Iowa vs Ohio State: Toughest Conference Match of the Season?? No Iowa wins BIG again.
by Kluginator on Feb 19, 2010 11:02 AM CST
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PrintThe #1 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes take on the #4 tOSU Aesculus Glabra Fruits (aka. Buckeyes) in what shapes up to be their biggest conference challenge of the year. That said, Iowa vs the Big Ten this year is kind of like a bonability contest between Blair and the other Facts of Life girls. Granted Ohio State is probably the Tootie of the Big Ten which makes them cute but they will inevitably be left with Jo and Mrs. Garrett on Friday night as Blair heads off to the Spring Formal with Bradford Tittietweek XI where she will fuck every other guy at the dance before returning home with her 23rd pearl necklace and a few hickies to show the girls.
Back to the match tonight; while Iowa will win this one convincingly, there will be some drama in the majority of individual bouts. Like the Iowa basketball team, OSU will fight hard and keep it close in many of the bouts only to lose another close one at the end. The Team score will be something different. So like the Iowa vs Northwestern dual was not as close as the 49-0 score indicated, I predict that the Iowa vs OSU final score of 36 – 0 will be much closer than the score will lead you to believe. Among the many interesting match-ups, the following ones are especially juicy.
125 - #3Matt McDonough (I) vs Nikko Triggas (OSU): While on paper, the unranked Triggas appears to be no match for third ranked and undefeated Matt McDonough he does not come to Carver tonight with zero cred. Triggas is an upperclassman and 2X NCAA qualifier and he leads the Buckeyes in falls this season with 12 (4 in the last two weeks alone) so Nikko comes in on a hot streak. Unfortunately for him, his aggressiveness will be his own undoing as McDonough will have a counter for all his shots and in the end I expect to see Triggas taken from his feet to his back as a last ditch desperation throw attempt is welcomed with a trademarked “McD Thunderdump” for the fall.
141 #4 Montell Marion(I) vs #2 Reece Humphrey(OSU): This will be the first time Marion and Humphrey have met on the mat, assuming that Humphrey shows up. It is rumored that Reece is nursing an injury and may pass rather than risk further injury or a loss to Marion. If they wrestle, my head says to go with Humphrey by major decision or pin based on his technical superiority and strength advantages but my heart just loved Marion’s athleticism and I can’t help imagining a Marion vs Humphrey match similar to the Caldwell –Metcalf match at last year’s nationals where athleticism and quickness overcame strength and wrestling skills.
149 #1 Brent Metcalf (I) vs #2 Lance Palmer (OSU): On paper this is the match of the night but I fear that Palmer will do everything he can to put Carver arena to sleep. Lance Palmer is like Bizzaro Metcalf and makes Ryan Morningstar look like an offensive juggernaut. While Metcalf only moves forward with power and relentless offense, Bizzaro Metcalf only moves backwards with a slogging stalling defense. Look for Metcalf to get very testy as Palmer will doggedly refuse to wrestle him. Also look for a Metcalf win by decision which the OSU fans will paint as a victory for their guy.
165 #4 Ryan Morningstar (I) vs #6 Colt Sponseller (OSU): It may be because I just hate athletes named “Colt” or it may be because M* has pretty much owned Sponseller during his career, but I look for this to be a coming out party for Ryan and predict that he beats Colt like a schoolboys pecker while reading the Serengeti edition of Nation Geographic. Morningstar wins by score 6 – 3 over Sponseller.
174 #2 Jay Borschel vs #11 Dave Rella: Actually this wont be very intriguing as Jaybo will systematically dismantle Rella and total bitchmake him on National television, but I like Borschell so much that I couldn’t not include him in this discussion. Jaybo by MD.
184: #11 Phil Keddy (I) vs #7 Mike Pucillo (OSU): If Phil Keddy is going to finish his college career as an All American then the journey begins tonight with a win over Pucillo. Pucillo holds a 3-1 lead in head to head competition but the lone Keddy win came during their last meeting in the 2009 Big Ten Tourney. This is Keddy’s match to win or lose and I think he knows that he needs to step up big in front of the home fans. A win will likely guarantee Phil a #2 seed in the Big Ten tourney and a fairly clear path to the finals. Tonight is all about seeding for Phil who currently sits on the bubble. I have to go with my homie and take Keddy by close decision.
