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Tom McAndrew

Tom McAndrew

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Roar's Five Things to Watch in the Second Half of the Season
1) Who goes at 125, 149, 285? I have my own opinion, as each of you do. Points at NCAA's is the single biggest factor.

2) Injuries? This word should not be said out loud when you're superstitious. I'm not, so no biggie. The PSU team this year, on paper, is the best. Still must wrestle the matches, so there's that. Staying injury-free is huge.

3) Ohio State? The away dual in early February may provide the stiffest competition of the season, dual meet-wise. On paper, the Lions are favored, but several of the match-ups are compelling. Plus it's at their place, providing a hostile environment that will help for other away venues, including Big Ten's and NCAA's.

4) Chemistry? Will this team continue to grow as a unit, supporting each other, challenging each other, having each other's back, AND enjoy and embrace the internal competition for Falls and Bonus Point wins.

5) Will they PEAK? The second half of the season, moreso than the first, is a balancing act between school work, strength-and-conditioning, practice time, competitions, etc. The NCAA Championship is like a sprint at the end of a marathon, and the teams that manage everything well are much more likely to do better. PSU has proven over and over, that it does this well.

With apologies to the CDT crew.
 
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RoarLions1 said:
Roar's Five Things to Watch in the Second Half of the Season
1) Who goes at 125, 149, 285? I have my own opinion, as each of you do. Points at NCAA's is the single biggest factor.

2) Injuries? This word should not be said out loud when you're superstitious. I'm not, so no biggie. The PSU team this year, on paper, is the best. Still must wrestle the matches, so there's that. Staying injury-free is huge.

3) Ohio State? The away dual in early February may provide the stiffest competition of the season, dual meet-wise. On paper, the Lions are favored, but several of the match-ups are compelling. Plus it's at their place, providing a hostile environment that will help for other away venues, including Big Ten's and NCAA's.

4) Chemistry? Will this team continue to grow as a unit, supporting each other, challenging each other, having each other's back, AND enjoy and embrace the internal competition for Falls and Bonus Point wins.

5) Will they PEAK? The second half of the season, moreso than the first, is a balancing act between school work, strength-and-conditioning, practice time, competitions, etc. The NCAA Championship is like a sprint at the end of a marathon, and the teams that manage everything well are much more likely to do better. PSU has proven over and over, that it does this well.

With apologies to the CDT crew.
Click to expand...
So what are your 125, 149 and 285 opinions? My guess is our opinions align at 149 and 285, and maybe 125. I would really like to know what your thinking is on the subject of PSU's 125 starter.
 
Last edited:
RoarLions1 said:
Roar's Five Things to Watch in the Second Half of the Season
1) Who goes at 125, 149, 285? I have my own opinion, as each of you do. Points at NCAA's is the single biggest factor.

2) Injuries? This word should not be said out loud when you're superstitious. I'm not, so no biggie. The PSU team this year, on paper, is the best. Still must wrestle the matches, so there's that. Staying injury-free is huge.

3) Ohio State? The away dual in early February may provide the stiffest competition of the season, dual meet-wise. On paper, the Lions are favored, but several of the match-ups are compelling. Plus it's at their place, providing a hostile environment that will help for other away venues, including Big Ten's and NCAA's.

4) Chemistry? Will this team continue to grow as a unit, supporting each other, challenging each other, having each other's back, AND enjoy and embrace the internal competition for Falls and Bonus Point wins.

5) Will they PEAK? The second half of the season, moreso than the first, is a balancing act between school work, strength-and-conditioning, practice time, competitions, etc. The NCAA Championship is like a sprint at the end of a marathon, and the teams that manage everything well are much more likely to do better. PSU has proven over and over, that it does this well.

With apologies to the CDT crew.
Click to expand...

Based on the history of the last 9 years I'm quite confident that the answer to #5 is YES, they will peak in March.

In a tournament I think we beat tOSU easily, but going thru the lineup weight by weight the dual is going to be tough, especially since it is at tOSU.
 
ClarkstonMark said:
Barring injury 285 seems to be set
Click to expand...
Suppose things can always change but, yeah, agree about 285. Also appears that Berge has the leg up on Verk at this point, though the Scuffle could still be a factor. The biggest uncertainty looks to be whether Teske comes out of redshirt; not counting on Teasdale for anything in 2018-19.
 
Probably a dumb question but here goes. To those that go to Bigs and Nationals, are the crowds there generally anti PSU and hostile when our guys are on the mat? Its hard to gauge sitting on my couch at home. There's a particular team I don't care to see do well but I seriously don't root against them as much as I root for the guy they are wrestling against. If that makes sense...
 
johnstownsteel said:
Probably a dumb question but here goes. To those that go to Bigs and Nationals, are the crowds there generally anti PSU and hostile when our guys are on the mat? Its hard to gauge sitting on my couch at home. There's a particular team I don't care to see do well but I seriously don't root against them as much as I root for the guy they are wrestling against. If that makes sense...
Click to expand...
You're a better man than I. It's much more satisfying for me to hold the belief that morally and objectively it is better for certain wrestlers to lose. I get a sick kick out of it, honestly.
 
