Hypothetical question: Brooks vs Valencia

[NittanyChris]

IF AB was somehow able to beat Valencia to win the title as a freshman, would it be more or less of an upset than when Cenzo beat Martinez for the title the first time? What say you?

My two cents: it would be slightly less of an upset because at the time people were talking about Martinez potentially being a four-timer and Cenzo was a slightly less heralded guy out of HS.

 

[bowandarrow]

My gut says more of an upset due to Zahid's laundry list of national and international accomplishments -- but good point on Brooks being more heralded with a ton of age level accomplishments himself.

This is close and a great question. Freshman year Cenzo had 4 losses (two to Martinez) and close matches throughout the tournament. Perhaps he was the bigger underdog.

Recency bias probably leans me towards Brooks and because Zahid is better than Imar... would love to hear other thoughts on it.

Some stats....

Collegiate Losses:
Valencia (3): Mark Hall 2x (2-2 career record), Daniel Lewis 1 (1-1 career record -- majored him in Tournament same year as loss)

IMAR (3): Cenzo 2x (3-2 career record against Cenzo), Nolf (2-1 career record)

 

[Ja1339]

Great question, and it's a close call.

But if you'd ask Aaron the question, he'd say Joseph the bigger upset, as he predicted the pin over Zahid

 

[NittanyChris]

Cenzo had four losses in his freshman year and AB could potentially only have 1 if he wins Bigs. That's a slight nod to Cenzo being the bigger upset, but it's extremely close.

 

[82bordeaux]

After it happens, just post a poll and we'll find out.

 

[Still in State College]

I think it is/was a foregone conclusion that both IMar and Zahid would win. IMar handled Joseph pretty comfortably earlier that season. Brooks and Zahid don't have any folk history so I would go with Cenzo winning as the bigger upset.

Anyone beating K. Moore or S. Lee this year would be the biggest upset.

 

[Raw Daddy]

Putting yourself in the moment, the Joseph win is more surprising. Valencia lost to Hall twice, so we've seen him go down in front of our own eyes. Martinez had taken out our own guy in Nolf twice the year before ( I know you lost to Nolf in SC, but he beat him twice after that).

 

[CropDuster507]

He's gonna pin him. I take the young man for his word.

 

[apoharrow]

I think it is/was a foregone conclusion that both IMar and Zahid would win. IMar handled Joseph pretty comfortably earlier that season. Brooks and Zahid don't have any folk history so I would go with Cenzo winning as the bigger upset.

Anyone beating K. Moore or S. Lee this year would be the biggest upset.

I wouldn't put Moore up as high as Zahid and Lee as both have been there done that. Moore still waiting for his first.