swoopdown

Does DeAug know what year it is?

12 hours ago, Southend said:

Nit picking. 

Yes.   Tremedous insights can emerge from curiosity about small things.  

The great mistery for me from the tournaments was that Brands ran off the mat without doing the traditional post-match handshake with Brooks.  Why?  Forgot?  Didn't want to?  Embarassed?  Had a pressing engagement?  Wanted to comfort his wrestler right away?  Delegated to an assistant?  Does this happen often?  Curious if anyone else at the tournament noticed this.

Rank# 1  Lewan.  Lew one-to-one (as someone called him) or Will Lewan "take a shot?" has come to epitomize this year's edition of the low score model with five or six low scoring OT bouts.  A really tough out for most.  Lewan vs Haines is the Ying and Yang of wrestling strengths and styles which makes it boring to many.  As for me, it makes stressful not boring.

Rank #2 - Bartlett.  Beau probably scores more that Lewan because unlike Lewan (who is an immoble, inpenetratable rock) he is mobile.  So Beau scores with go behinds on bad technique shots against him and he does typically shoot a few times during the course of a match.  However, not getting the first TD usually is an insurmountable deficit against the better wresters.  His hips may rank second only to Lewan in opponents who have bounced off them for the year.

Rank #3 -  Rocco Welsh.  Only a freshman, he may develop great offense against the best.  However, he must be on my list based on his match with Starocci.  He fought great head and hands and kept a wrestler of Starocci's neutral talents from firing many shots.  He didn't show any offensive firepower against Carter, and if he can slow it down again (Roc'n'Stall Welch) you have to give him a chance against the top offensive talents.  Question is does he develop additional fire power in future seasons or does he settle into a Bartlett type mode.

Who did I miss?

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2 hours ago, bnwtwg said:

Just for shits and giggles I'm changing my pick and taking Cox at 125. The rumor mill is saying that he is going heavyweight because he doesn't want to cut weight for his last olympic run.

Do HWs have to weigh-in?  Could be a good move.

Iowa will not be the team to beat PSU.  Tom and Terry are too short.

11 hours ago, cowcards said:

I'm a big fan of reading completed series. I hate waiting for books to be released.

Waiting for Patrick Rothfuss and George R. R. Martin is killing me.  Best to read books by deceased authors only and avoid the trama.

On 2/15/2024 at 8:24 PM, Lipdrag said:

Audiobooks count.  Braille isn't actually reading either, it is feeling.  But I am sure you won't tell a blind guy that the way he experiences a book does not "count".  The sense (sight, touch, sound) through which the information enters your consciousness should not be subject to discrimination.  Show some tolerance for diversity, dude.

I read the first 100 pages of Hamilton then listened to the next 600+ via Libby.  Often in the car and doing yard chores.  Sometimes I would find a couple more tasks to do outside to get through a particularly interesting bit of the book or arrive at my destination but remain in the car listening for a bit until reaching a natural break in the narrative.

PS, did I do an OK job of trash talking you?  Maybe I should read the book.

Audio books count for me!

I've been known to check out the audio and printed version of a book at the same time.  The most recent time for Stalin's War by Sean McMeekin.   Sometimes read, sometimes listen, some times both at once (true that it is slow compared to pure reading even at 1.25X or 1.5X speed, but better slow then nothing) -  My old eyes fade before my brain and the only way I can keep momentum is with audio.  

An aside, I read Hamilton before I started doing audio books - and I'd rank it as one of the best bios ever.  What was your verdict?

The Making of the Atomic Bomb - Richard Rhodes

Interesting cast of characters in the world of 20th century physicists.  Most of them warrant their own books.

15 minutes ago, PSULou64 said:

Kasak and Rathjen are pretty much equal and that match could go either way but I'm not sure either guy is an AA at this point.  In any event everyone is chasing Lovett and from what I saw last night from him good luck.

 

this.  Watching Lovett vs Gomez leaves you with the feeling that the road to AA may be too long this year.  Rathjen may have the better path if he can avoid the 3rd period fatigue that showed up against Kasak.

When I see Ayala take down a good wrestler from his three point stance I may concede that his three point stance is not stalling.   Does anyone have film of Ayala taking anyone down from 3 point position???????   This match or any other?  Maybe he is quick enough to do it but I just have not seen it?

