Central Michigan University Athletics
No. 6 CMU Closes Homestand Against Buffalo
1/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
MOUNT PLEASANT — The Central Michigan University wrestling program, ranked sixth nationally, continues Mid-American Conference action with a dual match against the University at Buffalo on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Rose Arena.
The Chippewas (13-4-1 overall, 1-0 MAC), who have won six straight duals, continued their climb in the national rankings this week. W.I.N. Magazine ranks the Chippewas fifth nationally, while CMU checks in a in a tie for sixth with Iowa in the NWCA/InterMat top 25.
CMU will look to extend its 20-match conference winning streak against a Buffalo team fielding a lineup expected to feature as many as six true or redshirt freshmen. The Bulls visit Eastern Michigan Saturday night before Sunday’s date with CMU.
“Buffalo is a team that I don’t know a whole lot about just because they are wrestling a lot of freshmen that we aren’t familiar with,” said CMU head coach Tom Borrelli. “They had a solid showing at the New York State Wrestling Championships and it looks like they’re developing those freshmen and wrestling hard.”
The mainstay in the UB lineup is senior 133-pounder Mark Budd. He is the defending conference champion at 133 and enters Sunday’s dual ranked 17th in the country. He will be opposed by CMU redshirt freshman Conor Beebe.
“This is a good measuring stick for Conor in terms of where he stands within the conference,” Borrelli said. “He has wrestled other individuals that are of that caliber, but this is an important match for him in terms of the conference.”
Beebe, a winner of five of his last six matches, is a key cog in a resurgence at the lower weights for CMU. After struggling early in the season, CMU is a combined 20-4 at 125, 133, 141 and 149 pounds during its current six-match winning streak.
“We have definitely improved there,” Borrelli said. “Those guys are doing a much better job of executing the things we have been stressing in practice. I was never really concerned with the wins and losses as much as I was with the way we were wrestling, and we have made some strides at those weights.”
Following Sunday’s match with Buffalo, the Chippewas hit the road for MAC duals at Northern Illinois (Feb. 9) and Ohio (Feb. 15). The Chippewas close the regular season at home Feb. 18 against Kent State.
National Notoriety: CMU sits in a tie for sixth with Iowa in this week’s InterMat top 25. The Chippewas have moved to fifth in this week’s W.I.N. Magazine poll. CMU spent the final two weeks of the 2005-06 season ranked No. 4 in the InterMat top 25, the highest team ranking in program history. Prior to last season, CMU had never climbed higher than No. 6 in the national rankings.
Watching the Record Book: If CMU completes an undefeated conference season, it would establish a new school record for dual wins in a single season. The 2004-05 team finished 16-4 overall. CMU is currently 13-4-1 with four dual matches remaining on the schedule.
The Dynasty: CMU has won eight consecutive Mid-American Conference titles and five straight MAC Championships titles. The Chippewas have won 44 of their last 45 conference duals, including 20 straight dating back to the 2002-03 season. CMU has won 23 straight MAC duals at Rose Arena.
The Series: CMU is 11-0 all-time against Buffalo, including 8-0 since the Bulls joined the MAC in the 1998-99 season.
Saving the Best for Last: In CMU’s 13 wins and one tie, its top four weights (174, 184, 197, 285) have posted a combined record of 48-8.
Home Sweet Home: CMU is 27-3-1 in home duals dating back to the start of the 2001-02 season. The Chippewas are 5-1-1 at home this season.
Taking on the Top 25: The Chippewas have squared off against 12 opponents ranked in the InterMat top 25 this season, including teams ranked first (Minnesota), second (Missouri) and third (Hofstra). The Chippewas have faced both Minnesota and Hofstra twice. CMU is 7-4-1 overall against teams in the top 25 this season.
Coming Up: CMU visits Northern Illinois (Feb. 9) and Ohio (Feb. 15) before closing the regular season at home against Kent State (Feb. 18).
