Tigerfan

No way he finishes that high. Elam is ranked outside the top 8, and he’s a 3xAA (5,4,3). There are at least 8 guys demonstrably better than him. I suppose anything could happen, but that would truly shock me.

There are so many things happening in college sports I’m having trouble distilling it all into how NCAA D1 wrestling will be impacted. Big10 and SEC will withdraw from NCAA and start their own organization, ostensibly to benefit FB/BB almost exclusively. NIL money is basically robbing Peter to pay Paul, since those donations used to go to the schools to help fund Oly sports, offsetting the costs of competitive FB/BB programs. Declining enrollments and ever escalating costs will ultimately force almost all schools to cut Oly sports in order to compete in the FB/BB arms race. PSU, Iowa, Michigan, and maybe a few others have the self-funding to carry on, but no one else will have the cash to compete with them. Another D1 school adding women’s wrestling ain’t happening. “Total pipedream”. D1 wrestling is a dead man walking. I give it 5 years. Enjoy every bit we have left, because winter is coming. It should be noted that my understanding of the situation comes mostly from well-connected people who are the opposite of reactionary in their professional capacities. Is that about the gist of it? Will non-school affiliated club teams take over? Will anyone care? Attendance at freestyle events is dismal. Will that change? Enquiring minds want to know.

At my age, wisdom is the better part of valor.

I’m hesitant to put my career undefeated record of 1-0 on the line. I won TOM’s inaugural event years ago. Is Veritas still around, or has he moved on?

Didnt SHP used to run the formula and tell us the allocations a day or two prior in years past? Seems like allocations we’re never a mystery for long thanks to his efforts. He used to link his blog weekly. Does he still update that?

Just overly precautionary, I suspect. Mizzou protects injury reports like Fort Knox. The neck doesn’t seem to affect his wrestling like a knee/shoulder/etc. would.

I think a healthy Surtin is bad for anyone seeing him for the first time this year. He’s way more offensive than years past, mostly due to health - according to Coach Smith. Spratley and Flynn are potential landmines, but he’ll surprise the BIG10 dudes as well as Stanich, Noto, etc. As someone said, B12’s will clarify things regarding Figs, Volk, Poulin, Flynn, Surtin, etc. In short, it’s still a mess.

Rocky Elam has owned Bastida at 197. Very curious how that will impact Zach Elam’s match strategy. Bastida has been giving 285 a collective spanking so far this year. Can big Elam shut him down in neutral, and probably more importantly, get a turn or 2 on top?

So, no Carr/O’Toole, but we still could get Elam/Bastida, if ISU makes it happen. Ech/Edmond will also be a good one.

#24 Josh Edmond Mizzou 141 beat #8 Cael Happel UNI

Nice to see Edmond rounding into form.

Elam was up 3-0

Lots of good discussion/speculation on this topic. One thing that doesn’t often get mentioned is his mental mentorship. Ben’s mindset is special, if not unique. He guided Mark Ellis to his Championship by moving in with him when Ben was a grad assistant at Mizzou. The following year, when Askren was gone, Ellis took 6th, much more in line with what what most wrestling experts would have predicted given his skill set. The difference, the biggest of all differences, was Ben in his ear that whole season his Jr year. To me, THAT speaks volumes about his ability to coach people and get the very best out of them. His creative wrestling mind is a distant 2nd, maybe 3rd after his recruiting prowess, to his greatest asset, which is his mindset. How many other elite athletes of his level would show the video of his record-quick KO loss in UFC to his kids at practice and have a good laugh? Never be afraid to lose was the lesson. Mindset is what separates the champions at NCAA level, not wrestling skill.

Mizzou phoned it in.

I thought this started at 1pm ET?

Is that what kids these days call a photoshop fail? Or does Woods have 6 fingers?

So, I’m not the only one who can’t see the most recent rankings on the app? Got it.

Did Flo not publish new rankings this week, and if not, has any explanation been given?

I don’t think I’ll go this year. I’m very familiar with KC, so that’s not a draw for me, though I think it will be great for newbies. Festivals aren’t really my scene anymore, be they music, art, or wrestling. Friends and family gather at my brother’s house (8 bedrooms) and watch on a variety of TV’s. Gone are the days when if you didn’t go, you missed matches. No hotel costs and better food. Ticket prices have increased over 500% since I started going while simultaneously watching every match from a comfy couch is dang near free. it’s an awesome experience and I recommend it highly, but for me the queues, crowds, drunks, potential weather, and Iowa fans (not you, Vak), tilt the scales in favor of skipping it.

To my Minny friends, I’ll throw it back to Donny Wichman, longtime Augsburg coach. He was about 6’ as a 105/112 HS. Skinniest wrestler I ever saw. May he RIP.

How true. Since that 1st week of Dec, Moore has wrecked dudes, including pinning Latona and taking Arujau to the wire, while Wells has eked out a couple more wins, the last 2 in SV. No way he beats him a third time. Moore is my darkest horse AA pick for the tourney.

Darrion Caldwell would like a word…

No, Edmond went not Seltzer. Gioffre was down 1-0 into the 3rd, chose neutral, then danced for the whole period.

Gioffre down by 1, chooses neutral then doesn’t shoot the whole period. Weird.

Mizzou middle weights have looked mired in mud. Very lethargic efforts at 141-157. Mauller was shocked Shapiro’s offense was better than his defense.