Classes here at the University of Iowa have been cancelled this afternoon due to the never ending snow/ice so I thought I would take some time away from my finals studying to review that weekend that was. OK I lied....I'm not studying for finals, but there are some interesting things to talk about.
Wrestling is back
For the first time since December 2, 2000, The University of Iowa wrestling team is ranked #1. Of course its only December, rankings dont mean anything this time of year. But has it really been 7 years? 7 years since one of the most successful progrmas in the history of sports has been on top. I think we saw this coming it was just a matter of time. Tom Brands is restoring the aggressiveness to Iowa wrestling. We saw that on Sunday. Especially with the Virginia Tech transfers. Iowa scored 13 of the first 15 takedowns and the margin was pretty large. It is enjoyable to watch offensive wrestling. It will be interesting to see where Iowa goes from here. There are a lot of teams capable of winning the national title and Iowa is one of them. They need to get 197 figured out. They are pretty solid throughout the lineup but they have a long season ahead of them.
Basketball
I didn't have an opportunity to watch the basketball game on saturday so there isn't much I can say except that they probably missed Tony Freeman. We saw against Northern Iowa what he brings to this team in not only skills, but also on-the-court leadership. He should be back Friday for the game against Drake. Iowa will need him as an extra ballhandler with the press that Drake likes to bring. The fastest way to a turnover this season has generally been trying (and failing) to attack the press. Tony will help that immensely. The Drake game will be interesting. Hopefully the weather isnt too bad so there can be a big crowd. This team will need the crowd and it is something that Drake hasn't faced yet this year. It's a big game for both teams.
Football
Well there appears to be good news on the recruiting front. Returning in 2008, Iowa has only 1 scholorship running back in Jevon Pugh. And according to some sources, whether he will be back or not is in the air. So Iowa is in desperate need of a running back. It appears Nathan Guillory, a juco from Kansas, has commited to the Hawks. He is a smaller back at only 5-10 and 180 pounds, but he has a lot of speed. This is good news for the Hawkeyes. Welcome aboard Nathan.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Football after Thanksgiving??
It looks like Wisconsin is trying to get the Iowa-Wisconsin game moved to the Saturday after Thanksgiving (http://www.madison.com/tct/sports/260941). Not gonna happen. Why would Wisconsin want to move a game to the week after Thanksgiving you might ask. Tradition? Nope. TV? Prolly not. It seems as though Coach Bret Bielema just cant handle the grind of the Big Ten schedule. Since moving to a 12 game schedule a few years ago, most Big Ten teams filled in their conference bye week with a non-conference game. Well in 2008 there are 13 Saturdays before Thanksgiving so all Big Ten teams will get a bye week and still have 12 games. But, unfortunatly for them, Wisconsin's bye week is the Saturday before Thanksgiving so they end their season in November 15 against Minnesota. It's similar to Iowa's Big Ten schedule in 2002 with 8 Big Ten games in 8 weeks. The Iowa game falls on October 18 in the middle of a tough strech for Wisconsin. At Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, at Iowa, Illinois. Moving the Iowa game would give their team a much needed bye week in that rough stretch and also allow them to have a bye week before playing at Iowa (you know Bielema loves nothing more than beating Iowa). Perhaps Bielema doesn't think that Wisconsin will be able to compete in all of those games and is looking for an excuse to make his schedule easier.
But now lets examine, from Iowa's perspective, on why this will not happen. Kirk Ferentz has always said that he likes finishing before Thanksgiving so that players can spend time with their families since often times Christmas is spent in preparation for the bowl game(although not this year). Iowa's scheduled bye week is October 25, so moving the game gives them two bye weeks in a row....not something you really want. Moving the home game would also mean that Iowa plays three straight road games separated by two bye weeks. Another bad thing although not as important is that many students will be visiting home for the holidays and may not be able to make if back for the game(I would be there). So a student section that isnt always full as it is might be even emptier despite this being a big rivalry game. Wisconsin claims that they will look for other teams to move if Iowa wont, but I have a hard time understanding why anybody would want to do that.
Well, as promised, my brief breakdown on the Heisman race which will end tonight. Chase Daniel had a great season but he hurt himself immensly in the Big 12 title game. Colt Brennan puts up crazy numbers more becuase of the system that he plays in. And Hawaii played the worst schedule in D-I. Tim Tebow will win it. Darren McFadden should win it. He is by far the best player in college football, but he will probably come in a distant second.
But now lets examine, from Iowa's perspective, on why this will not happen. Kirk Ferentz has always said that he likes finishing before Thanksgiving so that players can spend time with their families since often times Christmas is spent in preparation for the bowl game(although not this year). Iowa's scheduled bye week is October 25, so moving the game gives them two bye weeks in a row....not something you really want. Moving the home game would also mean that Iowa plays three straight road games separated by two bye weeks. Another bad thing although not as important is that many students will be visiting home for the holidays and may not be able to make if back for the game(I would be there). So a student section that isnt always full as it is might be even emptier despite this being a big rivalry game. Wisconsin claims that they will look for other teams to move if Iowa wont, but I have a hard time understanding why anybody would want to do that.
