Zapp Brannigan

I've seen some people spinning the match. There is no spin. The Kish we are seeing is apparently the Kish we are going to get, which sucks because of the injury. But it is what it is. Let's break it down.

125

Minny's looking at a possible/probable Champ in Ness. Iowa's looking at a probable high AA, let's say top 4-6. Ness brings more points because he's a pinner.

133

Slaton's going to outplace Reiter. I kind of hope I'm wrong, I'm a Mack fan. But we'll say Slaton's probably top 3-4, Mack MIGHT not place with the way he's wrestling, but realistically low AA.

141

These guys are going to be close in placings, I think. Both guys are top 6, probably top 4.

149

Need I say more. I think both guys are finalists. Metcalf will get more NCAA points.

157

CP should place, probably pretty high. Top 4-6 for CP. M* will win a match or two, but probably won't place.

165

Perry is a probable/possible Champ, and he's going to score points. Minny's probably only placing low AA if at all.

174

Borschel could be a Finalist. Dretsch doesn't seem likely to AA.

184

I'm rooting for Kish, but if he keeps going like this, he won't AA. However, it's an injury, and I hope he's healthier and I'm rooting for an AA finish, let's pencil him in as a low AA. Keddy looks better and better, and who knows how he's going to go? I'll say top 6 at this point.

197

Neither guy is placing. Beatty's better, but Bronson's just bigger. So it makes it, pretty much, a crapshoot. Maybe both guys win a match.

HWT

Fields is boring, but he's pretty good. Probably a mid level AA, possible high AA. Berhow/Nord/Malamura is probably not.

So, it looks to me like Iowa places at 8 weights, Minny at a questionable 7. At weights where they both place, Iowa outplaces them 5 out of 6. Then Iowa has two weights where they'll place and Minny won't(HWT and 174), but Minny has one weight where they'll place and Iowa won't (157). There are two double qualified weights where the guys are really close: 141 and 149.

JensenS

We'll see how it goes down. This year's Iowa squad could go the way of the Minnesota team from two years ago, it'll be interesting to see how the VT boys do in their first go round at the big show. I myself certainly wouldn't complain if the Gophers got cast in the Oklahoma State role from that year.

Trusty

1st go round at the big show won't matter to these guys, it's very obvious this team want's it all, and as a whole, are heads above the elder gopfers. The whole thing is Iowa is improving everyday, while for the most part, for some crazy reason, Minnesota wrestlers are going backwards.

125-Ness is the dude, and the true leader of this team, will most likely be in the title hunt with Esco and Dhoe. Falck will do fine, just can't hang with this guy and should place top 5.
133-Reiter-a pretty good wrestler that has not improved from his freshman year, If you don't think so, your fooling yourself. More than likely he'll squeek another AA honor out for an impressive 3X AA career. If Reiter can earn AA honors, no way in hell Slaton leaves St. Louis without one, I say he'll be pushing any and all for a finals spot.
141-Rivera-again, a pretty good wrestler, that has improved since getting to Minnesota, but has proved nothing come tournament time. He might go out with a bang and place 5-8, but that's on his best day. Well, again if Rivera is in the running for AA honors, you gotta give LeClere at least the same chance. IMO he'll place higher, just because he has more wrestling skills than the gopher.
149-DS-can't say much, I'd have to think he'll be in the hunt, but then again, who knows. (for sure high AA) Metcalf will be the 2008 NCAA champion at 149. *side note* For the integrity of the sport, and the Minnesota wrestling program, I sure hope DS doesn't wrestle Sunday at Stillwater. If he does, well............I'd say the writting is on the wall.
157-CP-Unlike the other 8 gophers, CP has stepped it up a notch this year and should do well come NCAA, earns his second AA honors. M*, can't see the guy making it to the podium, can wrestle with most, but I don't think it's enough.
165-Plane and simple Saf aint placin'- Call me a homer all you want, but if Glasser gets healthy and they give him a shot at his spot again he'll score more than Saf. Glasser has waaaaay more talent. Perry-earns his 2nd National Title.
174-Dretsch, I'm sure gopher fans have had enough and will be glad for some youth to take over next year. You gotta give the kid huge props, he's come a long way, but just isn't AA material. (2-2 NCAA). Borschel can't hang with Gavin, but as proven, can take all others out. Earns his 1st AA honors with a solid chance at the finals.
184-Kish-whatever the story is, his facial expression says it all. It's a sad way to go out, especially after being one of the best big men in the country the last few years. Like it or not, he's going to struggle to place. Keddy on the other hand, like all the Iowa guys, is improving week to week and the confidence is at all time high and will take this bull to the podium.
197-Not much to say. Both teams will be lucky to put a guy through.
HWT-.500 wrestler for the gophers and will be lucky to earn a berth. (seems like a bright future, maybe JR/SR years) Fields, kind of scary he let a kid like last night hang with him, but more than likely will place top 8.

