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What's your assessment of Mark Hall so far?

dmm53

dmm53

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Feb 4, 2017
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It's hard to get down on an elite guy who has finished first and second in his true freshman and sophomore campaigns, but . . .

so far Mr. Hall does not seem to be putting away his opponents with the same measure of dominance, flair and panache as he did previously.

Are guys at 174 catching up or catch on? Is Mark in a post-sophomore slump after the loss to Zahid? Can he rebound against Valencia in two weeks? Or is there really no reason yet for concern?

A few points:

• Hall won 6-4 over Finesilver in a very close match this year. Last year, he beat him 12-3 at the Scuffle and then previously a 19-4 tech at Keystone.

• Early last year, Hall tech-ed Johnny Sebastian at Keystone 19-4. At NCAAs, he won a close one 4-1 against Sebastian.

• In March 2016, Hall beat Valencia at NCAAs. He has lost twice since that time to him.

• Last year, Hall tech-ed Stephani of Bucknell. This year he failed to tech fall him (though in fairness he did win by 13.)
 
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I am not worried. I think Mark is laser focused on the dual with ASU and no matter the result we will see a more relaxed Mark moving forward.
 
This does remind of UNI football. The "fan" base is all up and arms and think that a new coach will suddenly fix all of our "woes," even though we make the playoffs every year and advance in the playoffs every year.

When we win, they gripe that we didn't win by 50 points!
 
Mark is awesome and a very unique talent. He provides a lot of 'wow' moments and he and Zahid athletically are head and shoulders above everyone else. That said for all of his Junior success, 6 time state champ, freshman national champ, I agree 'slightly' that he should be more dominant against 'ranked' wrestlers. He has no issue with his skill, athleticism, strength.... My one complaint is he seems to conservative and allows lesser talents to stay in the match too long. Just imagine what he could do it he would let go and attack all match long with high pace like Nick or Nolf. He can tech most guys in the country if he adopted that style. I also think he would have more success against Zahid if he shot a minimum of 10 times per match. This is his Junior year, time to let it rip.
 
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GogglesPaizano said:
. Just imagine what he could do it he would let go and attack all match long with high pace like Nick or Nolf. He can tech most guys in the country if he adopted that style. I also think he would have more success against Zahid if he shot a minimum of 10 times per match. This is his Junior year, time to let it rip.
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dmm53 said:
It's hard to get down on an elite guy who has finished first and second in his true freshman and sophomore campaigns, but . . .

so far Mr. Hall does not seem to be putting away his opponents with the same measure of dominance, flair and panache as he did previously.

Are guys at 174 catching up or catch on? Is Mark in a post-sophomore slump after the loss to Zahid? Can he rebound against Valencia in two weeks? Or is there really no reason yet for concern?

A few points:

• Hall won 6-4 over Finesilver in a very close match this year. Last year, he beat him 12-3 at the Scuffle and then previously a 19-4 tech at Keystone.

• Early last year, Hall tech-ed Johnny Sebastian at Keystone 19-4. At NCAAs, he won a close one 4-1 against Sebastian.

• In March 2016, Hall beat Valencia at NCAAs. He has lost twice since that time to him.

• Last year, Hall tech-ed Stephani of Bucknell. This year he failed to tech fall him (though in fairness he did win by 13.)
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Legit post, dmm. It echos my sentiments. Mark is one of my PSU faves and I want him to DOMINATE. When he doesn't, I start wondering if Zahid is in his head. I'm currently suspending my "concern" about Mark and choosing to believe that he's working on his top game and treating matches like practice in prep for Zahid. He has the talent to beat Zahid. Of that I am sure. I just hope there aren't any mental hiccups or confidence issues slowing him down.
 
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Yes, "first world" problem indeed.

Just raising a question based upon semi-detached observations, which many of us engage . . . or indulge in. Isn't that what these fora (forums) are about?

Hall is a rare talent. Likely a 4 time finalist and potentially even better ... if that is possible.

But "criticism" (critique) can also be construed as a form of caring (or possibly a kind of love, as Andre Breton thought) . . . right?

Constructive criticism, of course, is primarily the province of a coach's position. The day-in and day-out routines of the the sweat-stained and soaked room.

But on occasion, the "peanut gallery" may have something to offer . . . or vomit up ... like a hairball in the stomach.

I suspect that may even be a secret desire on the part of those who weigh in regularly on these threads.

"So do you have a plan . . .?" . . . Well, um, maybe . . .
 
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Mark is fine it's December he's going thru the motions he understands the length of the season and that the body can only peak twice in a season.Cael always peaks his guys for scuffle and then again in March.Its a science and only a few in the game have figured it out.
 
