To be fair, it will get ugly every dual PSU wrestles in this season. I don't see anyone winning more than 3 matches against them, and that is being generous.
Happy Soldier Salute Week!
- Thread starter dtripp26
- Start date
Yep… Tom sympathizers are going to have a hard time here. Move on Beth.
Yes, the deduction is if Iowa went full on at SS, we'd beat PSU and win Nats? uh, ok
Beth knows a good thing when she sees it. Tom alone has won more Nat Titles than all other Iowa sports combined...both genders
And to be fair…it shouldn’t. At least not as bad as it’s going to be.
That shouldn’t be anyone’s deduction. Not by a long shot. As mentioned…just one more pebble.
That’s as far as I ever want to debate you, Bob. You do so much for the program and I respect that. Thank you.
So maybe this tournament just becomes something that is good for some young or backup wrestlers and their families, maybe not so much fans wanting to see top tier matches. Being in Iowa is also ...still better for Iowa, so not all is lost. Just not what some fans had been hoping for.
SDSU has a conference dual with Arizona State today - which I’m sure played some role in their SS.
The Jackrabbits have previously sent some of their starters in the past.
Pre-seeds were just released:
Pretty solid groups at 49/57/74/84/97/HWT, in my opinion (esp. HWT).
Which makes it sting even more that Iowa is leaving so many of its top guys out…
Pretty solid groups at 49/57/74/84/97/HWT, in my opinion (esp. HWT).
Which makes it sting even more that Iowa is leaving so many of its top guys out…
I could actually see us winning 4 best case scenario, 125 (has beaten Luke before) 133 (I would pick Blaze but you never know), 184 and 285. I guess maybe 141 depending on who PSU puts out there and Baileys mentality. Who knows, Endene could get an early throw and pin on an unsuspecting Barr? Maybe the amped up crowd will motivate Block to upset a training through Van Ness? Ok absolute best case scenario, Iowa is pumped and Carver is wild is a 7 match win for the Hawks! O and Caliendo gets over the hump, so that is 8. All entirely feasible. Only 157 and 174 are impossibilities to me.
For all of the whiners blasting Tom for this decision, how hard have you complained over their injuries going into NCAA's the past 4 years or so? If it doesn't work and they don't do well in March, then I would have to agree with you guys more. But, I am 100% encouraged to see they are basically trying to do everything possible to get everyone to March as healthy as they can possibly control.
I actually like that tOSU seemed "peeked" way more than Iowa. Hell, even ISU seemed that way. In the past, Iowa seemed to put too much energy into being near peek to win those early duals and look a bit spent in March. If they get to March and most of the guys look their best, it will actually be adapting as coaches that got them there...
One of the biggest knocks you guys use is that the Brands don't adapt and then when it appears they have, you still blast them for it...
I actually like that tOSU seemed "peeked" way more than Iowa. Hell, even ISU seemed that way. In the past, Iowa seemed to put too much energy into being near peek to win those early duals and look a bit spent in March. If they get to March and most of the guys look their best, it will actually be adapting as coaches that got them there...
One of the biggest knocks you guys use is that the Brands don't adapt and then when it appears they have, you still blast them for it...
Id agree with that if it wasnt their home host tourney.
They still have 20 guys wrestling in it. I don't think anyone could have foreseen the National Duals popping up when it did, with prize money to boot.
Also, it's not like they are missing out from some serious tournament by starting the SS. ALL the regular season tournaments have fallen. College wrestling has "evolved". Hell, Carl didn't even go the National Duals...
I’m a little torn. We haven’t done well in March, since 2021, because our recruiting has fallen off a ton. We’ve never really developed a HWC outside of Spencer Lee. It’s not really the injuries to me, it’s the consistent top talent. We get an Angelo Ferrari and Spencer Lee every so often. Penn State gets multiple guys like that every year. And trying to buy one year mercenaries every year will eventually catch up, like it did last year (outside Stephen). Would much rather see us get a guy like Mikey C who has multiple years of eligibility left than the ASU guys.
Might as well break out the bubble wrap until big tens then… All joking aside, I don’t think it’s a huge deal that they aren’t wrestling most of the starters. It’s how it was handled and the optics that bothers me.
