Shaq

[PSU210]

Legitimate question here and am not trying to flame.
Long time season ticket holder concerned about expectations for him may be a bit overboard. Love that he has overcome injuries in back to back seasons that may very well have stumped his progress and stymied his wrestling growth. I realize when he has been healthy he has been a "scorer" because of the cradle, which is as good as maybe anyone not named Ed Ruth. I often commented on the football board that our defensive ends got sacks against the Buffalo's and Idaho's of the world and went MIA against the big boys, Ohio State, Michigan. My question is other than cradling lower level wrestlers, who has Shaq beat to raise the expectations that he is potentially a top 4 wrestler. I always gauge athletes by what they do against big time competition. Nick Lee, Mark Hall and Cenzo performances last night being the prime example. Just wondering if the expectations are too high for a wrestler I'm not too sure the expectations should be there for and maybe a bit more realistic view is needed. And please, before you crucify me I'm just asking for civil opinions. I really hope come March I can say 100% healthy Shaq got the job done and went out with a bang.

 

[nerfstate]

Legitimate question here and am not trying to flame.
Long time season ticket holder concerned about expectations for him may be a bit overboard. Love that he has overcome injuries in back to back seasons that may very well have stumped his progress and stymied his wrestling growth. I realize when he has been healthy he has been a "scorer" because of the cradle, which is as good as maybe anyone not named Ed Ruth. I often commented on the football board that our defensive ends got sacks against the Buffalo's and Idaho's of the world and went MIA against the big boys, Ohio State, Michigan. My question is other than cradling lower level wrestlers, who has Shaq beat to raise the expectations that he is potentially a top 4 wrestler. I always gauge athletes by what they do against big time competition. Nick Lee, Mark Hall and Cenzo performances last night being the prime example. Just wondering if the expectations are too high for a wrestler I'm not too sure the expectations should be there for and maybe a bit more realistic view is needed. And please, before you crucify me I'm just asking for civil opinions. I really hope come March I can say 100% healthy Shaq got the job done and went out with a bang.

He was leading eventual champ Macchiavello with like 6 seconds to go. He pinned his way to a scuffle championship that year too. He beat Venz last year. lots of upside. A little bit of trouble with match awareness and consistency, for sure. really hoping he can get the pieces together this year, he’s been a favorite since he competed with Morelli—seems like a distant memory.

 

[psumacw]

before last night, his worst loss was since 2016 (looking purely at wrestlestat rankings) was to #11 chip ness in the ncaa tourney last year. his other losses in the past 3 years were to ranks 9,5,6,4,2,4,9, and 8. he only has 3 wins over top 10 ranks, but he's consistently beaten those ranked 10-25.

i agree, top-4 was probably a reach coming into this season, but there are a lot of reasons to think he would be an all american.

 

[CholleyVandine]

before last night, his worst loss was since 2016 (looking purely at wrestlestat rankings) was to #11 chip ness in the ncaa tourney last year. his other losses in the past 3 years were to ranks 9,5,6,4,2,4,9, and 8. he only has 3 wins over top 10 ranks, but he's consistently beaten those ranked 10-25.

i agree, top-4 was probably a reach coming into this season, but there are a lot of reasons to think he would be an all american.

during his loss to Chip Ness, he was wrestling with a torn ACL

 

[CholleyVandine]

Last year, before the knee injury, he beat Hunter Bolen, who was not in the rankings when they wrestled because he was in red shirt but who is currently ranked #2 at 184. That was probably his best win.

 

[PSU210]

He was leading eventual champ Macchiavello with like 6 seconds to go. He pinned his way to a scuffle championship that year too. He beat Venz last year. lots of upside. A little bit of trouble with match awareness and consistency, for sure. really hoping he can get the pieces together this year, he’s been a favorite since he competed with Morelli—seems like a distant memory.

Ok.......two very good wrestlers. Thank you!

