What would you consider a successful season for Illinois Div I teams?

[Jaguar]

This is a great discussion. Bluestater is definitely a fan and knows quite a bit about college wrestling, even if she did not rattle off all of the Illinois stats that our Illini brethren recounted. I agree that the edge in her tone was likely due due to Nelson's sharp retort. On this more civilized college board, it seemed a bit out of character, but everyone is grumpy every now and again.

[Conquistadors]

Originally Posted by tirapell

141 - Unranked (yes, I'm biased here but TT just won the tournament #12 Ettleson took 3rd at, Las Vegas will be a better indicator of his ability at 141)

I think it's ok for you to be biased . Troy's win over Ettleson is a nice result. When I've seen Ettleson wrestle he's looked very tough (in fact, I've been surprised that Ettleson hasn't been more successful than he has). I remember watching him wrestle returning AA Cassio Pero at Midlands two years ago. Ettleson stuck in one leg, grabbed an arm, and secured a pin with a guillotine-- it all was pretty easy for him. I figured he would be an AA pretty soon. Hope that Troy's win over Ettleson augurs well for the season.

Originally Posted by tirapell

11-15 = C
8-10 = B
7+ = A

Well, someone is a tough grader.

We'll have a better sense after this weekend. Las Vegas CK looks like it has a superb cast of characters.

[CheeChoo]

As Tirapell mentioned earlier there are some guys within the Illinois lineup that have to pull their weight for the Illini to do well in the NCAA this year. There is no doubt about the fact they will be a very good dual team again this year. The fact is Illinois NEEDS to get bonus points to be successful in the tournament. It has shown the past few years they don't follow their moto "go fight PIN." You have to look at other schools who who do OK during dual time but will be in the top 10 come tourney time. The bottom line is Illinois needs the bonus points.

Looking at the Illini linup there are not many kids that PIN TO WIN. I actually think M.Poeta is the only one you can count on to get bonus points for the Illini.

Getting a few AAs might help but as mentioned earlier even having two champs doesn't get you in a top five place.

[lauden swain]

Originally Posted by tirapell

11-15 = C
8-10 = B
7+ = A

I agree, Adam. I don't believe in easy A's either. Top 7 doesn't require a miracle. I know that the guys wearing the orange singlets in Champaign really believe that top 7 is attainable.
It is a long way to March and both good and bad will happen to every team. It is always interesting to take note of the countless ebb and flows involved with a college wrestling season. It starts a month before the high school season and ends a month after the high school season ends. Certainly a marathon and not a sprint. I'm sure that you miss it everyday.

Thanks for leaving D and F off your scale. I just have a feeling that the post tournament soiree will be much more celebratory this year.

Lauden

[CheeChoo]

Originally Posted by lauden swain

I agree, Adam. I don't believe in easy A's either. Top 7 doesn't require a miracle. I know that the guys wearing the orange singlets in Champaign really believe that top 7 is attainable.
It is a long way to March and both good and bad will happen to every team. It is always interesting to take note of the countless ebb and flows involved with a college wrestling season. It starts a month before the high school season and ends a month after the high school season ends. Certainly a marathon and not a sprint. I'm sure that you miss it everyday.

Thanks for leaving D and F off your scale. I just have a feeling that the post tournament soiree will be much more celebratory this year.

Lauden

There is no reason the Illini shouldn't do better than last year come tourney time. D and F (16th place + according to Adam) is not a possiblity! If they recieve a D or an F, I will resign from my position. Once again I'm not saying the Illini will be snagging grizzlies but they will be above a C- average.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by CheeChoo

There is no reason the Illini shouldn't do better than last year come tourney time. D and F (16th place + according to Adam) is not a possiblity! If they recieve a D or an F, I will resign from my position. Once again I'm not saying the Illini will be snagging grizzlies but they will be above a C- average.

I would like to see them snaggling grizzlies. You just don't see that everyday.

[Nelson*0.5]

Wow. I guess I need to apologize for my biting tone and remarks I made earlier towards bluestater, since others have been doing it on my behalf. Thanks for having my back in my bi-polar state. The button that was pushed was the suggestion that our Illini fandom has clouded our collective minds from thinking rationally or being critical of substandard performances. There is plenty of rational descent out her to prove otherwise. I really don't see many out here who see things through Illini orange glasses. However, we do know that coach Johnson has done great things very recently for Illini wrestling, and the rational minded ones are not ready to jump ship. Johnson and his staff have produced far too many all-americans and national champions for us to write him off after two poor performances at nationals in seasons that did have plenty of other positives.

[BARR]

Originally Posted by lauden swain

I agree, Adam. I don't believe in easy A's either. Top 7 doesn't require a miracle. I know that the guys wearing the orange singlets in Champaign really believe that top 7 is attainable.
It is a long way to March and both good and bad will happen to every team. It is always interesting to take note of the countless ebb and flows involved with a college wrestling season. It starts a month before the high school season and ends a month after the high school season ends. Certainly a marathon and not a sprint. I'm sure that you miss it everyday.

Thanks for leaving D and F off your scale. I just have a feeling that the post tournament soiree will be much more celebratory this year.

Lauden

I also agree with the grading scale.

[cindybradylovesbob]

Originally Posted by Nelson*0.5

Wow. I guess I need to apologize for my biting tone and remarks I made earlier towards bluestater, since others have been doing it on my behalf. Thanks for having my back in my bi-polar state. The button that was pushed was the suggestion that our Illini fandom has clouded our collective minds from thinking rationally or being critical of substandard performances. There is plenty of rational descent out her to prove otherwise. I really don't see many out here who see things through Illini orange glasses. However, we do know that coach Johnson has done great things very recently for Illini wrestling, and the rational minded ones are not ready to jump ship. Johnson and his staff have produced far too many all-americans and national champions for us to write him off after two poor performances at nationals in seasons that did have plenty of other positives.

Half nelson, no need to be apologetic. Whoever was apologizing for you obviously did not read your remarks very closely. Johnson runs a great program and had a couple bad years. That is it. What you said to missouri girl was right on and not bad in any way shape or form. I will not go bi polar on you! Johnson is a first class guy and coach. He and the Illini will be just fine. Next year they get one hell of a class. Things are certainly looking better here than they are worse.

[BARR]

Originally Posted by cindybradylovesbob

................ Johnson is a first class guy and coach. He and the Illini will be just fine. Next year they get one hell of a class. Things are certainly looking better here than they are worse.

Absolutely.....