IOWA WEEK!

[GregPickel]

Full story on Tom Brands' Tuesday news conference, including everything he said about Penn State, is here:

A top Iowa wrestling starter has left the program before Lions-Hawkeyes; what did Tom Brands say about Penn State?

Penn State wrestling travels to Iowa on Friday. Before the match, Hawkeyes coach Tom Brands spoke with reporters on Tuesday.

www.on3.com

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

I almost feel bad for the good Iowa wrestling fans out there. The bad news just never seems to stop.

 

[GregPickel]

I did sorta like how the guy nevertheless asked the predictable follow up about whether he could expand on it, and Tom sorta looked confused as to how to respond rather than simply saying "no."

it's such a strange paradox - for a guy who is as physically aggressive as he is in an aggressive profession, he gets so defensive so quickly in conversational/press settings.

Yeah, I get it. On one hand, once he said he would't have any further comment, why ask the follow up? On the other hand, think about all of the times Cael Sanderson has talked around a question and/or declined to answer it and then later in the same news conference is asked again or in a different way and does answer it. The media day presser where he wasn't going to reveal the lineup plan before eventuallu revealing almost all of it by the end of the news conference is one example that comes immediately to mind.

 

[El_Jefe]

Assume we get Harvey Luddington Friday. He still has dates available…just wondering if Brands pulls his shirt for rest of season. Zelesky was fired after his only not top 5 finish (seventh place) just two Years out from BigTen Coach of the year and not terribly long after three NCAA Championships. Brands has been fifth and multiple 4ths…this year shaping up for a 7th place finish. And five years since they won and that was an empty arena with a bunch of sixth years COVID guys who mostly underperformed. We got the excuses are for wussies out of Spencer.

Gabe Arnold be like

 

[mcpat]

I almost feel bad for Iowa fans.

 

[GregPickel]

I
I accidentally ignored someone, how can I fix it?

Sorry I just saw this. Click on their name on the left hand rail and a box should appear and in its lower left hand corner you should be able to uncheck the ignore box.

 

[Random4598375]

I suppose Gabe is their best bet at 197 vs a guy who can't beat D2 and D3 competition, but he just made 174 for SS. He's going to be built like a bowling ball as a full feed 197 two weeks later.

 

[Kiddagger311]

It’s official! Iowa week!! Not as competitive as in the past but some good matchups..

My predictions..
LL Dec Peterson (payback coming)
Blaze MD Ayala
Davis Dec Bailey
SVN md Block
Duke TF or pin Williams
MM MD Caliendo
Haines MD Kennedy
Welsh pic em Ferrari (will be OT match
Barr tech Endene
Keuter Dec Mirasola

Gonna be ugly

I’ll take Ferrari if it’s priced at a pickem

 

[CropDuster507]

guess whos going to CHA this Friday…

my buddy can defend both of us, luckily

 

[Foreverinbluejeans57]

Brands on how he views the test of facing Penn State:

"You're going to have to go to stay on the mat with them. You're going to have to score. And, you're going to have to score again and again to stay on the mat with them. And so this isn't coming down to whether this is going to be like normal, because there's nothing normal about this. And the thing is, we don't have normal guys in our room. So there is a choice. There is a choice here."

Can always count on Tom for a unique, original quote. For that fact alone I hope he stays forever

 

[Aardvark86]

Yeah, I get it. On one hand, once he said he would't have any further comment, why ask the follow up? On the other hand, think about all of the times Cael Sanderson has talked around a question and/or declined to answer it and then later in the same news conference is asked again or in a different way and does answer it. The media day presser where he wasn't going to reveal the lineup plan before eventuallu revealing almost all of it by the end of the news conference is one example that comes immediately to mind.

Don’t get me wrong. Totally the reporter’s job.

 

[mcpat]

Sorry I just saw this. Click on their name on the left hand rail and a box should appear and in its lower left hand corner you should be able to uncheck the ignore box.

