Final Thoughts on the Matmen Open, Including "What If?" (Conclusion)

WHAT IF ...

What if the ILLINI sent their whole team of expected starters including Matt Wroblewski, Mike Carr and Dylan Duncan to the Matmen Open? What if the rest of the ILLINI team did not become a M*A*S*H unit during the tournament? I've already stated my opinion that the ILLINI wrestled well, even fantastically, over the two days. 

But, what if?

Even without Wrobocop, Carr and Duncan, and even with injuries stunting the team score from 149 all the way through 184 pounds, the ILLINI finished in fourth place with 105 points. You can see that in part of the Team Score sheet from TournaFlex below:

Second place in the tournament was worth 16 points. As you can imagine, with just Carr and Duncan in the tournament, the ILLINI are winning going away. Now, add Wroblewski, and eliminate some of the injuries from 149 to 174. 

What do you get?

This doesn't mean doodly squat, of course, except that it tells me that the ILLINI are on the right track (minus the injuries). Now, to continue with the upperweights from the previous post:

DANNY BRAUNAGEL

The Brawlnagel's record stands at 7-5 so far, but two of those losses (one by a point and one in overtime) can be attributed to an ankle injury suffered at the ILLINOIS Matmen Open. He gamely fought on, but was hindered, especially immediately after the injury, as he took an injury timeout and gave his opponent choice. Brawny has beaten good wrestlers this year, including Ohio's Colt Yinger and Andrew Clark of Rutgers. 

Braunagel will be tested in conference duals by a rematch with Andrew Clark of Rutgers, Alex Marinelli of Iowa, Emil Soehnlen of Purdue, David Ferrante of Northwestern, Andrew Sparks of Minnesota, Sam Cokeley of Indiana, Dean Hamiti of Wisconsin and Bubba Wilson of Nebraska. I especially look forward to his rematch with Ferrante of Stupid Northwestern and his match against Andrew Sparks of Minnesota. Win those, which he can, and he'll beat a lot of the other names on the list of wrestlers he will face.

DJ Shannon/Trey Sizemore/Edmond Ruth/Luke Rassmussen

As you recall, both of the ILLINI starters at 174 made early exits from the Matmen Open with injuries. Will they recover in time to battle with Ruth in the room for the starting spot? 

With his transfer, Edmond Ruth comes into the ILLINI lineup at a time when both starters are injured, the redshirt freshman Caden Ernd has had ankle surgery, and the other redshirt, Luke Rassmussen, has seen action only in open tournaments. Ruth won the Clarion Open early in the year at 184 pounds. In that same bracket, finishing fourth or fifth, was the Southern Scuffle 184lb champion from Maryland. Of course, Ruth also won the Matmen Open. 

What if the ILLINI got his points? 

Whoever wins the starting spot has this to look forward to in the dual season: Jackson Turley of Rutgers (who hasn't seen his AA form so far this year), Brennan Swafford (or Michael Kemerer) of Iowa, Gerrit Nijenhuis of Purdue, Troy Fisher of Northwestern, Jared Krattiger of Minnesota, Nicholas South of Indiana, Andrew McNally of Wisconsin and Mikey Labriola of Nebraska. There are some seriously winnable matches in there for the starter. 

ZAC BRAUNAGEL

Biggest Brawny is 6-2 on the year with both losses to AA Bernie Truax from Cal Poly. He already has a huge win on the year over AA Brit Wilson of NIU, as well as a great win over Pitt wrestler Gregg Harvey. Thus far, it seems the surgical repair of his shoulder has been a smashing success--he even looks stronger!

Standing in his way during conference season is an assassin's row of tough guys, including Rutger's John Poznanski, Abe Assad of Iowa, Max Lyon of Purdue, Jack Jessen of Stupid Northwestern, Isaiah Salazar of Minnesota, Donnell Washington of Indiana, Chris Weiler of Wisconsin and Taylor Venz of Nebraska. The Brawlnagel doesn't even get a rest day against Indiana! Unfair! 

MATT WROBLEWSKI

Wrobocop has a 4-2 record that includes a very nice win over Cameron Caffey of MSU. The question here is whether he's recovered from the injury that sidelined him out of the Chattanooga/SIUE triangular and the Matmen Open. He has really put on muscle and still has great athletic ability, so qualification for the NCAA tournament is a realizable goal for him. 

In the dual season, he would see Greg Bulsak of Rutgers, Jacob Warner of Iowa, Thomas Penola of Purdue, Andrew Davison of Northwestern, Michael Foy of Minnesota, Nick Willham of Indiana, Braxton Amos of Wisconsin and Eric Schultz of Nebraska. I think the ILLINI 197lbr gets a couple of upsets on that list, including, maybe, Penola, Foy and Schultz. There are others like Willham and Davison who he'll be favored to beat. 

LUUUUUUKE LUFFMAN

The ILLINI heavyweight is coming off a third-place finish at the Matmen Open and has a sparkling 10-2 record. He looks stronger this year but just as quick. Significantly, he has started to dominate with his will to win and aggressiveness. 

He already has some really nice wins on the season--as well as a third at the MSU Open--including victories over Ben Goldin of Penn, Nathan Taylor of Lehigh (x2), Michael Woulfe of Purdue and Jon Spaulding of Edinboro. 

The ILLINI big man can look forward to dual action against Boone McDermott of Rutgers, Slim Tony Cassioppi of Iowa, Michael Woulfe of Purdue, Lucas Davison of Northwestern, Gable Steveson of Minnesota, Jacob Bullock of Indiana, Trent Hilger of Wisconsin and Christian Lance of Nebraska. I'm especially interested in the rematches with Hilger and Lance. 

GO ILLINI!!!