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johnstownsteel said:
Probably a dumb question but here goes. To those that go to Bigs and Nationals, are the crowds there generally anti PSU and hostile when our guys are on the mat? Its hard to gauge sitting on my couch at home. There's a particular team I don't care to see do well but I seriously don't root against them as much as I root for the guy they are wrestling against. If that makes sense...
Click to expand...
Have only been to Nats. 2011, I sat in a Cornell section on Friday and we were kicking the shit out of them, so that was enjoyable. They weren't thrilled with me. NYC in 2016 was incredible all the way around. no hostility at all, and even the locals on the streets were talking about Penn State. Last year, the were a lot of tOSU people around. Big cheers when Nick Lee got decked in the first round. I'd say nothing we wouldn't do in the reverse situation. So, in my experience, last year was the most hostile and it wasn't hostile at all. I tend to think the extreme people on these boards are a very small percentage of fans. I went to Cleveland because it's drivable. I don't fly to Midwest cities unless I absolutely have to. They just don't do anything for me (yeah, I've been to most of them).
 
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TangSoo said:
Have only been to Nats. 2011, I sat in a Cornell section on Friday and we were kicking the shit out of them, so that was enjoyable. They weren't thrilled with me. NYC in 2016 was incredible all the way around. no hostility at all, and even the locals on the streets were talking about Penn State. Last year, the were a lot of tOSU people around. Big cheers when Nick Lee got decked in the first round. I'd say nothing we wouldn't do in the reverse situation. So, in my experience, last year was the most hostile and it wasn't hostile at all. I tend to think the extreme people on these boards are a very small percentage of fans. I went to Cleveland because it's drivable. I don't fly to Midwest cities unless I absolutely have to. They just don't do anything for me (yeah, I've been to most of them).
Click to expand...
Your description is what I was thinking. In my opinion, wrestling fans are generally a different breed. I think those that spend big money, use vacation time etc. to go to Nationals are the type that appreciate great wrestling no matter who's doing it. Don't get me wrong, I know they pull for their team but honestly I don't know how any fan couldn't marvel at the style Cael has brought to Happy Valley. Especially witnessing it live.
 
johnstownsteel said:
Your description is what I was thinking. In my opinion, wrestling fans are generally a different breed. I think those that spend big money, use vacation time etc. to go to Nationals are the type that appreciate great wrestling no matter who's doing it. Don't get me wrong, I know they pull for their team but honestly I don't know how any fan couldn't marvel at the style Cael has brought to Happy Valley. Especially witnessing it live.
Click to expand...
Yep. There is a higher level of respect for the competitors than in a football crowd for sure. Been to a bunch of National Duals as well (late 90s - early 2000s). I can't recall ever having an issue at any wrestling event.
 
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johnstownsteel said:
Probably a dumb question but here goes. To those that go to Bigs and Nationals, are the crowds there generally anti PSU and hostile when our guys are on the mat? Its hard to gauge sitting on my couch at home. There's a particular team I don't care to see do well but I seriously don't root against them as much as I root for the guy they are wrestling against. If that makes sense...
Click to expand...
Not a dumb question at all. Fans everywhere have been great. Men that had a bit too much sauce, or a young ‘un that’s too big for his britches aside, every Big Ten and NCAA tournament I’ve attended had memorable moments with other team’s fans.

The percent of edgy fans is much lower than on the forums :).
 
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nitlion6 said:
So what are your 125, 149 and 285 opinions? My guess is our opinions align at 149 and 285, and maybe 125. I would really like to know what your thinking is on the subject of PSU's 125 starter.
Click to expand...
Well, at 149, Berge has separated himself from Verkleeren by the slimmest of margins. Today, it would be Brady, but the door's open for Verkleeren.
At 285, by all accounts, Cassar has separated himself from Nevills. If Cassar continues his high effort/performance, the door will close very soon. Today, it's Cassar.
125 is a different animal. It's easy for a fan to sit back and write an anonymous opinion with no dog in the race. What I will say is that there are 4 factors; (1) room performance, (2) Southern Scuffle results, (3) what Brody and Gavin, and their families want, and (4) the coaches thoughts on points at NCAA's.
 
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RoarLions1 said:
Well, at 149, Berge has separated himself from Verkleeren by the slimmest of margins. Today, it would be Brady, but the door's open for Verkleeren.
At 285, by all accounts, Cassar has separated himself from Nevills. If Cassar continues his high effort/performance, the door will close very soon. Today, it's Cassar.
125 is a different animal. It's easy for a fan to sit back and write an anonymous opinion with no dog in the race. What I will say is that there are 4 factors; (1) room performance, (2) Southern Scuffle results, (3) what Brody and Gavin, and their families want, and (4) the coaches thoughts on points at NCAA's.
Click to expand...
So your conclusion at 125 is? Sorry, I’m not a good mind reader.
 
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