I think they probably did it because a duck would have sunk the reputation of the event. The Duckers had to be on their best behavior
National Duals, '25, thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
The National Duals will never take IMO. Holding the match this early in the season means nothing. And I don't see the top teams participating in this grueling of an event close to conference and NCAA championships.
When I was watching the final, I said to myself "this is ridiculous.....it doesn't mean anything at this point in the season". I enjoyed watching the dual meets, some good matchups, but using this format to crown a team champion makes no sense.
When I was watching the final, I said to myself "this is ridiculous.....it doesn't mean anything at this point in the season". I enjoyed watching the dual meets, some good matchups, but using this format to crown a team champion makes no sense.
I heard Basch with a similar take on his podcast. For me, it's a sad statement about the sport when we're supposed to heap praise on coaches for doing what they SHOULD be doing all along, sending their best guys out as long as they're healthy.
Yeah, that is very poor There have been a bunch of individual duals on B1G network that eclipsed that mark. Most involving PSU or Iowa, and Iowa was involved in this. I would bet the Iowa tOSU conference dual later this season eclipses that mark.
Obviously, “the crown jewel of our sport.” Like many on here have said - fine event, just stop trying to make it something it ain’t. And stay the F away from the real crown jewel of wrestling - Nationals.
I don’t think the starter is always decided on who wins the wrestle off.. it certainly plays a big factor and I’m sure guys with higher rankings outa hs gets more grace as more investments went in to them… but every program is trying to send the wrestler they perceive will score most points at nationals.. not who wins the room battles ..look at Merril who lost wrestle off bust but still starting.
They sent out Bouzakis and he delivered vs Peterson and Volk I’m not confident MCcrone would do the same . Everyone with eyes knows Bouzakis is the more dangerous/higher upside guy at 125 if he can maintain the weight. And he proved it this weekend.
All it woukd take is for some key guys to get dinged up and other coaches may choose not to go.
It was a great event and I do think it will have legs, but over time I think you will see many of the top ranked kids take a pass.
Not much point in the injury risk let alone, facing some of your top opponents this early before everyone is in true wrestling shape. For in conference foes, 4x per season is a bit much.
After PSU handles Ohio State 8-2 or worse some of the luster might wear of that trophy as well ;-)
This year was truly amazing, but future years might begin to look a lot more like this year's all star classic.
Not much point in the injury risk let alone, facing some of your top opponents this early before everyone is in true wrestling shape. For in conference foes, 4x per season is a bit much.
After PSU handles Ohio State 8-2 or worse some of the luster might wear of that trophy as well ;-)
This year was truly amazing, but future years might begin to look a lot more like this year's all star classic.
This should surprise nobody. It's the middle of football season. I'm surprised they even got that many people to watch.
Doesn't surprise me we have heard for 30 years we need wrestling on TV to grow the sport. We need to embrace FLO since they cover the sport 365 days a year and understand we are a niche sport and only us crazy people like the sport. My guess is ESPN won't even want the finals next year I hope it's all on FLO
What we need is for all of the wrestling fans who preach the need to grow the sport to make a point of watching the event on TV.
we need the ESPN hype lilke they do for the sports they cover. Womens BB, etc. Their constant hype around the sport drags folks to the tv. Can't believe they're making $$ on some of the things they cover...
Would be good if some radio sportshow talking heads would at least discuss the sport. XM's college station rarely mentions as they're stuck on the big items. Womens softball and men's baseball are discussed a lot during championship season. We need guys like the Bills coach to simply bring it up more when they have the stage.
Would be good if some radio sportshow talking heads would at least discuss the sport. XM's college station rarely mentions as they're stuck on the big items. Womens softball and men's baseball are discussed a lot during championship season. We need guys like the Bills coach to simply bring it up more when they have the stage.
I really don't understand the hatred towards flo. They cover everything most of the stuff the put out I believe is free you don't even need a subscription. I think it is worth it 100% and I hope they keep on getting bigger, they product they put out there is pretty good for a company in a small sport that the fans don't want to pay for anything
No other wrestling platform is even close. They talk wrestling everyday and go bid for the rights of these events. No one else is even looking to have events the Collegiate duals that Rokfin started with Frank Pop are now on FLO. UFC fightpass is no longer having duals. People think it's so easy it's obviously not. Nobody invests into the sport like FLO does. We now have the all star dual back because of FLO. We get to watch UWW events because of FLO. It's the best $14 a month a wrestling fan can spend. This year wrestling is on FLO, BTN or ESPN. Those 3 have all the events
Yeah, can't disagree.
As a casual, never wrestled wrestling fan, I can't imagine Flo not being a thing. Would have never picked up watching the sport.
Now if they would just get BTN+ back as a part of the deal, I could save a little bit on that sub.
I get it that wrestling is a niche, arguably then worthy of a premium, however at $30/mo???
It's 2-3 times more expensive than Amazon Prime, Netflix, Apple TV+, the Disney/Hulu/ESPN bundle, Paramount+, YouTube TV sports package, and I can go on and on ....
I, like most, subscribe to several of those already.
And then you have BTN+ that I will get again with the black Friday sale!
As much as I enjoy going back and watching old content, once you've seen a lot of old matches, you've seen it. Maybe I'll begrudgingly buy the next 30 days only to get the Black knight and handful of matches, but 4 months @ $30 for the season, or a full year at the reduced rate isn't something I can justify.
I am sure Flo understands price elasticity, but the monthly rate is a joke and I think they are leaving a lot of money on the table at that price point.
PS - did I mention the wife see the bills? A not so uncommon problem.
It's 2-3 times more expensive than Amazon Prime, Netflix, Apple TV+, the Disney/Hulu/ESPN bundle, Paramount+, YouTube TV sports package, and I can go on and on ....
I, like most, subscribe to several of those already.
And then you have BTN+ that I will get again with the black Friday sale!
As much as I enjoy going back and watching old content, once you've seen a lot of old matches, you've seen it. Maybe I'll begrudgingly buy the next 30 days only to get the Black knight and handful of matches, but 4 months @ $30 for the season, or a full year at the reduced rate isn't something I can justify.
I am sure Flo understands price elasticity, but the monthly rate is a joke and I think they are leaving a lot of money on the table at that price point.
PS - did I mention the wife see the bills? A not so uncommon problem.
Just a little tidbit. Growing the sport and what have you. I already offered my solution. Improve your program to rival PSU, your fan numbers will increase and casual fan interest will increase to see the challenge result.
With that said, I liked watching the National duals but I am obviously not the "growing the sport" target. With a front end quality event like National Duals gaining the attention and involvement of most high-end programs there had to be a consequence. Okie State and Ohio State are not competing in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. The Cliff Keen invite is still a formidable event, but the top 2 returning teams aren't returning this year.
With that said, I liked watching the National duals but I am obviously not the "growing the sport" target. With a front end quality event like National Duals gaining the attention and involvement of most high-end programs there had to be a consequence. Okie State and Ohio State are not competing in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. The Cliff Keen invite is still a formidable event, but the top 2 returning teams aren't returning this year.