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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Jim Kessen added to this discussion on November 3, 2025
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I believe we have a number of current and former coaches on here and curious how you would handle the 125 situation for Bucks?
You have a high end recruit who hasn’t lived up to expectations (whether fair or not) cutting a lot of weight to make the lineup and strengthen an area of need vs a guy who was under the radar recruit who has become a very competitive college wrestler.
Both have some quality wins over their careers to go along with some head scratching loses.
McCrone has a 1 point head to head win but we all know beating a teammate isn’t a fair comparison.
I think Nic has the higher ceiling of the two but both could easily go 0-2 at Nationals.
I would have them both wrestle but if Nationals were next weekend would go with Nic.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on November 3, 2025
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Great question--my concern is how the weight cut wears on Nic over the course of a season. He was good yesterday but can he do it for four months? Week after week? My guess is we'll see them split time. As a former coach, I'd be nervous about handing off the spot full time to Bouzakis. I'd probably use yesterday's match to say something along the lines of "we're excited to have two competitors of such high quality. We'll continue to use both of you until we can see which one of you gives us the best option in march."
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Ben Golden added to this discussion on November 3, 2025
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I think... tell them you want to see both of them get down to 118 for a wrestle off, to see who wants it more.
Then once they get to 118, tell them you're disappointed neither went the extra mile to get down to 115, so you're going to need both of them to find a way to prove they are worthy of a spot in the lineup, and it's up to them to figure out how to demonstrate it.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Ethan Moore added to this discussion on November 3, 2025
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My initial thought is you don't advise Bouzakis to make that cut unless the spot is his.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Scott Nicola added to this discussion on November 3, 2025
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I know that Bouzakis was a much bigger name coming out of high school and many assumed that he would be the guy if he made 125 but I think we need to give Brendan McCrone his due. Both guys have had some big wins and some inconsistency in the past 2 years. While McCrone is unorthodox, he is obviously a great pinner and has improved from neutral each year. I really don't see this result as an anomaly and think future meeting could go either way.
McCrone is a gamer and owns wins over 2x AA Eddie Ventresca (11-3 md), #1 ranked (at the time) Jakob Camacho, and AA/U23 World Champ Luke Lilledahl in addition to winning the only head to head match up with Bouzakis. The staff has chosen to forgo wrestle offs and let it be decided via early season competition. I don't think you go back on that just because the guy you expected to win didn't. Regarding Bouzakis being entitled to the spot due to his big weight cut, McCrone is also pulling a lot of weight.
W-L DUAL BIG MD TF PIN
McCrone Career 52-27 21-11 9-8 13 4 20
Bouzakis Career 57-21 24-9 8-6 11 8 20
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on November 3, 2025
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Quote from Ben Golden's post:
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"I think... tell them you want to see both of them get down to 118 for a wrestle off, to see who wants it more.
Then once they get to 118, tell them you're disappointed neither went the extra mile to get down to 115, so you're going to need both of them to find a way to prove they are worthy of a spot in the lineup, and it's up to them to figure out how to demonstrate it."
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I love it!!!!!!!!! Hahaha!!!
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Michael Rodriguez added to this discussion on November 3, 2025
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I totally agree that Coach Ryan should wrestle them both throughout the season, with McCrone getting the lion’s share of the starts. I’m also with Nicola that the job is McCrone’s to lose. Bouzakis would have to have some quality wins and McCrone would have to struggle to make me switch with the data that we have in front of us. But with my track record, that probably means Bouzakis is the guy.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Roe Fox added to this discussion on November 4, 2025
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Normally I much prefer wrestleoffs but these two have such different styles it could go either way match to match. Further, what one excels at the other has weaknesses (and vice versa).
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Nick Lecklider added to this discussion on November 4, 2025
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I agree that you wrestle them both but Bouzakis gets the nod in an important dual and the postseason. Af the national duals 200k is on the line plus takedown bonuses that are 10k per round. Tom Ryan would be foolish imo to not Wrestle Bouzakis in the important duals. Each kid can win a significant amount of money.
Scott you are really trying to reach on your case for Mccrone. Mccrone beat Ventrusca in a year he was injured and went 2-7. Not a year were he was all American. When he beat Camacho that was a day where Camacho went 0-3 and was no where close to ever being a number one ranked guy in reality. Liladahl is by far his best win but would beat Lilladahl 1 time out of 100. That will never happen again. He was on his way to getting tech falled and got the pin. He only thing that is similar is record but Bouzakis has wrestled a much much much tougher schedule. Look at the place winners last year at 133. Bouzakis has beat nearly everyone. Zugitt, Shawver, Knox, Van Dee, Romney, Davis. He took Byrd to overtime also.
