ILLINI Preview: The Rutgers Dual (part two)
For part one of the Rutgers Preview, please click here.
DANNY BRAUNAGEL (7-5) vs. ANDREW CLARK (10-11). Note that two of those Braunagel losses occurred after Little Brawny was injured in the Matmen Open. The ILLINI is favored to win this matchup by one point according to Wrestlestat, but these two met about two weeks ago at that same Matmen Open--before the injury--and the Brawlnagel won by major, 13-0.
Since bonus points could be a big factor in the dual, Brawny snatching one here could be big.
With the victory over Clark, that makes the ILLINI 2-1 against common opposition, while the Scarlet Knight is 0-3. This is the first year in the starting lineup for the Rutgers kid, and he only had one extra match last year, so it looks like a long year for him. The only question is whether Danny Braunagel is recovered from the injury he suffered at the Matmen Open. That will be an important question for much of the ILLINI lineup.
If Danny cannot wrestle, then we might see Baan Rachal (0-4) or Luke Odom (1-2). I believe Eddie Ordonez (3-5) was injured at the Lindenwood Open. Odom's at 157, but he wrestled up in duals last year at 165.
DJ SHANNON (4-3) vs. JACKSON TURLEY (3-3). If you don't count disqualifications and medical forfeits, DJ Shannon is undefeated this year. With his 4-3 record in last year's NCAA tournament, Jackson Turley became a surprise All American. This is his second year starting for the Scarlet Knights, and he sports a 24-13 overall mark. Turley's record so far this year, 3-3, has been less than expected. He did medical forfeit a match at the Matmen Open, but he's wrestled at the last two duals, winning against Indiana and losing to Andrew McNally of Wisconsin.
The situation for the ILLINI is very murky.
DJ Shannon has started more often than the other 174lbers, but he was injured and pulled from the Matmen Open. The other starter, Trey Sizemore (2-3) was also injured at the Matmen Open. Luke Rasmussen (1-2) seems to be redshirting, as he's only wrestled at Lindenwood.
Then, there's the transfer of Edmond Ruth. He started off the season winning the Clarion Open at 184 as an unattached wrestler. He then won the Matmen Open at 174 as an unattached wrestler. He's now attached, but will he redshirt? Will he wrestle for a starting position?
This is an opportunity for an ILLINI wrestler to pick off an All-American wrestler on his home mat. Turley will certainly be favored, but any of the Orange and Blue starters have a shot to beat him.
ZAC BRAUNAGEL (6-2) vs. JOHN POZNANSKI (12-0). While his teammate at 174 hasn't quite lived up to the hype, Ponznanski certainly has. He's a returning AA who is undefeated this season with a fifty-percent bonus rate. His two losses in the NCAA tournament last season--on the way to a fourth place finish--were by one point each to Trent Hidlay and Parker Keckeisen.
The Scarlet Knight is a big and strong wrestler and not the wiry kind that can give Zac Braunagel lots of problems. Instead, Poznanski will push hard and mostly straight forward. If he hasn't been yet, the Rutgers kid will be feeling the cut, as he must be watching his diet hard.
The two have never met, but guys like Owen Webster and Max Lyon have been stiff challenges for Poznanski in the past, and although he'll certainly be the betting favorite in the dual, this will be my upset pick of the day. It helps that wrestlestat.com lists this match as a 12-3 major decision for Rutgers.
MATT WROBLEWSKI (4-2) vs. GREG BULSAK (14-0). The 197 pounder for Rutgers has been on a tear. He's had over one hundred career victories, is undefeated this season, and is a four-time national qualifier for Clarion.
His record at the NCAA championships, though, is 1-6.
This year he's created a lot of chatter because of his Matmen Open championship, and his two victories over Wisconsin's Braxton Amos.
Matt Wroblewski would like to qualify for his first NCAA tournament. He made headway on that goal with an early-season 4-2 record and a win over MSU's Cam Caffey. Wrobocop had, without a doubt, made headway towards that goal on the off-season, as he sported more muscle in his shoulders and biceps.
Unfortunately, that progress was stunted for unknown reasons, as he was in civilian clothes at the Chattanooga/SIUE triangular, and he missed the Matmen Open as well. So, is he able to wrestle?
