CP's Superdual Breakdown: PSU v. Illinois
CP's Superdual Breakdown: PSU v. Illinois
Illinois v. PSU Superdual
Christian Pyles
37-0.
That was the score the last time these two tangled. It was a massacre in Champaign and the Illini are looking to return the favor. Though Illinois may not be favored to win the dual, there are some huge matchups they’ll look to take to set them up for Big 10’s and NCAA’s.
The biggest match up of the evening will likely take place first when we’ll have an NCAA finals rematch at 125 pounds. In all there are 6 ranked v. ranked match ups in this dual.
125-#1 Jesse Delgado-Illinois v. #3 Nico Megaludis-Penn State
The 5th meeting between these two. Nico and Jesse are knotted at 2-2 currently. Nico won the first two (All Star and Dual meet), and Jesse won the next two (Big 10’s and NCAA’s). No match between these two has really looked the same. The first match both guys got to legs and had to fight like madmen to counter each others scrambling. Match number two Nico got a neutral fall in a scramble. Match 3 was Jesse living on Nico’s legs and the 4th and final we saw Nico able to get to legs, but Jesse was too much with his counters.
In other words: Who knows how this one will go. I must admit I was impressed with the adjustment Nico made between Big 10’s and NCAA’s. Jesse was backing up and unable to get to Nico’s legs. The big scramble where Jesse wound up with the TD and nearfall came off of Nico’s shot.
Both have felt defeat this year, Jesse falling to Iowa’s Thomas Gilman, and Nico losing to Cornell’s Nahshon Garrett, twice.
Though Jesse has won his last 4 matches, it would seem he’s not exactly clicking on all cylinders currently. A 6-5 win over Peters, gave up 7 points to Nick Roberts, and needed a technical violation to defeat Youtsey. While a win is a win, separating from opponents is something Jesse is known for. Not seeing it makes me wonder how he’ll do in this spot. Meanwhile revenge will be on the mind of Nico as he looks to solve Jesse. I like Nico to get a takedown at some point and hang on for a tight win. Scrambles galore in this one, but Nico will be more ready for the leg passes and rolls of Jesse. I don’t see the mat being much of a factor as both guys have struggled to ride one another historically.
Nico Megaludis WBD Jesse Delgado
PSU-3
Illinois-0
133-#11 Zane Richards-Illinois v. #14 Jimmy Gulibon-Penn State
Two Blue Chip recruits who wrestle for their respective home states. I’ve always been a fan of both. I love Zane’s crisp leg attacks and style in general. Jimmy is a bit enigmatic but fun to watch and his high crotch is top notch.
These two met a year ago and Jimmy won 8-5. They also hit in Freestyle last Summer and Jimmy won in pretty lopsided fashion. He was able to get to his legs consistently and finished with little trouble. Both guys are good at penetrating and getting to legs, and both struggle keeping guys off their legs. I think that’s a recipe for a high scoring match. I like Jimmy in this spot. Maybe the home crowd is good for him, maybe not, but I think he’s ready to notch another big win. Jimmy worked both sides of Zain's body well in their Freestyle match, and I expect that to translate to Folk. I would be surprised to see either guy be too dominant on the mat, but if one of them did get a ride or turn going, it’d probably be Jimmy.
Give me Jimmy by 2.
Jimmy Gulibon WBD Zane Richards
PSU-6
Illinois-0
141 #10 Steven Rodrigues-Illinois v. #3 Zain Retherford-PSU
Two really tough guys, but Rodrigues is a pretty substantial underdog. Don’t see this one really getting close to the bonus point realm, but I think Zain controls the pace, ties and gives Rodrigues some problems on the mat.
Rodrigues has a nice single, but his finishing is probably not up to par with finishing on a guy the caliber of Zain. So if he gets in, it may not go too well for him. I think Zain gets a TD or 2, and a riding time point. I’m thinking 5-2.
Zain Retherford WBD Steven Rodrigues
PSU-9
Illinois-0
149-Caleb Ervin-Illinois v. #17 Andrew Alton-Penn State
Two real talents here despite the less than impressive current rankings. Ervin is currently 2-3, but does have a win over Bryce Busler this year. Not to mention he beat Dylan Ness a year ago. He’s a good scrambler himself and has some good top work that can give people problems. Caleb hasn’t shown the progression I thought we may see after a stellar Freshman campaign.
Alton has been out of the lineup up until the last 2 weeks or so. Andrew has always been very dangerous on his feet, but the tank issues are there and continue to hang over him. Two guys not exactly clicking on all their cylinders, I’ll take Andrew.