Why not indicate publicly much earlier that due to the schedule this year many guys won’t be competing? It doesn’t have to be treated as state secrets. There are people out there who spent the money for tickets and planned travel/hotels to watch the Iowa starters. It’s insulting to fans if this was always the plan. Which it seems like it was because insiders hinted at it weeks ago.
It just rubs me the wrong way.
Well Missouri also wrestled in the NDs but isn't resting starters this weekend so I don't buy what's being sold here.
I agree with spooner that this isnt a big deal but it IS another fracture in a big picture fracturing wall. Its not a good look letting Missouri win your own tournament. This allows guys like Brian Smith or Dresser to hold it against them when walking into a top recruits living room in the midwest.
Bottom line is Brands is a control freak. Its a good thing up until a point. But he is not open to any change or ideas other than his own and its strangling the life out of this program. It flows into all areas.
An example: Teaching guys any moves that Brands wouldn't have done. Straight from Randy Lewis mouth. Lewbo was working with Dylan Carew in the room. Dylan was struggling with guys getting to underhooks on him. Lewbo-being lewbo- Hey I can show you a throw when guys try that. Brands- no dont teach him that! Later on Tom is in the sauna and Dylan comes back up and begs Lewbo to show him. Lewbo starts and Tom comes running out of the sauna naked screaming stop it Lewbo- what did I tell you! This is some perspective of the DSJ, Carew fall out. Dylan isnt even allowed to see if a throw move would work for him coming from a guy who could throw everybody.
We are all just on borrowed time with this coaching staff. They should be replaced but the only reason is we dont feel great about who and what that looks like. I agree I dont want to replace them just for change but I am NOT going to act like we dont need to move on from them on either. I respect the Brands, love em for everything, they will always be legends..........but OMG its past time to move on guys!!
Nothing can change- Nothing will grow. Just because Bob throws money to them and buys into what they are telling himm doesnt mean when Bob posts he has anything figured. Some of us laugh on the blind defense of everything as he is blind because he is too close.
I agree with spooner that this isnt a big deal but it IS another fracture in a big picture fracturing wall. Its not a good look letting Missouri win your own tournament. This allows guys like Brian Smith or Dresser to hold it against them when walking into a top recruits living room in the midwest.
Bottom line is Brands is a control freak. Its a good thing up until a point. But he is not open to any change or ideas other than his own and its strangling the life out of this program. It flows into all areas.
An example: Teaching guys any moves that Brands wouldn't have done. Straight from Randy Lewis mouth. Lewbo was working with Dylan Carew in the room. Dylan was struggling with guys getting to underhooks on him. Lewbo-being lewbo- Hey I can show you a throw when guys try that. Brands- no dont teach him that! Later on Tom is in the sauna and Dylan comes back up and begs Lewbo to show him. Lewbo starts and Tom comes running out of the sauna naked screaming stop it Lewbo- what did I tell you! This is some perspective of the DSJ, Carew fall out. Dylan isnt even allowed to see if a throw move would work for him coming from a guy who could throw everybody.
We are all just on borrowed time with this coaching staff. They should be replaced but the only reason is we dont feel great about who and what that looks like. I agree I dont want to replace them just for change but I am NOT going to act like we dont need to move on from them on either. I respect the Brands, love em for everything, they will always be legends..........but OMG its past time to move on guys!!
Nothing can change- Nothing will grow. Just because Bob throws money to them and buys into what they are telling himm doesnt mean when Bob posts he has anything figured. Some of us laugh on the blind defense of everything as he is blind because he is too close.
This could become one of the go to tournaments That I and many others have wanted for the redshirt/grayshirt/noshirt,nonstarters. I wanted to see DeLuca go but if he is not ready then he is not ready. Looking forward to see Gabe at 74 and Ludington go at 97 and peterson getting mat time, there are several others on the roster I would have expected to go but im sure there are reasons.
What teams did it draw? I don't think that worked out. It chased off the Women, supposedly caused this fiasco, not a great move.
Yep.
I love your optimism. But I have become a realist, and losing 8 is WAAAY more likely than winning 8.
The problem with the whole resting for health thing is any one of them could suffer a season-ending injury in practice Monday. And in our room that isn't even unlikely, for whatever reason.
I’m not sure how much control they have over the event. Or how much skin they have in the tournament.
