My thoughts on RU vs Ill.

[jerzey devil]

As usual, great atmosphere at the RAC!! I really believe this is a great venue for D1 wrestling!! Now to what this match boiled down to...2 things... 1.... TOTAL team effort on RU's part...Tough gritty wrestling by everyone last night... 2... Bonus points...Illinois with 3 guys ranked in top 4 gained TWO!!! Yes just 2 bonus points!! That was the difference right there.... Really proud of the guys last night...The pollyanna's will say... "Well, Illinois was without their 285 lber.." Well guess what...last I checked, Van Brill was a backup to start the season behind a top 6 kid in Lewis...Backukas not 100% yet still takes #4 ranked Brunson to OT.... We were behind going into our 2 weakest weights...And both guys stepped up and beat the guys put out against them!!! Proud of these guys..well EARNED victory!!!

 

[ScarletGrapfan]

Great win and I was there rooting like crazy, but Zach Brunson is not ranked 4th. Flo-10th, Intermat 12th, Open Mat 12th.

 

[scarletNJ49]

Honest question would love another opinion. We looked out of shape and less developed across the board vs Ill. Some guys like Correnti are young, but there team look to be in much better shape and stronger. We saw this really come to life at 174 and 184. Correnti also would have lost if that match was another min longer. Just feel
Like we need to catch up here.

 

[ScarletGrapfan]

Honest question would love another opinion. We looked out of shape and less developed across the board vs Ill. Some guys like Correnti are young, but there team look to be in much better shape and stronger. We saw this really come to life at 174 and 184. Correnti also would have lost if that match was another min longer. Just feel
Like we need to catch up here.

Here you go
125-Brandon looks smaller than everyone he wrestles, true frosh. But he has huge gas tank, got a last second takedown to win, so Ill not in better shape.
133-Both guys to me looked similar in size, I never think Del looks smaller. Kid is just better.
141-Ash looked bigger and in better shape
149-Giraldo was bigger than the Ill back up. Not sure why but yes he gassed.
157-JVB-is long and lanky, Ill wrestler more built but just different body types. JVB-was not out of shape
165-IMAR looks bigger than most everyone. Guy is going for his 3rd National title.
174-Phil looks bigger than Brunson. Phil did not lose because Brunson was in better shape. Phil got in on the last shot, lifted him off the mat, Brunson with a great counter move. Unfortunately, Phil almost always loses these type of bouts.
184-Ill kid looked more "Jacked" than Gravina, but not much bigger. Gravina did seem to wear down a little, but that was a very physical match. Would take Gravina the next match up.
197-Correnti-did get tired, he also expended a lot of energy. True Frosh at 197 not easy
HWT-Gross is undersized against most HWY, but cant say he gassed when you get a winning TD in last 20 seconds.

So I guess I am saying I disagree with you. Lol

 

[Abro1975]

Coach G said in the post match interview w TJ Curran that Illinois was in better shape than Rutgers. He specifically mentioned a few of our kids that he was referring too.
In the media presser He also said that Ashnault was sufferring from the Flu and had not practiced at all for 48 hours before the Illinois match.

 

[bigmatt718]

Maybe they need to change up the S&C plan over the off-season for more size/strength? Does wrestling have a dedicated S&C coach? I mean Paetzall, Mulligan and Gross will be bigger and stronger by default as each will be in another year of S&C.

 

[RC1978]

Maybe they need to change up the S&C plan over the off-season for more size/strength? Does wrestling have a dedicated S&C coach? I mean Paetzall, Mulligan and Gross will be bigger and stronger by default as each will be in another year of S&C.

I wonder if Gross can get bigger. don't think he is getting any taller and he build like a brick SH. Did you see him with his top off? I watched him during HS and he was just stronger and wider then anyone else. Hopefully he produces for RU in the next couple of years.

 

[koleszar]

I'm not sure what's wrong with Giraldo last year I thought he was getting gassed in the 3rd do to cutting weight. This year I don't know what the reasoning is. They need to figure out something with his conditioning. IMO after last nights match Theo jumps back to the starting position.

 

[Jaroslav Hasek]

Great win and I was there rooting like crazy, but Zach Brunson is not ranked 4th. Flo-10th, Intermat 12th, Open Mat 12th.

Zane Richards is 4th on both Intermat and Flo. Del wrestled a great match and gave Richards all he could handle.

I would agree with coach Goodale in that Illinois for the most part looked to be in better condition. specifically 149, 174, 184, 197. not the end of the world, just something to work on before the B1G tournament. and it could be any number of factors. it's mid winter, prime flu season. if Ashnault couldn't practice for 48 hours it's quite possible other guys are gonna catch a bug at some point.

everything before B1G and NCAAs is a learning experience. other than that, great W for the program against a great Big Ten program with a lot of history.

 

[wngarbarini]

Giraldo stripped his gears trying to get those takedowns early which I think cost him a lot of energy expended.

 

[RUMatFan]

Illinois vs. Maryland is on BTN right now and the gym is empty. Just shows what a great following we have at Rutgers. It's a great selling point for recruiting kids who want to wrestle in front of a large home crowd. There are still a lot of vacant seats in the RAC so bring some friends!!!

 

[wngarbarini]

What was Illinois/Maryland score?

 

[Abro1975]

What was Illinois/Maryland score?

Ilinois won 30-15 then Navy beat Maryland 23-16
Iowa smoked Mich St 44-0

 

[bigmatt718]

The two matches I am interested in feature opponents coming up on the schedule: PSU vs Nebraska, and Purdue vs NW