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The Big One: ILLINOIS versus Minnesota
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
Patrick McKee must have a thirty-pound head. He's a damn cartoon character, the Yosemite Sam of wrestling. My point, though, is that Minnesota is one of the teams that I think is built for tournaments this year. Except for Joles, Nagao and maybe Foy, they are gonna hurt in the morning at weigh-ins, but by mid-morning, they'll be huge and strong. Bergeland, Blockhus, Lee, Sparks, Salazar all seem to be large humans. On another note, we are lucky at ILLINOIS to have some great student and student-wrestler announcers. Minnesota is lucky to have Mack and Danny Williams. The rest of these Big Ten schools can go suck it when it comes to BTN+ broadcasts. How many times have you heard the words "play" or "players." That one really grinds my gears. The problem is that the student announcer is always the one cast in the role of play-by-play, or should it be tie-by-tie or move-by-move? Maybe offense/defense? Those inexperienced folk should handle it like they're hosting the Oscars. Introduce the teams, note changes in match and team scores, tell a few jokes, maybe a short musical number, then shut up. -
The Big One: ILLINOIS versus Minnesota
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
@ionel, I've always liked the Gopher posters. Additionally, if Johnson, Gibbons, Sparks or Flores can't get to Minneapolis for the dual, I wouldn't mind hearing Mack Reiter and his partner call it. They're neutral and low-key very funny. Does this mean I'm going soft on Minnesota? No way. The Land of 10,000 Mosquito Bites. It's the movie Fargo but with trees. As you said, it could very well come down to heavyweight, and that's one of many close matches. Matt Wroblewski has a head-to-head win when they were both at 197, but Garrett Joles is a big musclehead and may now outweigh Wroblewski, who had a earlier start at putting on weight. These guys never get to shoot doubles or knee-down singles because there are so many fatties in conference. They are free here to actually shoot, and they both can do it. I'm especially looking forward to Danny Pucino versus Jake Bergeland, Carr versus Brayton Lee, Little Braunagel versus Sparks and Edmond Ruth versus O'Reilly. I want to see how Dylan Connell measures up against Isaiah Salazar. The Gopher's a big dude and tough wrestler, but Connell's added some muscle. There should be some very good matches! As a selfish ILLINI fan, I hope the dual starts at either 125, 157 or 184. I think those are the Minny guys who are pulling the most weight. Actually, the whole team looks pretty huge except for Joles and McKee, which makes me wonder, how did Pat McKee ever miss weight? Two rolls of half-dollars in his singlet? -
There are folks talking about some dual on Friday, but my friends, the Big One is Saturday between ILLINOIS and Minnesota. It will be the only wrestling match on BTN that day, while on Friday, you have Ohio State versus Michigan and Iowa versus Penn State. In other words, a bunch of fluff replete with bad haircuts and people who belong on the set of Deliverance. There's an award-winning preview of the Big One at the ILLINI Wrestling Blog and Forum and Beyond. It starts out a little something like this: WHO: Minnesota Golden Gophers WHAT: Dual WHERE: 1925 University Ave SE, Maturi Pavilion, Minneapolis, Minnesota WHEN: Saturday, January 28 at 1:00 pm (Central) WHY: Destroy the Gophers! TV/STREAMING: BTN TICKETS: $10 Youth, $10 Senior, $15 Public A DAY IN HISTORY It is Friday, February 12, 2016. The Billboard charts are full of unpleasant music. For example, Justin Bieber holds the numbers one and two spots with his hits, Love Yourself and Sorry. At the movies, your day is much better because Deadpool opens in 3,558 theaters and makes an incredible $47,335,592 that night. Assassin's Creed: Chronicles was released three days ago, and your kid brother has been playing it for the last 72 hours straight. The people having the best time, though, are at Huff Hall for the ILLINI dual with Minnesota. It's Senior Night, and befittingly, Senior Jeff Koepke seals a dual win for the good guys. Other winners for ILLINOIS include Francis Edelen, Zane Richards (tech), IMAR (major), and Steven Rodrigues (major). This was how that dual looks on paper: #12 Illinois 