Live Webcast: Northern Illinois vs. #11 Wisconsin

[admin]

http://illinoismatmen.com/images/colleges/niu_trans.gifNorthern Illinois hopes to rebound from its recent loss to in-state rival Northwestern this Sunday at #11 Wisconsin. The dual starts at 2:00 PM and can be Watched Live (http://www.uwbadgers.com/audio_visual/) from the Wisconsin Athletics (http://www.uwbadgers.com/sport_news/wrst/headlines/index.aspx) website. Below are the likely matchups.

125: Pat Castillo (NIU) vs. #16 Colin Cudd (Wisconsin)
133: Andy Hiatt (NIU) vs. #2 Tom Clum (word is he's back) or Zach Tanelli (Wisconsin)
141: #9 Josh Wooton (NIU) vs. Ed Gutnik (word is he's back) or Tony Turner (Wisconsin)
149: #7 Mike Grimes (NIU) vs. #18 Tyler Turner (Wisconsin)
157: Aaron Owen (NIU) vs. #9 Craig Henning (Wisconsin)
165: Johnny Galloway (NIU) vs. #19 Jake Donar (Wisconsin)
174: #19 Danny Burk (NIU) vs. #13 Kelly Flaherty (Wisconsin)
184: Nick McClone (NIU) vs. Matt Maciag (Wisconsin)
197: Derick Hunsinger (NIU) vs. #20 Dallas Herbst (Wisconsin)
285: Joe Sapp (NIU) vs. #19 Kyle Massey (supposedly hurt) or Lee Kraemer (Wisconsin)

Rankings based on December 6th release of NWCA/Intermat/NWMA Division I Individual Poll (http://www.themat.com/rankings/default.asp?CategoryID=24&RankingID=826)

[Achilles]

Should be a good dual, UW is pretty banged up right now. But i think NIU's best wrestlers Burk and Grimes will both loose. Prediction UW wins 25-13

[James_Oliva]

Should be a good dual, UW is pretty banged up right now. But i think NIU's best wrestlers Burk and Grimes will both loose. Prediction UW wins 25-13

Tyler Turner has been on a bit of a streak as of late, winning a huge match over Eric Tannenbaum. But Tann had a really bad weekend, also losign to Withstandley, whom bioth he and Grimes have beaten in the past. I'm stillnot picking against Mike.

Tradition usually dictates that Wisconsin beats the tar outta NIU. My senior year team who had some pretty good dual victories over Ohio State, Central Mich and Mizzou, were absolutely pounded by the Badgers. The tradition has continued the last two years.

We're usually really beat-up at this time in the year, however the shoe seems to be on the other foot this time. Wisconsin's a little hurt, however they're still incredibly tough.

Danny has improved so much this season, that I think he can beat Flaherty (not trying to call an upset but, it wouldn't surprise me).

My upset special is Johnny Galloway beating #19 Jake Donar (for the fourth time).

[Achilles]

I agree with you about Danny burk, he could beat kelly. However i am going to say that Grimes will not be in the match against turner! Expect grimes to quit at the end of the match just like Tann did and just like woodal did.

[Hanging out in Cali]

Do you smell that? I smell an upset. They match up real well with Wisconsin. If they avoid giving up bonus points, I think this dual will be really close. This may be their year to breakthrough against UW. UW comes in alittle nicked up and will be in for a scare this weekend. You heard it here first.

[Achilles]

Do you smell that? I smell an upset. They match up real well with Wisconsin. If they avoid giving up bonus points, I think this dual will be really close. This may be their year to breakthrough against UW. UW comes in alittle nicked up and will be in for a scare this weekend. You heard it here first.

LOL, NIU matches up well for wisconsin. NIU's best guys aren't as good as the guys they have to wrestle. Im a big NIU fan, i like the way their program is moving. But there is probaly a 1/30 chance that they win this dual. They just have to win too many close matches, even with the injured UW team, they will still win. I predict UW forfits 285 and still wins the dual by at least 7

[James_Oliva]

Achilles, I'll be honest with you, I've seen a lot of talented guys who get into tough situations and give up, but I can tell you, from first hand experience, that Mike isn't that guy.

When Mike was a freshman, he had a lot of talent and ability but had zero heart and work ethic, I told him so to his face. I honestly thought that he would quit the team. It's been three seasons since I've been with the team (though I'm still close to the program) and in all the years I've been assosicated with NIU, I have NEVER seen anyone pull such a dramatic 180. Mike has gone from winning the "free pass to practice" award (a certificaste Grant gives to kids who don't seem to like showing up for practice) to being one of the hardest workers I've ever been around. The kid decided that he didn't like the path he was going down and changed himself for the better. And he's gotten better every single year (though being Scott Owen's training partner for two years had a lot to do with it).

Mike lost two one point matches to Craig Henning (who's better than Turner) last season. I really don't see him losing here (though I could be wrong).

[grizzley]

NIU 18 U of WISC. 17

[grizzley]

last match pin WOW ! Listened on the web what a heart attack

[Gantry]

Great win for NIU over the #12 team in the nation... McClone gets the pin to win the dual, I would have never predicted that!

[Achilles]

Nice win for Turner 8-3 over grimes i thought that was the best match of the night. Olivia you were right Grimes didn't quit, especially with the takedown at the end of the match to avoid getting majored.

[grizzley]

:) :) Galloway takes a seat ,Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . McClone steps up for the team!

[Hanging out in Cali]

Who could have predicted it? I told ya it was coming first. 1/30 chance, huh. I told you that they matched up well and if they avoided the big bonus points it was going to happen. Achilles, you need to have a little more faith in your squad. I am not a big fan of NIU. I just call it like I see it. Congratulations to NIU. That was a big win to start building some momentum and catch some eyes of better recruits. Good job and I wish they continue what could be a great season.

[Achilles]

Who could have predicted it? I told ya it was coming first. 1/30 chance, huh. I told you that they matched up well and if they avoided the big bonus points it was going to happen. Achilles, you need to have a little more faith in your squad. I am not a big fan of NIU. I just call it like I see it. Congratulations to NIU. That was a big win to start building some momentum and catch some eyes of better recruits. Good job and I wish they continue what could be a great season.

1/30 when wisconsin had Massey instead of a 197 lbr who lost by a point, maciag instead of a freshman backup who got stuck, and gutnic who could've beaten wooten last time if any other reff was on the mat, tonight before the match i thought it could go either way and it could have, but then again that also went both ways. If the reff called clums pin half a second earlier UW would have won. NIU guys looked tough though, and it looked like they all have been hitting the weights pretty hard, that should pay off at the end of the season big!

[admin]

If the reff called clums pin half a second earlier UW would have won.
There are always what if's. How about this one...what if the ref would have called one of the two defensive pins by Burk. If you watched the match, you'll know what I'm talking about. Fact is, NIU beat Wisconsin and that's a great accomplishment.

[Achilles]

There are always what if's. How about this one...what if the ref would have called one of the two defensive pins by Burk. If you watched the match, you'll know what I'm talking about. Fact is, NIU beat Wisconsin and that's a great accomplishment.

Ur right it is, like i said i was very glad to see how far NIU has come. I though castillo, wooten, and Burk looked real tough. I was dissapointed with Sapp almost loosing at the end (kinda) while wrestling a kid who can make 184. Also woulda liked to see Husinger wrestle a little better, it seemed like him Owen and Hiatt fell apart at the end of their matches. But again nice job to NIU, and i think they will even look alot tougher at the end of the year.