Crotalus

Nothing wrong with being critical of the performance, but I wouldn't expect any major changes. The athletic department seems happy with the status quo, and Mizzou is not a destination school for wrestling (or any other sport). I don't see them spending the money necessary to change that. I just hope Smith can find a way to light a fire back under the program.

Leave his shoes on the mat after next season or not even return? I'd be shocked if he didn't return, but I certainly don't have any inside info. It certainly seems like he was dealing with something injury-wise based on his limited schedule and lackluster early season performance, but he was rounding back into form for the postseason. Given that, I don't see his finish as a disappointment. He split with a tough Cardenas, and he was never beating Brooks or Sloan even at his peak. I hope he doesn't finish his career with a whimper the way Mauller and Mocco did.

Keegan O'Toole had three falls and a tech.

I don't know. Smith has gotten a lot of credit over the years for taking lower ranked guys and turning them into AAs. And the "great" recruits in terms of blue chip guys are pretty far between. Some guys have definitely plateaued, but not a lot that have gone from "great" to just "good". This year did feel like a team lacking any fight, though.

I'm not sure that it is. His first few years he was small for 165, but he filled out this year. I suspect he plans on staying at 74kg for freestyle so it makes sense to stay put. Any chance Rocky would move up? He's rather skinny but tall. He'd have to put on some decent weight to compete at Hwy, but I'm sure he wrestles with his brother quite a bit and has a feel for what the transition would be like (I'd prefer he stays at 197, just spit balling).

Sorry, I was implying that his urine stream was about as strong as an old man's in the middle of the night. Carter got out a couple of drips, maybe.

Like an old man in the middle of the night.

Flapping in the breeze.

No chair throw? I'm a little disappointed.

Far more time in reviews than actual wrestling and it's actually pretty entertaining.

I don't disagree. I'd like them to revisit the rules on this. It shouldn't be a "judgment call". Top guy has control there.

They called 3 with less control than KOT had over Carr.

Fix strategy revealed. Play defense and win on blood time. (This is a joke, it was obviously incidental.)

Pretty attractive. As is the sister(?).

You can't tell from the broadcast, but the commentators are speculating it is about Figs grabbing the shoe (he had his fingers dug into the laces, which maybe isn't legal? )

The no TD for O'Toole in the first period against Carr. Not really an egregious call but perhaps the rules need a little clarification or adjustment (like after JO/Steiber). KOT had the leg hooked and was behind both arms with Carr just barely clinging on to a leg. At worst that was 99% of a TD. Like with the Dean Heil rule, we shouldn't be rewarding guys for being able to stalemate from a hugely disadvantaged situation.

"You got Oklahoma State. You got John Smith in the corner. They're gonna wine like f*cking bitches the whole time."

I'm biased but looked like a TD to me. Leg hooked and behind the arms.

Damn. Keegan did all the work in that match and gassed himself out.

Big Elam has had Hendrickson in a front headlock for about 3 minutes of this match. Hoping to wear him down and score at the last second, I guess?

Nice controlled win by Rocky. Some strategic stalling but he took the life out of Beard. Now to do the same to Brooks so that O'Toole can win the Hodge and OW.

Hidlay is not a given over Sloan. Sloan is looking tough.

I'm a fan of Lewis and would love for him to beat Star, but if we're being honest, this is only an interesting match because Star is not 100%.

Mizzou had a horrible first day, especially with three seniors (two returning AAs) going 0-2. But the 5 remaining actually all have reasonable paths to AA. Edmond (21) has Composto (22), then would have the winner of Crook (20) v Owen (30), followed by Vombaur (26) in the blood round. Now, I think he'll lose to Composto, but there are no major roadblocks. O'Toole (1) will have an opportunity for bonus vs Taylor (8) (glad Taylor beat Hall who always wrestles Keegan tough). Hawks (11) has Hopkins (28), followed by the winner of Conway (19) v Anderson (29). Then he would have Key (25) in the blood round. If Hawks is ready to wrestle, he can do this. If Rocky (12) loses to Beard (4), he would have Stout (16)/Stemmet(18)/Urbas(24)/Smith(26) in the blood round. Hopefully he can step it up against Beard, but it would be a big disappointment for him to not AA either way. I suspect Elam (6) the Bigger will lose to Hendrickson (3), then he would have to beat Catka(26)/Hill(25)/Szuba(18)/Griess(17). No AA for him would also be a big disappointment.

Defines him? Relax, dude. At this point, there's maybe a handful of people that even care (and they're all on this board). If he wins an Oly gold, there will be even fewer.