Andrew Alton WBD Caleb Ervin
PSU-12
Illinois-0
157-#19 Zac Brunson-Illinois v. #9 Dylan Alton-PSU
This will be the first real test for Dylan since being out for the first half of the season. Brunson is only a Freshman but has had a few impressive results already this year. He just notched his biggest win of the season beating fellow Freshman Brian Murphy of Michigan.
Brunson’s season hasn’t come without some struggle. He’s fallen to Chad Ryan, and was disqualified in a match against Isaac Jordan of Wisconsin. He likes to attack the ankles, but I think he’s going to struggle to break Dylan’s head/hands defense. I expect a controlled win for Dylan here. I don’t see Brunson having the riding ability or the defense to keep Dylan at bay for a full 7 minutes.
Dylan Alton WBD Zac Brunson
PSU-15
Illinois-0
165-#13 Jackson Morse v. #1 David Taylor
Interesting match. These two met their Freshman season and it was a very unique match. 26-10 was the final for Taylor but Morse got 2 (maybe more) takedowns against Taylor before DT got rolling and got the tech.
Morse is someone I’ve always been high on. He has excellent attacks, especially his double leg. His single is ever-improving as well. He is lacking defensively a bit as well as on the mat. Not a good recipe against Taylor.
We know what Taylor does and we know how he wins. Morse is a stud, but this one gets late, early.
David Taylor WMD Jackson Morse
PSU-19
Illinois-0
174-Tony Dallago-Illinois v. #3 Matt Brown-Penn State
Not a good matchup here for Dallago. Dallago’s got a lot of funk and some good stuff on top, but Brown is just going to be too much.
Brown brings probably the most physicality to this weight outside of Andrew Howe. Pulls on the head, great stance discipline and crisp, quick attacks. He’s made strides this year, not really adding different tools, rather enhancing who he already was. Dallago can struggle to string together a complete match for 7 minutes. Not a great area of weakness against Brown. Could be a 1 takedown match after 1, but Brown blows this one out of the water in the last 2 periods.
Matt Brown WMD Tony Dallago
PSU-23
Illinois-0
184-Nikko Reyes-Illinois v. #1 Ed Ruth-Penn State
I’ll cut to the chase here. Reyes is solid and will be good one day. He’s not there yet, and he’s not ready for this match. Ed will win pretty big here I’d imagine. To Nikko’s credit, he’s not been bonused all year.
Predicting bonus is tough, Nikko hasn’t faced a wrestler of Ed’s caliber yet, so I think he gets it, but don’t feel great about deciding how. Could cradle him up and call it an evening. Maybe he gets a bunch of TD’s and turns along the way. Who knows? Just know I think it’ll be lopsided.
Ed Ruth WBF Nikko Reyes
PSU-29
Illinois-0
197-#9 Mario Gonzalez-Illinois v. #6 Morgan McIntosh-Penn State
This should be a fun one. Two active, athletic 97’s comfortable in scrambles with a variety of attacks. Gonzalez is yet to return or build upon his Big 10 title a few years ago, but it seems injuries have had some impact on his development as well.
McIntosh was someone I was crazy high on coming into this year. He was my pre-season NCAA champion pick, but I’ve tempered those expectations considerably. Still, I like him in this spot. Gonzalez hasn’t been able to notch an elite win in sometime now. He’s 6-1 currently with a loss by injury default to Braden Atwood, so his health is still very much in question and I wonder if we see him here against a very tough McIntosh.
McIntosh has been fine this year. He’s lost twice to J’den Cox, and really has beaten some tough guys, but still hasn’t notched a top 10 win. I was a bit disappointed with McIntosh’s offensive output at the Scuffle, but I wonder about how his health impacted his performance. If we see both guys, I like McIntosh by 3-5 I believe. A few TD’s and maybe even a RT point.
Morgan McIntosh WBD Mario Gonzalez
PSU-32
Illinois-0
285-Chris Lopez v. Jon Gingrich
It sounds like Jimmy Lawson will be out for a little bit with an injury. Lucky for PSU they have an extremely capable replacement in Jon Gingrich. The depth PSU has built is very impressive. Lopez is a tough enough guy, but I think Gingrich will be too much.
Jon is a tough guy to score on and has a great double leg. It won’t be a thriller, but I like Gingirch here.
Jon Gingrich WBD Chris Lopez
PSU-35
Illinois-0
So there ya go. Another shut out!? In my heart of hearts, I don’t think Illinois will get blanked, yet I struggled to find a match where I think they win. Don’t know if that makes sense to you or not, but it does to me!
Here’s the order of outcome for me from most certain to least.
Ruth
Taylor
Brown
Retherford
Gingrich
McIntosh
Dylan Alton
Gulibon
Andrew Alton
Megaludis
Remember you can watch this live on the Big Ten Digital Network!
