SunDevils

The only way to significantly decrease forfeits is make the sport easier. The reality is that wrestling is tough and not for everyone. I don’t think anyone would vote for making the sport easier. I agree with the sentiment how much of an impact would 15/13 make on the total number of forfeits? If it decreases it by 5% is it worth? If it decreases it by 25%? Or 40%? I am curious if there are projections to be ran for the possible impact in terms of % points.

Thanks that's a great resource.

I saw Drew Hildebrandt went 31-3 and finished ranked 5th according to the intermat- obviously a strong candidate to AA this season, 31-3 is an amazing college record- who did he lose to? Were they close matches?

This bracket is flawed if Andrew Howe does not win. It's hard to imagine given his only loss being to Reece Humphrey his freshmen year and his success at all levels he is not Indiana's greatest. Note: I realize this is focused on high school credentials. That being said seeing some of the names listed shows Indiana has had a lot of talent. And now it looks like many of them Parris, Micic, Lee (Brayton and Nick), Micic, Tsirtsis, Escebedo, Red, and others are making national noise on a much more consistent basis at the collegiate level. State is doing big things.

Unless the NCAA eats the cost and does not burden the academic institutions then the rule set will not change. And since borrowing from the endowment is absolutely not an option then athletic departments would be left scrambling to find some form of alternative funding. Generally speaking you are correct in stating the number of scholarships allowed set forth by Title IX is artificial. However, that artificial number is what keeps some programs from discontinuing. Schools like Akron would not be able to compete with the likes of Ohio State. Additionally, schools like Arizona State would not be able to compete with USC if not for the current scholarship restrictions set forth by Title IX. In fact, many schools in the Big Ten, PAC 12, SEC, and so on would not be able to compete or have athletics if it were not for profit sharing within conferences. Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, and Wisconsin football absolutely help subsidize the costs of Purdue, Indiana, Northwestern, Rutgers,and Illinois football. I think the NCAA should have postponed, not cancelled the tournaments. And unless the NCAA bears the burden of costs then it would be remarkable if athletes were granted an additional year or scholarship allotments were increased.

These are all very good questions. As someone who works (and has worked for a couple) major institutions and has been involved with student-athletes (male and female) in revenue generating (which is deceptive- since the NCAA not the institutions generate most of the revenue) and "non-revenue generating sports" it would be extremely unlikely, unless the NCAA eats the cost - which they won't - that they would grant another year of eligibility. I can tell you based on the conversations I have had with some people here at ASU that you are on the money in suggesting that it is more likely to hold the NCAA's in May and that is going to be suggested. Also, as far as scholarships are concerned universities package them uniquely due to the fact student-athletes do not have to meet the same standards of non-student athletes for academic merit based scholarships (or admission to the university). Therefore, an above average academic student athlete can get an academic scholarship that has more dollars than a non-student athlete. Additionally, grants can be packaged for any student, athlete and non-athlete, in unique ways. Also, (I realize Y2 did not bring this up but someone else did) scholarship allotments are seemingly arbitrary but that is far from reality. Title IX has huge implications on scholarship allotments. There must be an equal number of male and female athletes on campus. Additionally, at a micro-level if you breakdown what goes into a scholarship (housing, food, special tutoring services, athletic academic advisers, travel, dietitians, trainers, stipend, and so on) each scholarship granted in the PAC 12 equates to roughly $130,000 per student - I know the SEC equates to roughly $145,000 per scholarship. Therefore, by adding 5 wrestling scholarships to cover the additional year in just wrestling it is over a million dollars of cost incurred by the school and not the NCAA and I can promise you MOST universities cannot afford that additional cost. And per federal regulations you cannot simply borrow from the endowment since athletics is required by law to function as an auxiliary service - meaning they should run off of profit earned - since it is not accessible to all students and does not benefit all students. Sadly, most athletic programs in the USA do not operate in the black at a macro-level it may seem to be true but on a micro-level that is not a reality. For all of these reasons (and more) I would be glad to answer questions from an administrative level, if possible, it is extremely unlikely they grant a 5th year but universities will propose a later tournament date once the hysteria settles.

Is the Hector Mendez that beat Andy Uhl the dad of Jesse Mendez?

If you take the top 6 from each semi-state isn’t it top 24 not 32. So you are only expanding by 8. Or did I get lost in the math? Not sure where 32 is coming from.

Y’all don’t turn this is into the Mendez Effect thread. No one was attacking Red on this thread- you went out of your way to say “stay classy.” Also, this isn’t the Flo instagram it is Indianamat (apples to oranges). Lastly, it’s always wise to avoid comments on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter- quite literally proven to be better for mental health. Two amazing wrestlers that both should hopefully AA again this year. Hopefully both Red and Lee finish in the top 5 this season - and one of them wins the national title since next year when Yianni is back the task becomes increasingly difficult.