19, #16 Minnesota 16 (Full Play-By-Play: http://bit.ly/1KgaCFs) 197: #3 Brett Pfarr (MINN) dec. Emery Parker (ILL), 10-5 | 0-3 HWT: #10 Michael Kroells (MINN) major dec. #20 Brooks Black (ILL),8-0 | 0-7 125: Francis Edelen (ILL) dec. Skyler Petry (MINN), 3-2 | 3-7 133: #2 Zane Richards (ILL) tech fall Sam Brancale, 17-2 (MINN) | 8-7 141: #9 Tommy Thorn dec. Mousa Jodeh (ILL), 6-2 | 8-10 149: #14 Jake Short dec. Kyle Langenderfer (ILL), 8-3 | 8-13 157: #2 Isaiah Martinez (ILL) major dec. Brandon Kingsley (MINN), 15-6 |12-13 165: #4 Steven Rodrigues (ILL) major dec. Brandon Krone (MINN),21-8 |16-13 174: Nick Wanzek (MINN) dec. #2 Zac Brunson (ILL), 13-10 | 16-16 184: #15 Jeff Koepke (ILL) dec. Chris Pfarr (MINN), 8-4 | 19-16 THE BIG TEN NETWORK The dual is scheduled for 1pm (Central) on BTN. It is the only wrestling match scheduled for Saturday, so you can expect to see and hear from the network's dream team of Gibbons and Johnson, as Sparks may be in the studio whipping up some content. The important news is that there's a stupid and completely inconsequential basketball game between Northwestern and Minnesota scheduled at 11am (Central), right before the dual. Choose your TIVO options wisely. THE TEAMS The ILLINI are now 5-4 in duals. They got there by starting off the season with a win over Buffalo (28-9), then lost to NC State (12-27), whupped Chattanooga (32-9), then in the same afternoon, got whupped themselves by Pitt (6-30). After a nice showing at the Midlands, the ILLINI gave Iowa a scare (19-25), beat Wisconsin (18-17) and Purdue (31-9), lost a controversial match with Northwestern (17-17), and, most recently, beat Maryland (29-11). Minnesota has a very nice 10-2 record that includes a win over Oklahoma State. Here's what they've done this season: Beat Binghamton (19-15), South Dakota State (19-16), Augustana (37-4), Oklahoma State (18-12), North Dakota State (24-9), Lindenwood (48-6), Cal Poly (22-12), had consecutive losses on the road to Northwestern (11-18) and Nebraska (9-21), then beat Michigan State (21-11), Indiana (28-6) and Purdue (20-12). ... THE WRESTLERS 125. Maximo Renteria (#82, 3-8) versus Patrick McKee (#4, 9-2) McKee has been nails at the NCAA tournament the last two years. He's the Gopher's Lucas Byrd. During the regular season, though, he has been less sharp, losing seven last year, six the year before and eight the year before that. In other words, he can take some unexpected losses during conference. Still, he will be the huge favorite in this match with wrestlestat.com calling for a major decision. Maximo is 1-8 against common opponents, while the Gopher is 13-7. Last year as a true Freshman, the ILLINI went to the UNI Open and McKee pinned him. I believe Renteria was still recovering his wind from Covid at the time. I expect Maximo to start getting McKee-like results but perhaps not yet. PREDICTION: Minnesota is the huge favorite; regular decision. 133. Lucas Byrd (#7, 19-3) versus Aaron Nagao (#15, 14-3) The ILLINI will return the favor and send out a huge favorite against Nagao, who's having a nice season himself. You see, I would consider Byrd to be a massive favorite over Nagao, but in the last two duals this season, it has been Jake Gliva (#83, 10-5), who's suited up for the Gophers. Gliva has started for Minnesota in conference duals in two preceding years. He even lost to Byrd 3-8 last season. The Gopher would go on to earn an NCAA bid but lose two straight and finish up with a 13-15 record. I would not expect the Minnesota brain trust to send out an injured or recovering Nagao to face the ILLINI two-time All American. Lucas is 13-0 versus common opponents with Nagao, who is 4-3. Wrestlestat.com predicts only a two-point win for Byrd, but given what we know, and given scouting reports from his teammate from Cali, I expect it would be much worse. The wrestlestat.com algorithm favors the ILLINI by major if he faces the backup Gopher. Lucas is 21-7 against the same guys who have a 4-13 record versus Gliva. PREDICTION: ILLINOIS is the heavy favorite, regular decision against Nagao, possible major against Gliva. Below, you'll find a super cool video showing Maximo Renteria beating Nagao for one of his Cali state championships. You get a takedown-fest and a tilt-fest, and then you get to see Maximo hug his coaches, ILLINI alums Troy Tirapelle and Gabe Flores. Love this!
