Thoughts on Suriano vs Cruz next w/e?

[diggerpup]

Suriano has commented several times in preseason interviews that he loves to drill with several guys in the room - bigger and tougher.

Besides Nico, I'm sure he's getting great looks from Conaway, Cortez, Jimmy, Zain, Tank, etc.

 

[a_mshaffer]

I'm not concerned about Suriano getting out from bottom, I am slightly concerned about scramble situations. I imagine Cruz will look to dive over and grab the ankles a couple of times and from there he's as good as anyone. Nick would do well to work his short offense and look to go head in the hole which is where Nico had some much success for much of last season.

Nick had a 'head in the hole' TD during the classic. Very Nico like... wonder if Nolf/BoN will make fun of him prematch warmup some time this year....

 

[NoVa Lion]

Could be the marquee matchup of the contest. Another step forward for the talented freshman? Or his first setback and a learning lesson? What do people think and why?

WE ARE!!!

I think Nick wins. He is ahead of where Nico was as a true frosh. Most only remember Nico being NCAA runner up as a true frosh but before that he finished 5th at BIGs and his season only rated a #10 seed at NCAAs. Nick is already beating top 4 wrestlers. That doesn't mean he will be 2nd or better at NCAAs this season (although that would not surprise me at all) just that his early season results are better than Nico's were, which is pretty impressive.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

He is ahead of where Nico was as a true frosh. Most only remember Nico being NCAA runner up as a true frosh but before that he finished 5th at BIGs and his season only rated a #10 seed at NCAAs.

Nick does seem to be ahead of Nico, though it's really early in the season, so it's somewhat tough to compare them at this point.

Nico's freshman year loses:

- #2 Zach Sanders, 2-6, in the dual with Minny
- #7 Frank Perrelli (Cornell), 3-9 at the Southern Scuffle
- #7 Frank Perrelli (Cornell), 4-6, in the 3/4 match at the Southern Scuffle
- disqualified due to an illegal throw/injury to opponent against Eric Olanowski (MSU) (Nico was leading 8-3 at the time)
- #2 Matt McDonough (Iowa), 1-3, SV, in the dual with Iowa
- #2 Zach Sanders (Minny), 2-6, at B1G Championships
- #10 Levi Mele (NW), pinned in SV, at B1G Championships
- #1 Matt McDonough (Iowa), 1-4, in the NCAA Final

His wins over ranked wrestlers during the season were:

- #9 Matt Snyder (UVA), 4-1, at the Scuffle
- #7 Levi Mele (NW), 7-3, in the dual with NW
- #6 Johnni Dejulius (Ohio State), 6-2, in the dual with Ohio State
- #15 Anthony Zanetta (Pitt) , 4-2, SV, in the dual with Pitt
and in the postseason:
- #17 Johnni DeJulius (Ohio State), 6-2, at the B1G Championships
- #7 Jarrod Patterson (Oklahoma), 7-3, at NCAAs
- #2 Zach Sanders (Minny), 7-3, at NCAAs
- #6 Frank Perrelli (Cornell), 3-2, TB2, at NCAAs

 

[RoarLions1]

Nick does seem to be ahead of Nico, though it's really early in the season, so it's somewhat tough to compare them at this point.

Nico's freshman year loses:

- #2 Zach Sanders, 2-6, in the dual with Minny
- #7 Frank Perrelli (Cornell), 3-9 at the Southern Scuffle
- #7 Frank Perrelli (Cornell), 4-6, in the 3/4 match at the Southern Scuffle
- disqualified due to an illegal throw/injury to opponent against Eric Olanowski (MSU) (Nico was leading 8-3 at the time)
- #2 Matt McDonough (Iowa), 1-3, SV, in the dual with Iowa
- #2 Zach Sanders (Minny), 2-6, at B1G Championships
- #10 Levi Mele (NW), pinned in SV, at B1G Championships
- #1 Matt McDonough (Iowa), 1-4, in the NCAA Final

His wins over ranked wrestlers during the season were:

- #9 Matt Snyder (UVA), 4-1, at the Scuffle
- #7 Levi Mele (NW), 7-3, in the dual with NW
- #6 Johnni Dejulius (Ohio State), 6-2, in the dual with Ohio State
- #15 Anthony Zanetta (Pitt) , 4-2, SV, in the dual with Pitt
and in the postseason:
- #17 Johnni DeJulius (Ohio State), 6-2, at the B1G Championships
- #7 Jarrod Patterson (Oklahoma), 7-3, at NCAAs
- #2 Zach Sanders (Minny), 7-3, at NCAAs
- #6 Frank Perrelli (Cornell), 3-2, TB2, at NCAAs

Too early for me too, not sure exactly what can be said this soon, though I understand NoVa's comment...and it might be true. We'll know more Sunday.

 

[NittanyChris]

Final prediction:
Suriano 4
Cruz 2