What if you’re the person he accidentally put on ignore?

 

[Random4598375]

What if you’re the person he accidentally put on ignore?

Then he'll see your quote of Greg. Unless he accidently put you on ignore, too.

 

[NittanyChris]

As much as I loathe Iowa, that does stink about Endene. He was a fun story and he's about as close as I could get to rooting for a Hawkeye.

 

[mcpat]

My theory is that Endene left just in time before he got worse at wrestling.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

guess whos going to CHA this Friday…

my buddy can defend both of us, luckily

You bringing Henckel's dad with you?

 

[jack66]

Hy[pthetical results for Friday

125 Desmond Dec Peterson 3-0
133 Ono Dec Ayala 6-0
141 Bailey Dec Nasdao 6-3
149 Pierce Dec Block 9-3
157 Sealey Dec Williams 12-3
165 Kasak Dec Caliendo 15-3
175 Kennedy Dec Henckel 15-6
184 Ferrari Dec Cunningham 15-9
197 Connor Dec Ludington 18-9
285 Kueter MD Bundy 18-13

Show me where I'm wrong

 

[WV lion]

I suppose Gabe is their best bet at 197 vs a guy who can't beat D2 and D3 competition, but he just made 174 for SS. He's going to be built like a bowling ball as a full feed 197 two weeks later.

I think Arnold is going to struggle at 197.

 

[CTStall]

I think Williams will keep it closer... but I agree PJs pace will gas Williams and he will pull away in the end... 10-3
I think he will pull away from VV and we would be looking at 14 or 15 -3

I watched Williams against Wisconsin. He was gassed in the 2nd period.

 

[Nitlion1986]

Assume we get Harvey Luddington Friday. He still has dates available…just wondering if Brands pulls his shirt for rest of season. Zelesky was fired after his only not top 5 finish (seventh place) just two Years out from BigTen Coach of the year and not terribly long after three NCAA Championships. Brands has been fifth and multiple 4ths…this year shaping up for a 7th place finish. And five years since they won and that was an empty arena with a bunch of sixth years COVID guys who mostly underperformed. We got the excuses are for wussies out of Spencer.

A different situation. In 2006 Ohio State went looking for a new coach which had more than a tiny ripple effect. Iowa State afraid they would lose out on Dan Gable again (this time to Ohio State) retired Bobby Douglas and hired Cael to be the head coach. That left Iowa not wanting to lose out on Tom Brands to Ohio State, and with Gable's blessing they dismissed Zalesky and hired Brands.

There aren't any Cael's wondering around waiting to ascend to a head job right now. Plus Iowa is a little more comfortable right now in their hierarchy position behind PSU than they were 20 years as co king of the hill with Okie St and Minnesota.

 

[Random4598375]

I think Arnold is going to struggle at 197.

He is, for sure. He's not big enough for 197 in general, and definitely not given that he was 174 in-season two weeks ago. But this year counts towards his eligibility regardless and he's got to be better than a guy who can't beat D2 and D3 competition (and it would be stupid to burn Ludington's shirt - he would struggle, too), so he looks like their best option. He'll at least win the soft matchups in the duals and probably qualify for nationals, so maybe he can get a point or two for them.

 

[mcpat]

Hy[pthetical results for Friday

125 Desmond Dec Peterson 3-0
133 Ono Dec Ayala 6-0
141 Bailey Dec Nasdao 6-3
149 Pierce Dec Block 9-3
157 Sealey Dec Williams 12-3
165 Kasak Dec Caliendo 15-3
175 Kennedy Dec Henckel 15-6
184 Ferrari Dec Cunningham 15-9
197 Connor Dec Ludington 18-9
285 Kueter MD Bundy 18-13

Show me where I'm wrong

Bonus at 157 and 197. Cochran DEC Kueter at 285

 

[PSU Mike]

I think you throw Arnold out there weighing in around 180 for the next six weeks. He can weigh in at 179.2 and weigh in at 174 two weeks later, or weigh in at 181.9 and weigh in at 174 three weeks later if my math’s correct. Once PK and AF are locked into the postseason (not injured), he can relax even more, not that it makes a difference.

