170 points

[vhsalum]

I do think it's unreasonable for it to be him. There are 20 people who could win. He's in the 20, but not anywhere near the top. If Ayala and Ramos were 1-2 going in to their match, then I would have just flipped them, not moved up a true frosh who is a relative unknown. I'm not sure how Stanich is a confirmed starter, either, since Seymour has gone in 3 of the 4 duals since the New Year.

Whoops. You right. Guess i'm just going with the tea leaves. It would be a silly decision not to wrestle him this year though. In this weight of bad. LOL

 

[HikeNatParks]

Re: davis. He could win it. He could not place.

Who in the hell could have seen this coming? At any point in time, rankings mean NOTHING. None of us, not a single one, know or can predict with any accuracy who will win 125. Hell, I don't think there's a person that can guess 1-8. Literally 1-33 can win, just get to the tournament and and F around and found out.

I mean... Two guys ranked #1 at the weight lost to high schoolers WHILE they were ranked #1. It's a bad weight, but is going to make for an exciting NCAA.

Feb 9. Davis beats Ayala? He's the favorite.

Great point that Davis could win or not even place, though gold is very unlikely.
Wouldn’t say “bad” weight, just exciting. Every bit as exciting as 165’s overstuffed basket of proven bluebloods. Far more exciting than 197 with its elite AB and Hidlay. As for losses to HS folk, I like @bourbon n blues take on why that’s the weight it might happen at.
Just different ways of perceiving a weight class. You need a Lee/Suriano type atop a weight or it’s bad. I think volatility and lack of a favorite make it great. We both win come March on the excitement factor alone.

 

[bourbon n blues]

Great point that Davis could win or not even place, though gold is very unlikely.
Wouldn’t say “bad” weight, just exciting. Every bit as exciting as 165’s overstuffed basket of proven bluebloods. Far more exciting than 197 with its elite AB and Hidlay. As for losses to HS folk, I like @bourbon n blues take on why that’s the weight it might happen at.
Just different ways of perceiving a weight class. You need a Lee/Suriano type atop a weight or it’s bad. I think volatility and lack of a favorite make it great. We both win come March on the excitement factor alone.

I'm 60 so mI have the luxury at looking back at things like draft classes, etc etc. Certain pro athletes now are retired and in the HOFs for years and I remember their college years. Maybe we'll see a few future international stars from these 125s in 4-6 years? Either way it's fun for me to hope "my guy" does well at this weight.

 

[HikeNatParks]

I'm 60 so mI have the luxury at looking back at things like draft classes, etc etc. Certain pro athletes now are retired and in the HOFs for years and I remember their college years. Maybe we'll see a few future international stars from these 125s in 4-6 years? Either way it's fun for me to hope "my guy" does well at this weight.

Yes, and at 125 this year, so many more of us have real AA/NC hope for a “my guy,” hope that didn’t exist for years.

 

[PSU Mike]

I think come NCAAs 125 will be closer to seeds then what people think

That’s an interesting comment, particularly when the seeding may be difficult. What it suggests is that the committee will be able to see through the chaos and/or the seeds themselves will matter a lot, dictating the placement. I guess if say 6 of the top 8 seeds become clearer over next 5 weeks, then maybe …

Who will those be? Ramos, Noto, Ayala, plus ???

 

[west2east]

That’s an interesting comment, particularly when the seeding may be difficult. What it suggests is that the committee will be able to see through the chaos and/or the seeds themselves will matter a lot, dictating the placement. I guess if say 6 of the top 8 seeds become clearer over next 5 weeks, then maybe …

Who will those be? Ramos, Noto, Ayala, plus ???

Barnett, Surtin as well as the 3 you named. Another big 10 guy whoever is 4th and probably Stanich if his RS is pulled

 

[Inspiteofourselves]

Barnett, Surtin as well as the 3 you named. Another big 10 guy whoever is 4th and probably Stanich if his RS is pulled

I would bet on Mckee reaching the podium. Here is a list of 12 guys. My prediction for podium and rd of 12. Ramos, Ayala, Barnett, Noto, McKee, Volk, Stanich, Davis, Poulin, Spratley, Surtin, Figs. I think Camacho and DeAugistino will be in the rd12 convo as well. I think you see 7 or 8 AA's from this group.

 

[west2east]

I would bet on Mckee reaching the podium. Here is a list of 12 guys. My prediction for podium and rd of 12. Ramos, Ayala, Barnett, Noto, McKee, Volk, Stanich, Davis, Poulin, Spratley, Surtin, Figs. I think Camacho and DeAugistino will be in the rd12 convo as well. I think you see 7 or 8 AA's from this group.

