Every year, the NCAA brings a number of the coaches from the top college wrestling programs in the nation to a press conference with the national media. 

Those selected have many things in common. All are mentoring teams expected to do well at the tournament. All are at the same point when the tournament starts, with zero team points and an empty canvass in which to paint some history. All have been through the grind of a long college season, with one last chance to get things right.

However, each coach has a different story to tell. They tell it on the podium in front of a large group. Then they tell it some more in small groups, taking individual questions. Every story starts at a different place, and will have a different ending.

For J Robinson, head coach for the Minnesota Gophers, the nation's No. 1-ranked team, the story has to do with taking a successful team and finishing what they started.

"We have to do what we have done all year all year. We say, 'do what you have done. Control the things you can control.' They have done a great job this season. They are excited for themselves and the team," he said.

He has seen progress during the season, with a focus on having a great performance this weekend.

"It seems to be getting better and better as we go through the year," said Robinson. "We've been trying to focus on some different things as opposed to we were here last year and we're hoping to be ready to wrestle. That's where we want to be. The kids are really focused, they're excited, they've got a lot of emotion right now. We're just looking forward to getting this thing started.

Robinson has been asked questions about last year, when the Gophers entered as the favorite to win, but placed second behind Oklahoma State. 

"One of the big things that motivate people is when they don't get what they want. But this is a different team. It is not the same; it is an entirely different team. There is a metamorphosis for a team each year. The key is trying to change things, tweak things, make things better. What worked for one team won't work for another team."

Robinson likes the way his Gopher team has been wrestling heading into the NCAAs this year, after a dominant victory at the Big Ten tournament at Michigan State a few weekends ago.

"They are doing real good," said Robinson. "At the Big Ten, the first day wasn't exactly what we wanted. The second day, they completely wrestled different. They took off. C.P. (Schlatter) took off, (Jayson) Ness took off. They were focused. We did some things differently as coaches to get them focused for the first day here. This is the NCAAs. There will always be some bad seeding, wrong guys, whatever. You have to be ready."

Robinson is known to be philosophical about things, and this year is no different.

"It is not a long journey. It is series of short journeys. That is all it is. Just win five matches in a row. You do that, then you win," said Robinson.

For John Smith, whose Oklahoma State Cowboys enter this team as a four-time defending champion, the story is about his team beating expectations and getting in position to give a good defense of their title. Smith actually made a joke that he may not have deserved to even be in the press conference.

"I'm not sure why I'm here. I think our points projection is seventh, so I think I'm taking somebody's spot. When they recommend you be here, you have to come. It's been a challenging year for us, no question. Nothing that hasn't surprised me. I do believe that our team's probably wrestled its best the last couple outings. That's exciting for me. I don't know what that means.  I just know that you hope your team's wrestling at their very best at the end," he said.

John Smith was asked to comment on the draw that his unseeded wrestlers have received. His heavyweight Jared Rosholt has drawn No. 1 Cole Konrad of Minnesota in the first round. At 157 pounds, Newly McSpadden has No. 2 Brian Stith of Arizona State, and at 184 pounds, Jack Jenson has No. 2 seed Roger Kish of Minnesota. His 174-pounder Brandon Mason has drawn No. 3 Steve Luke of Michigan.

"I probably shouldn't say what I thought right away. But other than that, you know, I think your first reaction is, did somebody handpick 'em? You know that didn't occur," said Smith. "Your second reaction is, hey, when you're unseeded, that's where you can fall. This is the time you wrestle your best. Regardless of whether it's against the No. 1 ranked heavyweight in the country or who it is. This is the time to wrestle your very best.  It is what it is.  When you're unseeded, you don't know where you're going to fall.  Who's to say you're not as good as him.  We've had often in the past guys take over seeds, make a big difference and win championships. For us, that's what's going to have to take place."

For Cael Sanderson of Iowa State, a rookie coach with a team that holds a No. 2 national ranking, the story is about how his young team must deal with the biggest challenge of their athletic lives. Sanderson, who often is short on words, the approach is very straight forward, without fanfare.

"With six freshmen, we cater to each individual, at least we tried to, to help each one of them prepare.  I think with our schedule, wrestling the best teams in the country over and over again, they've seen the best guys in the country, the best teams. I think that's great preparation.  I think we trained them. I think we're ready. Now it's just a matter of going out there and taking a swing at it, seeing what we can do. We've got six freshmen, only three guys ranked to be All Americans. We're going to have to go in there fighting to compete, but that's the plan," said Sanderson.