Wrobolewski showed against Caffey that he now has the muscle along with the quickness to stay with top wrestlers at his weight. At a minimum, he'd be able to stave off any bonus points. (Thomas Penola beat both of them last year by two points each). If Wrobocop can't go, there is Nikita Nepomnyashchiy (2-3), the 184er, who came to the rescue of the ILLINI against Chattanooga. As long as he's also not still injured from the Matmen Open! If they're both out, then it's Ramin Abraham (2-2) or Isaiah Pettigrew (0-2) time.
LUUUUKE LUFFMAN (10-2) vs. BOONE MCDERMOTT (9-6). The ILLINI has quietly built a solid resume this year with a nice record to go along with third-place finishes at the Matmen Open and the MSU Open.
Boone McDermott is 3-6 against the same guys who have led to an 8-5 record for the ILLINI. The Rutgers fellow finished in 8th place at the Matmen Open, losing along the way to two guys who Luuuuke beat.
Neither heavyweight is over twenty percent with bonus, so we're likely to see a low- to mid-single-digit win for the ILLINI. Luke needs a better seed at the BTT and the NCAA championship this year, and the best way to do that is to always beat the guys you are supposed to beat. With his new aggressive style, added muscle (but still quick feet), he should be able to continue on that path.
MORE HISTORY!
Another dual win for the ILLINI over the Scarlet Knights took place in Huff Hall back in 2018. This is from the write-up on FightingILLINI.com:
"I thought we did okay today, considering we've got some guys battling the flu a little bit, Emery Parker being one of them," said head coach Jim Heffernan. "[Parker] did us a favor by getting himself ready to compete. It's been kind of a tough week. We've got a full week to see the doctor and get ready for the next meet."
The win marks the 11th straight victory for the Illini inside Huff Hall, a streak that ties the second-best mark in program history. Former head coach Mark Johnson led the Orange and Blue to 11 straight wins from February 8, 2004 to January 20, 2006.
Van Brill is still on the RU team, while Mike Carr and Dylan Duncan are still on the ILLINI. Here's the box score:
No. 14 Illinois 23 , No. 19 Rutgers 12
125: #18 Travis Piotrowski (ILL) wins by forfeit
133: #20 Scott DelVecchio (RUT) dec. Dylan Duncan, 3-1
141: Mike Carr (ILL) dec. Michael Van Brill (RUT), 10-4
149: Eric Barone (ILL) dec. Nick Santos, 3-2
157: Kyle Langenderfer (ILL) dec. #17 Jon Van Brill (RUT), 8-6
165: #2 Isaiah Martinez (ILL) tech fall Brett Donner (RUT), 18-3 (3:29)
174: Joe Grello (RUT) dec. David Riojas (ILL), 6-2
184: #6 Emery Parker (ILL) dec. Willie Scott (RUT), 4-3
197: Anthony Messner (RUT) dec. Andre Lee (ILL), 4-3
HWT: Razohnn Gross (RUT) dec. Deuce Rachal (ILL), 5-3
COVID RESTRICTIONS FOR THE IOWA DUAL
The dual against the Iowa Hawkeyes scheduled for the Assembly Hall (State Farm Center) on Sunday, January 16th will almost certainly be impacted by these newly-released Covid protocols:
All guests ages 12 and older entering State Farm Center, including media, staff and premium seating patrons, will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test taken within 72 hours of the event in the arena.
Upon entry to State Farm Center, one of the following will be required:
- An official, government-issued vaccination card listing the guest's name and dates the last dose was administered.
- A photo or digital version of an official government-issued vaccination card listing the guest's name and dates the last dose was administered.
- A printed or digital negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test administered by a healthcare professional with 72 hours to the event that includes the guest's name and date the last test was administered. Information on FDA-approved testing can be found HERE.
The state of Illinois and University of Illinois remains under a mask mandate. Face coverings must be worn by all fans over the age of 5 years.
COMING UP
In the next day or two, I will provide a preview of the Hawkeye dual scheduled for Sunday. In it, we'll break down the individual matchups and make fun of Iowa and the Brands brothers, as is our right under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
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