If there’s one thing that’s similar between wrestling and basketball, it’s always good that your team can rebound.

And that’s what Minnesota has done after a 21-13 setback at Nebraska in which the Gophers lost seven bouts, five of which were decisions settled by three points or fewer.

Since then, Minnesota has upped its overall record to 8-1 and its Big Ten slate to 4-1, with consecutive — and convincing — victories over Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Rutgers.

“The big thing is, you’ve got to win the close ones,” Minnesota coach Brandon Eggum said. “We didn’t win the close ones and we had done a good job of that this year. We knew Nebraska was a tough team, and there were some adjustments we were able to work on based on those matches.”

The Gophers adjusted to win their next four duals by 15, 36, 17 and 19 points, winning nine of 12 bouts in that stretch that were decided by three points or fewer. The reward for the #5 Gophers is #6 Ohio State (12-1) on Friday in Columbus.

“I think it’s a pretty even split, so it’s going to come down to bonus points if somebody can get it,” Eggum said about the top-10 matchup. “And there are a lot of tight battles, so if there’s an upset one way or the other, it’s going to make a big difference in this dual.”

This dual could feature as many as eight top-20 bouts, including a pair of top-8 bouts at 141 (#8 Vance Vombaur vs. #1 Jesse Mendez) and 285 (#1 Gable Steveson vs. #8 Nick Feldman). Cooper Flynn, the Gophers’ #7-ranked 125-pounder, is set to return to the lineup, Eggum said.

Another bout of interest is 184, where Minnesota’s #4 Max McEnelly will renew an old rivalry with Ohio State’s #17 Ryder Rogotzke. They met in the 2023 Minnesota state high school finals when those two had combined for more than 500 career wins, with Rogotzke racking up 45 falls that season but McEnelly emerging from the bout with his fourth state title.

“Rogotzke has a unique style. He’s really funky, he likes to scramble, and he’s a great wrestler, so you have to be really smart when you’re attacking,” Eggum said. “Finishing clean is important. And Max’s strength is especially on his feet. He’s one of the best leg attackers in the country, and he puts up points. So those guys have a history there against each other.”

Staying Even-Keeled The Key

Minnesota will return from Ohio State for a Sunday home match against Purdue, losers of three straight conference duals, and Eggum believes the Gophers can take the same mentality into both contests.

“For (us) to accomplish what we’re trying to as a team, they just have to go out and take care of business as an individual,” he said. “That’s part of the sport, you have to keep your nerves in check; you have to stay focused.

“You’re in the Big Ten dual season, so every week you’re going to have a top-10 team or a team that’s right in that range. And that’s one of the benefits of being in the Big Ten; if you want to be the best, compete against the best.”

Eggum said there’s no time for wrestlers to sulk after a loss or two. 

“You can get a streak where you lose three, four matches in a row. You can lose some really tight ones, and I think that can be really challenging,” he said. “But the next week, you already have an opponent in front of you, and you’re not allowed to sit back and feel sorry for yourself for very long; you gotta rebound. 

“I think that’s kind of the beauty of it. Your results aren’t going to be positive if you can’t get out of the slump a little bit, but the most important thing is just getting your head right. It prepares our guys for the national tournament when you compete in a conference like this,” said Eggum, adding that while last season’s team was strong and balanced, this year’s squad is a “little stronger.”

Happy Gophers, Happy Gable

Olympic champion and two-time NCAA title winner Gable Steveson returned to the Gophers this semester after a lengthy layoff and Eggum said it’s all been positive.

“I think the one thing that he is enjoying a lot is being in the locker room, on the sideline, like just being around the guys and being part of a team That’s just exciting for a young, competitive guy like himself,” Eggum said. 

“And I think the strength of our team is something that’s really exciting to him as well. I know he’s always had a goal and a dream and hope of bringing back a team trophy here for Minnesota, and so I think that excites him.”

Eggum said Steveson continues to put in the work. 

“I think he’s getting better every week, and because he such a showman that when he’s out under the lights, he really wants to put on a show,” he said. 

“And I think that’s why he’s special because he shines so much there. He looks forward to the biggest matchups because he wants to feel that rush and that excitement. It’s just interesting. He gets bored if he doesn’t get a tough match, so we’re excited for these ranked ones.”