Sorry, not quite done (2 weight classes left), but thought I'd post anyway.
I added the "Summary" sections, though most is a repeat from the write-ups...just an easier place to find the likely match-ups. 197 and 285 to be done tonight.
Pre-seeds are out, and we now have an early look at the match-ups. Unless the coaches make a change due to a compelling argument from a peer, or an injury keeps a guy from wrestling, the pre-seeds will stick. And for the record, changes are very infrequent. NCAA qualification is the goal, but a benefit of a great showing is improving one’s seed for NCAA’s, or holding onto a seed.
We start 3 freshmen, 2 sophomore, 2 juniors, and 3 seniors. Our 3 freshmen shouldn’t be bothered by the bright lights and the hostile crowd at CHA, as all have been wrestling in similar settings for years. Have fun and wrestle loose, guys!!
125 Nico Megaludis
Pre-seed: #3
After finishing 5th, 3rd, and 2nd in his three previous Big Ten Championships, Nico must have one eye on fighting for the Big Ten title, while the other is looking ahead to NCAA’s. Nico has performed better under the brighter lights, going 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd at the NCAA Tournament, but would love adding “Big Ten Champ” to his resume.
With only 8 pre-seeds, a random draw will finish the bracket…but not until Friday. Chances are 3-to-1 that Nico will have a 1st Round Match, which could be against anyone not pre-seeded. If he does, I’m guessing it’ll be the first of many bonus point wins for the Blue & White. 2nd Round should be Johnny Jimenez (WIS), who Nico beat by Major Decision, 11-3 in an earlier dual. Look for another bonus point win, followed by a semi-final match vs Thomas Gilman (IOWA), which should be a dandy. Gilman is undefeated, but has not wrestled Tomasello, Dance, or Nico. A win earns a spot opposite Tomasello, pretty sure, in the finals.
Why is the Gilman match important? It’s simple…a better NCAA Seed. Better still would be winning the Big Ten Championship, but that will open up a seeding discussion for the top-4 guys that will make everyone’s head spin. I believe being opposite Tomasello in the NCAA Bracket is important, and beating Gilman should do that.
Summary (likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Jimenez (WIS) Majored previously
Semifinals: Gilman (IOWA) Beat 4-1 in 2014
Finals: Tomasello (tOSU) or WB Semi’s: 2 Matches for 3rd (some combination of Lambert (NEB), Oliver (IND), Jimenez, Youtsey (MICH)), all of whom Nico has beaten
My Pick: Nico, 2nd Place, 17 Team Points
133 Jordan Conaway
Pre-seed: #3
Another #3 seed, but 133 is seeded all the way to 14, since there are 9 NCAA allocations at this weight. Jordan has finished 5th and 3rd in 2 previous Big Ten Championships. He gets Sam Brancale (MIN), a kid he’s never wrestled, in the 1st Round. Should be a win. Next up, in the quarter’s, should be Ryan Taylor (WIS), a very tough wrestler that’s only 5-4 after missing the first half of the season. His 4 losses were all close, and to good wrestlers, so this will be a great test for Jordan, and a chance to improve his “body of work” heading towards NCAA’s. Winning will surely earn a spot opposite Cory Clark (IOWA) in the semi’s, a match I’m really looking forward to…so hope it happens. Lose in the quarters, and it’s probably Garth Yenter (MSU), then Johnny DiJulius (tOSU) or Dom Malone (NU), all wrestlers Jordan has beaten, to start wrestle-backs (WB, for short). Winning in the semi’s, and Zane Richards (ILL) will likely be waiting.
