ILLINIWrestlingBlog

I wrote a story about the USA-Iranian relationship, especially as it has been affected by wrestling on my site here. That dust-up was actually pretty spectacular. America sent a missile to assassinate the second-most powerful person in Iran, their venerated Republican Guard General. In response, Alireza Dabir, the former World and Olympic champion and head of Iran's wrestling federation was quoted to say, "Death to America." He then went on to a indicate that any response shouldn't be with words but with actions. To complete the tic-tac-toe, the US denied Visas to him and five others. (I think there was a generous amount of fault attributable to both parties. Hopefully, though, we can return to "Wrestling Diplomacy" with Iran. Did you know that, for the first time, Iran sent a Women's team to the 2015 World Grappling Championships--but not since then?).

It's like Robot Wars or BattleBots. Will the hammer beat the saw.

I just got the monthly pass for ILLINOIS for $5.38 using the coupon code "MONDAY." Apparently, it expires today. Note that I had to type in the code and hit "Apply" twice. It didn't work the first time. So, if you are a Moc or Panther fan, you can try that. You'll have to set up an account, but that's simple. Just in case, cancel after you've watched all the replays you can stomach. I thought about the year-long single-sport pass, but I couldn't find a code, and really, my dudes, I don't want to watch PSU, Iowa or an Ohio State team. I hate those guys. Cheers!

This is good info. That's what I'll do. Cheers!

Yeah. Plus Red Grange will come to haunt you every year on Midland's Eve. In actuality, my advice was directed expressly to Pitt and Chattanooga fans who might want to watch the triangular but not pay so much money. If you select the ILLINOIS monthly pass, you will get to see the duals because they involve ILLINOIS. If you select a Michigan State monthly pass, for example, you won't get to see it because MSU is not involved. (As a side benefit, you'll get a month's coverage of a girdle-less Bret Bilema). Cheers!

I've done a preview of the ILLINI/Pitt portion of the triangular here. Andre at wrestlestat.com predicts a 15-15 tie, so it should be a good one. The marque matchups will be Lucas Byrd wrestling Micky Phillippi for the third time, while Zac Braunagel gets his first crack at Nino Bonaccorsi. This dual could come down to heavyweight. For those Pitt and Chattanooga fans wondering how to watch the match, it will be on BTN+, which is a subscription service. Here is some good advice for you: If you are willing to pay $9.95 to watch it, you can go to the website and select a "school pass" for ILLINOIS that is only that amount for one month. If you select a "sport pass" and select "wrestling," it is $69.95 for a year. You get a full year of B1G wrestling, but that's a lot of money. The steps: 1. Go to the website here. 2. You will have a choice between conference pass, school pass and sport pass. Pick "school pass." 3. Underneath that, you will see the logos for various B1G schools. Choose the big Orange "I" for the ILLINI. The first on the left. 4. Beneath that, select the "monthly pass" for $9.95 and follow the payment instructions. The good news is that I do this every year, and you can terminate the agreement online without having to talk to somebody in sales. Since this is only a monthly pass, you shouldn't even have to do that. I don't think they'll pro-rate your school pass, as the Big Ten Network sucks *****, so be ready to fork over the entire $9.95. I am not associated with the University of ILLINOIS or the BTN.

I don't know. My guesses based on watching the MSU Open matches where they were injured is that they'll be back shortly. (Maximo Renteria, ankle sprain?; Pucino & Sammie Hayes, concussion protocol?). The ILLINI have duals with Buffalo and NC State on Friday, so it makes sense to be careful. As for Cardani, who didn't wrestle at the MSU Open, Coach Poeta said he'll be ready later in the year. Love these kinds of tournaments because I watched nonstop ILLINI Wrestling all day. You get to see the whole lineup.

A couple of responses to some of y'all's earlier posts: Keegan O'Toole seems to have a lot of tough matches until they aren't. I think he did a look-away ankle pick yesterday. Kind of like an NBA point guard. The Braunagels have a nice wrestling family, but they're no Mattins or Lamerses. I still get them mixed up. The ILLINI were without wrestlers at 125 and 141 with injuries to Maximo Renteria, Justin Cardani and Danny Pucino. The fellow who won the 125 bracket at Tiger Style finished fourth in the Cali state championships as a 120 pound Senior. Maximo won that bracket as a 120 pound Sophomore. Injuries suck. Edmond Ruth did all that. Two tournaments and one 1-3 loss to Ethan Smith. Missouri was impressive. Fun tournament! More of these, please.