My only concern was his gas tank but that wasnt a problem. Bouzakis also picked up the best win this weekend over Knox. Knox would be an all american this year i would bet. Just look up his high school career. Also won the u20 us open and tech falled buckeye recruit Mills in the finals. Knox was tournament outstanding wrestler. Mccrone won three matches in a row by one point. A boderline top 30 wrestler 1-0. A undersized high schooler 7-6. And then Bouzakis in the finals where Bouzakis gave Mccrone two points bc he injured something so Mccrone got choice and went from top to bottom. Two familiar teammates can go back and forth but Bouzakis has much better results. Bouzakis has 4 wins at ncaas and mccrone has 2.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Scott Nicola added to this discussion on November 4, 2025
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Quote from Nick Lecklider's post:
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"I agree that you wrestle them both but Bouzakis gets the nod in an important dual and the postseason. Af the national duals 200k is on the line plus takedown bonuses that are 10k per round. Tom Ryan would be foolish imo to not Wrestle Bouzakis in the important duals. Each kid can win a significant amount of money.
Scott you are really trying to reach on your case for Mccrone. Mccrone beat Ventrusca in a year he was injured and went 2-7. Not a year were he was all American. When he beat Camacho that was a day where Camacho went 0-3 and was no where close to ever being a number one ranked guy in reality. Liladahl is by far his best win but would beat Lilladahl 1 time out of 100. That will never happen again. He was on his way to getting tech falled and got the pin. He only thing that is similar is record but Bouzakis has wrestled a much much much tougher schedule. Look at the place winners last year at 133. Bouzakis has beat nearly everyone. Zugitt, Shawver, Knox, Van Dee, Romney, Davis. He took Byrd to overtime also.
My only concern was his gas tank but that wasnt a problem. Bouzakis also picked up the best win this weekend over Knox. Knox would be an all american this year i would bet. Just look up his high school career. Also won the u20 us open and tech falled buckeye recruit Mills in the finals. Knox was tournament outstanding wrestler. Mccrone won three matches in a row by one point. A boderline top 30 wrestler 1-0. A undersized high schooler 7-6. And then Bouzakis in the finals where Bouzakis gave Mccrone two points bc he injured something so Mccrone got choice and went from top to bottom. Two familiar teammates can go back and forth but Bouzakis has much better results. Bouzakis has 4 wins at ncaas and mccrone has 2."
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I am aware of all of this information and ultimately Bouzakis may end up winning the spot but as of now you've got to go with the guy who won the head to head. What message does that send to other wrestler/recruits if you say it will be decided base on performance in early season tournaments and go back on that because the guy you thought would win doesn't? I wasn't saying that McCrone has a better resume than Bouzakis but was pushing back on the idea that McCrone is a mediocre wrestler that won because of familiarity. The point is McCrone has been a starter in the BIG 10 for 2 years and has won some big matches against quality opponents (including Bouzakis). You say I'm reaching but it's more offering an alternative argument based on the current information. Regarding the head to head match, we obviously see it very differently. You are saying it was a 2 point swing but when Bouzakis yelled out McCrone was riding him like a Harley and had the cradle locked up several times. To assume that Bouzakis gets out is not a given and he very well could have gotten rode out or turned/pinned in a cradle had the action continued.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on November 4, 2025
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I certainly have no dog in this fight but my contention is that you can only beat whoever is in front of you. Whether it is by one point or ten points, it is a win. It is not possible to do more than win.
Over the years I have seen a lot of guys who are masters at winning a close match. Not everyone is a Blaze or Bassett.
Regarding McCrone beating Lilladahl, that will "never" happen again?? Never is a very long time.
BTW, if any of us were really as smart as we think, we would be coaching at this level. Let the OSU coaches figure it out and enjoy the show.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Rob Wagner added to this discussion on November 4, 2025
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Right on. Give McCrone his due and let him hold it down, for now.
Side note: I didn't like that Bouzakis didn't shake his hand after the match on Sunday. Feel like that would have pissed TR off.
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Quote from Scott Nicola's post:
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"
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Quote from Nick Lecklider's post:
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"I agree that you wrestle them both but Bouzakis gets the nod in an important dual and the postseason. Af the national duals 200k is on the line plus takedown bonuses that are 10k per round. Tom Ryan would be foolish imo to not Wrestle Bouzakis in the important duals. Each kid can win a significant amount of money.