Christian Pyles
37-0.
That was the score the last time these two tangled. It was a massacre in Champaign and the Illini are looking to return the favor. Though Illinois may not be favored to win the dual, there are some huge matchups they’ll look to take to set them up for Big 10’s and NCAA’s.
The biggest match up of the evening will likely take place first when we’ll have an NCAA finals rematch at 125 pounds. In all there are 6 ranked v. ranked match ups in this dual.
125-#1 Jesse Delgado-Illinois v. #3 Nico Megaludis-Penn State
The 5th meeting between these two. Nico and Jesse are knotted at 2-2 currently. Nico won the first two (All Star and Dual meet), and Jesse won the next two (Big 10’s and NCAA’s). No match between these two has really looked the same. The first match both guys got to legs and had to fight like madmen to counter each others scrambling. Match number two Nico got a neutral fall in a scramble. Match 3 was Jesse living on Nico’s legs and the 4th and final we saw Nico able to get to legs, but Jesse was too much with his counters.
In other words: Who knows how this one will go. I must admit I was impressed with the adjustment Nico made between Big 10’s and NCAA’s. Jesse was backing up and unable to get to Nico’s legs. The big scramble where Jesse wound up with the TD and nearfall came off of Nico’s shot.
Both have felt defeat this year, Jesse falling to Iowa’s Thomas Gilman, and Nico losing to Cornell’s Nahshon Garrett, twice.
Though Jesse has won his last 4 matches, it would seem he’s not exactly clicking on all cylinders currently. A 6-5 win over Peters, gave up 7 points to Nick Roberts, and needed a technical violation to defeat Youtsey. While a win is a win, separating from opponents is something Jesse is known for. Not seeing it makes me wonder how he’ll do in this spot. Meanwhile revenge will be on the mind of Nico as he looks to solve Jesse. I like Nico to get a takedown at some point and hang on for a tight win. Scrambles galore in this one, but Nico will be more ready for the leg passes and rolls of Jesse. I don’t see the mat being much of a factor as both guys have struggled to ride one another historically.
Watch more video of 47th All Star Classic on flowrestling.org
Nico Megaludis WBD Jesse Delgado
PSU-3
Illinois-0
133-#11 Zane Richards-Illinois v. #14 Jimmy Gulibon-Penn State
Two Blue Chip recruits who wrestle for their respective home states. I’ve always been a fan of both. I love Zane’s crisp leg attacks and style in general. Jimmy is a bit enigmatic but fun to watch and his high crotch is top notch.
These two met a year ago and Jimmy won 8-5. They also hit in Freestyle last Summer and Jimmy won in pretty lopsided fashion. He was able to get to his legs consistently and finished with little trouble. Both guys are good at penetrating and getting to legs, and both struggle keeping guys off their legs. I think that’s a recipe for a high scoring match. I like Jimmy in this spot. Maybe the home crowd is good for him, maybe not, but I think he’s ready to notch another big win. Jimmy worked both sides of Zain's body well in their Freestyle match, and I expect that to translate to Folk. I would be surprised to see either guy be too dominant on the mat, but if one of them did get a ride or turn going, it’d probably be Jimmy.
Give me Jimmy by 2.
Jimmy Gulibon WBD Zane Richards
PSU-6
Illinois-0
141 #10 Steven Rodrigues-Illinois v. #3 Zain Retherford-PSU
Two really tough guys, but Rodrigues is a pretty substantial underdog. Don’t see this one really getting close to the bonus point realm, but I think Zain controls the pace, ties and gives Rodrigues some problems on the mat.
Rodrigues has a nice single, but his finishing is probably not up to par with finishing on a guy the caliber of Zain. So if he gets in, it may not go too well for him. I think Zain gets a TD or 2, and a riding time point. I’m thinking 5-2.
Zain Retherford WBD Steven Rodrigues
PSU-9
Illinois-0
149-Caleb Ervin-Illinois v. #17 Andrew Alton-Penn State
Two real talents here despite the less than impressive current rankings. Ervin is currently 2-3, but does have a win over Bryce Busler this year. Not to mention he beat Dylan Ness a year ago. He’s a good scrambler himself and has some good top work that can give people problems. Caleb hasn’t shown the progression I thought we may see after a stellar Freshman campaign.
Alton has been out of the lineup up until the last 2 weeks or so. Andrew has always been very dangerous on his feet, but the tank issues are there and continue to hang over him. Two guys not exactly clicking on all their cylinders, I’ll take Andrew.