 

[J Wil]

Endene took the money and ran?

 

[McScoreley]

Endene took the money and ran?

I remember on the old board, when Bob declared Iowa would contend for the title this year in the offseason said something to the tune of "Remember Mo Endene"

Oh I will, I probably won't ever forget

 

[GregPickel]

What if you’re the person he accidentally put on ignore?

Fair point!

 

[Goggles Paisano]

I heard it was something about sweating to much. With no windows in the facility the cleaning costs after every practice we're astronomical.

 

[AgSurfer]

My theory is that Endene left just in time before he got worse at wrestling.

Or before he was crippled for life.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

Endene had a lot of energy and was fun to watch. Bummer that he’s not going to wrestle Friday night.

I was really looking forward to that match. Barr was going to smash him but it still would have been interesting.

What are the odds he will still be in the match notes. :-0

 

[mcpat]

I suppose Gabe is their best bet at 197 vs a guy who can't beat D2 and D3 competition, but he just made 174 for SS. He's going to be built like a bowling ball as a full feed 197 two weeks later.

True, but a guy that was better than Starocci for two seasons might just AA at 197.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

I think Arnold is going to struggle at 197.

What are the odds if Gabe made it up to 197 and did a gramby roll, he could stop before careening into the stands if not the parking lot if a door where left open?

 

[rainierelbert]

I remember on the old board, when Bob declared Iowa would contend for the title this year in the offseason said something to the tune of "Remember Mo Endene"

Oh I will, I probably won't ever forget

As a long time supporter of wrestling in Iowa, I question who is really running the show in Iowa City. The Head Coach or Bob Nicolls? Right now, it's a trainwreck in Iowa City. And I am happy to be called an idiot with this statement but I do not recall the state of affairs being this bad at the end of the Zalesky era. Talent lacking with Zalesky? Sure. However, I do not recall injuries, lack of offense and effort, and broken relationships with alumni. And those reasons are the tip of the iceberg.

 

[jack66]

Bonus at 157 and 197. Cochran DEC Kueter at 285

I can't believe I left Cochran on the bench.

 

[mcpat]

As a long time supporter of wrestling in Iowa, I question who is really running the show in Iowa City. The Head Coach or Bob Nicolls? Right now, it's a trainwreck in Iowa City. And I am happy to be called an idiot with this statement but I do not recall the state of affairs being this bad at the end of the Zalesky era. Talent lacking with Zalesky? Sure. However, I do not recall injuries, lack of offense and effort, and broken relationships with alumni. And those reasons are the tip of the iceberg.

 

[PAgeologist]

I watched Williams against Wisconsin. He was gassed in the 2nd period.

The only way Williams wont be gassed by the third period is if Duke techs or pins him in the first or second.

 

[PSUer89]

I have the feeling that Caliendo is going to beat MM at some point this season. Let's see if I am correct or a total moron.

Zain had Brandon Sorensen and Mitchell has Caliendo, but great wrestlers stuck behind elite wrestlers. Ironically, they are also 2 Hawkeyes that I do root for when thy are not wrestling PSU. They seem like good guys.

Edit- someone beat me to it. But I don’t see the delete option and this is probably the only time I have ever written I liked a Hawkeye (maybe once for Kemmerer- shame he was a hawk)

 

[PAgeologist]

Endene took the money and ran?

I wonder if he is still enrolled in school? Or if he is taking a semester off due to his child.

 

[amattaro]

Is Barr our first guy to make another guy quit before the match even started?

 

[donboy6499]

Josh Barr literally made a guy quit the sport.

 

[donboy6499]

I almost feel bad for the good Iowa wrestling fans out there. The bad news just never seems to stop.

Not me, hope it’s bad news forever.