Byers announced that the streamed radio coverage on Saturday morning starts at 9:40 am. (and I'm announcing in advance that I'll miss Round 1 -- sorry)
CS interview
Q: how important is it to have the guys have the same attitude as Day 1 heading into B1G
A - we want them to be consistent, and to be themselves. There is a different amount of intensity, but you still want to enjoy the process
Q: how do you go about selecting who to wrestle at 133?
A - it depends on results. We gave both guys the chance to compete. Law was coming down, and needed time to get his weight under control. It came down to a wrestle-off, and that's how we're going. It will be Tristan Law
Q: how confident are you with this lineup versus past lineups heading into B1Gs
A - I think this team is as good as any that we've had up to this point. Dual meet wise, this is the best we've ever done. We think our best teams are ahead of us.
Q: Gulibon will be your only senior this season. How important for him this tourney
A: we want him to be happy with his career, and to end how he wants. This is a big tourney for him. We want to see him smiling, and doing what he's been doing. Time for him to finish what he started. He's wrestling well; no reason he can't be himself and win some matches
Q: B1G seeding discussions used to be heated. It now seems to be largely in agreement ahead of time
A - that's mostly right. Everyone votes ahead of time, and unless wrestlers are within a few votes of each other you can't even argue the seeding. It's not really like it used to be. It used to get really heated after the tourney when they would try to hash out who got the wildcard spots
Q: More on the seeding -- I missed the exact question
A - the coaches don't care if you need 1 more guy to go to Nationals. They want to get their guy in. He was in the Big 12 when most of this was going on. He imagines the B1G was even worse
Q: When you look at the B1G, how strong is Wisconsin? Conference seems really deep.
A - the conference is tough. Michigan is a little down because of redshirting. Nebraska has a strong team. Says Iowa wants to win NCAAs, Ohio State has a chance to, PSU has a chance to. Byers question was all over the place, and so was the response by CS
Q: Getting freshmen ready for B1G tourney. Do you talk to them
A - it depends on the individual. What you say is actually how you feel. They can sense how you feel, so you have to be true to what you're feeling. Believe in your heart what you are telling them. Said all the coaches are one heart, one mind, philosophy, and are very consistent. We're not going to win as a team if our individuals aren't doing their best
Q: How many things have you picked up; how much better are you at preparing teams for B1Gs
A - you really learn along the way. Early in a coaching career you're trying to prove you belong in that position. It's not personal for me, even though I'm super competitive (says Cunningham is even worse). We just want to help each guy maximize their potential, and enjoy what they are doing.
Q: Every kid has high aspirations. Is there any extra thing for Nick Nevills after what happened last year?
A - I haven't even thought about that. He's had all year to compete. He didn't compete the way he wanted to last year, but it made him hungry, and also enabled him to appreciate being healthy this year. I think he's going to wrestle great. He's got the 1 and 2 ranked guys at his weight. That's part of the fun of being in the B1G
Q: As far as team responding, what do you like? Talk about the guys that won't be starting that are the work-out partners
A - it's up to the kids. We can do our best to get people ready, but the kids have to step up to do what is needed to be a champion. It takes a whole team. We have 10 going to B1Gs, but we have 35 or 36, and we're a team. Some will probably never start for us, but they bring value to the program
Fan Q: DT was FloWrestler of the week last week. Can you comment.
A - he just came back from World Cup. He wrestled really well. CS listed who he wrestled, and what they have accomplished. DT wrestled really well, and deserves any honor. 86 kg is about 190 lbs, but CS is not certain (not good with math). He's wrestling up a weight and feels big and strong
Fan Q: Suriano -- is there a minimum amount of time he has to wrestle in a match
A - because he's gold standard, as long as he starts a match, he'll be good. We're going to do what's best for him to get him ready for NCAAs. That will be a game-day decision
Q: How relevant is it to have 3 of the 4 most dominant wrestlers in the country. Talk about that
A - it gives everyone confidence in the way they compete. What they are ranked is cool, but it's about leading your team in effort, hustle, and enthusiasm. The majority of our guys are wrestling to score bonus points for the team. It's fun to watch
Fan Q: Anyone the freshmen could meet in Nationals that is tougher than what they compete against in the room.
A - they go against each other. Plus there are the coaches. And the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club is around about once a week.
Fan Q: who are Suriano and Hall wrestling in the room
A - Suriano goes against Nico, Jordan Conaway, Tank, Gomes
Hall - DT, Matt Brown (a few others I missed)