 

[PSU210]

before last night, his worst loss was since 2016 (looking purely at wrestlestat rankings) was to #11 chip ness in the ncaa tourney last year. his other losses in the past 3 years were to ranks 9,5,6,4,2,4,9, and 8. he only has 3 wins over top 10 ranks, but he's consistently beaten those ranked 10-25.

i agree, top-4 was probably a reach coming into this season, but there are a lot of reasons to think he would be an all american.

Great examples I guess of my point. I also feel, at the very least, he is an All American

 

[PSU210]

Great examples I guess of my point. I also feel, at the very least, he is an All American. I just wish he would wrestle each bout like like week against Stout. Right of the whistle aggressive. Familiarity with his opponent may have also contributed to his aggressive nature for that bout.

 

[slushhead]

Beyond the talent we know he has, Rasheed is also competing in a 197 weight class that is not particularly loaded with elite guys. There is a slug
of wrestlers at that weight who can aspire for a top 4 finish with equal rationality. Some of them will have a good tourney and get there.

 

[Media Fan]

He’s an ‘84 to me.
With all the stuff going on this year, he is doing his best for the team, and for me, that’s the point of it all. Shak, Good luck the rest of the way.

 

[El-Jefe]

Shak has had several good wins at 184/197 (which I'll define as R12 or better, or this year ranked top 12 in the coaches poll):
- Noah Adams - F 2:18
- Jacob Holschlag - F 0:46
- $$ Wilcke - MD 11-2
- Christian Brunner - MD 10-2
- Willie Miklus - MD 11-3
- Hunter Bolen - dec 4-1
- Sammy Colbray - F 0:45
- Venz - dec 6-5

Looking forward to him being both fully healthy and trusting his body.

 

[NittanyChris]

I agree with others that his talent is not in question. Is his tentativeness related to lack of confidence in the knee, simply adjusting to wrestling after a long layoff or just not being 100% healthy after returning from ACL surgery just over 8 months ago? These are the relevant questions for me.

 

[jack66]

Last year, before the knee injury, he beat Hunter Bolen, who was not in the rankings when they wrestled because he was in red shirt but who is currently ranked #2 at 184. That was probably his best win.

His best win might have been beating Cassar for the 197 spot 2 years ago.

Also, let's not forget he reached the Big Ten finals that year. I think he'll be fine once March rolls around.

 

[CurtisLoew40]

That's what I was thinking. How in the hell did he manage to pull that off?
Both he and Brooks look really small for their weights. I know both have great resumes but they didn't look very good last night.

 

[jschrantz]

Wrestling more like Corey than Shaq for now, hope to see Shaq again

 

[Kale_yeah]

It's not happening this year for shack, plain and simple he is a shell of his former self. Takes his first shot of the match with 22 seconds left,he is not close to qualifying for the NCAA tourney let alone being an all american. Fear the beard in march!!

 

[Gray52]

I have no doubt Shak is giving 100% effort in the practice room, outside the practice room, and during competitions. He is currently the best wrestler he can be. What we think he is or isn’t, is irrelevant.

 

[McScoreley]

I mentioned this in another thread but I think Shak looked better last year with a torn ACL then this year healthy right now. He still was shooting last year and beat Caffey (dominated him too) and Venz at B1Gs then more or less had Ness beat but just had the ultimate "D'Oh" moment (Ness did earn it but it could easily have been avoided, he was up 5-2 and could have given up the TD) His next opponent would have been Colbray who he pinned in 45 seconds at the Scuffle so he was on track to be an AA with a torn ACL.

I think he's healthy (no brace) but he's concerned about rehurting himself which I get. It's a mental barrier, I truly believe that. He's undersized but he was undersized 2 years ago and was an AA.

 

[NittanyLion84]

To me, the issue with Shak is every year I’ve watched him compete, he was always initiating shots and usually pretty competent at finishing TD’s. Against Nebraska, and in too many of his matches this year, he’s very hesitant to commit to a shot. Still not sure what the issue is, earlier it looked like gas tank issues, but now he’s seems mostly past that.