Tom Brands addresses the rumors: Kemerer at 174 is far from done deal; Here is a PROJECTED LINEUP

[Franisdaman]

From HawkCentral.com:

On Wednesday, June 6, Tom Brands addressed the scuttlebutt that junior-to-be Michael Kemerer would be moving up two weight classes — from 157 pounds, where he’s been a top-four NCAA finisher each of his first two seasons, to 174.

Yes, Kemerer’s body is getting bigger — as anyone who’s seen him lately can attest.

No, Iowa isn't making anything official — and probably won't anytime soon.

“We’ll figure it out,” Brands said. “This is June.”

Iowa already has a couple of options lining up at 157 pounds.

Talented sophomore Kaleb Young, who lost a wrestle-off with Gunther at 174 earlier this winter, could make the cut — he finished third in the under-23 World Team Trials at 74 kilograms (the equivalent of 163 pounds). He has plenty of time to make it down to 157, where junior Jeren Glosser also has "great scoring ability," Brands said.

Brands has Drexel transfer Austin DeSanto coming in at 133 pounds; Max Murin (at 141), Pat Lugo (at 149) and Jacob Warner (at 197) coming out of redshirt; and two-time 197-pound NCAA qualifier Cash Wilcke probably cutting to 184.

It’s possible that, despite losing just one senior in Brandon Sorenson, seven Iowa weight classes in 2018-19 will have different starters than in March — with only NCAA champ Spencer Lee at 125 pounds, Marinelli at 165 and Sam Stoll at heavyweight staying put.


So, HawkCentral basically is PROJECTING Iowa's line up to be this:

125 Lee
133 DeSanto
141 Murin
149 Lugo
157 Young
165 Marinelli
174 KemDog
184 Wilke
197 Warner
HWT Stoll



The full story: https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/s...el-kemerers-weight-gain-tom-brands/678557002/

 

[Grip220]

So your saying there is a chance...

 

[Franisdaman]

So your saying there is a chance...

There's also a chance I might lead my team to the NCAA tournament, but that, too, is far from a done deal. Good thing for that $10M buy out!

 

[choosenuetral]

Sorry if already discussed elsewhere but I’ve been offline for a bit. With this discussion of him bumping up has there any clarity on his injury and progress?

 

[Notsure75]

Just seems to me that if Coach Brands said that Kemerer's body is getting bigger then he's going to have a hell of a time making 157 and probably won't make 157. Next speculation among posters will be, will Marinelli move up to 174 and Kemerer go at 165?

 

[Knight563]

57 Young
65 Bull
74 Dawg

It’s a done deal.

 

[crablegs1]

It would be nice if Brands had a plan. You don’t figure out a major change like this in November.

 

[JEDN]

Who says he doesn't have a plan?

 

[iowaHOXXX]

It would be nice if Brands had a plan. You don’t figure out a major change like this in November.

So because Brands hasn't publicly announced his plan to the world that means he doesn't have one?

 

[crablegs1]

So because Brands hasn't publicly announced his plan to the world that means he doesn't have one?

He basically said it’s June, we’ll figure it out later. I’m not putting words in his mouth.

 

[iowaHOXXX]

You do realize that coaches aren't always 100% forthcoming with the media right? Especially wrestling coaches.

 

[24 so far]

He basically said it’s June, we’ll figure it out later. I’m not putting words in his mouth.

It's called Coachspeak. Fill up an article for a sportswriter, without really saying anything.

Tom Brands does it all the time, and he's far from alone in that regard. It's the standard.

 

[TarpHawk]

Blah-blah-blah from Brands. I'm with crablegs. I'd rather hear "The plan is Marinelli at 165 and Kemerer at 174" than "It's June, we'll figure it out." There ain't that much to figure out.

 

[TarpHawk]

Blah-blah-blah from Brands. I'm with crablegs. I'd rather hear "The plan is Marinelli at 165 and Kemerer at 174" than "It's June, we'll figure it out." There ain't that much to figure out.

 

[AFHawk86]

It's called Coachspeak. Fill up an article for a sportswriter, without really saying anything.

Tom Brands does it all the time, and he's far from alone in that regard. It's the standard.

#Truth

The article title is misleading because Tom doesn’t reveal anything. There is no plan laid out for us lay people. That said, he never does and I didn’t expect him too.