Not really. I think most just want to see this tourney succeed, and appreciate the direction it has been trending so far.
This is not an Iowa event — this is a Luke Eustice event. Iowa has zero obligation to build this event at the risk of their athletes. This event falls at a bad time of year. Next year, the National Duals will be in mid-December and the SS may very well go away all together. If true, why risk it this year and make the starters make weight 2 more time for no reason. The wear and tear on the body does not come from practice as much as it does cutting the last few pounds and ounces.
Luke Eustice. Director of the Iowa City Area Sports Commission so that does check out. I am fine with it going away.
But the wear and tear part opens the door for a much larger discussion. Is Iowa recruiting & developing the correct way? I mean if this staff knows so much to sit them out of this then why all the injuries all the time? Kueter isn't cutting. When is the last time Deluca had to make weight? Whatever is going on is not a great combination of cutting with practices. And it should be case by case. Feels like some more starters could go here and also some could go or sit vs Wisconsin. So I get what you are saying but it feels most dudes are getting injured in practices.
My friend, I’m the last person to ask. Love our Hawks, but being here in Nashville I only know what I learn from Flo, Intermat, and this board. And thanks to all the added info you’re providing to the board it’s getting better.
Just spit balling a few here - but the last two major injuries Iowa has had, Teemer and Parco, both occurred during competition. Angelo looked like he had just been jumped by 10 guys after the National Duals. And my guess is Kueter's injury had more to do with his body being beaten up over the years by participation in both football and wrestling. I'm sure there are other examples.
injuries off the top of my head in the last 5ish years that were in match
Eireman vs Chad Red ACL Tear
Drake Ayala vs O$U ripped his shoulder in match and wasn’t the same the rest of the year
Parco Knee injury at NCAAs
Teemer hamstring against ISU
Cassioppi knee tweak at B1Gs
Lee torn ACL vs Mueller in match
Spencer torn ACL vs Purdue
Marinelli broken ribs vs Griffith
I’m sure I’m missing others but a good portion of our injuries have been during live competition
I don’t agree with your premise of this being Luke’s Tournament. This tournament gained momentum when Midlands were cancelled after Covid restrictions were being lifted. Brands was pretty vocal about ending Iowas involvement with Midlands, when the tournament made the decision to cancel.
There was an outside chance of this tournament being held that same year.
if I recall correctly, Iowa committed to it along with a couple of other teams, the turnaround was just to short to make it happen. Tom was a driving force behind trying to make it happen.
After a year of planning it became a more holistic wrestling tournament, by including Women’s Wrestling and an event to monetarily benefit the USO. Most importantly, to give thanks to all of our past and present soldiers.
Everybody reserves the right to change their mind, however I find it difficult to give Tom a full pass on which team members are participating and how it affects the tournament as a whole.
Didn't DeLuca have a clear injury at national duals?
Kemerer shoulder vs ohio st and also injured at a match at nationals.
Jesus with that many in match injuries sit all our starters till the big ten tournament! Jk maybe these guys aren’t warming up properly or have good stretching routines throughout the season I don’t know 
all I know is before long guys will wrestle 5 matches a season so they’re “fresh” for March and avoid any tough matchups cause they might get banged up. This goes for every team not just Iowa and its ruining college wrestling and F’n sucks!
all I know is before long guys will wrestle 5 matches a season so they’re “fresh” for March and avoid any tough matchups cause they might get banged up. This goes for every team not just Iowa and its ruining college wrestling and F’n sucks!Kind of ironic I just looked at my email and there’s one from Iowa wrestling with a big image of Mikey C promoting the Soldier Salute. 
Would love to see Torres rip right thru that bracket
I get people are disappointed but a lot seem to be making this a much bigger deal than it is, at least to me
Smh... this new age dont risk injury **** is ridiculous... if this is what the sport is now its becoming as weak as basketball... might as well just start the season in the Big10s and nationals, outside on a handful of duals and national duals (now thats back) , none of the meets and matches mean **** these days... I remember back when guys wanted to wrestle the best as much as possible, now its this weak **** and 20 matches a year ... growing the sport by having less of the sport, sounds great
Things change , in the major league starters used to pitch 40 games and it wasn't unheard of to hear something like 15 or 20 complete games.
Now everyone has a pitch count.
Now everyone has a pitch count.