MidwestMan

What? Mizzou not even in the top 25? Kind of surprising considering some of the talented additions to the roster the past couple of years. I like to read the information about the wrestlers on the roster, including why they chose Tiger Style over some other programs. Team chemistry and belief that they can achieve their overall goals as student athletes by following the "Tiger Style" ethos are the most mentioned reasons. Brian Smith continues to sell this Mizzou program using this philosophy and the MU wrestlers do place a lot of wrestlers on the Academic AA list. Tough to compete against top spenders in the current NIL environment, but top 5 should be possible with current talent. I can't see MU competitively spending on wrestling in the future while being in the SEC in the revenue sports. FB.and BB coaches will be feeling the heat to step their programs up. Brian Smith will never feel that heat at MU. Damn, I need to keep playing the Powerball lottery.

My apologies for not responding sooner. Busy weekend, and as much as I enjoy the banter on this forum, sometimes I just take a break and turn off my phone. My biased opinion about Travis was based on what I thought was an underwhelming performance compared to what "I" thought was his potential. I'm a Missouri native and have followed several of these athletes from kids wrestling forward. Seeds had nothing to do with my assessment. More gut. If you have followed some of my ranting, although I am a Tiger wrestling supporter, I have been vocal about my feeling that Mizzou has fallen short of maximizing potential in recent years. Once again, my opinion. I understand you are looking at measurable statistics, thus your comment. Logos vs Pathos My apologies to Show_Me for somehow getting dragged into this.

Yes sir, I'd forgotten about MacTruck. BTW, I've always been a "Jimmy" defender. I like puppy dogs.

I consider that marketing effort part of the rebrand. Maybe I'm not using the correct term in my synopsis. For example, the "Stillyboys" clips are genius and racking up clicks. Taylor is not recreating the wheel, just putting on better tires. I'm just hoping to see some other programs realize that the "train has left the depot" and chugging away. Some may need a new engineer, but regardless, better trade that steam engine for a diesel, and catch up with the times.

Timing was perfect for David Taylor at Okie State. Taylor had one hell of a mentor, and in my opinion, outside looking in, pretty much a "clone" of coach Cale. He just rebranded it at Okie State. Watch him on the mat side, in interviews, laid back persona pushing the fun factor in the room etc... Both with NCAA and World level creds. Taylor is smart and a really good communicator. What's not to like about what he had accomplished in such a short time? Now throw in the blue blood tradition and some deep pockets to grease the machine, and a rabid "blue collar" fanatic fase base that is searching for a winner to hitch their horse to. Heck, not to mention the staff he has put together and regional training for next level. If MU ever dropped wrestling, which is always a fear in the football hungry SEC, I'd shift my loyalty to Okie State, although I have a ton of respect for Schwab and Northern Iowa.

Travis obviously didn't wrestle up to his ability at Big 12's. Tigers needed the Travis that beat Mauller at the Okie State vs Mu dual in COMO a couple of years ago, when he was a Cowboy. I left that dual pretty disgusted. So, Mauller flamed out his Sr year at MU. Travis transfers home to CoMo and does the same. Will Conway be back next year, or more "musical chairs?" As a MU wrestling fan, I've been leaning into "next year" a little too often these days.

C'mon C'bon, yur stirring the pot, not that I'm queuing up "food dish" references.

Mauger needs to find the weight room in the off-season. Maybe same for Walker. I've already stated my thoughts on Edmond and his career. If it's Mendoza at 149, going to be a big change. A lot can happen in a year. Need to finish strong with the Tigers that qualify for nats, and I'll be pulling for Rocky. He's still a Tiger in my eyes.

Just delaying the inevitable. It all catches up in the end. He is very talented and this style has worked for him at every level, till it doesn't! I don't care for this style, nor would I ever coach it. But that's me.

See my repost I just added from last year after the Stanford vs MU dual, and enjoy all the comments about MU wrestling at the time. I think I even commented on one of the posts about "Holding that thought!" I certainly admire loyalty to a program and Brian Smith deserves a huge kudos for his part, but it is time.

Good timing to bring this post forward and contrast comments about MU wrestling then in Jan 2025, and now. I was vocal about MU needing a change then, and haven't changed my stance. Enjoy reading your comments from then, many defending Smith, and your comments now, calling for change. Same head coach, most the same staff, plus KO. Add the recruiting class, but still a team that has fallen short maximizing talent. It has cost us in departing talent, especially in the current state of NIL. Brian's done a great job building the Tigers to significance. Now it's time to hand they keys to the car to a new driver, and destination.

No worries. I should do a better job of proof reading before I push the button. It was a real issue back in my drinking days. Sure don't miss that.

I think you misunderstood what I meant. I guess I should have posted: "2 years ago, who would have guessed that both Elam and Hawkes would be gone from Mizzou and wrestling for other programs?" Hawkes had some good wins, and of course, Rocky was multi AA. It kind of blindsided the MU followers. And let's not forget the Whiting hit the portal also.

This describes me my frosh year in college in the early 70's. I'd wake up in the emergency room with zero memory of what happened. Would recover and be back to practice in a couple of days. I'm not blaming anyone, it was what we did then. We've come a long ways with head trauma knowledge. I had several more concussions over the years. One from a street fight that I was told I was winning, till I wasn't. 2 from mountain bike crashes, the last was 13 yrs ago. My biggest fear is having my wife of 52 yrs dealing with a husband with dementia. Guess I have an excuse for getting off topic and rambling time to time. My guess is, if Anderson is dealing with concussion issues, his season could be over. I wish him the best.

Elam should for sure. Who would have thought 2 years ago? Welcome to the world of NIL.