My picks for the dual tonight are as follows:
125 - Matt McDonough (I) WBF Nikko Triggas (OSU) 6 – 0 Iowa
133 - Daniel Dennis (I) WBMD Ian Paddock (OSU) 10 – 0 Iowa
141 - Montell Marion (I) WBMD Pat Harrington (OSU) 14 – 0 Iowa (assumes Humphrey bails)
149 - Brent Metcalf (I) WBD Lance Palmer (OSU) 17 – 0 Iowa
157 - Aaron Janssen (I) or Jake Kerr (I) WBD Sean Nemec (OSU) 20 – 0 Iowa
165 - Ryan Morningstar (I) WBD Colt Sponseller (OSU) 23 – 0 Iowa
174 - Jay Borschel (I) WBMD Dave Rella (OSU) 27 – 0 Iowa
184 - Phillip Keddy (I) WBD Mike Pucillo (OSU) 30 – 0 Iowa
197 - Luke Lofthouse (I) WBD C.J. Magrum (OSU) 33 – 0 Iowa
Hwt. - Dan Erekson (I) WBD Corey Morrison (OSU) 36 – 0 Iowa
Unless otherwise expressly indicated by BHGP editors, this FanPost is strictly the viewpoint of the author and is not endorsed by BHGP in any way.
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I would give my right nut for a 36-0 dismantling of "the" ohio state buckeyes!
I’m still pissed how da buckeyes kept it close during the national tournament.
"The possibility of physical and mental collapse is now very real. No sympathy for the Devil, keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride." HST
That seems like a careless use
of a testicle. Wouldn’t you rather hang onto it for, say, a football national championship?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Feb 19, 2010 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
That's OK
I’m saving my own lefty for an MNC so we’ll be good to go.
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
Tim Tebow is saving them both
for his wedding night.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Feb 19, 2010 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
You are way ahead of me good sir.
I really don’t have the ability to think that far ahead.
"The possibility of physical and mental collapse is now very real. No sympathy for the Devil, keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride." HST
The Hawkeye's don't need your balls
First, the Brands brothers have 6 balls between them.
Second, Brent Metcalf only has two but they are so huge he has to remove them so he can get into his singlet.
Finally, tOSU wrestlers seem to have lost their between Columbus and Iowa Citycant seem to find theirs….
If you feel like singing along, don't.
James Taylor
Is that Minnesota's projected front 5 for next year?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Feb 19, 2010 3:26 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe Wisky's
After their saturday morning breakfast of kegs of beer, dozens of brats, and wheels of cheese.
"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me
by BStylin Hawkye on Feb 19, 2010 3:29 PM CST up reply actions
Now that you mention it
the dwarf on the right has Barry Alvarez’s head (on his shoulders NOT in his pants…).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Feb 19, 2010 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
I'm sure he was looking for part of a brat that fell out of his mouth.
"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me
by BStylin Hawkye on Feb 19, 2010 4:11 PM CST up reply actions
I just threw up in my mouth!
"The possibility of physical and mental collapse is now very real. No sympathy for the Devil, keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride." HST
Which is weird
because I just threw up in your mouth, too.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Feb 19, 2010 4:22 PM CST up reply actions
I thought something tasted funny!?
"The possibility of physical and mental collapse is now very real. No sympathy for the Devil, keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride." HST
I know this is wishful homerism but
when I look at this dual match by match I could not find a single one where the Buckyboys hold such a clear and persuasive advantage that I could not see Iowa beating them. The Keddy match is probably my biggest push and if Humphrey shows up they have to be favored at 41, but does any Hawk fan out there think we lose 125, 133, 149, 174 or 285? That leaves 157, 165, and 197 as toss up matches; however M* hasn’t lost to Sponseller ever and our 57/97 guys have been wrestling with a purpose of late to the point where I am starting to dream of 10 NCAA qualifiers on this team for the first time in a couple years.
But save your nut for more important things than a shut out of THE ohio state university; like a new team scoring record at NCAAs or 9 AA’s in March.
If you feel like singing along, don't.
James Taylor
36-0 would have held if Humphrey sat out but
I’ll take 32-3 any day and nobody had to sacrifice a nut. Even Marion learned a thing or two in his loss to Humphrey. It will help him come B10 tourney time.
If you feel like singing along, don't.
James Taylor
As good as we look
I don’t think the nationals are a lock…yet. Peaking at the right time is key.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
Especially after what happened last year.
But I do really like the way they’re wrestling right now. McDonough, Borschel, and Metcalf are steady as hell. Erekson seems to be coming on strong now that he’s healthy. Keddy also seems to be rounding into form.
Morningstar also looks really good, although his penchant for wrestling everything so damn close will always worry me. Marion concerns me a little because he can be so hot and cold, but I think he’ll be OK. The main guy whose form concerns me right now is Dennis; he’s struggled the last couple matches.
157 always concerns me, but I also feel like any points we get out of that weight are basically gravy.
