I thought that was two years ago and last year was because they delayed the wrestle off between Teske and Schriever until Schriever was healthy. When Teske won they changed the entry.
Roar’s Annual Big Ten Seeding Review: 2025
- Thread starter RoarLions1
- Start date
I don't rememeber which year, so mostly yes.
If it bappened in 2023, B10 got 9 allocations and Teske took 7th. So mostly yes, OTOH there were 9 spots.
If 2024, B10 got 7 spots and Teske was 5th. The 8th placer got hosed.
I think it was 2024 because 11-3 overall Teske got the 14 seed at B10s behind 4 guys with losing records. In 2023, he was 9-4 and got the 8 seed.
It comes down to which of Schriever or Teske were ranked top-30 in the Coaches' Poll. That's the one who should've been submitted. Both had a .700 win % and both were eligible for a ranking, but neither was eligible for an RPI. Teske was 11-3, Schriever was 8-3.
Which was ranked? I don't remember, and it could've been either unless Brands specified one for the coaches to rank. Schriever was the 133 starter for all but 1 match between Soldier Salute and 2/9. But then Teske started the last 2 duals at 133. (Teske also started 2x at January at 141, but other weights don't count.)
Not determining the actual starter until a healthy wrestle-off could be held (if that is what happened) is understandable. But the eligible name should've been submitted anyway.
We could show some grace and call that a competence error by a 30-year D1 coach, if we think "dick move" is harsh.
But if Brands were to make the same decision this year, and especially without the "one guy is injured" excuse, then whatever grace shown for 2024 shouldn't be shown for 2025.
The Team Race
Before a review of the team race at the Big Ten Wrestling Championships, there is one item of note to share before starting. I was shocked at the state of Wisconsin wrestling. They have been middle of the pack over the past 10 years, finishing mostly between 6th and 9th. This year, eight of their ten wrestlers start outside the top eight (one 7th and one 8th), and most are seeded 11 or lower. Hate to say it…looks like a battle with Michigan State for 13th Place.
Penn State is the runaway favorite to win the Big Ten Wrestling Championship team title this year in Evanston, IL. Before bonus points are estimated, my seeds suggest a 38 point advantage over Iowa and over a 50 point edge on Nebraska. Minnesota, Rutgers and Ohio State round out my top six, on paper.
Historically speaking, Iowa has the top four Big Ten Wrestling Championship team scores all-time, with a high of 200 team points in 1983 when they crowned nine champions. Next is Minnesota’s 174 points in 2002, followed by Penn State’s 170.5 points last year. I will note that Penn State scored 0 points at 174 pounds in 2024 when Carter Starocci, protecting an injured leg as he was rehabilitating in preparation for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, forfeited both his bouts. This year it appears we are healthy for the most part, with only the bumps and bruises of the wrestling season to deal with.
By my seeds, Penn State enters the tournament with five #1 seeds, two #2 seeds, one #3 seed, and one #5 seed. Iowa is the only other team with more than one #1 seed, they have two. Since and including the 2019 championships, the top two seeds get a bye into the second round. Previous to that it was a random draw. 2019 was also the year that seeding all the way to 14 seeds started.
This year’s Big Ten Wrestling Championships are being held on the campus of Northwestern University in an arena that is among the smallest “basketball” arenas in the conference, holding a bit more than 7,000 people. That isn’t much larger than Penn State’s Rec Hall, home to most of the Lions wrestling matches, but much smaller than the Bryce Jordan Center, where the Big Ten Wrestling championships shall be held in 2026, which can hold 16,000. Assuming the rotation remains unchanged, the hosts from 2027 through 2030 should be Purdue (2027), Illinois (2028), Wisconsin (2029) and Ohio State (2030).
2026 and beyond in the Big Ten
149 and 197 lose the most talent at the top as #1, #3, #4 and #5 from my seeds are out of eligibility for both weight classes. Shayne Van Ness (149, PSU, SO) and Josh Barr (197, PSU, RSFR) are back from among the top five. In both weight classes, my #6 through #10 seeds are back too. At 149, three wrestlers in the #6 through #10 seeds have freshman eligibility this year.
The 285 pound weight class loses the most total wrestlers, with seven of my top 10 seeds leaving, including my top three seeds. Of my top 10, only Nick Feldman (tOSU, SOPH), Ben Kueter (IA, FR) and Harley Andrews (NEB, SOPH) return in 2026.
133 pounds has the fewest wrestlers with expiring eligibility, as only my #9 seed (Angelo Rini, ILL) is departing from among my top nine.