Here’s the thing, for Jordan and almost all the guys. They’re fighting for a better NCAA Seed, or to retain #1. The B1G Tournament is important for momentum and confidence sake, but it’s not THE PRIZE. Finishing 3rd (his seed), and Jordan should remain top-5 for NCAA’s.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Brancale (MINN), did not wrestle
Quarterfinals: Taylor (WIS), did not wrestle
Semifinals: Clark (IOWA) or WB R8: Shepherd (IND) Majored previously, then WB Quarters: DiJulius (tOSU) Decision previously, then WB Semi’s: Alexander (MD) did not wrestle
Finals: Richards (ILL) or WB Semi’s: Montoya (NEB) won by Jordan 5-3, then WB Final: Alexander (MD) did not wrestle
My Pick: Jordan, 3rd Place, 12.5 Team Points
141 Jimmy Gulibon
Pre-seed: #8
With only 7 Allocation Slots at 141, and Jimmy seeded #8, his challenge is evident…BEAT MY SEED. Jimmy has a 3-to-1 shot at a 1st Round match, and a WIN!! Hear that, Jimmy? 2nd Round will be another shot at Micah Jordan (tOSU), who Jimmy wrestled to a REALLY close 6-3 loss at the BJC. Winning here is possible, but the odds favor Jordan. Still, a win earns a trip to NCAA’s, as the worst a wrestler can finish after a quarterfinal win is 6th. Lose here, and Jimmy will be fighting through wrestle-backs to earn a trip to the Big Dance. In wrestle-backs, it’s either win 2 straight, or win-lose-win for 7th Place. Either will do. A loss to Jordan will probably mean Jimmy faces an unseeded guy first (could be any of 6), followed likely by Jamison Oster (NU) or Javier Gasca (MSU). In limited B1G action, Jimmy did not face Oster, and lost to Gasca. Win, and I’m guessing Anthony Ashnault (RUT) or Thomas Thorn (MIN) will be waiting. I’m going with Jimmy making the 5th/6th Place bout, and beating Anthony Abidin (NEB).
Jimmy can beat any of these guys…just BELIEVE!! Jimmy has finished 7th and 6th at the Big Ten Championships the past 2 years, and ended 5th at NCAA’s in 2015.
Summary (Likely bouts): Lots of directions Jimmy could go…this is best guess…
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Jordan (tOSU) lost 6-3 in dual
Semifinals: Oster (NU)/Gasca (MSU) winner (lost to Gasca 6-2, did not wrestle Oster), or WB R8: Unseeded wrestler, then WB Quarters: Oster (NU)/Gasca (MSU) Loser, then WB Semi’s: Ashnault (RUT) did not wrestle, then WB Finals: Unknown
My Pick: Jimmy, 5rd Place, 9 Team Points
149 Zain Retherford
Pre-seed: #1
With 8 pre-seeds, Zain also has a 3-1 shot at a 1st Round bout. I hope he does, as it’s BONUS TIME, baby. 2nd Round should be Jake Short (MIN), who Zain didn’t face. Short can be hard to score on, but I’ll call a bonus point (Major) victory, and a trip to the semi’s. Here, Zain will face the Jason Tsirtsis (NU) / Alec Pantaleo (MICH) winner. Zain Majored Tsisrtsis, 15-5, and pinned Pantaleo during the season, so here’s to another Bonus Point win, and a trip to the finals…and one of THE most anticipated match-ups of the tourney. It’s at Iowa, but Zain is one cool customer, so NO BIG DEAL. I’ll call a close win for Zain, and his 1st Big Ten title after finishing 2nd in 2014.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Short (MINN) Did not wrestle, Short is 13-9 and has not given up bonus points this year
Semifinals: Tsirtsis (NU)/Pantaleo (MICH) Winner, Majored Tsirtsis, Pinned Pantaleo in duals
Finals: Sorensen (IOWA) Did not wrestle, Sorensen is undefeated
My Pick: Zain, 1st Place, 22 Team Points (or 24 with a 1st Round bout)
157 Jason Nolf
Pre-seed: #1
