Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Not very good results - disappointingNino out. Looked bad. Last Pitt wrestler. No all Americans. In 33rd place at best.
What's Pitt S&C program like? They appeared to be gassed in all of the losses tonight, and quite honestly, didn't seem to be as strong as their opponents. I'm new to following wrestling, so take my observation with a grain of salt if it's irrelevant, but i would be interested in an informed answer if anyone can offer one. Thanks.Nino out. Looked bad. Last Pitt wrestler. No all Americans. In 33rd place at best.
What's Pitt S&C program like? They appeared to be gassed in all of the losses tonight, and quite honestly, didn't seem to be as strong as their opponents. I'm new to following wrestling, so take my observation with a grain of salt if it's irrelevant, but i would be interested in an informed answer if anyone can offer one. Thanks.
What happened to Thomas? He was great all season.Seeds are misleading...not making excuses but Pitt wasn't exactly the favorite in any of the matches this evening. Disappointing for sure but I promise next year will be much better
I expected 3 or 4 to have a chance at making All America. I thought 2 would succeed at itMaybe I let my expectations get ahead of me, but I really did expect more out of this tournament. Teams that we beat in dual meets out performed us in the NCAA. I know this is not an apples to apples comparison, but I really hoped that we would have a top 20 type finish.
Lewis should not have been an 8th seed. He had not wrestled the top guys, but was junior world champion last summer beating Marinelli. Some of the seeding was just insane this year. Marinelli had to wrestle Joe Smith in 1st round because Smith was seeded 33. Smith was a 2 time all American at 174 who came down a weight just for the big 12 championships. Then he gets Lewis(8 seed and eventual champ) in quarters.Seeds can be funny. Lewis from VT 8th seed just beat two best wrestlers at his weight. This was very exciting as always.
All about match ups, and when you have those match ups. I thought the marinelli smith thing was awful. But, that's the way it goes unfortunately.Lewis should not have been an 8th seed. He had not wrestled the top guys, but was junior world champion last summer beating Marinelli. Some of the seeding was just insane this year. Marinelli had to wrestle Joe Smith in 1st round because Smith was seeded 33. Smith was a 2 time all American at 174 who came down a weight just for the big 12 championships. Then he gets Lewis(8 seed and eventual champ) in quarters.
Lewis should not have been an 8th seed. He had not wrestled the top guys, but was junior world champion last summer beating Marinelli. Some of the seeding was just insane this year. Marinelli had to wrestle Joe Smith in 1st round because Smith was seeded 33. Smith was a 2 time all American at 174 who came down a weight just for the big 12 championships. Then he gets Lewis(8 seed and eventual champ) in quarters.
Pitt lost to some higher seeds, but lost to a bunch of lower seeds.Seeding is based off your year in the weight class. You cannot start bringing in freestyle results that have nothing to do with college wrestling or the season. You cannot wrestle all year at a weight class and right before you conference tourney drop down or move up then not even win that tourney and expect a good seed.
Seeds can be funny. Lewis from VT 8th seed just beat two best wrestlers at his weight. This was very exciting as always.
Nino out. Looked bad. Last Pitt wrestler. No all Americans. In 33rd place at best.
How did the city do as hosts of the tournament? Was it viewed positively?
Anyone who was expecting more than 2 AAs for Pitt this year had way too high of expectations and was probably being a bit of a homer. Going in I thought Micky, Nino, and Thomas each had a good chance at AA but only thought 1 or 2 would. Micky and Nino are only RSFR and that is tough to expect both to get there no matter there ranking or seed. Phillippi had some really good wins but really struggled to generate offense against the top 10 types he wrestled and that happened this weekend. If he is able to develop some got to offense he will be a real threat next year. People can say Nino disappointed and his last 2 matches weren't great but he lost to 2 really good wrestlers and that will happen but he will be better next year.
As for the team score, the top 20 was going to be tough but the top 25 would have been realistic.
As for the future, Pitt is recruiting well and bringing in talent but turning around a program doesn't happen overnight and yes next year will be better but it still won't top 10. Mathews is talented but expecting him to AA next year is probably be a bit premature, he will still be a RSFR in a tough weight class.
Overall the team race next year will closer and depending on who PSU decided to redshirt Iowa and Okie State could be the favorites.
I don’t see Ohio State being in title contention next year. They lose a lot of seniors, and as someone mentioned, they have a history of their wrestlers not improving.
It really will depend on what PSU decides to do. They lose two champions (3 if Cassar doesn’t return), but have two runner ups and 2 AAs back. That’s a lot of potential points returning. They redshirted a few guys this year, including a 4 time Iowa state champion at 125. They also have a guy who wrestled some at 157 when Nolf was hurt last season. Even though he wrestled at 157 out of necessity, he only weighed 145 or so. I imagine he has bulked up in preparation for Nolf graduating. If Brooks decides to compete, I can’t see Cael not going for 5 straight by redshirting a lot.
I watched and thought about things and I want to add my reflections.
