2025 NCAA Tournament predictions

[Pennstate1985]

(Mod - posts below moved from the OKST-VA Tech dual thread)

Yeah. There was definitely a sense of familiarity while watching OkieSt wrestle.
Despite the dual meet between OSU and Iowa currently looking like a 5 to 5 split by the end of the year I will be surprised if OSU hasn't separated themselves from any Hawk concerns.

Even if OSU beat Iowa head to head, I'd still take Iowa to place higher at nationals.

 

[Nitlion1986]

Even if OSU beat Iowa head to head, I'd still take Iowa to place higher at nationals.

OSU has a shot at second, the Hawks just can't finish second to the Nits.
My guess is Taylor's kids out perform expectations and Iowa not so much.

 

[El-Jefe]

OSU has a shot at second, the Hawks just can't finish second to the Nits.
My guess is Taylor's kids out perform expectations and Iowa not so much.

As of today, I'd also pick Iowa over OKST at nationals because of NCAA Tournament Math.

OKST's 3 best wrestlers (Hamiti, Plott, Hendrickson) each have 2 returning national champs at their weights, thus likely capped at 3rd. Spratley is the only other realistic top 4 guy.

If healthy, Iowa has 5 realistic top 4 guys (Ayala, Parco, Teemer, Caliendo, Buchanan). Probably 2-3 of them will make the finals, and Buchanan is currently the favorite.

OKST will score more bonus, and Iowa seems more likely to underperform. And if Teemer isn't right in March, then OKST will pass them.

 

[Pennstate1985]

As of today, I'd also pick Iowa over OKST at nationals because of NCAA Tournament Math.

OKST's 3 best wrestlers (Hamiti, Plott, Hendrickson) each have 2 returning national champs at their weights, thus likely capped at 3rd. Spratley is the only other realistic top 4 guy.

If healthy, Iowa has 5 realistic top 4 guys (Ayala, Parco, Teemer, Caliendo, Buchanan). Probably 2-3 of them will make the finals, and Buchanan is currently the favorite.

OKST will score more bonus, and Iowa seems more likely to underperform. And if Teemer isn't right in March, then OKST will pass them.

yep

 

[Random4598375]

As of today, I'd also pick Iowa over OKST at nationals because of NCAA Tournament Math.

OKST's 3 best wrestlers (Hamiti, Plott, Hendrickson) each have 2 returning national champs at their weights, thus likely capped at 3rd. Spratley is the only other realistic top 4 guy.

If healthy, Iowa has 5 realistic top 4 guys (Ayala, Parco, Teemer, Caliendo, Buchanan). Probably 2-3 of them will make the finals, and Buchanan is currently the favorite.

OKST will score more bonus, and Iowa seems more likely to underperform. And if Teemer isn't right in March, then OKST will pass them.

Spratley could win. 125 is wide open again this year. Figs has always been inconsistent and is hurt again this year, so he’s not a strong favorite. Spratley is one of the guys good enough to step up and take it if he peaks at the right time (LL is as well).

 

[Pennstate1985]

Spratley could win. 125 is wide open again this year. Figs has always been inconsistent and is hurt again this year, so he’s not a strong favorite. Spratley is one of the guys good enough to step up and take it if he peaks at the right time (LL is as well).

He is really good, but Spratley's weakness is on bottom. I've seen him fail to get out twice so far this year (to my recollection).

 

[Nitlion1986]

As of today, I'd also pick Iowa over OKST at nationals because of NCAA Tournament Math.

OKST's 3 best wrestlers (Hamiti, Plott, Hendrickson) each have 2 returning national champs at their weights, thus likely capped at 3rd. Spratley is the only other realistic top 4 guy.

If healthy, Iowa has 5 realistic top 4 guys (Ayala, Parco, Teemer, Caliendo, Buchanan). Probably 2-3 of them will make the finals, and Buchanan is currently the favorite.

OKST will score more bonus, and Iowa seems more likely to underperform. And if Teemer isn't right in March, then OKST will pass them.

I will go on a limb here and say Iowa's number of finalists will top out at 1.
3 in the top 5
and 5 AAs.

 

[NittanyChris]

I will go on a limb here and say Iowa's number of finalists will top out at 1.
3 in the top 5
and 5 AAs.

I think Ayala will fall short of his high seed. Ok St and IA will be extremely close at Nationals. Give me the Cowboys by a whisker, mostly due to IA continuing their recent trend of underperforming on the biggest stage.

 

[Str8DBLz]

The way Ohio State clobbered Iowa State might they be in the same battle at OK State and Iowa. If Rocco was wrestling I'd put The Tan Toms right there in the mix.

Jesse Mendez and Kharchla both looked good, McCrone in a wide open 25, Buzakis is always dependent on who shows up. Feldman will be in a wild hwt bracket but I think he can take out Ben or hang with Wyatt when he's firing on all cylinders.

 

[AgSurfer]

Interesting point that if the current teams perform to expectations, the excitement at the NCAA tournament will be the competition for 2nd place.

Also, don’t forget the Brands’ March performance factor. Based on what we’re seeing so far, I think DT will have his guys doing their best in March. If Iowa follows the standard pattern, not so much.

 

[El-Jefe]

The way Ohio State clobbered Iowa State might they be in the same battle at OK State and Iowa. If Rocco was wrestling I'd put The Tan Toms right there in the mix.

Jesse Mendez and Kharchla both looked good, McCrone in a wide open 25, Buzakis is always dependent on who shows up. Feldman will be in a wild hwt bracket but I think he can take out Ben or hang with Wyatt when he's firing on all cylinders.

Iowa State wrestled backups at 125, 133, 149, 197, and HWT. All of them lost, and they gave up 20 of Ohio State's 29 points. Ohio State took care of business, but it's hard to draw any conclusions from that dual.

Mendez is their only possible finalist, and it's hard to say anybody else is a probable top 4. That will limit their team score at nationals.

 

[Nitlion1986]

The way Ohio State clobbered Iowa State might they be in the same battle at OK State and Iowa. If Rocco was wrestling I'd put The Tan Toms right there in the mix.

Jesse Mendez and Kharchla both looked good, McCrone in a wide open 25, Buzakis is always dependent on who shows up. Feldman will be in a wild hwt bracket but I think he can take out Ben or hang with Wyatt when he's firing on all cylinders.

I can't see Feldman ever hanging with a healthy Wyatt.
I would like to see both OSU become top tier teams and Cornell.
PSU at the top

Competing for 2 through 6
OSUX2
Cornell
Mich

Iowa, finishing 7th with their typical April finish of 10AAs, 6 finalists, 5 champs and 190 points. Damn, that reads like a 2025 Nittany Lion team. Who knew. All these years the folks on HR posting the April predictions for next year's Iowa finishes were simply dreaming of being Lion fans.