8 pre-seeds again, and another 3-to-1 chance at a 1st Round bout. We can expect a Bonus Point win if he does have a bout here. In the 2nd Round, Lou Mascola (MD), who Jason did not face, should be waiting…and another Bonus Point victory is likely. The semi’s will surely have Jake Ryan (tOSU) or Edwin Cooper (IOWA) waiting. J-No won by Major vs Ryan, and didn’t face Cooper. I’m going with a Tech Fall against either, the way our guy is wrestling right now. Which leaves us with another one of those anticipated finals…Jason Nolf vs Isaiah Martinez (ILL), round 2!! Lots of opinions about what will happen…I’d be happy with a win, and the #1 seed at NCAA’s.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Mascola (MD) Did not wrestle, Mascola is 15-9 on the year
Semifinals: Ryan (tOSU)/Cooper (IOWA) winner, Majored Ryan 19-6, did not wrestle Cooper
Finals: Martinez (ILL) Jason WBF in dual
My Pick: Jason, 1st, 22.5 Team Points (or 24 with a 1st Round bout)
165 Geno Morelli
Pre-seed: #7
With 8 pre-seeds, Geno may or may not have a 1st Round bout after the random draw, chances are 3-to-1 he will. If he does, he’ll get a yet-to-be-named unseeded guy. Waiting in the 2nd Round will be Bo Jordan (tOSU), a wrestler Geno hung with before losing 3-2 in an earlier dual. I’ll go with a loss here, and a drop to wrestle-backs, where Geno’s WB R8 opponent should be an unseeded guy, followed by a likely WB quarters match vs Austin Wilson (NEB), whom Geno lost to 3-2 at the dual. This is a must-have win, or his NCAA hopes are most likely dashed. A win assures Geno top-6, and his 1st trip to the NCAA Championships. A loss, and he drops to the 7th/8th Place bout, which is outside the 6 auto-qualifier spots. A win against Wilson earns a WB Semi’s bout vs Anthony Perrotti (RU) or Chad Welch (PUR), neither of whom Geno wrestled.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Jordan (tOSU), lost 3-2 in dual
WB R8: Unseeded guy
WB Quarters: Wilson (NEB) Geno lost 3-2 in dual
WB Semifinals: Perrotti (MD, 20-3) or Welch (PUR, 26-5), did not wrestle either
My Pick: Geno, 6th, 8 Team Points (cautiously optimistic)
174 Bo Nickal
Pre-seed: #1
14 pre-seeds, as the allocation is 9. Bo will have a 1st Round bye, followed by a quarters match-up with the Ricky Robertson (WIS)/Phil Bakuckas (RU) winner. I’ll go with a bonus point victory here. Waiting will be the Myles Martin (tOSU)/Nate Jackson (IND) winner in the semi’s. Both would be intriguing match-ups, as Martin has lost 2 close decisions (yes, I know the score was 11-5 in their second match), and Jackson is the only guy to beat Bo (7-6). Still, I like Bo to proceed to the finals, but not earning bonus here. By seed, it looks like the Alex Meyer (IOWA)/Zach Brunson (ILL) winner, though Micah Barnes (NEB), or Nick Wanzek (MINN) are possibilities too, as the talent in this weight class is close. Bo has pinned Brunson, beat Barnes 10-3, and did not wrestle Meyer or Wanzek. I’ll go with a Big Ten title, and Bo retaining his #1 national ranking.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Bye
Quarterfinals: Robertson (WIS)/Phil Bakuckas (RU) winner, beat Robertson 15-2, did not wrestle Bakuckas, who is 15-11 overall and has not been bonused this year
Semifinals: Martin (tOSU)/Nate Jackson (IND) winner, beat Martin 4-3 and 11-5, lost to Jackson 7-6
Finals: Any of 4 (Meyer (IOWA), Brunson (ILL), Barnes (NEB), or Wanzek (MINN), beat Brunson (Fall), and Barnes (10-3), did not wrestle Meyer or Wanzek
My Pick: Bo, 1st, 20 Team Points
184 Matt McCutcheon
Pre-seed: #2
1st question is, “will Matt be wearing a brace on Saturday?” The coaches have said “no”. We’ll see.
