Rank the #1 guys in terms of confidence in them winning the title...

[NittanyChris]

Editing this post because the ranking the # 1 guys is more interesting than Sorensen-Sueflohn.

In fact, after Dieringer at 165, I am most confident that Zain wins his weight class.

Given the caliber of the #1 guy in the class and the competition they face, who would anyone be more confident in that they win the title?

For me it's:
1. Ringer
2. Zain
3. Dean
4. Garrett
5. Nickal
6. McIntosh
7. Heil
8. Tomasello (very tough class, any of top 4 could win it all.)
9. Gwiz (too tough to call with Snyder)
10. Nolf (assuming he's #1, IMar tough rematch)

What do people think?

 

[Annieat285]

Gabe Dean is probably number 3 on that list

 

[jschrantz]

Gabe Dean is probably number 3 on that list

Interesting discussion...

Ringer 1
Zain 2
Dean 3
Garrett 4
Gwiz 5
Nolf 6
Heil 7
NATO 8
Nickal 9
McIntosh 10

In order of confidence while thinking about
challengers at each weight. I don't love Mac vs Cox for instance, and I know about their last match.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

A guy Zain dominated with ease. I stand firmly by my post from the other day. Zain is on his own tier at 149. All by himself. I realize Hawks fans don't want to hear it, but so be it.

Careful when applying the transitive property of equality in wrestling. You may be right about Zain being on his own tier -- I won't argue against your claim, but Sorensen does have a case for being included in the top tier. Nothing's guaranteed, but the 2 of them are likely to have a chance to resolve this at B1Gs

It's Ringer, 1 and Zain, 2.

I'm going to hijack your statement a bit. Before Saturday, I saw a number of discussions about the Hodge Trophy that stated that this year's award was basically between Ringer and IMar. After Nolf's pin of IMar, that certainly changes the dynamics of the competition.

Here's a list of undefeated wrestlers, with 10 or more matches (records are before this weekend):

125
Tomasello (Ohio St), 12-0
Gilman (Iowa), 15-0

133:
Garrett (Cornell), 24-0
Richards (Illinois), 16-0

141:
Dean Heil (Ok. St.), 17-0

149:
Sorensen (Iowa), 17-0
Zain, 20-0
Mayes (Mizzou), 17-0

157:
Miller (Kent St.), 16-0
Nolf, 20-0
Gantt (NC St.), 15-0

165:
Ringer (Ok. St.), 17-0
Isaac Jordan (Wisconsin), 14-0

184:
Dean (Cornell), 25-0

197:
McIntosh, 19-0
Burak (Iowa), 15-0

285:
Gwiz (NC St.), 20-0
Walz (VT), 17-0

 

[KSLion]

A guy Zain dominated with ease. I stand firmly by my post from the other day. Zain is on his own tier at 149. All by himself. I realize Hawks fans don't want to hear it, but so be it.

In fact, after Dieringer at 165, I am most confident that Zain wins his weight class.

Given the caliber of the #1 guy in the class and the competition they face, who would anyone be more confident in that they win the title?

It's Ringer, 1 and Zain, 2.

Barring injury, I'd say: (1) Dieringer - give him the courtesy because he's a Senior - and (1A) Retherford.
Doubt there's enough to choose between them to make an outright 1 vs. 2 distinction. And, if there is, it might be in Retherford's direction. Certainly no disrespect to the other three current No. 1's on PSU's roster

 

[El-Jefe]

Gabe Dean is probably number 3 on that list

I might rank Garrett ahead of Dean on that list. Dean is wrestling out of his mind this year -- I still can't believe how much bonus he has. But that 3-2 match vs. Miklus at CKLV sticks in my craw. Dean still occasionally goes into statue mode. It'll be really hard to beat him in a 3-4 takedown match, but he could be vulnerable in a 1-takedown match. Nobody is slowing Garrett down that much.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Dean is wrestling out of his mind this year -- I still can't believe how much bonus he has. But that 3-2 match vs. Miklus at CKLV sticks in my craw.

Anybody read/hear why Dean missed the Lehigh dual this weekend?

 

[clucas]

I think Zane Richards can give Garrett a run for his money after seeing him dominate Conaway on Saturday (and I do realize Garrett beat him worse at the Scuffle). At least enough so that I'm not sure I'd have him (Garrett) at #4 as the most likely to win his weight class.

 

[El-Jefe]

As far as the Hodge goes: it's a lifetime achievement award. Right now it's between Ringer and Gwiazdowski. Assuming they win out, they will have similar credentials: 3x champs, undefeated the last 2 years. (Dean lost 2x last year, so he's out.)

