NCAA PORTAL

[Pennstate1985]

Comparing any of those situations to what is happening right now is apples to oranges. The team race is over. No team has a chance. Nebraska wrestled out of their minds and had zero chance to win. They lost by 60 points. Did they even mention the team race on the finals broadcast? The team aspect of college wrestling is basically dead.

You also throw in the fact that most dominating force in college wrestling doesn't care about duals.

Do I blame Penn State for any of this? No but I don't think it is great for a sport that is looking at some potentially dark times ahead.

I think the finals were more focused on the individual matchups without the team race involved. To me, that was a net positive. Wrestling should evolve into promoting individual contests instead of the team aspect. Like other martial sports. Because of that, the finals were up 70% in the ratings. That's a hint to me.

On some level, Cael doesn't give a crap about duals, conference participation, or anything else other than as a preparation for nationals. He doesn't even hide it. If DT is going to catch him, you'll be doing the same. You know that in your mind even if your heart wants otherwise.

The dark times ahead are due to NIL and the overall collegiate landscape. If we change our attitudes from team race into 10 individual gladiator competitions, the sport can thrive in the marketplace.

 

[Air_Thurman]

I think the finals were more focused on the individual matchups without the team race involved. To me, that was a net positive. Wrestling should evolve into promoting individual contests instead of the team aspect. Like other martial sports. Because of that, the finals were up 70% in the ratings. That's a hint to me.

On some level, Cael doesn't give a crap about duals, conference participation, or anything else other than as a preparation for nationals. He doesn't even hide it. If DT is going to catch him, you'll be doing the same. You know that in your mind even if your heart wants otherwise.

The dark times ahead are due to NIL and the overall collegiate landscape. If we change our attitudes from team race into 10 individual gladiator competitions, the sport can thrive in the marketplace.

Listen you can't argue with it. Cael is doing what he is paid to do basically better than any human in history. I don't think they are mutually exclusive. Cael can being doing an amazing job and it be bad for the sport. I think duals and the team aspect gets fans involved, like me, who didn't grow up wrestling. If the sport basically becomes an individual tournament at the end of the year how does that get new people interested? I love NCAAs. I literally watched every single minute. Not a great showcase for new fans through. Now PSU vs. ISU in a packed Carver. That can covert people.

 

[Pennstate1985]

If the sport basically becomes an individual tournament at the end of the year how does that get new people interested?

Other than us deviants, that is EXACTLY what the average Joe is looking for. 10 competitions in one evening. A UFC card so to speak. The average Joe doesn't care about PSU or OSU or anybody. They want to see competitors fighting it out on the mat (or in the ring, etc). That's why they loved David vs Goliath so much last Saturday. We need to make our sport competitive for the marketing dollar. I remember the early 80's when a fledgling ESPN would have kick boxing, a very early version of UFC. Why can't we have that? In order to do it though, we need to emphasize the wrestlers and not the programs.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Listen you can't argue with it. Cael is doing what he is paid to do basically better than any human in history. I don't think they are mutually exclusive. Cael can being doing an amazing job and it be bad for the sport. I think duals and the team aspect gets fans involved, like me, who didn't grow up wrestling. If the sport basically becomes an individual tournament at the end of the year how does that get new people interested? I love NCAAs. I literally watched every single minute. Not a great showcase for new fans through. Now PSU vs. ISU in a packed Carver. That can covert people.

You're a good poster. I appreciate our friendly banter.

 

[Air_Thurman]

Other than us deviants, that is EXACTLY what the average Joe is looking for. 10 competitions in one evening. A UFC card so to speak. The average Joe doesn't care about PSU or OSU or anybody. They want to see competitors fighting it out on the mat (or in the ring, etc). That's why they loved David vs Goliath so much last Saturday. We need to make our sport competitive for the marketing dollar. I remember the early 80's when a fledgling ESPN would have kick boxing, a very early version of UFC. Why can't we have that? In order to do it though, we need to emphasize the wrestlers and not the programs.

I just don't think it compares to the UFC. People like the UFC because you follow characters and stories throughout their journey. We know who they are. How do you build that kind of story for college wrestlers if we deemphasize the regular season? And frankly, outside of moments like Wyatt/Gable the finals are kind of the worst showcase for college wrestling. The bouts are boring.