The 125 pound, 141 pound and 165 pound weight classes each have two wrestlers leaving due to expired eligibility, so there will be plenty of talent returning next year. At or near the top, 125 pounds loses my #1 and #4 seeds (Matt Ramos, PUR, and Caleb Smith, NEB). 141 loses its #1 seed Beau Bartlett (PSU) and #7 seed Danny Pucino (ILL). 165 has #5 Andrew Sparks (MINN) and #8 Maxx Mayfield (NU) departing. The four at the top at 165 consists of two freshmen, one sophomore and one junior, so assuming the wrestlers don’t move weight classes (big assumption) this weight class looks strong for the coming years.
Before a review of the team race at the Big Ten Wrestling Championships, there is one item of note to share before starting. I was shocked at the state of Wisconsin wrestling. They have been middle of the pack over the past 10 years, finishing mostly between 6th and 9th. This year, eight of their ten wrestlers start outside the top eight (one 7th and one 8th), and most are seeded 11 or lower. Hate to say it…looks like a battle with Michigan State for 13th Place.
Penn State is the runaway favorite to win the Big Ten Wrestling Championship team title this year in Evanston, IL. Before bonus points are estimated, my seeds suggest a 38 point advantage over Iowa and over a 50 point edge on Nebraska. Minnesota, Rutgers and Ohio State round out my top six, on paper.
Historically speaking, Iowa has the top four Big Ten Wrestling Championship team scores all-time, with a high of 200 team points in 1983 when they crowned nine champions. Next is Minnesota’s 174 points in 2002, followed by Penn State’s 170.5 points last year. I will note that Penn State scored 0 points at 174 pounds in 2024 when Carter Starocci, protecting an injured leg as he was rehabilitating in preparation for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, forfeited both his bouts. This year it appears we are healthy for the most part, with only the bumps and bruises of the wrestling season to deal with.
By my seeds, Penn State enters the tournament with five #1 seeds, two #2 seeds, one #3 seed, and one #5 seed. Iowa is the only other team with more than one #1 seed, they have two. Since and including the 2019 championships, the top two seeds get a bye into the second round. Previous to that it was a random draw. 2019 was also the year that seeding all the way to 14 seeds started.
This year’s Big Ten Wrestling Championships are being held on the campus of Northwestern University in an arena that is among the smallest “basketball” arenas in the conference, holding a bit more than 7,000 people. That isn’t much larger than Penn State’s Rec Hall, home to most of the Lions wrestling matches, but much smaller than the Bryce Jordan Center, where the Big Ten Wrestling championships shall be held in 2026, which can hold 16,000. Assuming the rotation remains unchanged, the hosts from 2027 through 2030 should be Purdue (2027), Illinois (2028), Wisconsin (2029) and Ohio State (2030).
2026 and beyond in the Big Ten
149 and 197 lose the most talent at the top as #1, #3, #4 and #5 from my seeds are out of eligibility for both weight classes. Shayne Van Ness (149, PSU, SO) and Josh Barr (197, PSU, RSFR) are back from among the top five. In both weight classes, my #6 through #10 seeds are back too. At 149, three wrestlers in the #6 through #10 seeds have freshman eligibility this year.
The 285 pound weight class loses the most total wrestlers, with seven of my top 10 seeds leaving, including my top three seeds. Of my top 10, only Nick Feldman (tOSU, SOPH), Ben Kueter (IA, FR) and Harley Andrews (NEB, SOPH) return in 2026.
133 pounds has the fewest wrestlers with expiring eligibility, as only my #9 seed (Angelo Rini, ILL) is departing from among my top nine.
The 125 pound, 141 pound and 165 pound weight classes each have two wrestlers leaving due to expired eligibility, so there will be plenty of talent returning next year. At or near the top, 125 pounds loses my #1 and #4 seeds (Matt Ramos, PUR, and Caleb Smith, NEB). 141 loses its #1 seed Beau Bartlett (PSU) and #7 seed Danny Pucino (ILL). 165 has #5 Andrew Sparks (MINN) and #8 Maxx Mayfield (NU) departing. The four at the top at 165 consists of two freshmen, one sophomore and one junior, so assuming the wrestlers don’t move weight classes (big assumption) this weight class looks strong for the coming years.
It's gonna get worse before it gets better.
Their 2024-2026 recruiting classes landed one name: HWT Dillon Johnson, who's also playing football. And he'll have 2 years of overlap with Braxton Amos.
Johnson at 0-0 has the best W-L record of Wisconsin's 2024 class. Another is 2-2; the rest have losing records on the Open circuit.