Although I was hopeful about gaining some AA's this year, I think the result is about right for realistic expectations. There is a big difference between getting up for a few big matchups during the dual season and putting up a consistent performance over three days, against talented, intense, opponents with different wrestling style.
MIcki and Nino need to have four perfect matches with no mistakes. They both have limited offenses and on top of that, they don't have any go-to move/threat that concerns people to put pressure on them and make an opponent hesitant.
Expecting four matches to have one take down and a ride out - in this 133 Lbs field in particular - is a tall order. Heck, the match Micki lost this year in the duals was because a single penalty point for clasped hands, screwed up his strategy and he couldn't come back from it.
The football analogy would be to expect to run the ball three yards at a time starting from your 20 yard line, every series of every game. To run 27 plays over 80 yards, and not expect a fumble or a penalty, or a run for less than three yards...against a team stacking the box...is not going to happen. One would love to have a legitimate deep vertical threat, but at least have a short passing threat!Taleb has the ability to score points out of no where, but it is always a counter move. He cant generate anything on his own...and...if anyone scouts him to stay out of his barrel roll...he looks impotent.
Nino is able to pressure opponents with his pace, but if he gets down a point or two, or if the referee isn't calling stalling, that threat goes away.
Meech is just inexperienced against big guys that understand leverage and pressure and strategy. His work ethic and athleticism are admirable...and as good as anyone in the weight. Those qualities have been his go-to solutions up to this point, but he needs to start thinking more instead of just reacting and attacking. He needs to be selective and smarter with those skills. He needs to watch Cassar more.
Plus he looked exhausted because of his anxiety. He was fighting himself and his opponent.
There are three other points I have thought about. First, is digital technology. The digital video recorders and the internet have changed scouting for everyone. If you have a weakness, it will be exposed. (Can you say RBY and his left hand behind his back!! Micic taught him something about DeSanto at last years NCAA's). Its made a huge difference with Taleb since his sophomore year. Expect it to have an effect on MIcki and NIno next year.
Second, I would not be surprised if there was a plateau or even a step back a little next year - even though I think the team will be better. There is the scouting point I made above. There is the fact that Pitt will not be sneaking up on anyone next year. There is the fact that Pitt was remarkably healthy (Jake Wenzel aside) last year. I do not believe Pitt has the depth just yet, to maintain production if certain weights are effected by injury. Imagine what this year would have looked like if it was Meech that was out.
Finally, since Tyler Wilps placed in 2014 and 2015, there has been a drought of AA's at Pitt. The guys that are in the room now, have not watched the success occurring at the NCAA tournament. There are red shirt freshman essentially, re inventing the tradition and establishing expectations. It is always more difficult to be the first to scale the mountain.
So while I hope to see the list of AA's start growing next year, I think 2021 is where the Pitt program will START to really gain traction. How long it takes to get into the top ten - only time will tell.I think we should all feel very good about the young guys in this program. I think we should all feel really good about the process installed and how fast Gavin and Co are bringing things together. There are however, still several important pieces that need to drop in to place for Pitt to consistently break in to the top ten at the NCAA tournament - particularly with the RTC and its effect on recruiting. I think an excited patients is in order for next year.
Nice post ...... agree that in 2-3 years Pitt should have a really solid program on the rise.
A question ..... who is the strength and conditioning coach for Pitt wrestling and what experience does that coach have specifically with wrestlers ? ...... not blaming the strength and conditioning coach for anything but think it would be important to have someone who is very familiar with what wrestlers need in that area .... Penn State wrestlers really like their strength and conditioning coach from what I hear and feel he is very helpful to them ..... obviously recruiting great talent, coaching, RTC, strength and conditioning, etc. are all very important in the development of the wrestling program.
If you go back to the Clarion Open, you will see that Seth is grey shirting. You will also see that Meech solidly beat him.
With the limited number of scholarships in wrestling, it amazes me how PSU is able to have so many wrestlers from around the country, who are purportedly paying 50% or 75% of the tuition and fees charged to out of state students. Nickal is from Texas; the two Nevills from California; Hall from Minnesota; Lee from Indiana I think; Berge from Minnesota; Bravo-Young from Arizona; Austin Hoopes from Wyoming; Pipher from Colorado; Rasheed from NY; Cassar from NJ; and Teske from Iowa. That is 12 wrestlers all of whom have the qualifications to get scholarships. Add to that the PA kids like Nolf,
Joseph and Verkleeren, and that is at least 15 kids sharing scholarships. I can see PA kids taking a 1/2 scholarship and paying the balance, but that is a lot of money for out of state kids.
Either there are a lot of wealthy families producing excellent wrestlers, or they are all excellent students with academic scholarships, or there is something fishy going on involving the alumni who bankroll the program. It’s just too many out of state wrestlers to be Kosher.
Promises of work after eligibility is against ncaa rules unless all students are also given the same chance of getting those jobs.Nolf is on a full academic ride.
The 9.9 gets divided between 12-15 guys depending on the year like most schools
Now, are promises made about working NLWC camps after they graduate, probably but it is not illegal just a little gray.
Promises of work after eligibility is against ncaa rules unless all students are also given the same chance of getting those jobs.