Sanderson, an Olympic champion, World medalist and four-time NCAA champion, knows a little bit about preparation. He understands what his athletes must do, but as a coach, he also knows it is up to the athletes to get it done.

"We have to focus on one match at a time. Everybody has to focus on their performance. We can't focus on other people and what they are doing. We have to get some upsets. We have some tough first round and second round draws." said Sanderson

For the Cyclones to reach their pre-tournament expectations, all of his team must contribute. Iowa State has all 10 of their team members in the competition. Iowa State's top hopefuls are Trent Paulson, seeded No. 1 157 pounds and brother Travis Paulson, seeded No. 4 at 165 pounds. Yet, the fate of the Cyclones probably sit with those not seeded or expected to excel.

"We talk about the team. These guys are competing as individuals. They are carrying 10% of the load for the team. We will need to do something extra. There are bonus points out there to be had. The focus is individual, but we have to do it as a team," he said.

For Brian Smith of Missouri, the story is about the greatest season in their school's wrestling history, and the opportunity to make a statement about where the team has come.

"We have been good. Six years ago, we were 18-3 and had a good national tournament. That was the breakthrough year," said Smith. "This is the year we are recognized as an established power. In the past, they thought it was a one-time thing. We now do it over and over every season. I don't plan on going anywhere. Our administration is 100% behind our program. We are fifth in nation in attendance this year. We are wrestling in front of 3,000 fans. The entire state is fired up about Missouri wrestling. People that are Tiger fans, not just wrestling fans, are jumping on board."

Like the other coaches, Smith understands that the regular season is only a part of the final story that is being told. It is true that the Tigers were ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time ever this year. However, the performance at the NCAA Championships is what fans and history remember.

"It is not over. We have to make a statement. Where that puts us, who knows? We need to make that statement and show what we have done," he said.

Smith has a lot of praise for this team's attitude and determination, which he hopes will be on display this weekend.

"I just think it's their attitude. It's a great group of young guys that just believe in themselves," said Smith. "They have great work ethics. They started a week after the Nationals. They met together as a team and decided they want to make a run for it. They've worked really hard at that. We've had a great season.  But we're going to find out how great it's going to end. But there's a lot of talent in there, too. We've progressed as a program because we've been able to bring in better and better talent. 

Smith has a pair of seniors who will be competing in their final NCAA Championships, returning NCAA champion Ben Askren at 174 pounds and past All-American Matt Pell at 165 pounds. These men are a big reason that Missouri has a story of success to tell at this time.

"You want your seniors to have their best year. Pell and Askren have given five great years to the team. They have been a big part of this program. When those two got here, we had never beaten Oklahoma State. They can say we beat OSU three times. When they came here, people laughed at me about our goals. But these guys bought into my vision, and they decided to come to Missouri. They made believers of people who weren't believers. It was fun, but a whole lot of work."

Joe McFarland of host Michigan tells another story. Two seasons ago, Michigan placed second in the NCAA Tournament with an experienced and talented team. This year, the Wolverines are playing host to the NCAAs, a big thing for the program and for the wrestling community in the state. McFarland's story is about taking advantage of this amazing opportunity.

"The weekend has finally arrived. This all started a number of years ago. I got a phone call out of the blue from Dave Beachnau from the Detroit Sports Commission. He was interested in hosting the NCAA Championships. I was pleasantly surprised because instantly I thought it would be a great idea. Wow, bringing the NCAA Championships to the state of Michigan. I know what a special event it is for all of us wrestling fans. It's real nice to have it here and showcase it for the state of Michigan," said McFarland.

Michigan placed eighth at the Big Ten this year, and qualified five athletes for the NCAA Tournament. However, four of the Wolverines are expected to do big damage here, with some possible high All-American finishes: Josh Churella (149), Eric Tannenbaum (165), Steve Luke (174) and Tyrell Todd (184). That could mean a lot of team points in the NCAA format.

"I can't hide the fact that we didn't have the kind of season we wanted to, dual-meet season anyway. We've been sort of talking about this all along. Obviously, with it being in our backyard, we're hoping to benefit. I've got five quality guys here. I have four guys seeded in the top four. We need to have a great tournament.  Want to make a little noise here and finish up there among the best teams in the country, and I think we can do that if we have the kind of tournament we're hoping for." he said.

Complete transcript of NCAA Coaches Press Conference