Minnesota places at 6 weights and have to stick with my pre season predictions...will not have a champion. As a team they will place at or above their current rank.
Iowa-young and all, have not showed their best yet and will place 8 with 2 champs and take the title.

Smith and the pokes are drooling right now, and it's not going to be a good match for the gophers on Super Sunday. They collect their 5th dual loss of the year.

goferphan

Trusty, you give way to much credit to Glasser. Given every opportunity to wrestle against top notch competition, he has shown his lack of experience. He has more high end talent then Saf but I don't think he is a noticeable notch up from him. Say what you want about Saf but he steps in wherever the Gophers ask him too and generally beats those guys he is supposed to and loses to those wrestlers that are a level above him. I know you are a big Glasser fan but as someone who pulls for the Gophers, give me Saf this year over Glasser.

Where I can see the writing on the wall that Iowa is clearly the better team, I don't think Iowa is going to get much better this year. I think they are peaking right now and Brands will have his hands full keeping this type of intensity the rest of the year. The young guys are for real and you know that Perry is going to be ready come Big Tens and Nationals. I want to see Perry wrestle without having to sweat the knee but we will see. I think it was obvious DS and Mack were not the same wrestlers last year after knee problems.

The only assumption that I made this year was that Reiter, Dretsch and Eidensheink would show improvement over last year. I guess that was assuming too much at this point. I am not giving up yet that J. Rob has a plan to have his guys ready for Big Tens and NCAA's but if he has a plan, I certainly don't know what it is.

__________________
"That is what Gable would have done to Owings the second time around. (Metcalf/Caldwell)"

Trusty

That's fine, it's your team, and it works out better for all the other teams that Saf is the guy wrestling.
I wouldn't say that he's been given every opportunity, I only count 2. One vs. Reader which he got handled (so would have Saf) and then second, the Nebraska dual vs. Dwyer, where he did lose a 1 point match on youth. Dwyer was never in any danger in his 4-1 win over Saf at NDuals.. And then you have the ol' head to head, where Glasser is 3-0 against his teammate. I'd have to give the edge to Glasser. But then again, that just me.

JensenS

Is Glasser back from what he hurt against Chaires at the Scuffle?

Zapp Brannigan

I imagine Brands is going to take the pedal off the medal for a few weeks now, and we might see a few lackluster performances from Iowa, and then they'll peak again for Big 10's and NCAA's.

Trusty

I think that's wishful thinking. Brands has had his team peak several time this year followed up with below average performances.

High level at Midlands followed up with a down performance vs. OSU.
High level at Natty duals followed with some average wrestling.
High level vs. Minny and now, as Vak mentioned, more than likely will see some average performances in the next few outings, and then look to hit the true peak come March.

IMO, Minny is the team that has underperformed or not peaked at the NCAA's the last few years. Iowa will not be given the title, but someone is going to have to step it up a few notches to have a shot.

Don't get me wrong, Minny is still the champs and will be in the hunt come March, but they have a tough road ahead.

Wiltz

Ironside has said repeatedly that "they are not close too peaking yet" They will have some intense training to prepare for the Big Tens and NCAA's.

Ironside said he is trying to get healthy so he can spend some time and workout with Metcalf. Ironside is having some slight back problems. It can't hurt for the lighter weights to "workout" with Mark Ironside. This Iowa team will peak in March.

__________________
"He quits, not because he wants to, but because he has to. He has no choice.
" -Tom Brands 01/20/08

goferphan

trusty,

I totally agree that Minny is the team that has looked off this year and has somewhat underperformed at ncaa's the last two years even though its hard to underperform at nationals last year with one senior when you win it all...

I would be much more worried about us had schlatter wrestled last night and we lost by seven.

people forget that if you reverse the rivera overtime match and DS wrestles that we win that dual last night. I know perry didn't wrestle last night and that's a seven point swing but then these teams at full strength are still pretty close.

__________________
"That is what Gable would have done to Owings the second time around. (Metcalf/Caldwell)"