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How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
Okay, this will probably be my last post on the subject. I have produced a very nice "pin collage" from the high definition video posted by 1032004 above for your viewing pleasure. The ILLINI are owed 18 match points! What is interesting is that this same set of officials reffed the ILLINI/Maryland dual. They gave Braxton Brown near fall, but after a Poeta challenge, reversed the call. Then, they gave Maximo 2 points near fall, had their own bench conference, and wiped away Maximo's near fall. Before the match, they asked the announcers to "go easy on them." Well, no. -
I've got a complete, quick and exhaustive recap of the ILLINOIS/Maryland dual here at the ILLINI Wrestling Blog and Forum and Beyond. A SAMPLE from the recap: Finally, in the spirit of ionel's original post, here is a picture of Maryland's mascot, which, LOL, is food:
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How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
Thanks for this! BTN rendered this version in high definition. My dude was pinned for about three seconds. In defense of the ref, DeAugustino kicked away from the ref three times to obscure the fact that he was pinned. -
How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
You are wrong. BTN uploads a two-hour match within a couple of hours of its completion. Do you suppose they produce it in high definition? Of course not. They are interested in a speedy upload, not Minolta-picture quality. I can assure you that I produced what they had in the highest possible definition with my software (PowerDirector) and then processed it in HD on YouTube. -
How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
ORDER After hearing argument on Twitter, Instagram and Intermatforums.com, and after hearing from expert witnesses who were former ILLINI wrestling greats, this court has reached a final decision. FINDINGS OF FACT: Michael DeAugustino, the party of the first part, would have gotten four back points if he hadn't already been pinned by Maximo Renteria, the party of the second part. THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Northwestern must forfeit the match, change their official school name to "Nerdwestern," and bring us a shrubbery. One that looks nice, and not too expensive. -
How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
Thanks to the folks here and on Twitter for correctly pointing out to me that the danger rule only applies in neutral. Just know that I will not waffle on the pin. -
How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
He wasn't bridging defensively, he was pinning offensively. Just need refs with the agility to get in position to call it and the courage to call it against the home team. On another note, I mentioned above that Maximo visibly pushed off with both feet to get DeAugustino's shoulders to the mat. I know refs look at who initiates the action in freestyle. I also know it doesn't matter in folkstyle except for this: It should be a Bat Signal to refs that the bottom man is going for the defensive fall. Get in position! Final question: Can you be awarded near fall points while you are pinned? -
How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
P.S. Maximo is on top of DeAugustino's chest. Do you think DeAugustino's chest is more or less than four inches deep? Crazy call. -
How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
I blame the crappy BTN video. They buy their electrons for their electronics on the black market from Hong Kong. Nothing jumps around or gets fuzzier than a BTN+ replay. The fact that neither of Maximo's shoulder blades are close to the mat goes to emphasize the fact that both DeAugustino's shoulder blades were glued to the mat. Cheers! -
How Do YOU Score This?
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
First, let me note for the record that I am the biggest homer around. The ILLINI are always right. You, who are not ILLINI, are always wrong. That's a true fact. Second, the broadcasters of the ILLINI/NW dual were fooled. One of the broadcasters is a Northwestern wrestler on their team. The ref actually awarded four back points to DeAugustino. This came at a crucial time in the dual--the last match-- with the ILLINI winning. DeAugustino would go on to get a major decision and tie up the final score at 17-17. Third, it appears that Maximo Renteria pushed off with his feet to put DeAugustino in danger. Fourth, it appears that Maximo then reached back with one, then both, hands to elevate DeAugustino's head. This served to move the Wildcat's shoulder blades onto the mat. Fifth, DeAugustino's shoulder blades were flat on the mat for more than the requisite time for a pinfall. Maybe two. Sixth, I don't believe that Maximo's shoulder was ever on the mat! Finally, I realize a defensive fall call in the other team's gym is a long shot. But, I also know the refs have really emphasized the danger rule. If not a fall, then didn't Maximo put DeAugustino in danger? I thought the ref was very fair the entire match, but he got this call wrong. What do you think? -
From my just-published preview of the Maryland dual: "LOL. Their mascot is food."
