Familiarity factor to help Hoosiers hoosiers

Being familiar with an opponent has many advantages. Their strengths along with their weaknesses are out in the open. What the foe likes to do in certain situations can come in handy when a close match is winding down.\nThis weekend, the IU wrestling team will look to use this to its advantage as it competes in the Big Ten Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. This all-important meet will determine who advances on to the NCAA Tournament two weekends later in St. Louis. \nThe Hoosiers have seen most of the wrestlers they will compete against and look forward to the chance of moving on to nationals. \n"You can definitely use what you saw to your advantage," freshman Mike Sabatello said. \nSabatello was thrown into action midway through the season and hopes to use what he learned effectively.\n"It's more or less you know if a guy is really good on top, choosing the neutral position or what his tendencies are," he said. \nIn conference play, IU had a record of 1-6 in the Big Ten, with its only win coming at Northwestern. Close losses to Illinois, Michigan and Purdue, all top-15 teams, can only build character and experience heading into the do-or-die tournament.\n"It makes a big difference for most all of the schools at the tournament have seen each other and know what to expect," IU coach Duane Goldman said. "It's just a matter of executing your match and overcoming higher seeds. Everybody has goals in front of them and a job to do."\nSophomore Joe Dubuque wants to see his goals fulfilled. He has done quite well in Big Ten league playing, going 5-2 at 125 pounds and being awarded the fourth seed in the division. He will do everything he can to advance on to the next level.\n"I think it is very beneficial because you've seen these guys before in the season," Dubuque said. "You know what to expect, and there are no surprises. I plan to go out there with a game plan and execute effectively."\nThe pressure of this weekend's tournament is demanding in the respect that, if an IU wrestler does not get a top-seven finish in his weight class, the season is over. Goldman, a former wrestler and NCAA champion, knows the big implications at stake.\n"It doesn't matter what your season has been like," Goldman said. "You could be undefeated up to this point, but if you don't get through the Big Ten tournament, your year is over. Unlike in other sports, there is no qualifying standard for the nationals except the conference tournament."\nFor IU grapplers, this one-and-done format for the right to wrestle at the NCAA Championships will be an extra incentive.\n"The past two weeks we've been going real hard," Sabatello said. "We'll try to keep it loose, not think about that aspect and get it done on the mat."\n-- Contact staff writer Colin Burns at coaburns@indiana.edu.