I just think you are way more likely to get new fans into the sport through the team. A student or alumni from Purdue sees an awesome dual with Penn State and that college connection might rope them in for more. That is how I got into the sport. My freshman year Cael and Heskett came to OSU and I was hooked.

 

[ionel]

Perry… coming back? That wouldn’t make any sense.

It's a question. I don't know why we'd want either.

 

[Pennstate1985]

I just don't think it compares to the UFC. People like the UFC because you follow characters and stories throughout their journey. We know who they are. How do you build that kind of story for college wrestlers if we deemphasize the regular season? And frankly, outside of moments like Wyatt/Gable the finals are kind of the worst showcase for college wrestling. The bouts are boring.

I just think you are way more likely to get new fans into the sport through the team. A student or alumni from Purdue sees an awesome dual with Penn State and that college connection might rope them in for more. That is how I got into the sport. My freshman year Cael and Heskett came to OSU and I was hooked.

It was an embarrassing Saturday night for the sport except for 285. BORING. Why can't we have both with regard to school and individuals? Something for us and something we can market? We are a version of insanity. It's not working like we hoped it would guys. We need to think outside the box and make it work for the 80% of society that doesn't bleed school colors and/or never went to university. In fact, I bet guys who never went to college are more in tune with wrestling.

 

[chasepollard]

It's a question. I don't know why we'd want either.

We don’t…

 

[Pennstate1985]

Surprisingly, Alex Facundo is a Cowboy!

His instagram post was liked by Jason Nolf.

 

[TheJimReaper]

 

[duke-of-earl]

We don’t…

Good, need to set a precedent.

 

[osufanatic4life]

View embedded media

Very excited about this one!

 

[osudog]

Perry has zero chance of a coming back

 

[MALOS]

I agree. Swiderski is our best wrestler in the 141-157 range. Hughes doesn't seem to be willing to make the sacrifice needed by good wrestlers to make weight, Chandler just doesn't have it, Jamison has not bought in to DT's mindset, and TT is the most limited of this group. We will need Swiderski to wrestle well in this punt year if we are to be respectable as a team.

Swiderski will not beat Jamison.
Facundo will impress and is the best wrestler in the portal. Ferrari will make the most noise though.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Good luck to Alex. You guys are getting a very hard worker and good wrestler. I wish he were still a Lion but this happens. Just like Terrell Barraclough, we all hope he becomes an AA but less than the PSU wrestler.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Very excited about this one!

He is a definite AA possibility and even moreso, I think he is a better freestyler for your RTC.

 

[SlickWillie2018]

Swiderski will not beat Jamison.
Facundo will impress and is the best wrestler in the portal. Ferrari will make the most noise though.

Never doubting you again, king

 

[duke-of-earl]

Swiderski will not beat Jamison.
Facundo will impress and is the best wrestler in the portal. Ferrari will make the most noise though.

Never doubting you again, king

Samesies

 

[DPJ]

Swiderski will not beat Jamison.
Facundo will impress and is the best wrestler in the portal. Ferrari will make the most noise though.

Agree on all points. I really wanted Facundo to come last year. I'm super excited we'll have him for a few years. I think he's going to be an AA next season.

 

[Air_Thurman]

I'm not the biggest Swiderski fan in the world and I'm excited to potentially see Jamison at 149. I don't think we've seen enough from Jamison to say so and so can't beat him though. Coaches didn't go get Swiderski for the hell of it.

 

[Wrestleks]

I'm not the biggest Swiderski fan in the world and I'm excited to potentially see Jamison at 149. I don't think we've seen enough from Jamison to say so and so can't beat him. Coaches didn't go get Swiderski for the hell of it.

Casey might be at 141?

 

[Air_Thurman]

Casey might be at 141?

Would seem like a cleaner fit. Some Iowa State fans act like that is a big cut for him but I really have no clue.

 

[osufanatic4life]

So...?

125 Spratley
133 Rin / Hughes / Steen
141 Jamison? / Hughes / Swiderski? (too big of a cut?)
149 Jamison? / Swiderski / Travis
157 Travis / Jamison? / Robideau
165 Lockett
174 Facundo
184 Merrill? Where's he want to be?/ BT / Portal
197 Merrill? Where's he want to be? / Portal
Hwt Doucett / Portal

Biggest Questions:
What weights are Jamison and Merrill going?

