PSU - Michigan Dual Thread

[truth-and-reason]

I’m happy to field questions about the rules. It is good to ask questions. As Tom Pointed out previously and I can confirm, fans, wrestler, and coaches generally have significant gaps in understanding. Which is quite natural actually. As a wrestler you should be focused on training and putting forth maximum effort. As a coach, you should be focused on helping each wrestler get better. now of course you need to understand the basics to avoid stupid penalties and injurying an opponent.
on a side note, the reversal of the call in the Cstar match was a good call in m opinion. Massa ever really established a “neutral” position. I was surprised they reversed it but think that was the right call.
the officiating last night was consistent and well executed.

 

[SonnyAbeFan]

I’m happy to field questions about the rules. It is good to ask questions. As Tom Pointed out previously and I can confirm, fans, wrestler, and coaches generally have significant gaps in understanding. Which is quite natural actually. As a wrestler you should be focused on training and putting forth maximum effort. As a coach, you should be focused on helping each wrestler get better. now of course you need to understand the basics to avoid stupid penalties and injurying an opponent.
on a side note, the reversal of the call in the Cstar match was a good call in m opinion. Massa ever really established a “neutral” position. I was surprised they reversed it but think that was the right call.
the officiating last night was consistent and well executed.

So did the referee award the escape too soon? Did he award it "assuming" Carter would take a step back, which happens 99% of the time?

I could just as easily picture a scenario where Massa fights off the CStar shot and Michigan wonders why the escape wasn't awarded and why CStar is still on top.

I guess that's where reply comes in handy. But what do I know?

 

[SonnyAbeFan]

I’m happy to field questions about the rules. It is good to ask questions. As Tom Pointed out previously and I can confirm, fans, wrestler, and coaches generally have significant gaps in understanding. Which is quite natural actually. As a wrestler you should be focused on training and putting forth maximum effort. As a coach, you should be focused on helping each wrestler get better. now of course you need to understand the basics to avoid stupid penalties and injurying an opponent.
on a side note, the reversal of the call in the Cstar match was a good call in m opinion. Massa ever really established a “neutral” position. I was surprised they reversed it but think that was the right call.
the officiating last night was consistent and well executed.

What was your take on the stalemate call? My untrained eye viewed it as if they were not stalemated, and Carter was progressing. It appeared as if Massa's grip was slipping and Carter was 5-10 seconds away from kicking free.

 

[SonnyAbeFan]

Tremendous photos from Sam Janicki of the dual: https://www.sjanickiphoto.com/2021-2022-College-Wrestling/1-21-22-Michigan-Vs-Penn-State

Going through them all is like watching the dual all over again. Some observations:

*In addition to more guys appearing to "run the pipe" on single-leg finishes from up high, more guys also seem to be trying to finish doubles with the bottom leg turked, transitioning right to points. RBY used it on a mat return vs. Ragusin, Kerk did it right to pin vs. MD, and I seem to recall Nick and Max using it a few times as well. Didn't Hildebrandt do that on his opening match pin as well? I don't know if I'm making it up or not, but Cael's guys always seem to add little nuances every year that allow them to continue improving and separating themselves from the field.

*When Kerk got poked in the eye, I kind of thought maybe he's using it to get a breather. At the end of the TV broadcast, you could see blood coming from it, and the pictures reinforce how red his eye became and the nasty scratch he took. Between the unlucky headbutt to his nose vs. ASU to this and much more, this guy is continuing to have to fight through crappy luck.

*Also interesting how Kerk utilizes a "snatch single" - it's almost like he's not fully committing to a single, and yet it's different than an ankle pick. Must take tremendous strength to pull a tree trunk like Parris's leg out from under him. But seems to be very effective for Kerk because if it doesn't work, he's not stuck under the weight of those mountains.

*My favorite pic is this one of Beau's big move. He won't get much credit for it as it'll just look like an injury forfeit to most. But look how he crunches the head from the left side while SIMULTANEOUSLY blocking off Mattin's left leg with his left arm. And the right arm is helping to tip. You can see Mattin's toe starting to get stuck. Of course, people will say that his toe/ankle getting stuck was the reason he went to his back, but that was a big-time, aggressive, offensive move from a seemingly routine headlock position. Will we see more of this punishing, aggressive style? Hope it's a sign of ore to come!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]