Chances are 3-to-1 Matt will have a 1st Round match. We’ll know after the random draw this Friday. Frankly, I hope he does, as a victory will assure at-large consideration, if needed. Honestly no idea where to go with the 184 brackets after R1, other than to say Matt should have a quarters match-up with Jeff Koekpe (ILL), who beat Matt by Injury Default at the dual. Koepke will be a tough out for Matt, but a win ensures at least a 6th Place finish, and a trip to the NCAA’s (the B1G has an allocation of 7 at 184). A quarters win earns a bout with the Sam Brooks (IOWA)/Kenny Courts (tOSU) winner, and a loss would drop Matt to wrestle-backs.
The variables for Matt, given 2 knee-related defaults since January 23rd, yet 2 wins and a loss in the same time period, and we’re left to wonder just a little. I’m going with a combination of optimism, and caution, believing that a quarters victory may be Matt’s last bout at this championship. If Matt loses to Koepke, he’ll drop to WB, and will likely get an unseeded guy in the WB R8, followed by another date with Courts, or possibly Brooks, if he falls to Courts in the Championship Bracket. If Matt does not beat Koepke in the Championship Bracket, he must win the match vs Brooks or Courts to guarantee 6th Place, or lose and beat Ryan Christensen (WIS) in the 7th Place match. Matt beat Christensen 13-1 at the dual.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Koekpe (ILL), Matt lost by Injury Default at the dual
Semifinals: Brooks (IOWA)/Courts (tOSU) winner, Matt beat Courts 4-0, and did not wrestle Brooks, or WB R8: vs an unseeded wrestler, followed by WB quarters: vs Courts (tOSU), whom Matt beat 4-0 at the dual, or Brooks (IOWA) whom he did not wrestle
7th/8th Place Bout (just in case): vs Christensen (WIS) or unseeded wrestler, this is a wrestle-in match, as the winner has earned his way to the NCAA Championship. Loser must wait for at-large picks.
My Pick: Matt, 6th, 8 Team Points
I added the "Summary" sections, though most is a repeat from the write-ups...just an easier place to find the likely match-ups. 197 and 285 to be done tonight.
Pre-seeds are out, and we now have an early look at the match-ups. Unless the coaches make a change due to a compelling argument from a peer, or an injury keeps a guy from wrestling, the pre-seeds will stick. And for the record, changes are very infrequent. NCAA qualification is the goal, but a benefit of a great showing is improving one’s seed for NCAA’s, or holding onto a seed.
We start 3 freshmen, 2 sophomore, 2 juniors, and 3 seniors. Our 3 freshmen shouldn’t be bothered by the bright lights and the hostile crowd at CHA, as all have been wrestling in similar settings for years. Have fun and wrestle loose, guys!!
125 Nico Megaludis
Pre-seed: #3
After finishing 5th, 3rd, and 2nd in his three previous Big Ten Championships, Nico must have one eye on fighting for the Big Ten title, while the other is looking ahead to NCAA’s. Nico has performed better under the brighter lights, going 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd at the NCAA Tournament, but would love adding “Big Ten Champ” to his resume.
With only 8 pre-seeds, a random draw will finish the bracket…but not until Friday. Chances are 3-to-1 that Nico will have a 1st Round Match, which could be against anyone not pre-seeded. If he does, I’m guessing it’ll be the first of many bonus point wins for the Blue & White. 2nd Round should be Johnny Jimenez (WIS), who Nico beat by Major Decision, 11-3 in an earlier dual. Look for another bonus point win, followed by a semi-final match vs Thomas Gilman (IOWA), which should be a dandy. Gilman is undefeated, but has not wrestled Tomasello, Dance, or Nico. A win earns a spot opposite Tomasello, pretty sure, in the finals.
Why is the Gilman match important? It’s simple…a better NCAA Seed. Better still would be winning the Big Ten Championship, but that will open up a seeding discussion for the top-4 guys that will make everyone’s head spin. I believe being opposite Tomasello in the NCAA Bracket is important, and beating Gilman should do that.