Plus next year Wisconsin is cutting down to 5 scholarships.
Wisconsin is not a barren HS talent pool. But their best have long gone elsewhere (esp. Missouri, Minny, Iowa, and OKST). Now Cael has entered the picture. And Johnson aside, they do not recruit neighboring states well.
People who understand the process knew exactly what I was saying. Sorry you were confused
And I believe that Askren tells his AWA guys to stay away from Bono so that eliminates the top guys from WI staying in state
Wow, this comes across a bit passive aggressive.
Seems like you are saying, too bad you aren’t smart enough to understand what I said…
If the post was intended for those who already understand the process, then what's really the point of making it?
It's okay to admit one could be clearer.
It's okay to make posts more broadly accessible.
Rather than get in a pissing contest, time would be better spent editing the original post to make it clearer to all kinds who might read this board.
Such action would demonstrate not only not hating, but also loving kindness.
Out of curiosity, it seems that Bono must be radioactive to more than one. What is it in his personality or history that would make him so?
I think your seeds maybe suggest a 42.5 point point advantage over Iowa, but what I’m sure of is that “by my seeds, Penn State enters the tournament with five #1 seeds, two #2 seeds, one #3 seed, and one #5 seed” is missing one of your #2 seeds. 😊
Wasn't trying to be that way at all. I know some get into the allocations and some don't and those who do would understand.My post was for us allocation dorks
Yeah I am actually sorry man. I worded that wrong. I meant to say that I just didn't get it 😂
Kennedy allocates a spot for the big 10 with his coaches ranking and winning % over .700 . The other category is RPI you need two of the 3 to allocate. Nelson doesn't qualify for an allocation. So entering him wouldn't do anything regardless. Once the guy is entered if a change is made that allocation is lost. So you enter Kennedy even if you think Brands is the guy. If Brands was injured in practice Kennedy could wrestle and the big 10 would keep the allocation. The conference doesn't lose the allocation until the guy who earned it doesn't weigh in at the conference tournament.
Prediction
Iowa and Nebraska will be fighting for the lead after round 1. They both will have 6 wrestlers seeded 3-5 wrestling guys seeded 12-14, and there will be lots of bonus opportunities.
With only 2 guys going in round one PSU will be near the bottom. Sanity will be restored in round 2, but we won't take the lead until the Semis.
Iowa and Nebraska will be fighting for the lead after round 1. They both will have 6 wrestlers seeded 3-5 wrestling guys seeded 12-14, and there will be lots of bonus opportunities.
With only 2 guys going in round one PSU will be near the bottom. Sanity will be restored in round 2, but we won't take the lead until the Semis.
If it works out this way, it will only have taken Rutgers 9 seasons to return to the point where they were in 2016 in terms of B1G tournament finishes.
Good stuff. Depending on a few unknown seeds, I wouldn’t be surprised if Iowa and Penn State are 4th and 5th after the 1st Round. I’d throw Minnesota and Ohio State in there too.
It won’t be that late. I think Penn State will take the lead after 141 in the quarterfinals as placement points start accruing, or at least pass Iowa at that point. I’d be very surprised if they’re still not at the top after 157 or 165 at least, unless some weird very unexpected stuff happens.
Actually nevermind, Penn State won’t be in 5th after R1. Probably between 8th-10th I would guess. That’s assuming SVN is NOT a #3. And at that point, what are the Nits to do? Might as well mail it in. Jimmy Cinnabon will declare some other B1G team the NCAA favorite and give a bunch of arbitrary erroneous reasons why Cael’s crew is in trouble.
I don’t see Iowa ahead after round 1. I don’t think they’ll ever lead at any point as their two biggest holes are in two of the first three weights. Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Iowa, and maybe teams like Rutgers and Illinois will probably be around 10 to 15 points. After the QF’s I expect PSU to be up by 15 to 20. 40 to 50ish after the semis
I don’t see Iowa ahead after round 1. I don’t think they’ll ever lead at any point as their two biggest holes are in two of the first three weights. Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Iowa, and maybe teams like Rutgers and Illinois will probably be around 10 to 15 points. After the QF’s I expect PSU to be up by 15 to 20. 40 to 50ish after the semis
Our discussion about when Brands needs to declare a postseason starter was even more theoretical than we thought.
Coaches poll had Kasak #1 so I am holding out hope the BIGs coaches follow suit.
You can bet that the Maryland coach is going to pound the table as loud as possible for Miller to be the #1 seed. I think he will get it too even though I agree with Roar here.