Andrew Alton WBD Caleb Ervin
PSU-12
Illinois-0
157-#19 Zac Brunson-Illinois v. #9 Dylan Alton-PSU
This will be the first real test for Dylan since being out for the first half of the season. Brunson is only a Freshman but has had a few impressive results already this year. He just notched his biggest win of the season beating fellow Freshman Brian Murphy of Michigan.
Brunson’s season hasn’t come without some struggle. He’s fallen to Chad Ryan, and was disqualified in a match against Isaac Jordan of Wisconsin. He likes to attack the ankles, but I think he’s going to struggle to break Dylan’s head/hands defense. I expect a controlled win for Dylan here. I don’t see Brunson having the riding ability or the defense to keep Dylan at bay for a full 7 minutes.
Dylan Alton WBD Zac Brunson
PSU-15
Illinois-0
165-#13 Jackson Morse v. #1 David Taylor
Interesting match. These two met their Freshman season and it was a very unique match. 26-10 was the final for Taylor but Morse got 2 (maybe more) takedowns against Taylor before DT got rolling and got the tech.
Morse is someone I’ve always been high on. He has excellent attacks, especially his double leg. His single is ever-improving as well. He is lacking defensively a bit as well as on the mat. Not a good recipe against Taylor.
We know what Taylor does and we know how he wins. Morse is a stud, but this one gets late, early.
David Taylor WMD Jackson Morse
PSU-19
Illinois-0
174-Tony Dallago-Illinois v. #3 Matt Brown-Penn State
Not a good matchup here for Dallago. Dallago’s got a lot of funk and some good stuff on top, but Brown is just going to be too much.
Brown brings probably the most physicality to this weight outside of Andrew Howe. Pulls on the head, great stance discipline and crisp, quick attacks. He’s made strides this year, not really adding different tools, rather enhancing who he already was. Dallago can struggle to string together a complete match for 7 minutes. Not a great area of weakness against Brown. Could be a 1 takedown match after 1, but Brown blows this one out of the water in the last 2 periods.
Matt Brown WMD Tony Dallago
PSU-23
Illinois-0
184-Nikko Reyes-Illinois v. #1 Ed Ruth-Penn State
I’ll cut to the chase here. Reyes is solid and will be good one day. He’s not there yet, and he’s not ready for this match. Ed will win pretty big here I’d imagine. To Nikko’s credit, he’s not been bonused all year.
Predicting bonus is tough, Nikko hasn’t faced a wrestler of Ed’s caliber yet, so I think he gets it, but don’t feel great about deciding how. Could cradle him up and call it an evening. Maybe he gets a bunch of TD’s and turns along the way. Who knows? Just know I think it’ll be lopsided.
Ed Ruth WBF Nikko Reyes
PSU-29
Illinois-0
197-#9 Mario Gonzalez-Illinois v. #6 Morgan McIntosh-Penn State
This should be a fun one. Two active, athletic 97’s comfortable in scrambles with a variety of attacks. Gonzalez is yet to return or build upon his Big 10 title a few years ago, but it seems injuries have had some impact on his development as well.
McIntosh was someone I was crazy high on coming into this year. He was my pre-season NCAA champion pick, but I’ve tempered those expectations considerably. Still, I like him in this spot. Gonzalez hasn’t been able to notch an elite win in sometime now. He’s 6-1 currently with a loss by injury default to Braden Atwood, so his health is still very much in question and I wonder if we see him here against a very tough McIntosh.
McIntosh has been fine this year. He’s lost twice to J’den Cox, and really has beaten some tough guys, but still hasn’t notched a top 10 win. I was a bit disappointed with McIntosh’s offensive output at the Scuffle, but I wonder about how his health impacted his performance. If we see both guys, I like McIntosh by 3-5 I believe. A few TD’s and maybe even a RT point.
Morgan McIntosh WBD Mario Gonzalez
PSU-32
Illinois-0
285-Chris Lopez v. Jon Gingrich
It sounds like Jimmy Lawson will be out for a little bit with an injury. Lucky for PSU they have an extremely capable replacement in Jon Gingrich. The depth PSU has built is very impressive. Lopez is a tough enough guy, but I think Gingrich will be too much.
Jon is a tough guy to score on and has a great double leg. It won’t be a thriller, but I like Gingirch here.
Jon Gingrich WBD Chris Lopez
PSU-35
Illinois-0
So there ya go. Another shut out!? In my heart of hearts, I don’t think Illinois will get blanked, yet I struggled to find a match where I think they win. Don’t know if that makes sense to you or not, but it does to me!
Here’s the order of outcome for me from most certain to least.
Ruth
Taylor
Brown
Retherford
Gingrich
McIntosh
Dylan Alton
Gulibon
Andrew Alton
Megaludis
Remember you can watch this live on the Big Ten Digital Network!
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