Summary (likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Jimenez (WIS) Majored previously
Semifinals: Gilman (IOWA) Beat 4-1 in 2014
Finals: Tomasello (tOSU) or WB Semi’s: 2 Matches for 3rd (some combination of Lambert (NEB), Oliver (IND), Jimenez, Youtsey (MICH)), all of whom Nico has beaten
My Pick: Nico, 2nd Place, 17 Team Points
133 Jordan Conaway
Pre-seed: #3
Another #3 seed, but 133 is seeded all the way to 14, since there are 9 NCAA allocations at this weight. Jordan has finished 5th and 3rd in 2 previous Big Ten Championships. He gets Sam Brancale (MIN), a kid he’s never wrestled, in the 1st Round. Should be a win. Next up, in the quarter’s, should be Ryan Taylor (WIS), a very tough wrestler that’s only 5-4 after missing the first half of the season. His 4 losses were all close, and to good wrestlers, so this will be a great test for Jordan, and a chance to improve his “body of work” heading towards NCAA’s. Winning will surely earn a spot opposite Cory Clark (IOWA) in the semi’s, a match I’m really looking forward to…so hope it happens. Lose in the quarters, and it’s probably Garth Yenter (MSU), then Johnny DiJulius (tOSU) or Dom Malone (NU), all wrestlers Jordan has beaten, to start wrestle-backs (WB, for short). Winning in the semi’s, and Zane Richards (ILL) will likely be waiting.
Here’s the thing, for Jordan and almost all the guys. They’re fighting for a better NCAA Seed, or to retain #1. The B1G Tournament is important for momentum and confidence sake, but it’s not THE PRIZE. Finishing 3rd (his seed), and Jordan should remain top-5 for NCAA’s.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Brancale (MINN), did not wrestle
Quarterfinals: Taylor (WIS), did not wrestle
Semifinals: Clark (IOWA) or WB R8: Shepherd (IND) Majored previously, then WB Quarters: DiJulius (tOSU) Decision previously, then WB Semi’s: Alexander (MD) did not wrestle
Finals: Richards (ILL) or WB Semi’s: Montoya (NEB) won by Jordan 5-3, then WB Final: Alexander (MD) did not wrestle
My Pick: Jordan, 3rd Place, 12.5 Team Points
141 Jimmy Gulibon
Pre-seed: #8
With only 7 Allocation Slots at 141, and Jimmy seeded #8, his challenge is evident…BEAT MY SEED. Jimmy has a 3-to-1 shot at a 1st Round match, and a WIN!! Hear that, Jimmy? 2nd Round will be another shot at Micah Jordan (tOSU), who Jimmy wrestled to a REALLY close 6-3 loss at the BJC. Winning here is possible, but the odds favor Jordan. Still, a win earns a trip to NCAA’s, as the worst a wrestler can finish after a quarterfinal win is 6th. Lose here, and Jimmy will be fighting through wrestle-backs to earn a trip to the Big Dance. In wrestle-backs, it’s either win 2 straight, or win-lose-win for 7th Place. Either will do. A loss to Jordan will probably mean Jimmy faces an unseeded guy first (could be any of 6), followed likely by Jamison Oster (NU) or Javier Gasca (MSU). In limited B1G action, Jimmy did not face Oster, and lost to Gasca. Win, and I’m guessing Anthony Ashnault (RUT) or Thomas Thorn (MIN) will be waiting. I’m going with Jimmy making the 5th/6th Place bout, and beating Anthony Abidin (NEB).
Jimmy can beat any of these guys…just BELIEVE!! Jimmy has finished 7th and 6th at the Big Ten Championships the past 2 years, and ended 5th at NCAA’s in 2015.