But if Gwiz beats World Champ Snyder in what will likely be hyped as the last finals match of the NCAA tournament, and the voters remember he beat 2x champ Nelson, are they really going to give it to Ringer?

 

[RoarLions1]

Anybody read/hear why Dean missed the Lehigh dual this weekend?

It's in this write-up. Illness is stated as the reason he missed the dual.

http://www.cornellbigred.com/news/2016/1/23/WREST_0123161944.aspx

 

[El-Jefe]

Anybody read/hear why Dean missed the Lehigh dual this weekend?

Out sick.

 

[El-Jefe]

I think Zane Richards can give Garrett a run for his money after seeing him dominate Conaway on Saturday (and I do realize Garrett beat him worse at the Scuffle). At least enough so that I'm not sure I'd have him (Garrett) at #4 as the most likely to win his weight class.

I don't think he'll get the chance. I think Brewer beats him.

 

[PSU Mike]

Interesting discussion...

Ringer 1
Zain 2
Dean 3
Garrett 4
Gwiz 5
Nolf 6
Heil 7
NATO 8
Nickal 9
McIntosh 10

In order of confidence while thinking about
challengers at each weight. I don't love Mac vs Cox for instance, and I know about their last match.

Where's Grothus?

 

[NoVa Lion]

I don't think he'll get the chance. I think Brewer beats him.

And IMHO, if Garrett is healthy no one beats him.

 

[NoVa Lion]

Where's Grothus?

He's in Iowa City.

 

[NittanyChris]

Interesting discussion...

Ringer 1
Zain 2
Dean 3
Garrett 4
Gwiz 5
Nolf 6
Heil 7
NATO 8
Nickal 9
McIntosh 10

In order of confidence while thinking about
challengers at each weight. I don't love Mac vs Cox for instance, and I know about their last match.

Two questions...are you THAT confident that Gwiz handles Snyder? And pretty confident that Nolf takes out IMar again?

 

[jschrantz]

Two questions...are you THAT confident that Gwiz handles Snyder? And pretty confident that Nolf takes out IMar again?

Not really THAT confident, I just feel so many of the weights are that wide open. I do like Gwiz over Synder though more than Mac over Cox. Perhaps NATO should be given more confidence though, how do you see it Chris? these sure are fun discussions to have.

 

[Real-Lion]

Barring injury, I'd say: (1) Dieringer - give him the courtesy because he's a Senior and (1A) Retherford.
Doubt there's enough to choose between them to make an outright 1 vs. 2 distinction. And, if there is, it might be in Retherford's direction. Certainly no disrespect to the other three current No. 1's on PSU's roster

EX

Interesting discussion...

Ringer 1
Zain 2
Dean 3
Garrett 4
Gwiz 5
Nolf 6
Heil 7
NATO 8
Nickal 9
McIntosh 10

In order of confidence while thinking about
challengers at each weight. I don't love Mac vs Cox for instance, and I know about their last match.

Alex D. almost lost last week and again 3 weeks ago ...Guys are closing the gap on him !!!!

 

[a_mshaffer]

can't wait for the pools!!! Have to give Cox a lot of props as that match with MMac will be a one takedown affair. I really think Mega will be there in the end.... everyone else (as seen by many upsets this year wouldn't surprise me if they lose (outside of Ringer).

 

[NittanyChris]

Not really THAT confident, I just feel so many of the weights are that wide open. I do like Gwiz over Synder though more than Mac over Cox. Perhaps NATO should be given more confidence though, how do you see it Chris? these sure are fun discussions to have.

They are fun! My two cents are that ANY of the top 4 at 125 winning it all wouldn't surprise me in the least, so I can't put NATO too high. Maybe I did have McIntosh a bit too high, Cox is a scary dude. Lastly, I have absolutely no clue who wins between Gwiz-Snyder. No clue at all.

 

[a_mshaffer]

They are fun! My two cents are that ANY of the top 4 at 125 winning it all wouldn't surprise me in the least, so I can't put NATO too high. Maybe I did have McIntosh a bit too high, Cox is a scary dude. Lastly, I have absolutely no clue who wins between Gwiz-Snyder. No clue at all.

would agree... Gwiz isn't your typical hwt

 

[Lyco1990]

Saw ringer's last match, not untouchable
Gwiz
Dean
Garrett
Zain
Heil
Derringer
Smash
Nickal
Nolf
Gilman

 

[NittanyChris]

Saw ringer's last match, not untouchable
Gwiz
Dean
Garrett
Zain
Heil
Derringer
Smash
Nickal
Nolf
Gilman

Wow! Very interesting. So you're saying that Snyder has virtually zero chance of beating Gwiz?

