Moderator: NCAA Basketball isn't the only sport with some interesting brackets this week! The NCAA Wrestling Championships start tomorrow in St. Louis. Illinois has nine of their ten wrestlers competing. Looking forward to talking wrestling with all of you!

jshaw, urbana, il: Who will be all americans this year from Illinois?

And is there any end in sight for the Iowa dominance?

Moderator: jshaw,

Thanks for your interest in these chats and blogs throughout the season. The safest bet for an all-american is, of course, Mike Poeta. Mike is the #2 seed at 157 pounds, and is undefeated in his senior season. Jimmy Kennedy is next in line as the #3 seed at 133 pounds. He finished fourth last year, and is looking to improve on that finish this season. The only problem for Jimmy is the depth of quality competition at 133. Five of the top six seeds at this weight are in the Big Ten, so Jimmy has already seen most of his biggest challengers this weekend. After that, John Wise has a good chance to be an all-american at heavyweight, after coming up one win short last season. Jordan Blanton opens with a match against 9th seeded Joe LeBlanc of Wyoming, but if he gets past that match, I like his chances to advance to the quarterfinals against top-ranked Jake Herbert of Northwestern. If he does that, he's got a great chance to be on the podium. As for the other Illini qualifiers, all are capable of finishing in the top 8, but will have to wrestle very well to do so.

As for Iowa, they'll be mighty tough this year and next. They lose just two starters from this year's squad next season. After that, it's hard to say for sure. But with Tom Brand coaching, I think it's safe to say they'll be title contenders every year.

Ralph C., Peotone, IL: Brian

thanks for doing these chats. Why does the NCAA wrestling finals always bump up against the NCAA basketball tournment. Seems to me it'd get more coverage/interest if they did it earlier or later. Any talk of that?

Moderator: Ralph,

Great question. I'm not sure what the answer is. If you move it earlier, you're still competing against college basketball for television and other coverage. If you move it to after the basketball tournament, you're into April, and most coaches already think the season is too long. The thing about wrestling is that the sport has a very devoted fan base. They will come to watch the NCAA Championships no matter when they are held.

Chuck, Carbondale, IL: Other than Mike Poeta what Illini has the best chance to win a national title this year?

Moderator: Chuck,

Jimmy Kennedy. He has wrestled and beaten the top competition at 133 this season with one exception. He is 0-3 lifetime against Michigan State's Franklin Gomez, who is the top seed. Meaning they would not meet until the finals. There are a lot of talented wrestlers standing between Jimmy and the finals, but he is capable of beating all of them.

Frank, Bloomington, IL: Brian,

thanks for the chat. how do the wrestlers spend there time between matches? do they watch their teammates wrestle?

Moderator: Frank,

Check out Bob Asmussen's NCAA Wrestling Preview that ran today in the Champaign News-Gazette and online here at IlliniHQ. He addressed that very question with Mike Poeta:

http://illinihq.com/news/wrestling/2009/03/18/ncaa_wrestling_preview

Once a wrestler is done for the day, you'll see him in the stands watching his teammates compete. Until then, guys stay focused on themselves. They'll warm up in the tunnel behind the arena, or keep to themselves in the locker room for the most part.

Between sessions, there's a shuttle that goes between the Savvis Center and the team hotel. They might go back and get a little rest and grab a little food.

Mark, Champaign, illinois: When does Mark Johnson retire? Who takes his place? I need some wrestling gossip?

Moderator: Mark,

That's something I've never asked Mark Johnson. I don't get the impression he plans on retiring anytime in the near future, but he is getting to the age where many wrestling coaches begin to think about it.

As for who might take over for him, it's really impossible to say. One thought is that Ron Guenther tends to promote from within for many of the non-revenue sports at Illinois (Kevin Hambly in volleyball, Dan Hartleb in baseball). How about Carl Perry? He's a national champion from the University of Illinois who has been an assistant since he graduated in 2000. Jim Heffernan is another obvious candidate as Johnson's top assistant, but I don't get the impression he's really seeking a head coaching position. All complete speculation on my part, so don't go starting any internet rumors, Mark!

Moderator: While the questions have slowed for a minute, take a look at the bracket:

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ncaa/sports/m-wrestl/auto_pdf/Wres-D1-2009Bracket.pdf

Which of the unseeded Illini got a good draw? B.J. Futrell has a good shot at winning a match against an unseeded wrestlers before meeting top-ranked Paul Donahoe of Edinboro in the second round.

Ryan Prater has the same draw, as he could meet top-ranked Kellen Russell of Michigan in the second round. But that might not be horrible. Prater has wrestled Russell very tough in his career, though he's looking for his first win against the Wolverine.

Roger Smith-Bergsrud could also see a familiar foe in the second round, #2 seed Andrew Howe of Wisconsin. Howe squeaked out their match in Madison, winning a 2-1 decision.

John Dergo at 174 is staring at undefeated and second seeded Michael Cannon of American in the second round. Dergo dropped a 7-3 decision to Cannon at the Midlands earlier this year.

Patrick Bond at 197 has the toughest first round draw, as he'll face #3 seed Brent Chriswell of Boise State. Those two have never met.

Moderator: Looks like that will wrap it up for today. Thanks for all your questions...good ones as usual. Although I won't be in St. Louis this weekend, I'll be following all the results closely. I'll share them with you on IlliniHQ as soon as I get them. Thanks!

bmoline@wdws.com