Summary (Likely bouts): Lots of directions Jimmy could go…this is best guess…
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Jordan (tOSU) lost 6-3 in dual
Semifinals: Oster (NU)/Gasca (MSU) winner (lost to Gasca 6-2, did not wrestle Oster), or WB R8: Unseeded wrestler, then WB Quarters: Oster (NU)/Gasca (MSU) Loser, then WB Semi’s: Ashnault (RUT) did not wrestle, then WB Finals: Unknown
My Pick: Jimmy, 5rd Place, 9 Team Points
149 Zain Retherford
Pre-seed: #1
With 8 pre-seeds, Zain also has a 3-1 shot at a 1st Round bout. I hope he does, as it’s BONUS TIME, baby. 2nd Round should be Jake Short (MIN), who Zain didn’t face. Short can be hard to score on, but I’ll call a bonus point (Major) victory, and a trip to the semi’s. Here, Zain will face the Jason Tsirtsis (NU) / Alec Pantaleo (MICH) winner. Zain Majored Tsisrtsis, 15-5, and pinned Pantaleo during the season, so here’s to another Bonus Point win, and a trip to the finals…and one of THE most anticipated match-ups of the tourney. It’s at Iowa, but Zain is one cool customer, so NO BIG DEAL. I’ll call a close win for Zain, and his 1st Big Ten title after finishing 2nd in 2014.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Short (MINN) Did not wrestle, Short is 13-9 and has not given up bonus points this year
Semifinals: Tsirtsis (NU)/Pantaleo (MICH) Winner, Majored Tsirtsis, Pinned Pantaleo in duals
Finals: Sorensen (IOWA) Did not wrestle, Sorensen is undefeated
My Pick: Zain, 1st Place, 22 Team Points (or 24 with a 1st Round bout)
157 Jason Nolf
Pre-seed: #1
8 pre-seeds again, and another 3-to-1 chance at a 1st Round bout. We can expect a Bonus Point win if he does have a bout here. In the 2nd Round, Lou Mascola (MD), who Jason did not face, should be waiting…and another Bonus Point victory is likely. The semi’s will surely have Jake Ryan (tOSU) or Edwin Cooper (IOWA) waiting. J-No won by Major vs Ryan, and didn’t face Cooper. I’m going with a Tech Fall against either, the way our guy is wrestling right now. Which leaves us with another one of those anticipated finals…Jason Nolf vs Isaiah Martinez (ILL), round 2!! Lots of opinions about what will happen…I’d be happy with a win, and the #1 seed at NCAA’s.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Mascola (MD) Did not wrestle, Mascola is 15-9 on the year
Semifinals: Ryan (tOSU)/Cooper (IOWA) winner, Majored Ryan 19-6, did not wrestle Cooper
Finals: Martinez (ILL) Jason WBF in dual
My Pick: Jason, 1st, 22.5 Team Points (or 24 with a 1st Round bout)
165 Geno Morelli
Pre-seed: #7
With 8 pre-seeds, Geno may or may not have a 1st Round bout after the random draw, chances are 3-to-1 he will. If he does, he’ll get a yet-to-be-named unseeded guy. Waiting in the 2nd Round will be Bo Jordan (tOSU), a wrestler Geno hung with before losing 3-2 in an earlier dual. I’ll go with a loss here, and a drop to wrestle-backs, where Geno’s WB R8 opponent should be an unseeded guy, followed by a likely WB quarters match vs Austin Wilson (NEB), whom Geno lost to 3-2 at the dual. This is a must-have win, or his NCAA hopes are most likely dashed. A win assures Geno top-6, and his 1st trip to the NCAA Championships. A loss, and he drops to the 7th/8th Place bout, which is outside the 6 auto-qualifier spots. A win against Wilson earns a WB Semi’s bout vs Anthony Perrotti (RU) or Chad Welch (PUR), neither of whom Geno wrestled.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Jordan (tOSU), lost 3-2 in dual
WB R8: Unseeded guy
WB Quarters: Wilson (NEB) Geno lost 3-2 in dual
WB Semifinals: Perrotti (MD, 20-3) or Welch (PUR, 26-5), did not wrestle either