I'm looking forward to the 197 bracket with Rocky Elam, Bernie Truax and Zac Braunagel. Michael O'Malley, Peyton Mocco and Edmond Ruth at 174. Lucas Byrd ragdolling everyone at 133 because he's pissed off, the 165 semis, and Brock Mauller versus Kevin Davenport. Cheers!

Recovering from surgery. Should be available later in the season. I've seen him at practice (don't know how much the doctors are still limiting him), but hopefully he'll be back soon. Cheers!

No brackets, just a list of entrants from Flo. Cheers!

Wanted to see what folks have to say about tomorrow's event, what people think of the Maryland wrestling wear, and provide some ILLINI info. First, ILLINI starters Maximo Renteria (125) and Danny Pucino are out. They suffered injuries at the MSU Open. Second, Maryland? Are they still wearing those outfits that look like something you'd see the sorority sisters wearing at a ΚΔ slumber party? Third, looks like the 165, 174, 149 and 197 brackets will be super solid. Cal Poly is pretty solid. Are there as many Lamers as there are Mattins? I hate Mizzou, but they're super solid. Clear the mats!

Brawlnagel beating Hoffman. Zac was dwarfed by some of his opponents on Saturday, but he's quick and a great scrambler. Byrd losing to Mendez. Lucas had a worse loss at last year's MSU Open. He'll study it, science it, and get better. Kudos to Mendez. Kannon Webster over Cayden Rooks. ILLINI recruit Webster beat National Qualifier and four-year starter to win the Maryville Open.

Here's my total ILLINI homer preview of 125 to 157. I only discuss top fifty wrestlestat.com rated wrestlers. I'm a ranking snob. Here's 165 to 285. This tournament was the tits last year. You get the starters, reserves and true freshmen. Nonstop action. Don't **** it up, Flo. Cheers!

The ILLINI have dark horses and some folks who are completely off the radar who could show up. The MSU Open on Saturday will be a coming out party for super young or new ILLINOIS wrestlers. Can't wait to see how they do. At 125, Maximo Renteria would've been a four-time Cali champ but for Covid cancelling his Senior year. Ironically, I believe it was Covid that screwed up his redshirt season leaving him with a terrible record. You could see the Covid hit him in the second period of his second match at last year's MSU Open. Poor fella gassed right off. He forfeited out of the tournament. In high school, besides the state championships, he ragdolled Dylan Ragusin and beat a four-time Mizzou state champ. With Cardani out or limited at the start of the season, we will see a lot of Maximo. I think he could be very good. At 141, Danny Pucino's been around for a bit, but hasn't started because of Carr and Duncan. In the free season two years ago, he did beat Dylan D'Emilio and the Wisconsin starter in duals when Duncan was out. He also beat Frankie Tal-Shahar in an extra match pretty handily. His toughest competition at the MSU Open looks to be D'Emilio, Jordan Decatur and Frankie Tal-Shahar--again ironically--and it could be a coming out party for him. He'd have to beat two of those guys, barring upsets, and that would place him as an obvious AA threat. On another note, he's wrestled for the Italian freestyle team at age group and Senior-level tournaments. He's fun, dangerous and exciting to watch. Four years left on his clock, too. At 149, Kevon Davenport was a four-time Michigan state champ. He transferred from Nebraska stuck behind Ridge Lovett. I have no idea how he'll do this year, but he's beaten Dean Heil in freestyle, and he had a pretty good redshirt year with the stupid Cornhuskers. The good news for the ILLINI is that if he falters, there are a couple of other transfer guys who could make noise at the weight: Jake Harrier and Anthony Federico. Whoever wins the spot, I think, is gonna be a threat to AA. At 174 and 184, there are Edmond Ruth and Dylan Connell. Ruth seems to be enjoying life as an ILLINI, and who knows how good he can be. He entered two opens last year unattached and won them both. He'll have Demetrius Romero and Ethan Smith at the MSU Open, as well as some mid-level talent, so we'll get to see how far he's progressed. Again, the ILLINI have two guys waiting in the wings at this weight (Sizemore and Ernd). Connell was a four-time ILLINOIS state champ, total old school tough wrestler, rides hard, and had a very nice 25-6 record as a true freshman redshirt. He's a baby face and may need some adjustment time, but down the road....

Viratas! Great to read you! Back in the olden times, when men were men, and real men sprawled to avoid a leg attack, I left themat.com forum to head over to theopenmat.com. At that time, I think my username was ChiefILLINI or something like that. Anyway, it is always good to read your expert opinions, although it really sucked to lose bets on ILLINI/Gopher football games. My God I hate the Gophers. In any event, good to see a new board up--Cheers to Willie--and I hope you hang out here when you can.