Last year's NCAA 3rd < beat Feldkamp 3-2, obviously duh.
Iowa discussions for 2024-25
- Thread starter vhsalum
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Gabe’s only loss last year was to the 184 runner up 4-0. He beat Rocco going into the season last year. I would say that’s a pretty good win.
Pretty good win. Still can't make the lineup. Still not sure he could've beaten Kennedy.
He’s in the lineup at 84? Don’t see Kennedy eating his way to 184.
84? Good for him. He will get to experience Carter with a need to prove a point. Too bad Brands won't wrestle UNI. How he does against Keckeisen and Starocci would prove interesting.
By the time we get to the post-season he might have a shot at 6-8, but his lack of offense and the fact the Iowa staff struggles to help bigger guys develop much of an offensive arsenal I don't see him standing on the podium.
It is a good win.
And to match Shapiro, he'd have to do that plus 5 more in the same weekend.
Yeah, I keep reading that but it was Kennedy who kept toeing the line.
My problem is I have read a 100 times on HR that he is thaaaaat gooood. He seems like a tough kid who I am sure has bought into the Brands mantra, tough, superior conditioning, push, push, push we will scream at the ref until we get you a couple stall calls. He just is never going to develop that offensive skill set he needs to be a top of the podium threat. Second year in the room and not able to beat Brands seems to validate that point.
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I tend to agree. If Arnold was the second coming, Iowa would find a way to get them both in the lineup.
So that means Iowa did like Ryan and held an Avoid Carter Wrestle-Off, and Arnold lost.
Winner gets Levi and O'Toole. Yippee.
Wow, that is a very solid lineup. It will be a very tough win, when the cowboys beat them 😂
Someone should post this on GIA, none other than Spencer Lee, promotes the dreaded FUN word.🤣
so I guess Arnold let Brands beat him on purpose so he can wrestle Star??
To back up your point, in 2023 which was his 5th year in the Iowa room, Nelson Brands wrestled 23 times and got one bonus win with a 15-8 record. ONE. I just noticed that he has wrestled 62 times in five years. Gabe should be beating that.
I recall that match, I think Gaitan foolishly tried to throw him and landed on his own back.
Nope
174: #20 Nelson Brands (Iowa) major decision MJ Gaitan (Iowa St.), 13-5
First period: Brands scores out of bounds then brings Gaitan back in bounds and body locks him for two near fall and a 4-0 lead. Gaitan escapes. It's 4-1. Brands goes feet to back for a takedown but Gaitan escapes. It's 6-2 Brands. Gaitan scores a takedown and escapes for a wild first period that ends with Brands leading, 7-4.Second period: Gaitan chooses down and escapes but Brands still leads, 7-5. Brands goes feet to back and nearly gets near fall but only the takedown is scored. Brands leads, 9-5. Brands commits to the ride and takes Gaitan back to the mat with force as the period ends.
Third period: Brands chooses down and escapes for a 10-5 lead. Brands hits a single and switches to a double for another takedown and a 12-5 lead. He rides Gaitian for the remainder of the period for a 13-5 major decision with riding time.
It'll be interesting to see how much offense he found in the off-season. He really poured it on against the OR State kid, but that was pretty weak talent. Looking at 84, after Star and Keck the field is pretty open for Gabe even with the loss to Plott last year. Not sure who all's going to the Soldier Salute as far as 184 talent, but barring good talent there, it appears his next real test will be against Illinois (Ed Ruth) in Jan. Until then he needs to keep winning by bonus just like this past Saturday. BTW, I do hope Star and Gabe both wrestle when Iowa travels to Happy Valley: Gabe needs to see how far he's climbed the mountain and whether or not he can see the peak.
I ran his numbers the other day. Between 2021 and 2013 Nelson had five MDs. All the rest of his matches were decisions. And those were mostly very close with minimal offensive points. He's got solid defense but IMO he needs to score TDs in the first and second periods starting ASAP if he wants to be one to watch at NCAAs. 74 like 84 is likely a 2-horse race with KOT and Levi, but with a little offense Nelson is certainly capable of challenging and even beating those not named KOT and Levi.
I am interested in how Brands does this year. Typically Hawk seniors have hit the HEW wall and struggle to meet past years' peaks. Brands had his senior year taken from him and after losing it he unexpectedly got it back. Having a year off and regaining the senior year I actually expect him to have a boost of enthusiasm. At least until it becomes obvious he isn't winning a title. That can be a tough reality moment for seniors. It will be interesting to see how he responds to losing to Levi.
I don't think he has the offense to stay with Hamiti either, but a mid/low AA finish seems reasonable today with the approach you've described.
Yeah, I got chastised on GIA for bringing this up. Gabe not beating out Brands is really bad for Iowa's program. This "generation" of elite recruits for Iowa had Jesuroga, Chittum, Gabe, and Kueter. Two are gone and never wrestled a single match for the team, Gabe is struggling to win a spot from a 7th year low-AA with no offense, and Kueter took a year off for football and may go back to it next year. Oof, no wonder they've adopted the Michigan model of year-to-year viability via portal.
Is it the Michigan model copied by Iowa? Or the Iowa mode copied by Michigan?
Both. Michigan copied Iowa's recruiting and coaching playbook. Iowa copied Michigan's transfer playbook.
As for Nelson Brands, I can't readily recall guys in years 5+ in a college room suddenly lighting it up. In this case, this is his 7th year. I just don't see Nelson being much different than he ever has been, but low AA is certainly possible. Live by low scoring affairs. Die by them as well.
Gabe didn't wrestle-off Nelson. So no clue who's better right now between them.
Nelson will still have to hold off Kennedy. And I hope to dear God in heaven there is no plan to let Gabe wrestle for the 174 spot. Just doesn't make any sense with the descent plan. Not unless you just burn little Ferrari's shirt.
It appears that Iowa has quite the logjam at 174 this season.
Arnold, Brands, Kennedy and probably Ferrari's optimal weight class.
Arnold, Brands, Kennedy and probably Ferrari's optimal weight class.
Nah.
It looks like Arnold is more energetic at 184.
Kennedy's best weight is definitely 165, but he ain't beating Caliendo.
Ferrari is over 200. He's a legit 184 right now, but staff wants him at 197 next year.
That is assuming AJ makes it through an entire year, lol.
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