My Pick: Geno, 6th, 8 Team Points (cautiously optimistic)
174 Bo Nickal
Pre-seed: #1
14 pre-seeds, as the allocation is 9. Bo will have a 1st Round bye, followed by a quarters match-up with the Ricky Robertson (WIS)/Phil Bakuckas (RU) winner. I’ll go with a bonus point victory here. Waiting will be the Myles Martin (tOSU)/Nate Jackson (IND) winner in the semi’s. Both would be intriguing match-ups, as Martin has lost 2 close decisions (yes, I know the score was 11-5 in their second match), and Jackson is the only guy to beat Bo (7-6). Still, I like Bo to proceed to the finals, but not earning bonus here. By seed, it looks like the Alex Meyer (IOWA)/Zach Brunson (ILL) winner, though Micah Barnes (NEB), or Nick Wanzek (MINN) are possibilities too, as the talent in this weight class is close. Bo has pinned Brunson, beat Barnes 10-3, and did not wrestle Meyer or Wanzek. I’ll go with a Big Ten title, and Bo retaining his #1 national ranking.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Bye
Quarterfinals: Robertson (WIS)/Phil Bakuckas (RU) winner, beat Robertson 15-2, did not wrestle Bakuckas, who is 15-11 overall and has not been bonused this year
Semifinals: Martin (tOSU)/Nate Jackson (IND) winner, beat Martin 4-3 and 11-5, lost to Jackson 7-6
Finals: Any of 4 (Meyer (IOWA), Brunson (ILL), Barnes (NEB), or Wanzek (MINN), beat Brunson (Fall), and Barnes (10-3), did not wrestle Meyer or Wanzek
My Pick: Bo, 1st, 20 Team Points
184 Matt McCutcheon
Pre-seed: #2
1st question is, “will Matt be wearing a brace on Saturday?” The coaches have said “no”. We’ll see.
Chances are 3-to-1 Matt will have a 1st Round match. We’ll know after the random draw this Friday. Frankly, I hope he does, as a victory will assure at-large consideration, if needed. Honestly no idea where to go with the 184 brackets after R1, other than to say Matt should have a quarters match-up with Jeff Koekpe (ILL), who beat Matt by Injury Default at the dual. Koepke will be a tough out for Matt, but a win ensures at least a 6th Place finish, and a trip to the NCAA’s (the B1G has an allocation of 7 at 184). A quarters win earns a bout with the Sam Brooks (IOWA)/Kenny Courts (tOSU) winner, and a loss would drop Matt to wrestle-backs.
The variables for Matt, given 2 knee-related defaults since January 23rd, yet 2 wins and a loss in the same time period, and we’re left to wonder just a little. I’m going with a combination of optimism, and caution, believing that a quarters victory may be Matt’s last bout at this championship. If Matt loses to Koepke, he’ll drop to WB, and will likely get an unseeded guy in the WB R8, followed by another date with Courts, or possibly Brooks, if he falls to Courts in the Championship Bracket. If Matt does not beat Koepke in the Championship Bracket, he must win the match vs Brooks or Courts to guarantee 6th Place, or lose and beat Ryan Christensen (WIS) in the 7th Place match. Matt beat Christensen 13-1 at the dual.
Summary (Likely bouts):
1st Round: Unseeded wrester or Bye
Quarterfinals: Koekpe (ILL), Matt lost by Injury Default at the dual
Semifinals: Brooks (IOWA)/Courts (tOSU) winner, Matt beat Courts 4-0, and did not wrestle Brooks, or WB R8: vs an unseeded wrestler, followed by WB quarters: vs Courts (tOSU), whom Matt beat 4-0 at the dual, or Brooks (IOWA) whom he did not wrestle
7th/8th Place Bout (just in case): vs Christensen (WIS) or unseeded wrestler, this is a wrestle-in match, as the winner has earned his way to the NCAA Championship. Loser must wait for at-large picks.
My Pick: Matt, 6th, 8 Team Points
