BruceyB

Without the portal Spratley and Jamison are likely at Minnesota. Amine and Hamiti still likely at their previous schools. Parco, Teemer, Buchanon, Caliendo are unlikely at Iowa Who knows if Mesenbrink leaves CBU, Nagao is still at Minnesota, Kerkvliet may still be at tOSU, and who knows how many guys would have committed somewhere else if they couldn't freely transfer if they failed to make the starting lineup. That is 11 wrestlers right there that have been funneled away from other programs to the big 3. The talent has always been highly concentrated, but at this point, it's hard to imagine PSU, OKST, or Iowa having something in their starting lineup that isn't a top 15 guy in the country. I don't understand how Iowa has such a hole at 141.

I, among others, hate your findings, sir.

Not related to Spencer at all, but you've seen it from the Japanese wrestlers.. I think it was Takatani who went into the bleachers to celebrate his silver medal finish at the Olympics. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Competing to the best of your ability and accepting the outcome should be celebrated as well. Results will fall as they do, but you can only control what you can control.

LET ME IN. I'll chip in $40 baby. 20 to grease the palm.

I hate the constant conversation about Bo Bassett's age. As far as I know, the reason Bo was held back was because at his growth rate, he wasn't going to be a full sized 106 as a freshman (he grew a good amount between 8th and 9th grade IIRC). If my child wanted to, I would allow them to be held back to enjoy the sport competitively for all 4 years of high school as well. I don't understand why Bo gets picked out from the countless other PA/Ohio guys that did a holdback year, other than the fact he is so dominant.

The wrestlers that have left the program are only "not of significance" because they were recruited over. Siebrecht, Glazier, Chittum, Rhodes, Wyatt Henson, etc. Look at the depth of the Iowa line-up. They burned a true freshman's redshirt because they didn't have anyone serviceable to go out at 157 when Teemer was out. I'm not discrediting the Brands coaching ability, but just saying that @wrestle87's statement about their ability as GM is questionable. It seems they are much better coaches than GM's especially when you consider their handling of Teske's seeding at B1G's the past couple years.

There is obviously a difference between seeing what he can do and stopping it, but literally in his post tournament interview, Ono said it was going to be harder to win his second world title because he was going to be scouted. He was hardly a favorite going into worlds at 61kg. We knew he was tough after beating Blaze, but no one knew he was going to demolish the field of former world/olympic champions like he did. I lean toward picking Ono, but I'm not going to discredit how amazing Spencer is.

@scourge165 said it above. Sinclair is a brilliant wrestler but was able to reach extreme heights of success in high-school without cutting weight. He's looked outmatched physically against everyone he's lost to this year. Him finding a nutrition plan/weight that is ideal for him will be very important for his success in college. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a 174 next year.

It's hard with an individual sport, but in football if your QB is hurt for 3/4 of a season, your team likely isn't making the playoffs, and they don't grant you an at-large because you "could have" won an extra few games. I think I am in support of a school's rep at the weight accounting for the seed going into conferences. Imagine Green Bay sitting their starting QB against Detroit so that their loss "doesn't count" because their QB was injured. That is essentially was is happening in college wrestling with no penalty for ducking tough opponents. You shouldn't be able to maintain a #1 seed because your were too "hurt" to compete against the opposition.

I completely agree that they are the best coaches for 125-133. I don't see how anyone could deny that. I definitely would contest them as GM(s). They are not great recruiters, they consistently recruit over their current athletes, and have probably had more athletes leave their program than any other top tier team in the last decade. That isn't a shot at them as coaches, but I think it does say something about the GM skills. IIRC in their last 5 recruiting classes, only Ayala, Arnold, and Kueter are the only relevant wrestlers on their roster.

lol.. he'd have one if he wanted to.

Sinclair beat Josh Barr twice in FS last year. Just FYI.

Site* ?

I could be the head coach of Iowa and they'd be the most talked about program because of their horrible coaching hire. Does that make me #2? We'd surely be talked about..

There was literally no reason for Ramos to wrestle. The dual had zero importance, and he had nothing to gain with a win. As I stated in my previous post, under the current system, it makes zero sense for Ramos to wrestle outside of "doing it for the fans."

He didn't AA last season.. I will say he looks like a force this year, but to act like having a better seed isn't a bigger gain than giving Smith a shot at an upset during the regular season is just unfair. The current seeding system rewards this kind of thing. We saw it with Miller ducking Blaze, and now Ramos not wrestling Smith. Until there is a reason to wrestle, we'll see coaches make the decision that best suits their wrestler's end goals.. best seed for B1Gs/Nationals.

I'm not trying to be rude, but please stop comparing your local high school wrestling in the 70s to D1 wrestling in 2025..

Literally the case here, bud.

I have mixed feelings on the issue. There is a lot of pressure (from media and fans) on Iowa and their role in college wrestling when they already take on arguably two of the biggest out of conference duals with Oklahoma State and Iowa State (as you mentioned). Obviously UNI and Iowa would be good for the sport, especially considering the in-state rivalry, but it's not Iowa's job to wrestle every top program in the country. PSU wrestles essentially nobody outside of the conference schedule and they don't receive nearly the criticism of Iowa.. Cael just gets credit for creating a schedule that helps his athletes peak for March.

Just curious where everyone falls. Ono is obviously the furthest person from a villain possible, but he is taking on America's own Spencer Lee. I'm curious where people fall as far as who/what they are rooting for from this match. Regardless, it's an obvious W for wrestling, but what are you hoping for tomorrow night? For the record, I am picking option 5. I have always rooted for Spencer, especially after having his career so hampered with injuries. I also think Ono is an unbelievable talent and seems to be just the nicest, most pure hearted kid I've ever seen in the sport. Maybe a boring answer, but I just can't pick between two amazing wrestlers/people.

One of the biggest highlights of each regular season without a doubt.

I would expect a surprise somewhere, but that is was it will be.. a surprise.

The topic is greatest 1x champs. Going 2, 1, 3, 2 as well his competitiveness at the senior level makes him deserving of being in the conversation. Perry won some nasty brackets, and Tyler Caldwell is in the conversation of the best to never win an NCAA titles.

Dustin Plott seems to be doing alright after his shoulder issues.

I agree. I don't think there is a single toss-up in the dual. But.. I think OKST vs Iowa in Carver could provoke some chaos. Will it be in your favor?