Going off guys that were here last year, Troy, Tagen and Luke all seem to have def improved on top. Amine has gotten rode some but he's improved. Carter has also been ridden some but he's def gotten better at getting out and that was a huge issue two years ago.
Current handwringing
- Thread starter chasepollard
- Start date
Overall as a team compared to last year our riding is much better with guys actually looking for tilts especially Spratley. Also, I don't see anyone one this team struggling from the bottom position either. It took Carter Young 2 years to sort of figure that out. I'm starting to wonder if guys are not as committed to riding with the new 3 point takedown. It didn't seem as much last year but it looks like that might be how the style is trending.
As a team we are much better than last year but that's not a fair comparison due to the number of transfers we got. But just looking at Spratley, Jamison and Surber, they all look better. Plott has improved as well its just hard to tell because when you are already wrestling at a high level the little things likely go unnoticed. I'll just say this about Plott. He has been dominate in all his matches outside of Keck. Last year that was not the case. He was winning but not dominated. Carter Young will likely not be in the lineup next year unless things really start to click for him and he has a really good post season.
As a team we are much better than last year but that's not a fair comparison due to the number of transfers we got. But just looking at Spratley, Jamison and Surber, they all look better. Plott has improved as well its just hard to tell because when you are already wrestling at a high level the little things likely go unnoticed. I'll just say this about Plott. He has been dominate in all his matches outside of Keck. Last year that was not the case. He was winning but not dominated. Carter Young will likely not be in the lineup next year unless things really start to click for him and he has a really good post season.
Many have pointed to this potentially being a weakness for Hamiti against elite competition. He got ridden by Norman at CKLV and by Sax at OU (though I contend the latter example was context-dependent with him being up I think he was comfortable staying on bottom through the third period and not coming close to getting turned until near the end of the period and he escaped instead)
Spratley: Stance: He stays in a good stance much more than he did last year so he doesn't get out of position nearly as much on his feet.
More physical: He's just stronger - able to power through more positions than last year, not getting stuck underneath as much when in on a leg.
Technique on shots: His shots have improved, gets to the corner better, finishes cleaner.
Top: Rides better, more physical, turns better.
Bottom: Lot tougher from bottom, more explosion.
Plott: In my opinion, Plott's improvement is small but noticeable. His stance is better, particular in his first match against Keck, Plott was lower in his stance - Keck had a harder time getting to his legs. However, Plott didn't do that in the 2nd match - Keck got to his legs easily like last year again. Fatigue makes you stand up in your stance more - could that have been it? I don't know. Overall Plott looks a little stronger physically than last year. Like I said in my original post, I believe Keck has improved as well, making the difference between them negligible.
We had a pretty good team last year, they DIDN’T perform at nationals. So far, Spratley may be a little behind from last year. I feel he is adjusting to the new system, which is weird, because he was super aggressive last year. The aggressiveness style is a big difference. Makes watching your team fun. Pennstate1985 warned of a mid season slump. I would rather have a slump now than in March
I disagree. Spratley has been much more aggressive this year. Last year he’d get one takedown and then shut down for the rest of the match.
As a wrestling fan I see improvement out of Troy this year. He's moving better and has picked up his hand fight. Gilman is one of the best hand fighters around so I expect Troy to keep getting better there. He seems to be more confident as well.
Over confident somewhat I think. Led to exposure rather than concede the 3 a couple times.
I see alot of improvement from Sprat.
His hand fighting is so much better it's not funny. I distinctly remember him being in positions with his feet and hands that would keep him from firing off shots. His positioning combined with has hands have generated a ton more offense this year.
This year, there is very little of that...I noticed it with Ramos some.
Confidence, oh yeah! That kid would fight a lion and I love it!
I think his confidence will help come March. He's learning a ton this year from the staff and will be ready
You're very correct with this. Spratley definitely has confidence which can get him a little too comfortable in situations leading to silly mistakes that get in into trouble. I will say specifically when he is riding and gets too high up. you can see it happening in slow motion what's about to take place. This lead to a reversal and pin vs. the West Virginia kid and also what caused him to loose his blood round match against Tanner Jordan last year IMO. If I can remember he was up on Jordan in the 2nd or 3rd period and was riding him, got too high and reversed and rode out I think.
Not sure him getting high while riding legs has anything to do with confidence. That's a tough position to be in and knowing when to bail and give up the reversal is more of a feel thing than a confidence thing . That's my opinion on it .
I remember that match and have indicated this before. Spratley got a quick takedown was riding Jordan with ease with his legs in and then it appeared he decided I am turning him ( maybe over confidence) got real high and Jordan came out the back for the reversal and ground Spratley into the mat. Then maybe Spratley chose neutral and was taken down easily and ground again. Spratley was 98% in control of the match and with his over aggressiveness as I saw it, Jordan dominated after the reversal and ground down ride out. This was the match to be an All American.
