than I was, but after starving myself for a week I was as weak as a kitten and he just tossed me around like a gorilla does a suitcase. It took me a couple weeks to get back to feeling decent again, pulling big weight sucks balls.

fun one

I worded it poorly: what I meant was that one of OSU's signature techniques -- elbow-tie-duck -- hadn't been all that effective for the team for a minute. But, Gelogaev could hit it. He started with an inside the on left andvsorta baited the guy to grab his right wrist. As the dude started reaching for the wrist, AG pushed his inside the away, causing this opponent to roll to his own inside tie ... giving AG elbow control on his left side. As he gripped elbow control to break the thumb, he slide his head to the opposite side (the right side) while pulling his captured right wrist away. As AG pulled the wrist and changed sides withe his head, he stepped with his right foot, pulled the elbow, and did the classic OSU elbow control duck to the left. I understand that the description is absurd. I'll find a vid in a moment.

Cstar is 1000% to blame for the match not happening. Aj couldn’t make 184 if you paid him. Weakest call out of someone in a long time. It’s like challenging me to a match at 106 lbs when I haven’t been able to make that since 1989.

Yes that's Great but look at all the talent that Will Never be or even compete to be a College All-American because they can't beat the #1 guy at PSU

Cornell has more Italians than Rutgers

The national champs. Of course with a lot of wrestlers missing due to being exempt from this stage of the trial 57 - Valizadeh 61 - Javan 65 - Rezaei 70 - Elahi 74 - Abzori 79 - Babai 86 - Soheili 92 - Azimi 97 - Goleij 125 - Hashemi At 57 and 61 any number of guys can make the team. They are all around the same ( not medal calibre) level. Rezaei at 65 teched everyone, we will see what he can do with Amouzad who for all the talk of him being too big seems to be staying at 65. Kiyooka really destroyed the best version of Amouzad ever in Paris. 70 guy is a cadet world champ from 2022 and beat Khalili in the junior trials last year before losing to Karampour in the final who got bronze at junior worlds. We will see if he can derail Khalili's deserved hype by beating him again. 74 winner beat Emami in a tournament last year as part of the olympic trials but then got destroyed by Nolf in the final and lost at Asian champs so they sent Emami anyway as he qualified the weight. The rest of them from 79 and up have a very small shot of making the team over the established guys I think.

So far Iran's Greco national champions have been decided albeit world (senior, u23 and u20) and olympic medalists did not compete in this tournament as they had exemptions. 55kg: Mehdi Ahadi Zanab (Gilan province), 60kg: Pouya Naserpour (Khuzestan province), 63kg: Mohammadmehdi Keshtkar (Fars province), 67kg: Mohammadreza Gholami (Fars province), 72kg: Iman Mohammadi (Khuzestan province), 77kg: Amin Kaviyaninejad (Khuzestan province), 82kg: Gholamreza Farrokhi (Fars province), 87kg: Naser Alizadeh (Mazandaran province), 97kg: Hamidreza Badkan (Tehran province) and 130kg: Aliakbar Yousefi (Mazandaran province). According to the Iran wrestling federation, the winners of the national tournament who are 23 years and younger will wrestle against the corresponding u23 world member at that weight class for the upcoming Asian championships, if no u23 national champion at that weight class, then the u23 world team member will compete. This applies to both freestyle and greco. For Zagreb open, the current provisional list for the greco team has been announced. 55kg: Armin Shamsipour and Mehdi Ahadi Zanab, 60kg: Pouya Naserpour, 63kg: Erfan Jarkani, Mohammadmehdi Keshtkar, 67kg: Ahmadreza Mohsennejad and Mohammadreza Gholami, 72kg: Mohammadreza Geraei, Danial Sohrabi and Iman Mohammadi, 77kg: Ali Oskou, Alireza Abdevali, Amin Kaviyaninejad and Amir Abdi, 82kg: Gholamreza Farrokhi, 87kg: Naser Alizadeh, 97kg: Shayan Habibzare and Hamidreza Badkan and 130kg: Aliakbar Yousefi. Wrestlers in my opinion to keep an eye on incluude Armin Shamsipour, Ahmadreza Mohsennejad, Mohamdreza Gholami, Alireza Abdevali and Gholamreza Farrokhi. Most of these guys are age-level world champions and/or had a great performance at the Iran national championships.