The key is avoiding upsets; if they can do that, no other team has the depth or quality at the top to catch us.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Completely agree about Dennis
Right now he is the weakest link in Iowa’s armor (except for 157, obviously). But M* also worries me. If he falls behind in one of the national matches and has to get a takedown to get back into it or win, I don’t think he’s able to right now. He looks hesitant and unsure on his feet, like he’s playing for a 0-0 first period and betting he can ride better than his opponent. That is not Iowa wrestling and will eventually lead to M* getting beat and not being an All-American
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Feb 20, 2010 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
I think the depth point is an important one
we seems a bit deeper and able to sustain more let downs than a year ago. I think last year will keep the team on their toes. I could see utter domination but also, Ohio State could give us a hell of a run. They lost badly last night but it was senior night, in CHA and a good many of those matches were tighter than I expected and those that got away, got away quickly. I didn’t watch the replay though on BTN. I followed Andy’s blog. My point is to say, some of those Gable teams you just knew they were going to dominate the nationals. This team “could” do that, but I think they need to stay super sharp still.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
by StoopsMyAss on Feb 20, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
100% agree
If we wrestle to our potential this year, there will be no one that can compete with us. Last year was almost a worst case scenario (I mean the demon from the old testament named “Metcalf” got upset in the finals) and we still managed to win Nationals. This team has the potential to crown 3 or 4 champions and have 3 more be in the finals. I can’t see Metcalf, J-Bo and McD all getting upset before at least getting to the semi’s. Marion, Dennis and M* I could see getting upset by inferior competition. Erekson is looking great but I’m still concerned about the conditioning in a long tournament and I’m holding out on Beatty until we see him in the Big Tens, although I can’t see him being immediately back to top form after so long of a layoff. Our depth is great and we have more consistency than last year, as well as more potential. I watched the replay on BTN and I was worried in almost every match. CHA was great last night and I can’t imagine coming into that environment for OSU. OSU will make a good showing at nationals as the close matches indicate and I think that along with ISU and OKST, they are the only ones that will compete with us.
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Feb 20, 2010 1:24 PM CST up reply actions
Ohio State is a four-man team, IMO.
Humphrey and Palmer are studs, Sponseller is very good, and Pucillo could be very good if he regains his 08 or 09 form. I don’t see them getting a lot of points out of the rest of their team, though. To me, that’s not enough to win a national title. That’s basically the team they had last year, plus Jaggers, and they still came up short, even though Iowa had an almost worst-case scenario run last year.
To me, the most interesting challengers for Iowa in the NCAA tourney are Okie State, ISU, and Cornell. Cornell has three absolute studs (Nickerson at 125, Dake at 141, and Lewnes at 174) who could get them a lot of points, and a handful of other good-really good guys. ISU has some good depth, but I still think they’re mentally weak. They’ve crashed and burned in too many tourneys and duals when the lights were brightest. KJ might be able to fix that, but it’s going to take time. And Okie State… I dunno, they just worry me. I don’t think they have any super-studs except maybe Rosholt, but they have enough good guys that if things broke their way, they seem like they could hang around for a while and possibly be there if Iowa stumbles enough.
Interestingly, this projection has Iowa in a walk over #2 Cornell, which would be nice. I personally think Dennis and Marion are a bit over-ranked at the moment, but at the same time, I think Erekson and Keddy may very well be under-ranked; I have more faith in them putting together a good run at NCAAs than I do Dennis or Marion, which would even out the points from their projections.
I also think last year is going to wind up being powerful motivation for these guys. They don’t want to let that happen again. And, moreover, this is is obviously the last shot at a national championship for almost all of these guys.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
LINKFAIL
There’s the projection I was talking about.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Morningstar opens up more when he's against guys he thinks he can beat easily.
Against other top guys, he definitely turtles up and tries to rely on riding guys out or maybe getting one takedown. Which is obviously not the greatest gameplan to have. I am very curious to see how he does against Howe on Sunday, because he could not figure him out last year. I am heartened by the fact that Morningstar hasn’t really lost to any guys he “shouldn’t:” lose to this year. If he keeps that up, at the very least he’ll be an All-American and, depending on how the seeding breaks down, he could go pretty far. It would be nice if he could avoid Reader, Howe, and Sponseller as long as possible.
Dennis worries me a lot. I thought the Gomez match would be a breakthrough for him, but if anything he seems to have regressed since that match. He and Marion are honestly the two that worry me the most in terms of going two and out or so. (157 goes without saying.) That would be pretty detrimental to our championship aspirations.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
In short what I sense with this team is that
when things are going well they step on the gas and feed of thier own success. But I worry that a few problems could derail them some. I think their talent is such that they just might overwhelm any crisis of confidence issues though.
Ah, talent. It is so nice to be flush with talent.
"I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re going and hook up with them later." M.H.
It's possible.
But I think they’re a very mentally strong team. And the nice part of having so much depth is that you can afford a misstep if it happens.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Additionally...
I’m encouraged by the way they were able to gut through tough meets with ISU and Okie State (and tough tourneys in the Midlands and National Duals) when they were under-strength. I’m also impressed by the way they just hammered Minnesota and Ohio State the last two duals. Duals aren’t tournaments, but to smash two good teams the way they did is very good to see.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
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