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ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
Recap of the Wisconsin dual for ILLINI fans and Wisconsin masochists here. SAMPLE: "So many great stories, so many heroes, so many reasons to believe. It was bigger than the program turning a corner, though it was that. It was more like a new star was born in the center of the galaxy. From the near-miss against #2 Iowa on the road to the rousing win over a ranked Wisconsin at home...." -
ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
I don't know if it matters in a dual with ILLINOIS, as Lucas Byrd is 3-0 against Burwick with a major and 5-0 and 5-2 decisions. Now, Lamont's overall losing record even before facing RBY and Byrd might have caused Bono a twinge of regret. What matters here is that Wisconsin has not allowed Burwick to wrestle attached for Nebraska. Did the Nebraska football coach steal some players from Wisconsin's football team? That doesn't make sense, though, because it would be like a homeless person stealing bags from a bag lady. -
ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
The ILLINI agin the stinking Badgers: 125. Wisconsin heavy favorite. 133. ILLINI heavy favorite. 141. Depends. If Zargo, toss up, but that would mean he ducked PSU. If no Zargo, ILLINI solid favorite. 149. Wisconsin heavy favorite. Kevon Davenport has tried to toss folks in ~30% of his matches this year, including Sammy Sasso. Think a toss happens here. 157. This was a Wisconsin solid favorite, but now there's Mikey ******* Carr. 165. Wisconsin heavy favorite. 174. ILLINI heavy favorite. 184. ILLINI solid favorite. 197. ILLINI slight favorite. Zac beat Warnerov, Amos got smashed by Dean. Does Bono ducks his wrestler to avoid three straight losses? 285. Wisconsin heavy favorite. BTN @ 3:00 (Central). Before the addition of Carr, Wisconsin wins via more bonus points. Now? -
ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
While he discovered and named the Multiverse working side-by-side with Dr. Joseph McKenna. -
ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
I don't know. Hope to find out soon. Still getting over the shock of seeing Carr walk out onto the mat. Cheers! -
ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
Cardani had surgery in the off-season. Maximo is super talented, but has been slowed down by injuries and illnesses. And speaking of injuries ... ... Mikey Carr had an amazing redshirt freshman year, wrestling in the B1G finals after beating Nick Lee handily in the semis. And those weren't my favorite moments of that year. My favorite moment came in his first varsity match against Jaydin Eierman when he shot a double and picked him up and carried him around the mat on his shoulders until the ref called him for stalling. Ha! Who even does that? Then, injuries tore him apart. As a model student and citizen, he's the perfect reason for medical redshirts. -
ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
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ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
Iowa is going with all of their expected starters, although there's one "or" wrestling: Either Teske or Schriever: 125. Maximo Renteria vs. Spencer Lee 133. Lucas Byrd vs. Brody Teske/Cullen Schriever 141. Danny Pucino vs. Real Woods 149. Kevon Davenport vs. Max Murin 157. Anthony Federico vs. Cobe Seibrecht 165. Danny Braunagel vs. Patrick Kennedy 174. Edmond Ruth vs. Nelson Brands 184. Dylan Connell vs. Abe Assad 197. Zac Braunagel vs. Jacob Warner 285. Matt Wroblewski vs. Tony Cassioppi Wisconsin has more "ors" wrestling: 125: Maximo Renteria vs. Eric Barnett 133: Lucas Byrd vs. Taylor LaMont or Nicolar Rivera 141: Danny Pucino vs. Joseph Zargo or Felix Lettini 149: Kevon Davenport vs. Austin Gomez 157: Anthony Federico or Luke Odom vs. Garrett Model or Drew Scharenbrock 165: Danny Braunagel vs. Dean Hamiti 174: Edmond Ruth vs. Josh Otto or James Rowley 184: Dylan Connell vs. Tyler Dow 197: Zac Braunagel vs. Braxton Amos 285: Matt Wroblewski vs. Trent Hillger or Peter Christensen I don't think the Iowa "or" is much of a drop off. It might even be an improvement. Time will tell. Four of the Wisconsin "ors" are major drop offs. Poor Maximo. Beset with injuries and illnesses and now gets his first two B1G dual starts against Spencer Lee and Eric Barnett. Could be a decent match with Barnett if the Badger is pulling as much weight as I think he is. -
ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
If you are including this from the lost Covid year: 2020 NWCA All-American (First-Team) I agree with you 100%. Those count in my eyes. That change has been made to the preview. Thank you. As for your second point, would you be willing to give a statement under oath to our investigators, the Hardly Boys and Encephalopedia Brown? -
ILLINOIS Versus Iowa & Wisconsin This Week
ILLINIWrestlingBlog replied to ILLINIWrestlingBlog's topic in College Wrestling
Good point about Purdue, Mr. PeanutButter. Will Spencer's knees be ready for a brash and tricksy Matt Ramos, though? Will be interesting to see what Brands/Lee decide. I thought I saw that Assad had won Soldier Salute. Didn't know about the tweaked knee. Assad has been an ILLINI-killer, so we scoured the state for somebody who could beat him, much like the Soviet Union searched their country top to bottom for an anti-Gable for the Olympics.