If we are going off of “impressive or dominant” you forgot Andrew Howe- only loss was to Reece Humphrey. I think there is a strong case that Andrew Howe is still (although Mendez could catch him and Mason Parris flirted with it) the best Indiana wrestler of all time. Even with his one loss. And though I never saw him wrestle I am assuming people also tried to avoid Lance Ellis.

You don’t have to like them or respect their opinion but to want a gag order is a bit thin skinned. Also, they make the board more entertaining.

Is there any Nick Lee level stud moving up the ranks that would go at Mendez like the Lee/Micic matchup? Obviously senior Mendez would be favored. Or does Zeke gain some weight and produce a Red/Lee type match?

Jesse Mendez reminds me a lot of Andrew Howe/Nick Lee regarding his aggression offensively. He makes good wrestlers look average at best. It’s remarkable. Being able to watch him on the IHSAA app for last years state finals and the Mishawaka Channel on YouTube was a privilege. Curious to see if Zeke and Mendez find themselves in the pantheon of Howe, Escebedo, Lee, Red, Parris, Humphrey, and Micic when it is all said and done (high school and college careers combined). And I am assuming Joe Lee and Brayton Lee have AA status in their near future as well. They both look to be on that trajectory.

Penn State obviously graduated many, many studs. And it feels like Alabama and Clemson football at this point that PSU will just reload- been that way since Sanderson took the helm but are they vulnerable this year? Could Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, Minnesota, or Arizona State challenge them this year?

I agree with you wholeheartedly no student-athlete should ever be demeaned or dehumanized, one would think that is self-evident but among some posters it clearly is not. And I would agree that no coach should be demeaned or dehumanized. However, my question was genuinely one of intrigue what constitutes "bashing?" For example, I see nothing wrong saying that there were different philosophies, that expectations were unmet based on previous conversations, or that they believe they can find more suitable coaching elsewhere. If I were to define "bashing" (I am open to revision and new ideas) it would be unfair critique that doesn't involve wrestling in any capacity and attacks a coach or student personally (i.e. posting on a board that an athlete has "issues with authority)."

Just curious at what point is it considered "bashing?" For example, Goldman (former IU coach) got "bashed" all the time- whatever that term even means. Is it acceptable because he is a college coach? My assumption is it cannot be based on compensation since I suspect a majority of high school coaches are compensated in some capacity- even though that compensation is likely inconsequential since teachers and coaches are widely underappreciated and underpaid. It seems as though we live in a society that is thin skinned and really takes any form of critique as "bashing." Coach TJC seemed to present a reasonable explanation without naming specifics a fair and appropriate response.

Innocent until proven guilty. That being said hazing incident- or not- clearly discretion was lacking. Young men need to realize, especially high profile young men, that eventually actions will be uncovered. However, if guilty then I hope justice is appropriately served.

He should come to ASU. Especially if he has interests in engineering (partnerships with Boeing, Honeywell, and Intel) and business- specifically supply chain management and finance. Some of the better programs in the nation. Also, the wrestling program is on the rise. I'm not biased or anything...

With the new Flo rankings which has Matt Lee ranked 3rd nationally it made me curious who everyone thought is the best wrestling family in Indiana history? As far as sibling accolades it will be hard to beat the Lee's if I had to guess. But great families can also include a coaching history as well. Some of the great ones are no doubt would be: Tonte's, Tsirtsis, Lee's, Weinzapfels, Humphries, Baker's, Escebedo's, Bradley's, and Welch's.

The only thing to dislike about Asa is his choosing IU over ASU. Not that I am biased or anything...

Asa reminds me a lot of Cash Quiroga- never afraid of a challenge seeking out the best competition. 2 state champions on that list of losses and possibly the best to never win a state title in Indiana in Ty Mills. Fantastic career.

Fairly certain for 2 years no one earned a point on Andrew Howe. I think the only individuals who scored on him were the ones he cut. Still, in my opinion, the best Indiana wrestler of all time, for now at least.

Unless you are married to "your coach" then I wouldn't get comfortable on them or enjoy. someone could get fired or end up in jail

How does Michigan compare to Indiana as a wrestling state? I know Indiana's top wrestlers can compete with any state but typically depth is different than Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania. However, are Indiana and Michigan in the same category?

I was at the dual meet yesteday a few observations: 1) ASU definitely was capable of pulling off the upset if they were full strength. 2) Micic is on another level. Absolutely dominated with a 17-2 tech fall over the #15 ranked wrestler. 3) Parris is a monster and looks like he has probably gained +20lbs of muscle since high school. I look for him to AA. I think the weight class is Gables to lose but I could see a number of wrestlers placing 2-8, just depending on who is hot.