Looks like whatever weight Merrill decides between 84 and 97, we will try to portal an option for the other. I doubt they are just going to magic marker BT into 84 if Merrill goes 97

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but with adding Swiderski maybe they are thinking Jamison goes 141 again or maybe bumps all the way up to 57?

Travis looked really good at 49 as a 33 seed, banged up and all.

I really hope we can find an answer at 285.

 

[Chasingthirty-five]

Maybe Alex can work on Ryder for us lol.

 

[Mr.OSU]

Maybe Alex can work on Ryder for us lol.

Ryder should definitely bolt.

 

[Air_Thurman]

Sounds like Gary Steen committed as well. Probably more of a depth guy (I would assume).

 

[Chasingthirty-five]

Sounds like Gary Steen committed as well. Probably more of a depth guy (I would assume).

Haven’t seen this one anywhere yet. Would be an odd transfer honestly. I guess goes from for sure back up there to probably back up here. Could have found a starter spot somewhere else.

 

[oklahomaglory]

Sounds like Gary Steen committed as well. Probably more of a depth guy (I would assume).

Very odd considering we need to limit roster to 30.

 

[Mr.OSU]

Haven’t seen this one anywhere yet. Would be an odd transfer honestly. I guess goes from for sure back up there to probably back up here. Could have found a starter spot somewhere else.

Competition for 133 I guess. Taylor would know these kids as well anyone outside the current psu coaches.

 

[osu1988]

 

[osufanatic4life]

Interested to know what our PSU friends on here think about Steen

 

[dvpoke25]

Very odd considering we need to limit roster to 30.

Had honestly forgotten about the roster limits. Seems like teams have been acting as if they won’t exist.

 

[osu2082]

Swiderski will not beat Jamison.
Facundo will impress and is the best wrestler in the portal. Ferrari will make the most noise though.

Swiderski picked OsU and OSU picked Swiderski because they see him in the lineup competing as a strong AA talent.

Both had options so it’s hard to argue the above. I don’t know where he slots but he has more skins on the wall than anyone we have in his range including Jamison. I’ll be shocked if he isn’t starting for the Cowboys.

 

[JAY45]

So...?

125 Spratley
133 Rin / Hughes
141 Jamison? / Hughes / Swiderski? (too big of a cut?)
149 Jamison? / Swiderski / Travis
157 Travis / Jamison? / Robideau
165 Lockett
174 Facundo
184 Merrill? Where's he want to be? / Portal
197 Merrill? Where's he want to be? / Portal
Hwt Doucett / Portal

Biggest Questions:
What weights are Jamison and Merrill going?

Looks like whatever weight Merrill decides between 84 and 97, we will try to portal an option for the other. I doubt they are just going to magic marker BT into 84 if Merrill goes 97

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but with adding Swiderski maybe they are thinking Jamison goes 141 again or maybe bumps all the way up to 57?

Travis looked really good at 49 as a 33 seed, banged up and all.

I really hope we can find an answer at 285.

I’m confused by the omission of Thompson.
Portal at 133 which was expected (Steen).
Guessing Heavyweight and possibly a 184 and/or 197 to compete with younger guys.

 

[osufanatic4life]

I’m confused by the omission of Thompson.
Portal at 133 which was expected (Steen).
Guessing Heavyweight and possibly a 184 and/or 197 to compete with younger guys.

Sorry I meant to put BT behind Merrill at 84. I’ll edit. My mistake

 

[oklahomaglory]

Bro Iowa forum is so fun. This guy Gobblin says we offered 750k a year for McEnelly for 3 years. They sometimes takes numbers out of their thin air when it comes to OSU to make them less ridiculous for over paying.

 

[JAY45]

Bro Iowa forum is so fun. This guy Gobblin says we offered 750k a year for McEnelly for 3 years. They sometimes takes numbers out of their thin air when it comes to OSU to make them less ridiculous for over paying.

He’d be worth it!
Hope he stays at Minny.

 

[oklahomaglory]

They create this imaginary situation that we tampered with McEnelly, then created this magical number in their mind that we offered. Iowa fans are funny and desperate these days.

 

[Cowboysforlife]

Wonder who ends up with the 133 spot next year. Rin, JJ, Cael, and Steen on roster. Think a big name at 133 enters the portal soon?

 

[osudog]

Don’t sleep on Vega making a impact next year