VakAttack 3,966 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 He's the best guy at the weight, but the gap is nowhere near as pronounced as last season. Sorensen, Collica and possibly Mayes have an honest shot to beat him. I'm still predicting he wins, but the field has closed on him significantly from last year. 1 Buckeyebison reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hammerlockthree 2,581 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 why do you people allow yourselves to think people can't be beaten in the first place.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unbiased 516 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) Excellent question. Higher probability that he loses one before he goes undefeated for the postseason and all of next year. Same with Imar. The odds aren't in their favor. Which will make it all the more impressive if they win out. Edited February 20, 2017 by unbiased Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
conyewest 57 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 why do you people allow yourselves to think people can't be beaten in the first place.... Creates more drama going into the tournament. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTG119 820 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) a few months ago he was going to bonus through the season right? Those kinds of expectations always crack me up, it's like people forget how good the rest of the field and other coaches are, or that one major decision result vs a quality opponent means the rest of their matches will be the same. That said, I think he is still a strong favorite but yeah the gap has been narrowed. He's not untouchable in neutral; I think getting out of the 1st without being ridden a ton is key. Longer he's on top grinding....well that's when it gets bad. Edited February 20, 2017 by KTG119 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbert 563 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 He held collica hostage..Next time he brings duct tape Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PSUMike 445 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 He's wrestling a lot more conservatively than he was at the start of the season. I don't know if it's a confidence thing but early on, he'd constantly attack from neutral. I don't think he took 3 shots against Collica. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LemonPie 1,368 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) He's definitely no lock. I am happy that Collica is all but assured to be on the other side of the bracket. We'll likely see how Sorensen pt 2 goes in a couple weeks. part 3 could be the semi matchup. Edited February 20, 2017 by LemonPie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boconnell 1,623 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 He's wrestling a lot more conservatively than he was at the start of the season. I don't know if it's a confidence thing but early on, he'd constantly attack from neutral. I don't think he took 3 shots against Collica. He took a few in the first period that didn't get to the legs. I don't think he took any in the 3rd. It is hard to stay at that level of dominance. Dieringer repeatedly looked bored his senior year. He was much hungrier to dominate as a junior. I think a few guys have gotten better (Sorenson and Collica), and Zain has come to rely more and more on the top game. Add it up and we have an actual finals match this year whoever he sees. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTG119 820 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) He's wrestling a lot more conservatively than he was at the start of the season. I don't know if it's a confidence thing but early on, he'd constantly attack from neutral. I don't think he took 3 shots against Collica. maybe had to do with quality of competition at start of season? Edited February 20, 2017 by KTG119 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headshuck 2,586 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 Let's all just settle down and wait for TBar's assessment. 4 Chrissn2001, scribe, tabenn and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LordNelson 552 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 He looked pretty lackluster yesterday. I gave him a pass in CHA, arguably should've been in OT. All that and...........he still won. Tough to see anyone getting to him as the pressure gets higher but we'll see. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mvattivo 47 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 Vak, I don't think any reasonable person can argue with your point. I'm surprised at how much the gap has been closed. Against Collica & Sorensen, it felt like he couldn't get past their defense and get off a solid shot. That was something he was able to do consistently last year. Collica & Sorensen both made it difficult on him when he is on top. That was something I also didn't see last year. Like you said, he is still the favorite, but, after seeing those two matches, I'm definitely concerned that he could go down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jammen 336 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 Let's all just settle down and wait for TBar's assessment. I'm pretty sure the Blue & White fans insist that he was sick with the flu against Iowa and prolly had a touch of it still hanging on against Collica. Besides, it's much more important that Gubber (13-7) almost had a neutral fall. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scribe 1,824 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 why do you people allow yourselves to think people can't be beaten in the first place....12 years now I've been undefeated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HurricaneWrestling 1,123 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 why do you people allow yourselves to think people can't be beaten in the first place.... I blame Robin Reed and Osamu Watanabe. 1 hammer reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pish6969 293 Report post Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) I'm pretty sure the Blue & White fans insist that he was sick with the flu against Iowa and prolly had a touch of it still hanging on against Collica. Besides, it's much more important that Gubber (13-7) almost had a neutral fall.Nope. Zain himself said he was 100% so no excuses. Vak has a fair point that Zain is human and looks vulnerable as that wasn't the case last year. Personally I'll never bet against the kid as he has a ton of heart and won't go out without a fight. It seems like he lost some faith on his feet this year against the top guys. Say what you want, but confidence is huge in this sport and right now he's not nearly as confident in neutral as he was last year. I hope he finds it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited February 20, 2017 by pish6969 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lonewolf 19 Report post Posted February 21, 2017 He must have starting getting some trim. That would slow me down :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBrog 43 Report post Posted February 21, 2017 I am sorry...but did Zain loose?? Didn't think so. People need to freakin relax! Dude is as big a stud as they come and there is nothing wrong with him. It is always weird to me when some people think that only one wrestler will make "progress" every year and get better...truth is, every kid in college is trying to get better and bust their a$$ to do so...this is high level wrestling and anyone can be beaten on any given day....even Synder. Point is, the guy is still a national champ and I would bet he does not lose the rest of the year...any takers?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrestlingphish 1,011 Report post Posted February 21, 2017 I am sorry...but did Zain loose?? Didn't think so. People need to freakin relax! Dude is as big a stud as they come and there is nothing wrong with him. It is always weird to me when some people think that only one wrestler will make "progress" every year and get better...truth is, every kid in college is trying to get better and bust their a$$ to do so...this is high level wrestling and anyone can be beaten on any given day....even Synder. Point is, the guy is still a national champ and I would bet he does not lose the rest of the year...any takers?? Everyone in this thread besides you seems pretty calm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBrog 43 Report post Posted February 21, 2017 I didn't claim I was relaxed...just everyone else should. It is a figure of speech...sorry to confuse you. By the way....I never relax. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swoopdown 619 Report post Posted February 21, 2017 Zain changed his style to mimic Heil after watching some OSU matches. He got the cling-and-win-close part but needs to work on funky stuff and near self-pins before perfection is reached. He's consulting with Bo regarding that deficiency. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhiferFuqua 187 Report post Posted February 21, 2017 I'm pretty sure the Blue & White fans insist that he was sick with the flu against Iowa and prolly had a touch of it still hanging on against Collica. Besides, it's much more important that Gubber (13-7) almost had a neutral fall. Some day, after Penn State wins their 10th straight title and your wife packs up your dogs and moves in with the Sandersons, your only retort is going to be, "Well, sure, but Jimmy Gullibon ..." 2 TBar1977 and BigBrog reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ionel 2,432 Report post Posted February 21, 2017 Zain changed his style to mimic Heil after watching some OSU matches. He got the cling-and-win-close part but needs to work on funky stuff and near self-pins before perfection is reached. He's consulting with Bo regarding that deficiency. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk we should just let DH and ZR advance straight to the title match for 145lbs, thus will only have to watch that style once Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigmik 218 Report post Posted February 21, 2017 Retherford struggles with the heavy hands to the head/face. Collica may have given him Pico flashbacks. Just recall how Pico consistently took Zain apart over the course of about 5 matches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