 

[Jackhawk87]

Public service for y’all.

I was reading through the coach speak and between the lines of that article and it was pretty clear confirmation that it is going to be:

157 - Young, Glosser (if Young cannot make the cut effectively)
165 - Bull
174 - Kem

 

[millhawk]

Blah-blah-blah from Brands. I'm with crablegs. I'd rather hear "The plan is Marinelli at 165 and Kemerer at 174" than "It's June, we'll figure it out." There ain't that much to figure out.

That would be stupid on his part. Pretty obvious that Kemdog is moving, why lock into anything in June?

 

[iowaHOXXX]

Blah-blah-blah from Brands. I'm with crablegs. I'd rather hear "The plan is Marinelli at 165 and Kemerer at 174" than "It's June, we'll figure it out." There ain't that much to figure out.

Then shoot him an email and let him know how you feel. I’m sure he will rectify it immediately with a press release.

 

[woodsiding]

Blah-blah-blah from Brands. I'm with crablegs. I'd rather hear "The plan is Marinelli at 165 and Kemerer at 174" than "It's June, we'll figure it out." There ain't that much to figure out.

Wasn't long ago our 149 wrestle off were BS, Grothus, and Cooper. Seemed obvious that BS would hold that spot, but they let play out. What it got us Grothus cutting and Cooper going up after Midlands. Brands history of 'letting it play out', I wish he had just said he had a plan in place. I don't think much has changed on that front. The difference is that Kem's weight is dictating that 157 is not going to be an option for him and Marinelli has been at 160 (hs) or 165 for the last 6 years. Marinelli is obviously done growing and kem is growing. Make a plan and execute it, doesn't matter if it's a secret.

 

[SPOONER]

So because Brands hasn't publicly announced his plan to the world that means he doesn't have one?

Were not not already familiar with crablegs?

Blah-blah-blah from Brands. I'm with crablegs. I'd rather hear "The plan is Marinelli at 165 and Kemerer at 174" than "It's June, we'll figure it out." There ain't that much to figure out.

There are a lot of things I would love to hear. That doesn't mean I need to hear them.

 

[24 so far]

Were not not already familiar with crablegs?



There are a lot of things I would love to hear. That doesn't mean I need to hear them.

Agreed. I just want there to be a solid plan in place, then execute it.

 

[Old_wrestling_fan]

He basically said it’s June, we’ll figure it out later. I’m not putting words in his mouth.

Well no, you are not putting words in his mouth, as those were his words, I will give you that. BUT...you also are not understanding the words that he did say.

That was as close to a public admission as you are going to get... in June.

 

[IAChief32]

Wasn't long ago our 149 wrestle off were BS, Grothus, and Cooper. Seemed obvious that BS would hold that spot, but they let play out. What it got us Grothus cutting and Cooper going up after Midlands. Brands history of 'letting it play out', I wish he had just said he had a plan in place. I don't think much has changed on that front. The difference is that Kem's weight is dictating that 157 is not going to be an option for him and Marinelli has been at 160 (hs) or 165 for the last 6 years. Marinelli is obviously done growing and kem is growing. Make a plan and execute it, doesn't matter if it's a secret.

You're right...except Grothus beat Brandon in 2014-2015, Cooper didn't wrestle that year (except for opens), and Grothus was injured after Midlands which pretty much settled what happened. The next year, Grothus tried but couldn't get down to 41 and Cooper wrestled the whole year at 57.

 

[bluroptimo]

Reading between the lines I think it's safe to say there's an 83% chance he will be at 174 and a better chance he won't be.

 

[IAChief32]

You guys didn't get the Inner, Inner Circle video? Tom shared what really is going to happen

Seriously, have been hearing about Kem to 74 since the day after NCAAs. However, this is a totally different situation than Sorensen/Grothus. We already know Kemdawg is going to be the best guy at 74...evidence: Joey transferred. However, I think wrestling coaches should be very careful about preselecting guys for weights as it goes against the wrestling ethos. For example, how do you motivate guys in June to show up every day if you are already setting your lineup? "Sorry bro, but Young is going to be my starter at 157. But please show up and bust your ass every day so he can get better."

Nothing wrong with having a general plan in place with your best guys but I would not put it out on the street.