I really hate 3 point stance.  Have you noticed?  That said, as long as it is legal, I think Nagao and Davis should use it in certain situations. But wrestling would be a better product without it.

As far as the equivalency fantasy that exists between refusal to tie and three point stance ......I disagree that a right hand only tie or no ties leave a wrestler in a stalling only position.  For example - At around 2:32 of this match you see RBY with his arm back.  At 2:35 you see RBY on top of DeSanto.  Hmmm. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvemcMG_-Gc&t=192s

16 minutes ago, Le duke said:

The 10-10 match against Nick Lee, and beating Pletcher, Kolodzik and Joey McKenna on the same day don’t show you he’s improved over last year?


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Good point.  That was a good day at the office. 

5 minutes ago, BIGTENFANBOY said:

I think Davis adjusts and supasses Ayala at Big Tens and NCAA.

Nagao Schreiver went about as expected as possible

Bartlett looked sharp. Woods looks like hes HEW.

Kasak will surpass Rathjen like Davis will surpass Ayala

I dont know what Vak was grumbling about Haines looking big. To me he looks skinny. The opposite of big.

Messenbrink is just plain better than Cliendo

Starrocci looked bored and disinterested. Didnt look like he was trying in the 3rd.. and honestly didnt need to.

Truax match was boring. Wasnt too impressed. I think Arnold would beat Truax.

Glazier held position didnt try to score. Brooks wrestled safe as the dual was already wrapped up. If he needed to open up (which he obviously didnt need to) would have definitely been a major or tech. 

Kirk just plain on a different level and size imo was not a factor. At heavyweight is not a big deal and Kueter is nowhere near a a 197lber. Kirk also wrestled a safe match. If he wanted to blow the doors off he could have.

 

 

I've got more hope for Kasak, less for Davis this season.  If Davis holds weight he may pass Ayala but not this year.  Hope I'm wrong.

Bartlett and Woods looks like  it's still a toss up.  Not giving up TDs to Real is very impressive, but one night does not show that Beau has jumped levels.  hints that 1st TD wins.

I expected Ayala to win by more than he did.  The few times I've seen him he seemed quicker then Davis and I thought he could leverage that.  Very surprised at his strategy.  It worked ok but I think he would widen the margin if he opened up on Davis.  I need to see the match as I actually had to listen to the first couple of bouts vs seeing them.   Not sure that Davis will do better in a rematch this season. 

'

9 minutes ago, VakAttack said:

I dunno?  More than Davis who just kept hitting him in the head and face and didn't particularly try to take a shot.

Just now, VakAttack said:

Except RBY wasn't shooting with one arm behind his back.  He was keeping his arm away from Desanto until he was ready to shoot.

RBY was quick enough to shoot a low single from an arm back, no tie position.   If he never did it I'd be surprised.  Regardless it was within the rules and the smart thing to do.   

Stalling on Vak - we are discussing the equivalency of the three point stance not Davis's lack of shots or clubbing.  Deflection is a good tool for a lawyer though. 

maybe there would have been more shots by Ayala and Davis without the three point?  It was a winning strategy.  I don't fault Ayala for using it.  It was smart.  Not a personal preference but smart.

4 minutes ago, VakAttack said:

Did Ayala not get a TD?  How'd he get so many points? 

how many from three point stance?   Seriously, I listened to this match on the radio and haven't seen it yet.  If he got one I'll concede equivalency (this match only)

Just now, Grecojones said:

Did the Ayala knee remind anyone of the RBY arm behind the back?

In a way - except RBY could get TDs with his arm behind his back.  There is that inconvenient truth thing that is problematic for equivalency.

kinda boring 2nd part PSU bias recap

165 - Gas tank vs Gas tank.  Messy strikes first!  Not being shy shoots again after escape.  No three point stance here.  Definitely not channeling his inner Bartlett.   Iowa has 3 bloody noses in first six  bouts?  What does Brands do to their noses?  Wait stalling on Cal?  Revision Gas tank vs tanked.  Potential dangerous on Messy leg.  Please don't break it.   I wanna see him at NCAAs.  Good job by Caliendo not mailing in the last 15 seconds.

174 - Star gets 1st TD.  Will he dance or dominate going forward?  Last second TD.  When things are going your way ...   Star had 23rd birthday yesterday per radio.  Looks like Star will dominate .... Brands (and Rocco from OSU) had a better strategy - never shoot against Star.  Just hand fight.  Kennedy best offense so far is locked hands and stall by Carter.  Kennedy still attacking.  Good for him.  oh oh .... opened the door to more stallrachi posts.

