Just to stir the discussion
For starters we are blessed to have him. The unique talent is apparent and at times reminds me of Zain at the same age. Likewise we are far better off with him in the lineup than Cortez and he may very well give us the points needed for another title.
That said, I have expected just a little more from him, granted he is only a true freshman. Maybe I am just spoiled. The tOSU match is the poster child although there have been a couple of others Zachearl, Gfeller when he got stuck and even Profaci was just an ok victory where he should have bonused. I see zero fault with the Yanni loss he is amazing. McKenna is a multi year qualifier and clearly used that experience to craft and follow a gameplan that could deliver a victory.
I view the McKenna match as one of the two or three absolute must win matches, and frankly thought the worst when he lost. I was really bummed all the way until Cassar made my day. Nick had the match in hand and got a little sloppy IMHO. I'm not sure he was fully aware McKenna had a riding time point coming to him when he let him go. Did he have a gameplan and was it followed? It seemed a little more freelance to me.
I any case my primary issue was that going in to the meet, that match was in my view, the single most critical match to put the team in position to win and he let it get away. I hope it was a learning experience that will benefit us in the tourneys this year.
No question next year he will develop more and will be a terror. I think he needs to get a little stronger and has some difficulty navigating those tough positions against stronger guys. If you look at Zain's body today it is not the same as the freshman Zain and his strength is now an asset.
For starters we are blessed to have him. The unique talent is apparent and at times reminds me of Zain at the same age. Likewise we are far better off with him in the lineup than Cortez and he may very well give us the points needed for another title.
That said, I have expected just a little more from him, granted he is only a true freshman. Maybe I am just spoiled. The tOSU match is the poster child although there have been a couple of others Zachearl, Gfeller when he got stuck and even Profaci was just an ok victory where he should have bonused. I see zero fault with the Yanni loss he is amazing. McKenna is a multi year qualifier and clearly used that experience to craft and follow a gameplan that could deliver a victory.
I view the McKenna match as one of the two or three absolute must win matches, and frankly thought the worst when he lost. I was really bummed all the way until Cassar made my day. Nick had the match in hand and got a little sloppy IMHO. I'm not sure he was fully aware McKenna had a riding time point coming to him when he let him go. Did he have a gameplan and was it followed? It seemed a little more freelance to me.
I any case my primary issue was that going in to the meet, that match was in my view, the single most critical match to put the team in position to win and he let it get away. I hope it was a learning experience that will benefit us in the tourneys this year.
No question next year he will develop more and will be a terror. I think he needs to get a little stronger and has some difficulty navigating those tough positions against stronger guys. If you look at Zain's body today it is not the same as the freshman Zain and his strength is now an asset.
Last edited:
