No. 12 Wrestling, No. 11 Lehigh Collide in NWCA National Dual Championship Series/Match Thread

[Abro1975]

I'm starting to think that wrestling at home with a good crowd is worth about 3 points per match. That swings most toss ups to the home team, limits the good visiting wrestlers from possibly a major to a regular decision etc etc. Those individual bouts went RU's way last year vs Lehigh at the RAC.
Last big 'road' win I can think of was vs Cornell at MSG, and that was really a neutral site. We're getting closer, just need more talent and experience overall.

 

[elvis7]

JVB and Theo losses were both damning. Win one of those 2 and Correnti would've had the chance to rip the hearts out of Lehigh in the heavyweight bout.

Theo unfortunately lost to the better wrestler. JVB out wrestled the kid, but just had a brain freeze at the end. Scotty D, had several quality chances for take downs, but just seemed to stop once he shot. I've seen it a lot this year, our guys don't seem to be aggressive finishing their take downs.

 

[wngarbarini]

The final score did not truly reflect the closeness of the meet. JVB and aphid win those winnable bouts and it is 16-14 RU going into 285. Would that have been interesting?

 

[PhilaPhans]

The only weights we were outclassed were 165 and 125. Every other match was winnable. That's where I give Lehigh credit for winning, but we aren't that far behind (injuries for both teams cancel out).

 

[PSUPOWER]

I'm starting to think that wrestling at home with a good crowd is worth about 3 points per match. That swings most toss ups to the home team, limits the good visiting wrestlers from possibly a major to a regular decision etc etc. Those individual bouts went RU's way last year vs Lehigh at the RAC.
Last big 'road' win I can think of was vs Cornell at MSG, and that was really a neutral site. We're getting closer, just need more talent and experience overall.

I would agree that wrestling at home with a good crowd is worth about 3 more points to the home team versus wrestling at a neutral site. And wrestling at home with a good crowd is worth about 6 more points to the home team versus wrestling at a site where the opponent has a good crowd working for them.

 

[Jaroslav Hasek]

might be worth keeping in mind (and no slight intended to Rutgers in the process) that Lehigh had higher ranked recruiting classes in 4 of the last 5 years, has MUCH better facilities, higher paid coaches, and a better funded club team (LVAC).

they also had a line up with 3 returning all americans plus another guy in the top 5 (who Pagano beat). and they were wrestling at home.

as folks have also noted, there were some mistakes that cost guys some winnable matches. some bad mistakes that are very frustrating to watch. but there were some highlights too. Gross taking #17 Vollaro, a top ten OVERALL recruit and 5th year senior, into OT is pretty amazing to me.

 

[PhilaPhans]

Based on many of his matches lately, I think Gross realizes his best chance at winning certain matches is playing that boring HWT style to get to OT.

 

[Jaroslav Hasek]

Based on many of his matches lately, I think Gross realizes his best chance at winning certain matches is playing that boring HWT style to get to OT.

that's the best strategy for most heavies. I take that as another sign of his progress and good coaching.

 

[Passe24]

If Kutler is at 157 add 2 points to Lehigh. I honestly didn't think Theo was close to Gardner. I believe they are on different levels. I mean he did beat Ash 2 years ago.

 

[RUMatFan]

It seemed to me like Gardner knew exactly how to wrestle Theo. He avoided the two positions Theo loves by never shooting on Theos legs and getting out quickly when he was on bottom. It looked like he did his homework and wrestled a very smart match.

 

[jerzey devil]

If Kutler is at 157 add 2 points to Lehigh. I honestly didn't think Theo was close to Gardner. I believe they are on different levels. I mean he did beat Ash 2 years ago.

Technically JVB is our backup also

 

[wngarbarini]

If you had told me before the year started that with this team, with the red shirts and injuries that we would finish 12-5 with our schedule I would say these coaches should get coaches of the year. What a great job and I have told them so, regardless of how we finish in Big Tens and NCAAs. Well done

 

[RutgersRaRa]

If you had told me before the year started that with this team, with the red shirts and injuries that we would finish 12-5 with our schedule I would say these coaches should get coaches of the year. What a great job and I have told them so, regardless of how we finish in Big Tens and NCAAs. Well done

Nice post.

 

[PhilaPhans]

Gardner looked bigger and stronger than Theo. Theo started out well, but I agree with the above that Gardiner wrestled a very smart (and physical) match.

 

[elvis7]

Technically JVB is our backup also

 

[elvis7]

You are correct, but their kid was a back up also

 

[jerzey devil]

You are correct, bit their kid was the back up also

hence the "also" in my post...