 

[1stplacehawk]

Kaleb Young and Cash Wilcke both wrestling down during the off season, and the 174 from last year transfers. Meanwhile Brands doesn't directly come out and say it in an interview, and the message board geniuses are all up in arms because "we don't have a plan". My head hurts.

 

[pink shizzle]

Reading between the lines I think it's safe to say there's an 83% chance he will be at 174 and a better chance he won't be.

 

[tiltman]

Everyone seems dead set on Young at 57, Bull at 65, and Kem at 74; is there any talk of Young going 65 and Bull going 57?

 

[Ian]

Brands has a plan make no mistake about that! He knows what he is doing and is not only prepped for 18/19 but also for 19/20. He’s elevated his game now the wrestlers have to go out and do it. He is going for it which is great. Competition is great for all. Replacing seven if it’s an improvement is healthy. PSU flips half their lineup every year it seems. Keep the core and improve the support...

 

[lookleft goright]

It would be nice if Brands had a plan. You don’t figure out a major change like this in November.

How is he suppose to predict how much Kemdawg will grow? Sometimes you have to let things play out.

 

[natchrlman]

Blah-blah-blah from Brands. I'm with crablegs. I'd rather hear "The plan is Marinelli at 165 and Kemerer at 174" than "It's June, we'll figure it out." There ain't that much to figure out.

Chief hit the nail on the head....you always tell your athletes all positions are up for grabs....He has a plan and he’s also leaving his options open.... but I know in the past you’ve mentioned rightly so if there is going to be a big weight class move the decision needs to be made early enough for the athlete to either start cutting or hitting the weights and eating.... doesn’t mean we have to know about it

 

[natchrlman]

David Taylor made the same jump didn’t he? Worked out pretty well for him....I’m excited to see Kemerer wrestle full strength without the weight cut...might be his struggle with nagging injuries has been contributed to by his system being drug down from cutting too much weight....he’s got a good frame for adding muscle

 

[CaliHawkFan]

Public service for y’all.

I was reading through the coach speak and between the lines of that article and it was pretty clear confirmation that it is going to be:

157 - Young, Glosser (if Young cannot make the cut effectively)
165 - Bull
174 - Kem

Agreed. Article seemed pretty clear to me and hinted at Kem 74. Also, whatever the article said or didnt say, that is happening. Take it to the bank.

 

[TailgateTom]

There is literally zero advantage to let anyone outside the room know where he is going until the season starts.

 

[pablow]

David Taylor made the same jump didn’t he? Worked out pretty well for him....I’m excited to see Kemerer wrestle full strength without the weight cut...might be his struggle with nagging injuries has been contributed to by his system being drug down from cutting too much weight....he’s got a good frame for adding muscle

I see what you did there.

 

[artradley]

That would be stupid on his part. Pretty obvious that Kemdog is moving, why lock into anything in June?

Why would it be stupid to say what his and his athletes' thoughts and plans are? This isn't a football coach diagramming his offensive scheme for next year. And just because he shares the current plan doesn't mean anything is "locked down." If something changes between now and November it's not as if he would have to say, "Well, I told the fans Kem was moving to 174, we can't change that now!"

 

[artradley]

There is literally zero advantage to let anyone outside the room know where he is going until the season starts.

What is the disadvantage?

The advantage is happy fans who know their coach is trying to make an efficient lineup rather than leaving gaps at some weights with 2 or 3 guys at another. Last I checked fans paid the bills, so it's best to keep them happy.

 

[pumpdog20]

Saying that Kem has probably outgrew the current weight and is likely heading towards 174 does not mean the spot isn't open for others to obtain. There's no harm in telling it how it is.

The perception of Brands' history is that he hasn't had a plan in the summer and probably has let things "play themselves out" too late in the process. That's a him problem because he doesn't address things. Same as the "Iowa boys are robots" dig that apparently took Spencer Lee's dad to convince him to change the narrative.

Those that put 100% faith in everything he does can carry on. Hopefully he's made appropriate changes to bring the program back to the top. In the meantime he's allowed Penn State (and maybe even Ohio State) to become such a behemoth, that we are going to put out a damn good team this year and still may be beaten by 20-30 points come NCAAs.

Those that question his tactics can continue to be belittled by the inner circle I guess.

 

[wasdt21]

and those who think they deserve to know can continue to be disappointed

 

[SPOONER]

In the meantime he's allowed Penn State (and maybe even Ohio State) to become such a behemoth

LOL