MidwestMan

I agree about Walker and Sinclair, but Cole (true frosh) was in the match with Ruth, down 2 with short time and had to take a couple of desperate shots. Throw these guys with Mizzous incoming recruits and could rebound fast.

Congrats to our neighbors to the east for their current "right to brag" with their win last night. Win or lose, I enjoy the spirit of the rivalry and tradition that passes with each generation. Much like how Illinois was going through a transitional year in 22/23, I think Mizzou is having one of those years in 23/24. Lots of room for growth and fairly young roster. Crossing my fingers Cam Sneed's injury is not a "season ender!" Mizzou has been a rolling ambulance since towards the end of last season. Northern Iowa is coming up and is always tough as they seem to embody the "Schwab ethos." If the Tigers don't get their lineup in tack and everyone healthy, they could very easy fall to 1-3. I know it's early in the season, but I also said that last year, and last year just got worse. Division 1 wrestling is "Tough Stuff!"

My only concern for Sinclair is being in a program that, in my opinion, may do a decent job of recruiting, but I'm leery of how well it further develops wrestlers. Do they totally reach their potential under this staff, or do they come in with talent developed in a great HS or club and become stagnant? Look at the track record the past 5 years, especially last year. JMHO.

What are the Japanese doing? One training center? Multi? One set of national coaches with a developmental system? Incentives? So who is responsible for correcting the ship and getting it back on target? Should fingers be pointing at training centers or USA Wrestling? Take a lesson FROM USA track. USA may have some of the fastest individual 100 meter sprinters in the world, but can't seem to take home gold in a "Team 400" relay because of handoffs. Some country's have less talent, but more discipline, and work on the details that put them in position to win.

Will there be primaries? Which state leads off? A 17 minute platform? Banana Republic? Sounds like a "slippery slope" to me.

Plus Arizona State and South Dakota State in Big 12.

My, my! Wouldn't that make too much damn sense. Would love to see ULRA in Big 12 just because of geography, but what gives them the best path to success and continual growth of their program? Would SoCon make better sense, or hang with the Pac 12 if those other teams bolt? I just can't get my head around all the travel that goes on for student/athletes with some of these ridiculous alignments. I was a really big fan of the "Big 8". Guess it's like listening to classic rock these days.

This was a great read and brought back memories of a high school teammate that was one of our team captains and totally blind. Regardless of his handicap, he was just one of the boys on the team and one hell of a sense of humor. I can remember one particular incident when one of my teammates came into the locker room and asked if anyone had seen "so and so?" This voice pipes up from the row over, "I saw him walk by just a minute ago!" Recognizing the voice, I broke out in a big belly laugh. Mike had been a source of motivation to me when I started wrestling as he accomplished so much regardless of his handicap and always positive and encouraging. After HS, Mike enrolled at the University of Missouri where he completed his undergraduate degree and then Law degree and then went home to the Raytown area and opened a law practice. He has continued to practice law over 40 years and has served as a municipal judge. He has also been active holding various leadership positions on local charities and civic organizations. I couldn't tell you what his win and loss record was while he was a HS wrestler, but as a contributing member of our society, he was 100-0. He too, was one of my life heroes.

I don't know what avg Mizzou attendance is for duals, but they set a new attendance record this year vs Oklahoma State. Was over 6000 but lost the dual. Long drive home.

Guess I should have made this comment under the "Do we need a push out rule" topic!

At the watch party I was at last weekend, all I heard was "if they'd add a push out Rule it would stop this "sh#t!" Successful teams would adapt as they have for scrambling "spaghetti" wrestling. Traditionalist will argue, but I think it would be better for the sport and prepare talent for the international level.

There is no doubt in my mind that coach Smith builds a strong "team family" and always considers the "person" before the "athlete!" I just get frustrated with the lack of "nasty/gritty" that may be a reflection of my personality. I go to the duals and it seems like there is no emotion or sense of urgency on the bench, or with the team on the sideline. Where as, Okie State, Ia State, Northern Ia, VT, their bench was absolutely "fired up!" We lose a match in overtime and it's like "ah shucks!" I truly believe a team takes on the personality of their coach. Coach Smith has resurrected Mizzou wrestling, just wish the kids were a little less "Tigerstyle" boyscouts and more Keckeisen/Swiderski nasty/aggressive on the mat. Maybe next year!

Lots of logic in this post for sure, and both would have that "name recognition!" So, say David Taylor goes to the Olympics and brings back the gold just adding more palmres to his legacy. Iowa gets the checkbook out and writes a number that is so big, it's absolutely crazy to say no. Taylor goes to Iowa, which is a traditional hotbed of wrestling, but sure not Pennsylvania, gets to pick assistants, top facilities, etc... Would the "Benjamins" be enough of a pull to get it done, loyalty or not? Does money buy happiness? In the college football world there are several disciples knocking off their mentors. It's part of why they coach. Cale and Penn State is the standard now. What if Taylor really wanted to leave a legacy as a coach to go along with his wrestling legacy? Remember, Gable wrestled for Iowa State before starting his legacy at Iowa. He was the man I idolized as a HS wrestler. Losing just once and bouncing back to win gold and be the poster boy for wrestling. Cale goes undefeated, gold medal at Olympics and new poster boy. Takes Iowa State job with success, took the money and new address in hot bed of talent and built his dynasty. Zoom forward. All dynasties eventually end and most the time it is because an ambitious upstart challenges the power structure and drives out the old. Hail Taylor! Hail Taylor! Gotta admit, this forum would go batshit crazy on that day.

Just hoping Surtin doesn't do another Surtin, "for certain!" Have no clue what his end season problem was, but he wrestled so many of these guys to the wire and was a yo yo in the rankings also. I'm pulling for him to finish strong next year but 125 is going to be a grinder.

As I have stated somewhere in another post, probably whining about Mizzou's end of the season performance. I should give more credit to Smith for building the program to a point that it is relevant and recognized in Missouri, thus not dropped when Missouri moved to the SEC. I so wanted an invite to the Big 10. It's also why I worry every time Missouri hires a new AD. Smith has a good working relationship with the other Zou coaches and is respected in the Columbia community. He's been there 25+ years, raised family there, laid roots. What happens if wrestling at Missouri becomes mediocre again? I could never see Brian Smith poaching wrestlers to strengthen his lineup because he is more loyal to his kids, regardless of the Whiting/Hawks swap at the end of the season. As a fan, I'd love to see some roster "mercs" to compete with the big guns. As a former coach, I respect his loyalty. We talk about Mizzou wrestling in the state now, not so much 30 years ago. One positive of being in the SEC is "mo money!" Just leave wrestling alone.