Well, as promised, my brief breakdown on the Heisman race which will end tonight. Chase Daniel had a great season but he hurt himself immensly in the Big 12 title game. Colt Brennan puts up crazy numbers more becuase of the system that he plays in. And Hawaii played the worst schedule in D-I. Tim Tebow will win it. Darren McFadden should win it. He is by far the best player in college football, but he will probably come in a distant second.
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Iowa-Iowa State rivalry comes to a climax this weekend with the men's basketball game on Saturday and the wrestling meet on Sunday. I'll provide a few of my thoughts on the upcoming weekend and what I expect to see.
Both the Iowa and Iowa State basketball teams are coming from different directions as we head into this game. Iowa State suffered an embarrassing 35-point loss at Drake. Drake has a good ballclub, but Iowa State should never lose to Drake by that margin. Iowa is coming off its best performance of the year with a 7-point win at Northern Iowa. It is highly unlikely that Iowa will shoot the ball as well as they did Wednesday night, but if they can own the boards like they did against Eric Coleman and UNI they should be competitive. If Tony Freeman can play at least 20 solid minutes again, and with the return of Jeff Peterson, I think Iowa's guards will be an even bigger force against ISU's struggling guards. The key for Iowa is limiting turnovers. Having Freeman and Peterson back gives Iowa two of its best ball handlers. They will also allow Justin Johnson to get open for shots because he wont have to run the point. I expect Iowa to play well, but Iowa State isn't just going to step aside. I expect the Cyclones to come out ready to play. Practice for them probably wasn't very fun this week and never count our Hilton Magic. I think this will be a close game with Iowa State coming out on top.
For the first time in as long as I can remember, this weekend's Iowa-Iowa State wrestling meet is garnering more attention than the basketball game. The top-ranked Cyclones are coming off an impressive win at formerly top-ranked Minnesota. Cael Sanderson has lead a quick turnaround of the Cyclone program. Iowa has yet to be tested due to only 4 dominant dual wins at the St. Edward Duals two weeks ago. Coach Tom Brands has the Hawkeyes on the way back and this is one of the most anticipated meets of the year. I will give my weight-by-weight break down of what I expect to see.
(Iowa vs. ISU)
125-#5 Charlie Falck (7-0) vs. Mark Kist (7-2)
This one goes to Charlie Falck major decision
133-#20 Joe Slaton (9-0) vs. #4 Nick Fanthorpe (10-0)
This one is interesting. My heart would like to pick Slaton (proud Kennedy alum), but a close one will go Nick Fanthorpe.
141-Dan LeClere (6-3) vs. #12 Nick Gallick (7-3)
LeClere went 2-2 at St. Edwards so it will be interesting to see how he wrestles. Alex Tsirtsis probably wont wrestle but you never know. Decision to Gallick.
149-#5 Brent Metcalf (7-1) vs. #13 Mitch Mueller (9-2)
Metcalf lost for the first time in years (I think) at St. Edwards. This one will be close and it might depend some on how the meet is going, but Metcalf wins a close one.
157-#15 Ryan Morningstar (4-1) vs. #4 Cyler Sanderson (10-0)
Sanderson is coming off an upset of C.P. Schlatter in a match were he wrestled really well. Morningstar had one of his best matchs of the year in last year's Iowa-ISU dual with an upset of #1 Trent Paulson. Sanderson in a close one.
165-Jake Kerr (4-2) vs. #6 Jon Reader (11-0)
Top-ranked Mark Perry wont wrestled due to NCAA suspension after being DQ'd in the St. Edward's duals. Jake Kerr had beat Reader once before, but I look for a Reader win with possible bonus points.
174-#17 Jay Borschel (7-2) vs. Aron Scott (2-2)
Joy Borshcel major decision
184-Phil Keddy (8-0) or Chad Beatty (5-3) vs. #1 Jake Varner (7-0)
Who wrestles here for Iowa might depend on how the meet is going. Varner is a very dangerous wrestler and a very good pinner. I think Phil Keddy wrestles to not give up the pin. Varner gets a decision.
197-Phil Keddy (8-0) or Rick Loera (5-3) vs. #16 David Bertalino (8-1)
Bertalino gets a decision
Hwt-#7 Matt Fields (8-0) vs. #4 David Zabriskie (10-0)
This should be a great match. If they start at 125, this match could decide the whole meet which would be very exciting. Matt Fields has really improved over last year and seems to be injury-free. Zabriskie had a nice win at Minnesota. It will be cose, but I think Fields comes over the hump and gets a huge win in turning around his career.
So that brings us to a final score of 18-14 Iowa State. It's gonna be a hell of a meet folks.
A lot people (especially Cyclones) have been looking forward to this one since last year's dual meet in Iowa City. I would really like this to become a home-and-home every year. Wrestling lives in Iowa and it needs to be showcased to the nation. The atmosphere in Iowa City last year was awesome and I would expect the same at Hilton on Sunday. I'll provide a post-game and meet analysis (or something like that) on Sunday or Monday. And perhaps my take on the Heisman race tomorrow.