 

[Annieat285]

Dieringer
Zain
Dean
Garrett
Nickal
Nolf
Heil
Gwiz
Tomasello
Cox

 

[RoarLions1]

This can be a fun little exercise for bragging rights at tournament time. For example; at the Big Ten Tournament...

1. Pick your choice of champion at each weight class.
2. Place the 10 names in order of confidence (your most confident pick first, your next most confident pick second, etc., etc., etc., until your 10th, or least confident pick).
3. You get 10 points for accurately picking #1, 9 points for you #2, all the way to 1 point for your 10th pick. Total of 55 points is possible.
4. Select a tie-breaker, such as the number of team points PSU will score.

If "your guy" doesn't win, you get no points for that selection. Example: I pick Tomasello to win 125, and I have it as my 8th confident pick (3 points possible), and Nico is champ...I miss out on those 3 points. Btw, I'd go with Nico!!

 

[Osprey Lion]

There you go.

Gwiz
Zain
Garrett
Dean
Heil
Bo N
Nolf
Ringer
MM
Nico

No bias here.

 

[tikk10]

1. Ringer
1. Garrett
1. Zain
4. Gwiz
5, Dean
6. Bo N
7. Tomasello
8. Nolf
9. Morg
10. Heil

Fun exercise, because you're really rating the distance between the #1 and #2 in each class.

• After watching Sorensen eke past the same Sueflohn Zain destroyed a few weeks earlier, I see Zain as lonely in the top spot as Garrett and Ringer.
• Garrett really impressed me coming off his back to destroy Brewer. He's looked all alone since then.
• The only threat I can imagine for Ringer is if he's having trouble holding 165 because he looks pretty big, but BoJo's going through the same cut.
• Gwiz would probably be number 1 on this list if not for Snyder. I still think Gwiz takes him, but Snyder won't be an easy out.
• Dean had to beat Vic Avery last year in OT, and Avery just came back.
• Except for Zain, Bo has the weakest weight class below him, but Bo's made some mistakes in matches.
• Might've put NaTo higher at the beginning of the season but he looked better last year.
• I have no doubt Nolf can beat IMar again but you have to figure a different IMar shows up next round and the round after. Of all #2's, he's probably the strongest there is.
• J'Den is wrestling like a 1 seed this year and would be but for last year's loss to Morgan. A match between them is basically a toss-up at this point.
• I don't think Heil finishes at number one, I could see anyone in the top 8 taking this class in March.

 

[ZepGraffiti]

1. Ringer
1. Garrett
1. Zain
4. Gwiz
5, Dean
6. Bo N
7. Tomasello
8. Nolf
9. Morg
10. Heil

Fun exercise, because you're really rating the distance between the #1 and #2 in each class.

• After watching Sorensen eke past the same Sueflohn Zain destroyed a few weeks earlier, I see Zain as lonely in the top spot as Garrett and Ringer.
• Garrett really impressed me coming off his back to destroy Brewer. He's looked all alone since then.
• The only threat I can imagine for Ringer is if he's having trouble holding 165 because he looks pretty big, but BoJo's going through the same cut.
• Gwiz would probably be number 1 on this list if not for Snyder. I still think Gwiz takes him, but Snyder won't be an easy out.
• Dean had to beat Vic Avery last year in OT, and Avery just came back.
• Except for Zain, Bo has the weakest weight class below him, but Bo's made some mistakes in matches.
• Might've put NaTo higher at the beginning of the season but he looked better last year.
• I have no doubt Nolf can beat IMar again but you have to figure a different IMar shows up next round and the round after. Of all #2's, he's probably the strongest there is.
• J'Den is wrestling like a 1 seed this year and would be but for last year's loss to Morgan. A match between them is basically a toss-up at this point.
• I don't think Heil finishes at number one, I could see anyone in the top 8 taking this class in March.

1. Gwiz
2. Zain
3. Ringer
4. Dean
5. Garrett
6. Nickal
7. Heil
8. Nolf
9. McIntosh
10. Tomasello

 

[Lyco1990]

Wow! Very interesting. So you're saying that Snyder has virtually zero chance of beating Gwiz?

Yes. I don't think he makes it to Gwiz. I was at Worlds and impressed, however, 285 NCAA is tough and I know it sounds crazy, but, he is not a proven 285.