OK State vs. UNI
- Thread starter oberebo
- Start date
It's sad....Joe doesn't seem....he is a broken man. The Joe that stepped on campus hungry, fearless, confident isn't there no more, and isn't coming back. The Jo Jo you currently see now is what you get. Nothing is going to change with him. I've said it once, so I'll just say it again, the sooner his season ends, the better it'll be not only for himself, but for OSU wrestling as well. I know they're people think he can AA at 174, and as much as I would like to see him finish his career on the podium, I don't see it happening. I know the weight class is down, but joe's level has drop so much he's capable of losing to almost anyone. Here's to hoping he finds a way to ending his career on a positive note.
We got put in a bad position when Kerkvliet hung is out to dry. I think Austin Marsden was our last true heavyweight.
Agreed. Grind out the season, continue development on young guys and know that help is def on the way. Having said that, lots to keep track of this year. Pic senior year, boo a decent chance he wrestles on Saturday night at ncaa tournament. I would say pic but losing to Princeton kid will put him against Lee in semis.
The Joe Smith match was sad. The rest of the dual was more disappointing. With the exception of Wittlake, I thought our young wrestlers took a step back tonight when they really seemed like they were starting to build momentum. It is just one dual, and it was on the road against a good and fired up opponent. However, I have always seen this year as an opportunity to build up our younger wrestlers for deep runs in 2020 and beyond. This dual shows that they have a long way to go.
Witcraft clearly has a ton of potential but can't seem to put it together for a full match. We have a ton of talent coming in next year at the lower weights so Reece will need to show improvement quickly for me to feel good about his ability to hang onto a starting role. Sheets seemed to lack focus. He got taken down way too easily in the first period. It is also weird how some matches, he looks like an absolute hammer on top and then today, he was mostly ineffective on top against a below average opponent. For Montalvo, I can't say I expected him to win, but I also didn't not expect him to win. He needs to develop more confidence on his feet. Had he been able to score a takedown early in the match (which he looked more than capable of), Lujan would have had to take more risks later in the match where Montalvo's superior motor is such an advantage.
Hopefully the young guys learn quickly from this dual and get some revenge at Big XIIs.
Witcraft clearly has a ton of potential but can't seem to put it together for a full match. We have a ton of talent coming in next year at the lower weights so Reece will need to show improvement quickly for me to feel good about his ability to hang onto a starting role. Sheets seemed to lack focus. He got taken down way too easily in the first period. It is also weird how some matches, he looks like an absolute hammer on top and then today, he was mostly ineffective on top against a below average opponent. For Montalvo, I can't say I expected him to win, but I also didn't not expect him to win. He needs to develop more confidence on his feet. Had he been able to score a takedown early in the match (which he looked more than capable of), Lujan would have had to take more risks later in the match where Montalvo's superior motor is such an advantage.
Hopefully the young guys learn quickly from this dual and get some revenge at Big XIIs.
We all knew coming into this season that we were going to compete for a national championship and this match showed that in spades. First off however I have to give a nod to UNI. They won the toss up matches and looked to be the more confident team. I am not disappointed in Pic's match. Schwarm is a very dangerous opponent and Pic did what he had to do to win. It was not a pretty match to watch however. At 133 the match was determined by the second period 4 point near fall and we almost got pinned in the bargain. It is hard to see the positive in this match and he lacks skills on the mat both on top and bottom.
At 141 Hone ranked #18 lost to Blockhaus #14. The takedown in the first period for Blockhaus was the difference. Hone wrestled well enough to win but could not secure a takedown. Boo had a quality opponent and he wrestled smart but cautious. He controlled the match and kept out of trouble. I do not understand Wyatt's thinking when he cut his opponent in the 3rd period. Riding him out which he was easily doing would have sent the match into OT and his opponent looked to be fatigued. Wittlake was dominant against a lesser opponent at 165 and this match and 197 were the only two matches of the night where we had full control. At 184 I thought Montalvo showed that he has the stamina and will to be a very good wrestler. He was wrestling #4 who puts up a lot of points. Lujan was held to just one takedown and Montalvo refused to give up on bottom and came to his feet and fought valiantly for an escape or reverse time after time.
I can not explain 174. Joe is a shell of his former self. This is not to take anything away from Stieret who just over powered him.
I still have on the Orange tinted glasses however and am sticking to my predictions for Iowa State. Key matchups in my opinion are at 184 with Montalvo vs.Coleman and at 141 Hone vs. Parker. They are favorites in both matches but I see upsets with Montalvo at 184 and the possibility of Hone beating Parker.
LETS GO POKES!!!
I knew UNI was pointing towards this dual all season. Great win for them and hope it was a wake up call for us. The Big XII should be a wide race this year. OSU, UNI, ISU, SDS and maybe Wyoming even in the hunt for the title. I still have faith that we will peak in March and win the conference and have several AAs in Minneapolis.
I think that being a Smith in the wrestling world got harder and harder with LeRoy's, John's and Pat's success. Mark Smith looked like a future National Champion but pressure seemed to grab him at Nationals where he never won. Pressure seemed to grab Mark and I think ( I don't know this) that he distanced himself from Oklahoma State wrestling. Pat of course fell with DUI's when he was an assistant coach. Pat seems distant from the Program. Now Joe seems to have struggled with the pressure. I think Jason Nolf was part of Joe's fall when it became apparent that Joe couldn't beat Nolf despite giving everything. I don't know this but the knee infections ( injuries) I think took some of his spirit also. Others on this forum have indicated problems such as Pat struggled with have hurt Joe. I have no knowledge if this is true. I would wish a good finish for Joe working hard and being an all American. However it has been a long time since much at all has gone our way in wrestling. I hope this changes because the last 13 years has been mostly painful. People on this form have indicated problems for G which would fit with his results this year. I hope we help this young man if he needs it and of course wrestling is a sport where you have to earn it and nothing but misery is given to you unless you go get success.
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When the whole Cowboy team looks flat, my guess is they had a tough trip and just getting there was the focus. John does not seem to mind putting the wrestlers in tough spots in duels. He wants to win them, but it is all practice until March. UNI was ready and wrestled like it!
Could it be intentionally putting the team in difficult situations to allow them to get mentally stronger? I could see that.
285, already have a good 197 need a heavy
I died laughing at the office reading this...I honestly don't we make him a heavyweight. I mean the kid enjoys life, and lets himself go in the offseason. Why make the kid suffer to get down to 174 when he can be a decent size heavy with above average athleticism. Water under the bridge at this rate, just got to ride it out.