184 - TruOx could be a good nickname but does not fit his style.  Bernie stall!  OMG.  Well, it is Carver.  Bernie better pin or he may stall out.  Kinda ugly (major) win.  Guess I'm entitled and showing my blue and white privilege.

197 - Opening period.  Yawn.  Wow.  Shooting on Brooks turns out badly for most.  Glazier respectable but only because Brooks had flu - you can only tell because Brooks has tape on his elbow and is short.  Blue collar, no drama victory. 

HW - The great hawk hope for Iowa next.   110 - 0 high school hope.  Quick three for Kerk.   Escape is a good sign for Iowa future.  Not riding Kerk very long a sign that he is not ready for prime time. 

Look inside a PSU fans stream-of-consciousness at the midpoint

125 - Cael needs to drill Davis on the got behind and attack the stalling three point wrestler counter.  I think the best counter is the "don't-get-behind-the-wanker-that-uses-it" technque. I'm ok with batting the guys head doing this but it doesn't get you any points.  Rule change should be that when someone goes to three point stance the opposing wrestler should be awarded use of a baseball bat.

133 - Hard to call stalling on top against a guy who wins 11-0.  But this is Carver so maybe.

141 - Bartlett knows how to slow a pace down without going to a 3 point stance.  Carver stalling call.  Surprised that Barlett didn't get called for stalling for not getting that double leg fast enough.  I mean, it is Carver.

149 - Stalll warning for defending a shot against Kasak.  I mean, it is Carver. Kasak looking Cavered.  But he is a true frosh.  Stall against Iowa.  Wait.  This is Carver.  SV.  Tied at 8.  Match of the night!   Forget about Carvered.  OK SV.   But liking Kasak's future!  He was NOT Carvered.  He just might make noise later.

157 - Iowa stalling?  What is happening here.  Levi only has 1:40 riding time after 1.  Levi heavy hips might have broken Franek.  Franek stalling for a point .... Gable's hip must be vibrating wildly in its socket.  12- 0 major.  Whops.  Slumping Haines pace still good enough.

On 2/3/2024 at 6:40 PM, Le duke said:

He’s a true freshman who just went through the hardest week of training of his life. I don’t think one “bad” match, in which he scored a TD and *gave up* a single takedown, is enough to write off his body of work.

That said, 125.


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1 hour ago, Rassling said:

I honestly believe Carter was performing at 50-75% due to sort of illness? Just not sure. Same with Woods. He may have been ill because he too did not look the same - at all. Tonight Woods is going out pissed and Beau will have his hands full. My favorite match to watch!

My view of the match - It took seven minutes for the mat repellent on Rocco's knees to wear off.  Around the last minute you see Carter look at the clock and think "OK,  Not getting the tech so I may as well dance away the night cause I'm good with the win and him continuing to do nothing".  Rocco then does a few theatrical knee touches in the last minute (see, they can bend ref - I'm really trying) and comes away happy with his moral victory.  

Rocco's a good hand fighter and defensive stud from neutral but to really have a chance against Carter he will need to generate at least one real honest shot.  Only a freshman so it could develop and make him a real threat.  More likely scenerio this year is Rocco opens up and Carter gives him a lesson when then meet again.

Can Ridge predict what Gomez will try before Gomez gets the idea?

9 minutes ago, 1032004 said:

@swoopdown was there…any insight?

I've got nothing.

14 minutes ago, 1032004 said:

I see what looks to be an arm shaking Davis’s hand at 11:05 in that video. Then Ryan argues with the ref and Davis doesn’t get his hand raised until 11:30

That OSU didn't lose a team point supports that there was a handshake at 11:05 (there must be no requirement that two wrestlers have to be in the circle when the winners arm is raised I guess).  But since the camera was fixated on Ryan the mime handshake, which was the observation that I observed, was not captured.

1 hour ago, Lleynor said:

He's also an Olympic and World Champ. His status isn't imaginary. 

You're right.  Taylor's actual accomplishments coupled with Pico's most recent fantasy victories have moved Pico to the top ranking.  Taylor is clearly regressing.  Maybe he needs to change to a different RTC.