The MSU Open (Part Two)

The season begins next Saturday in East Lansing as the ILLINI will have wrestlers in both the Open and Freshman-Sophomore divisions of the MSU Open. This is the first regular season tournament for ILLINOIS since December 29, 2019 at the Midlands. 

Can it be? 

It's been so long that my google search bar automatically finishes the question, "How many days until November 6, 2021?" The answer is now "4 days." There is a lot of anticipation for this tournament, as we'll get to see our prize recruits in action, and we'll get some answers to questions about the ILLINI starters. 

WHAT:     The MSU Open

WHERE:  East Lansing, Michigan, Jenison Fieldhouse, 223 Kalamazoo Street

WHEN:     November 6, 2021

TIME:       8:30AM (Central); 9:30AM (Eastern) (Note: MSU is Eastern time zone)

WHY:        To ABP (Always Be Pinning)

VIDEO:     This is a Trackwrestling tournament (see below)

TV/VIDEO/STREAMING.  This is a Trackwrestling event with registration through that organization. Thus far, I've found no confirmation that there will be live streaming. The tournament is listed on the Track "Events," so I expect there will be video. If that proves to be true, I will sign up for the $12.50 per month Track/Flo Pro access. It indicates that you can cancel at any time.

COVID RESTRICTIONS.  According to the official flyer for the event, there are Covid restrictions for this event. This is what it provides:

Currently there is a mask mandate (as of 9/17/21) for everyone in an indoor facility. Everyone will be required to wear a mask except when wrestlers are competing. All fans & spectators will be required to sit in the upper deck seating of Jenison Fieldhouse. 

 There's also a $15 admission fee for adults; $5 for high school and younger.

OPPONENTS.  Who are the most likely opponents for the ILLINI wrestlers in the finals? There will be some tough outs here, with wrestlers from Michigan, Oklahoma, Stupid Northwestern, Michigan State, Central Michigan, Cal Poly, Northern Illinois, Stinky Wisconsin, Edinboro, Ohio and non-Division One teams (Findlay, Davenport, Wabash and Olivet). I checked the official schedules for the D1 schools, and they are all sending their full teams. As an "Open," there might be unattached wrestlers from other schools as well. Here are those who individual ILLINI wrestlers might face:

(For 125 to 157 lbs, check out this link).

165.  Danny Braunagel.  Evan Wick (Cal Poly), Cameron Amine (Michigan), Izzak Olejnik (NIU), David Ferrante (Stupid Northwestern), Jake Tucker (MSU), Joseph Grello (Oklahoma, although there's some question whether he'll be wrestling for the Sooners; he is still on their official roster), Colt Yinger (Ohio), and Tracy Hubbard (CMU). This could be a revenge tour of sorts for Danny Braunagel. He lost to Olejnik and Ferrante in the NCAA Tournament. This was while he was recuperating from a broken bone. He had beat both of them previously. Little Brawny lost to Jake Tucker at the Big Ten Tournament while recuperating as well. He's 2-0 against Michigan's AA Cam Amine, though both were close two-point decisions. The clear leader in the clubhouse is Evan Wick, who owns a major decision over the ILLINI. 

174.  DJ Shannon/Trey Sizemore.  Andrew McNally (Wisky), Anthony Mantanona (Oklahoma), Mason Kauffman (NIU), Jacob Oliver (Edinboro), and Adam Kemp (Cal Poly). McNally is a transfer from Kent State, and he is a three-time national qualifier who made it to the Round of 12 last year. Two years ago, DJ Shannon made it to the finals of the MSU Open, and on the way, beat Oklahoma's Mantanona by 5 points. Sizemore won the Frosh-Soph division of the same tournament. 

184.  Zac Braunagel.  Myles Amine (Michigan), Brit Wilson (NIU), Bernie Truax (Cal Poly), Chris Weiler (Stinky Wisconsin), Layne Malczewski (MSU), Ethan Ducca (Edinboro), and Darrien Roberts (Oklahoma). This shapes up to be a brilliant bracket with Myles Amine dropping down to 184 and coming off a world medal. Northern ILLINOIS' Brit Wilson was an All American last year (6th), and Cal Poly's Truax finished 4th with NCAA Championship wins over Logan Massa and Mikey Labriola down at 174. Chris Weiler made the Round of 12 way back in 2018. Even tricky Layne Malczewski is a two-time NCAA qualifier. This will be a stiff test for the ILLINI, as he could face a spectrum of styles and skills. 

197.  Matt Wroblewski.  Cam Caffey (MSU), Patrick Brucki (Michigan), Jake Woodley (Oklahoma), Aaron Bolo (CMU), Andrew Davison (Stupid Northwestern), Cody Mulligan (Edinboro), and Trent Tracy (Cal Poly). While this bracket might not be as tough as 184, it will have more top-50-ish wrestlers. The only person on the list who Wrobocop has faced was Andrew Davison in one of his first collegiate matches. 

285.  Luke Luffman.  Mason Parris (Michigan), Matt Stencel (CMU), Lucas Davison (Northwestern), Trent Hilger (Stinky Wisconsin), Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma), and Samuel Aguilar (Cal Poly). This is another top-heavy bracket. Four of the top seven at this weight will be here. To make the semifinals would be a great feather in Luuuuuke's cap. The finals would be a dream come true. 

UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS:  I will soon come out with an interview of the ILLINI recruits, who told me they are gearing up for the MSU Open, and they were pretty funny, too!