Scott you are really trying to reach on your case for Mccrone. Mccrone beat Ventrusca in a year he was injured and went 2-7. Not a year were he was all American. When he beat Camacho that was a day where Camacho went 0-3 and was no where close to ever being a number one ranked guy in reality. Liladahl is by far his best win but would beat Lilladahl 1 time out of 100. That will never happen again. He was on his way to getting tech falled and got the pin. He only thing that is similar is record but Bouzakis has wrestled a much much much tougher schedule. Look at the place winners last year at 133. Bouzakis has beat nearly everyone. Zugitt, Shawver, Knox, Van Dee, Romney, Davis. He took Byrd to overtime also.
My only concern was his gas tank but that wasnt a problem. Bouzakis also picked up the best win this weekend over Knox. Knox would be an all american this year i would bet. Just look up his high school career. Also won the u20 us open and tech falled buckeye recruit Mills in the finals. Knox was tournament outstanding wrestler. Mccrone won three matches in a row by one point. A boderline top 30 wrestler 1-0. A undersized high schooler 7-6. And then Bouzakis in the finals where Bouzakis gave Mccrone two points bc he injured something so Mccrone got choice and went from top to bottom. Two familiar teammates can go back and forth but Bouzakis has much better results. Bouzakis has 4 wins at ncaas and mccrone has 2."
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I am aware of all of this information and ultimately Bouzakis may end up winning the spot but as of now you've got to go with the guy who won the head to head. What message does that send to other wrestler/recruits if you say it will be decided base on performance in early season tournaments and go back on that because the guy you thought would win doesn't? I wasn't saying that McCrone has a better resume than Bouzakis but was pushing back on the idea that McCrone is a mediocre wrestler that won because of familiarity. The point is McCrone has been a starter in the BIG 10 for 2 years and has won some big matches against quality opponents (including Bouzakis). You say I'm reaching but it's more offering an alternative argument based on the current information. Regarding the head to head match, we obviously see it very differently. You are saying it was a 2 point swing but when Bouzakis yelled out McCrone was riding him like a Harley and had the cradle locked up several times. To assume that Bouzakis gets out is not a given and he very well could have gotten rode out or turned/pinned in a cradle had the action continued."
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Nick Lecklider added to this discussion on November 4, 2025
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The biggest event for the regular season is in two weeks and has had significant financial implications for the entire team. I would have them wrestle off again or have the team vote on what to do at least. This decision can affect the entire team financially. Bouzakis is going to score more points and there are takedown bonuses each round.
First round is Wyoming Ohio state should win easily regardless.
Second round is Minnesota. Minnesota is going to be a close dual. Lots of coin flip matches imo. Volk Lore has already beaten Mccrone, so might want to go with Bouzakis. Minnesota heavy looked very good and may give Feldman trouble. I’m a little worried about this dual.
Third round is Nebraska who is pretty weak at 125 so shouldn’t matter
If Ohio state meets Iowa I’m not sending out Mccrone who is 0-2 against Peterson. I’m sending out Bouzakis.
If I’m coach Ryan I’m wrestling Bouzakis against the guys Mccrone lost to previously and letting Mccrone wrestle the other guys. Keeps them both in the lineup but can’t make that one point match a final indication in who to start.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Drew Taylor added to this discussion on November 4, 2025
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These dilemmas tend to work themselves out. Be patient. A wrestleoff should be used only if there remains a question before the postseason.
Bouzakis and McCrone offer similar positives. Both have big match experience and both carry a knockout punch as pinners.
Bouzakis I view as a little more consistent. Last year his losses were to the best guys at his weight, many of them within a point or two. McCrone had some questionable losses.
Weight management is obviously an issue for Bouzakis but maybe also McCrone. This is his fourth season at 125. It can’t be an easy cut.
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Discussion Topic: Coaching Question
Jeff Streu added to this discussion on November 4, 2025
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A very hard decision indeed for the coaching staff.
Since we know that, unfortunately, the only thing that matters in many people's minds is NCAA's, I'd try to simulate that as much as possible to see who will perform better in such a setting. Especially since you have to make weight each day at NCAA's, pick another regular season tourney where you have to weigh in back to back days - say, Soldier Salute or Southern Scuffle - and enter them both.
As for regular season duals, since we know McCrone's style is a little different, he tends to do well against someone who's never gotten their hands on him before, so if the opponent is familiar with him I'd start Bouzakis. If you think it's going to be a tight dual and they start with 125 right off the scale, I'd start McCrone. For National Duals since they want to win money as a team they should throw in the right guy for each dual based on that logic.
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