Both the Iowa and Iowa State basketball teams are coming from different directions as we head into this game. Iowa State suffered an embarrassing 35-point loss at Drake. Drake has a good ballclub, but Iowa State should never lose to Drake by that margin. Iowa is coming off its best performance of the year with a 7-point win at Northern Iowa. It is highly unlikely that Iowa will shoot the ball as well as they did Wednesday night, but if they can own the boards like they did against Eric Coleman and UNI they should be competitive. If Tony Freeman can play at least 20 solid minutes again, and with the return of Jeff Peterson, I think Iowa's guards will be an even bigger force against ISU's struggling guards. The key for Iowa is limiting turnovers. Having Freeman and Peterson back gives Iowa two of its best ball handlers. They will also allow Justin Johnson to get open for shots because he wont have to run the point. I expect Iowa to play well, but Iowa State isn't just going to step aside. I expect the Cyclones to come out ready to play. Practice for them probably wasn't very fun this week and never count our Hilton Magic. I think this will be a close game with Iowa State coming out on top.
For the first time in as long as I can remember, this weekend's Iowa-Iowa State wrestling meet is garnering more attention than the basketball game. The top-ranked Cyclones are coming off an impressive win at formerly top-ranked Minnesota. Cael Sanderson has lead a quick turnaround of the Cyclone program. Iowa has yet to be tested due to only 4 dominant dual wins at the St. Edward Duals two weeks ago. Coach Tom Brands has the Hawkeyes on the way back and this is one of the most anticipated meets of the year. I will give my weight-by-weight break down of what I expect to see.
(Iowa vs. ISU)
125-#5 Charlie Falck (7-0) vs. Mark Kist (7-2)
This one goes to Charlie Falck major decision
133-#20 Joe Slaton (9-0) vs. #4 Nick Fanthorpe (10-0)
This one is interesting. My heart would like to pick Slaton (proud Kennedy alum), but a close one will go Nick Fanthorpe.
141-Dan LeClere (6-3) vs. #12 Nick Gallick (7-3)
LeClere went 2-2 at St. Edwards so it will be interesting to see how he wrestles. Alex Tsirtsis probably wont wrestle but you never know. Decision to Gallick.
149-#5 Brent Metcalf (7-1) vs. #13 Mitch Mueller (9-2)
Metcalf lost for the first time in years (I think) at St. Edwards. This one will be close and it might depend some on how the meet is going, but Metcalf wins a close one.
157-#15 Ryan Morningstar (4-1) vs. #4 Cyler Sanderson (10-0)
Sanderson is coming off an upset of C.P. Schlatter in a match were he wrestled really well. Morningstar had one of his best matchs of the year in last year's Iowa-ISU dual with an upset of #1 Trent Paulson. Sanderson in a close one.
165-Jake Kerr (4-2) vs. #6 Jon Reader (11-0)
Top-ranked Mark Perry wont wrestled due to NCAA suspension after being DQ'd in the St. Edward's duals. Jake Kerr had beat Reader once before, but I look for a Reader win with possible bonus points.
174-#17 Jay Borschel (7-2) vs. Aron Scott (2-2)
Joy Borshcel major decision
184-Phil Keddy (8-0) or Chad Beatty (5-3) vs. #1 Jake Varner (7-0)
Who wrestles here for Iowa might depend on how the meet is going. Varner is a very dangerous wrestler and a very good pinner. I think Phil Keddy wrestles to not give up the pin. Varner gets a decision.
197-Phil Keddy (8-0) or Rick Loera (5-3) vs. #16 David Bertalino (8-1)
Bertalino gets a decision
Hwt-#7 Matt Fields (8-0) vs. #4 David Zabriskie (10-0)
This should be a great match. If they start at 125, this match could decide the whole meet which would be very exciting. Matt Fields has really improved over last year and seems to be injury-free. Zabriskie had a nice win at Minnesota. It will be cose, but I think Fields comes over the hump and gets a huge win in turning around his career.
So that brings us to a final score of 18-14 Iowa State. It's gonna be a hell of a meet folks.
A lot people (especially Cyclones) have been looking forward to this one since last year's dual meet in Iowa City. I would really like this to become a home-and-home every year. Wrestling lives in Iowa and it needs to be showcased to the nation. The atmosphere in Iowa City last year was awesome and I would expect the same at Hilton on Sunday. I'll provide a post-game and meet analysis (or something like that) on Sunday or Monday. And perhaps my take on the Heisman race tomorrow.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Hello
So I decided to create this blog, mainly to fulfill my newly found free time here at college. It will be a collection of some random thoughts of mine. I'll talk mostly about things I know, which is mostly Hawkeye Sports. Perhaps I'll give some thoughts on politics or world events or entertainment (or not). Hopefully you will enjoy it at least a little bit...
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