I was answering who I thought the top seeds would be. Figs hasn't done much wrestling this year and I expect him to be on the podium as well

 

[PSUWrestling2425]

I do not think PSU gets to 170. I think they threaten it. I think the 3 point takedown will make a difference. I think they have a decent chance with SVN. I like Kasak, but, that is going to be a big point drop off, even if Kasak slides into the back end of the podium.

Davis is really tough to predict at this point. I love his style, but, he still needs to prove it against the top guys.

I'm completely sold on Messenbrink. If he was at 157, I'd be confident in predicting a national championship this year.

 

[Random4598375]

I was answering who I thought the top seeds would be. Figs hasn't done much wrestling this year and I expect him to be on the podium as well

Figs is the one guy who I think stands out on a pure talent basis who could separate from the pack this year, but he’s struggled with injuries and hasn’t done anything to establish himself at the top yet either. That’s just one of the many crazy wild cards this year.

 

[MVPFAN]

I do not think PSU gets to 170. I think they threaten it. I think the 3 point takedown will make a difference. I think they have a decent chance with SVN. I like Kasak, but, that is going to be a big point drop off, even if Kasak slides into the back end of the podium.

Davis is really tough to predict at this point. I love his style, but, he still needs to prove it against the top guys.

I'm completely sold on Messenbrink. If he was at 157, I'd be confident in predicting a national championship this year.

Agree, unless he can't make 157 I'm not sure why they didn't flip flop him and Haines. Haines seems to be having more issues with the cut this year so 165 would help him. Mesenbrink would lay waste to 157.

 

[T8KUDWN]

Wisconsin is turning out some top prospects, but they are going to PSU, and Missouri instead of Wisconsin. Can’t reflect well on their coach

Reflect well on their coach? I don't believe Barry Davis and Wisconsin hardly even recruited Ben Askren and I don't believe they offered him a scholarship of any sort. I believe Ben could care less if any of his guys ever wrestle for Wisconsin, but he is interested in making Wisconsin kids pretty damn tough wrestlers.

 

[vhsalum]

Reflect well on their coach? I don't believe Barry Davis and Wisconsin hardly even recruited Ben Askren and I don't believe they offered him a scholarship of any sort. I believe Ben could care less if any of his guys ever wrestle for Wisconsin, but he is interested in making Wisconsin kids pretty damn tough wrestlers.

Not true. Initially, he was the RTC coach for Bono and he’s a huge Wisconsin fan.

He and Barry were friendly, but the academy wasn’t making killers just yet.

Bono burned his bridges with askren through his own actions.

 

[T8KUDWN]

Not true. Initially, he was the RTC coach for Bono and he’s a huge Wisconsin fan.

He and Barry were friendly, but the academy wasn’t making killers just yet.

Bono burned his bridges with askren through his own actions.

I've heard Ben talk about Barry and I've never heard him say anything positive.

 

[blcoach80]

I've heard Ben talk about Barry and I've never heard him say anything positive.

Is there anyone other than Missouri Ben likes or talks positive about? Seems like a common denominator here.

 

[Inthecircle]

Iowa has done a great job at putting guys on the podium. Were I readily admit they have fallen short is getting them at the very top of the podium.

Still, my point was clear. It is a bit disingenous to post the 9-3 stat comparison to make it look like Missouri is just churning them out. In reality, O'toole is the only one in 7 years and, adding Cox, they are the only 2 in 14 years....

Below 165 they had Houdashelt (149) ten years ago
Missouri has never won a wrestling NCAA team championship and only two team trophies in its history.
They have won at least 12 conference titles in a row, In the powerful MAC and the last two big 12’s.

 

[WildTurk]

Below 165 they had Houdashelt (149) ten years ago
Missouri has never won a wrestling NCAA team championship and only two team trophies in its history.

Ouch.

Like I've said many times, Missouri always looks good this time of the year

 

[WildTurk]

 

[T8KUDWN]

Is there anyone other than Missouri Ben likes or talks positive about? Seems like a common denominator here.

Yeah, sure, I guess.
He has directly spoken how he felt disrespected by Barry and the Wisconsin program, when they basically didn't recruit him or put little effort into recruiting him. He even has mentioned Barry made comments that Ben and his style of wrestling wouldn't have much success in college.

 

[vhsalum]

I would bet on Mckee reaching the podium. Here is a list of 12 guys. My prediction for podium and rd of 12. Ramos, Ayala, Barnett, Noto, McKee, Volk, Stanich, Davis, Poulin, Spratley, Surtin, Figs. I think Camacho and DeAugistino will be in the rd12 convo as well. I think you see 7 or 8 AA's from this group.

For reference - current rankings (Intermat) of those guys. What an interesting weight.

Ramos #1
Ayala #5
barnett#2
Noto #8
McKee #14
Volk#10
Stanich #4
Davis #3
Poulin #9
Spratley #20
Surtin #7
Figs #11
Camacho #22
DeAugustino#12