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west2east said:
Mark is fine it's December he's going thru the motions he understands the length of the season and that the body can only peak twice in a season.Cael always peaks his guys for scuffle and then again in March.Its a science and only a few in the game have figured it out.
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So,how much will Mark reveal in 2 weeks?
 
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west2east said:
Mark is fine it's December he's going thru the motions he understands the length of the season and that the body can only peak twice in a season.Cael always peaks his guys for scuffle and then again in March.Its a science and only a few in the game have figured it out.
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So I guess the rest of the team missed that message?

We haven't faced much talent yet, all of our studs should be bonusing these guys or better.

Mark is an amazing talent and will be fine, but that explanation is pretty lame. Do you think Nolf takes it easy because it's early?
 
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Mark Hall can, should and better yet, will be that guy
Lattner said:
Your ignorance is amazing.
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The intent is not to 'Mark Bash', and certainly not to disrespect him. I can't even sniff the rarified air he walks around in. The kid is an NCAA champion, and has won some very big matches for us when it really counted. He was a generational recruit and a generational talent, and we are blessed to have him.

IMO has more raw talent than anyone he wrestles.

Nolf is from another planet so we can leave that comparison out. I think Mark probably has a little more raw ability than Zain, or Bo or VJ.

So once you are at the elite level, what separates an undefeated national champion from a Hodge winner? I think the answer to that question is more 90% mental.

If Mark retained his athleticism and body but had Zain's brain, I believe he would have a lot more TFs and Pins and would himself be in the Hodge discussion.

I also think the way he can beat Zahid is to be on the offensive the whole match. Zahid is way too good to play conservative and try to counter as the main strategy. He tried that and it didnt work. We'll find out in 2 weeks.

So this thread posed an honest question, granted a bit presumptive and provocative, since we are talking about one of the best college wrestlers on the planet.

I stated an opinion and a better response from you would have been your counter, rather than an insult.

David Taylor "I Don’t Want To Hang On To Win A Match By One Point The Sport Needs Guys That Are Going Out There To Score Points" I guess he's ignorant to.

I suspect Cael wants Mark to score more as well.

I just want him to let all that talent fly, it's why we all say wow to what RBY did today, and what Nolf does almost every match.

Maybe I am ignorant in thinking Mark is capable of performing those wonders on a more regular basis, thanks for telling me back in. We shouldn't expect such silly things.
 
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While the talent gap was much wider, he wrestled similarly in HS. He's not going to furrow his brow and sprint to the center of the mat to show you all, "Mark angry. Mark want to pin!"
He's controlled and calculated. He picks his spots, and if the pin presents itself, he attacks it. That just doesn't seem like it's his goal every time out.
 
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Mark Hall is awesome. He has his own style and just wins. He just dominated the a highly ranked Lehigh opponent. You don't win every match by a pin or a tech. He's fine..He will compete in the NCAA finals again.
 
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CropDuster507 said:
While the talent gap was much wider, he wrestled similarly in HS. He's not going to furrow his brow and sprint to the center of the mat to show you all, "Mark angry. Mark want to pin!"
He's controlled and calculated. He picks his spots, and if the pin presents itself, he attacks it. That just doesn't seem like it's his goal every time out.
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Agree, Hall has always been a lot closer to Dake's wrestling style than DT. In the end, it's about wins and losses against quality competition and Mark his been doing just fine in that department.
 
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y2jriden said:
I remember last year at the BJC, no Nolf, Cenzo just lost to Marinelli, crowd in stunned silence. Then Mark came out and planted the flag in the mat and the match was over. I really think we're overreacting here with this thread, he's fine and he'll be top 5 or 10 most dominant as always.
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Being concerned about Mark is the equivalent of Warren Buffett being concerned about that hundred dollar bill he misplaced.
 
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nitlion6 said:
Being concerned about Mark is the equivalent of Warren Buffett being concerned about that hundred dollar bill he misplaced.
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And yet the dude scrapes together his pocket change to order whatever is on special at McDonalds for breakfast. I just wanted to share that anecdote though—I’m not worried about Mark.
 
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Until PSU lays an egg in March I won't worry about any of the guys. Myles Martin was wrestling lights out last year compared to Bo and a lot of folks were predicting him to beat Bo before the dual and we all saw how that turned out. Hall just wrestles a different style than some of the other guys, but his track record speaks for itself.
 
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I assess that I am taller than Mark. I saw him on the concourse at Sojka. I said to myself "Hey! That's Mark Hall. Wow, I am taller than he is."

I did not try to engage him in conversation. I assumed he was busy :)
 
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