Pre-seeds for the 2024 Big Ten Wrestling Tournament (March 9-10 in College Park, MD) were released today. Final seeds (and brackets) will be set on Friday. Based on past history, it's unlikely the pre-seeds will change too much.
The biggest news for Iowa is probably that both star true freshmen, Gabe Arnold (174/184) and Ben Kueter (285), are not competing at the Big Ten Tournament and will be taking redshirts for the 2023-24 season. That's not particularly surprising news. If Arnold was used, it would have to be at 184, which is not his best weight and there's little point is using up a year of eligibility for him doing that. Kueter has a lot of upside at 285, but very little experience so far, and the decision was made to use his redshirt and preserve the potential for 4 years from him in the future.
NCAA Tournament allocations in parentheses. As a reminder, allocations refer to the qualifying spots the Big Ten has received at each weight. For instance, the Big Ten was allocated 9 spots at 125, which means the top-9 finishers at 125 in the Big Ten Tournament will all receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Big Ten has 7 spots at 133, which means the top-7 finishers at 133 in the BTT will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. And so on.
If you finish outside of the automatic bid spots, you'll have to receive an at-large bid to compete in the NCAA Tournament. To be eligible for an at-large bid, a wrestler has to meet these criteria:
* wrestle at least 2 matches at the conference tournament
meet or exceed 2 of the following 3 criteria
* .700 winning percentage
* Top 33 RPI
* Top 33 coaches rankings
I believe every Iowa wrestler would qualify for an at-large bid except for Aiden Riggins at 184, although Teske (133) and Hill (285) could be borderlines cases if they have poor showings at the Big Ten Tournament.
Coaches Poll rankings
125 - Drake Ayala #2
133 - Brody Teske #25
141 - Real Woods #3
149 - Caleb Rathjen #8
157 - Jared Franek #5
165 - Michael Caliendo #6
174 - Patrick Kennedy #6
184 - Aiden Riggins N/A
197 - Zach Glazier #11
285 - Bradley Hill #33
RPI rankings
125 - Drake Ayala #1
133 - Brody Teske N/A
141 - Real Woods #3
149 - Caleb Rathjen N/A
157 - Jared Franek 2
165 - Michael Caliendo #5
174 - Patrick Kennedy N/A
184 - Aiden Riggins N/A
197 - Zach Glazier #6
285 - Bradley Hill #25
Big Ten Tournament pre-seeds:
125 lbs. (9)
1. Matt Ramos (PUR)
2. Drake Ayala (IOWA)
3. Eric Barnett (WIS)
4. Patrick McKee (MINN)
5. Caleb Smith (NEB)
6. Braeden Davis (PSU)
7. Michael DeAugustino (MICH)
8. Brendan McCrone (OSU)
9. Dean Peterson (RUT)
10. Tristan Lujan (MSU)
11. Justin Cardani (ILL)
12. Massey Odiotti (NU)
13. Tommy Capul (MD)
14. Blaine Frazier (IND)
133 lbs. (7)
1. Dylan Ragusin (MICH)
2. Dylan Shawver (RUT)
3. Nic Bouzakis (OSU)
4. Jacob Van Dee (NEB)
5. Aaron Nagao (PSU)
6. Tony Madrigal (ILL)
7. Braxton Brown (MD)
8. Tyler Wells (MINN)
9. Nicolar Rivera (WIS)
10. Cayden Rooks (IND)
11. Dustin Norris (PUR)
12. Andrew Hampton (MSU)
13. Patrick Adams (NU)
14. Brody Teske (IOWA)
141 lbs. (11)
1. Beau Bartlett (PSU)
2. Jesse Mendez (OSU)
3. Real Woods (IOWA)
4. Brock Hardy (NEB)
5. Sergio Lemley (MICH)
6. Danny Pucino (ILL)
7. Mitch Moore (RUT)
8. Jordan Hamdan (MSU)
T9. Dan Fongaro (IND)
T9. Vance VomBaur (MINN)
11. Kal Miller (MD)
12. Greyson Clark (PUR)
13. Kolby McClain (NU)
14. Felix Lettini (WIS)
149 lbs. (9)
1. Ridge Lovett (NEB)
2. Austin Gomez (MICH)
3. Caleb Rathjen (IOWA)
4. Tyler Kasak (PSU)
5. Dylan D’Emilio (OSU)
6. Ethen Miller (MD)
7. Joseph Zargo (WIS)
8. Graham Rooks (IND)
9. Drew Roberts (MINN)
10. Michael Cetta (RUT)
11. Marcos Polanco (PUR)
12. Braden Stauffenberg (MSU)
13. Aiden Vandenbush (NU)
14. Jake Harrier (ILL)
157 lbs. (9)
1. Levi Haines (PSU)
2. Michael Blockhus (MINN)
3. Brayton Lee (IND)
4. Jared Franek (IOWA)
5. Peyton Robb (NEB)
6. Chase Saldate (MSU)
7. Will Lewan (MICH)
8. Joey Blaze (PUR)
9. Trevor Chumbley (NU)
10. Isaac Wilcox (OSU)
11. Al DeSantis (RUT)
12. Michael North (MD)
13. Luke Mechler (WIS)
14. Logan Swaw (ILL)
165 lbs. (10)
1. Dean Hamiti (WIS)
2. Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU)
3. Michael Caliendo (IOWA)
4. Caleb Fish (MSU)
5. Antrell Taylor (NEB)
6. Cameron Amine (MICH)
7. Stoney Buell (PUR)
8. Bryce Hepner (OSU)
9. Tyler Lillard (IND)
10. Blaine Brenner (MINN)
11. Chris Moore (ILL)
12. Maxx Mayfield (NU)
13. Anthony White (RUT)
14. AJ Rodrigues (MD)
174 lbs. (8)
1. Carter Starocci (PSU)
2. Shane Griffith (MICH)
3. Patrick Kennedy (IOWA)
4. Edmond Ruth (ILL)
5. Rocco Welsh (OSU)
6. Jackson Turley (RUT)
7. Max Maylor (WIS)
8. DJ Washington (IND)
9. Andrew Sparks (MINN)
10. Brody Baumann (PUR)
11. Dominic Solis (MD)
12. Bubba Wilson (NEB)
13. DJ Shannon (MSU)
14. David Ferrante (NU)
184 lbs. (8)
1. Isaiah Salazar (MINN)
2. Lenny Pinto (NEB)
3. Bernie Truax (PSU)
4. Ryder Rogotzke (OSU)
5. Jaden Bullock (MICH)
6. Layne Malczewski (MSU)
7. Shane Liegel (WIS)
8. Brian Soldano (RUT)
9. Troy Fisher (NU)
10. Roman Rogotzke (IND)
11. Dylan Connell (ILL)
12. James Rowley (PUR)
13. Aiden Riggins (IOWA)
14. Chase Mielnik (MD)
197 lbs. (7)
1. Aaron Brooks (PSU)
2. Jaxon Smith (MD)
3. Zach Glazier (IOWA)
4. Silas Allred (NEB)
5. Garrett Joles (MINN)
6. Luke Geog (OSU)
7. John Poznanski (RUT)
8. Evan Bates (NU)
9. Ben Vanadia (PUR)
10. Gabe Sollars (IND)
11. Kael Wisler (MSU)
12. Isiah Pettigrew (ILL)
13. Bobby Striggow (MICH)
14. Josh Otto (WIS)
285 lbs. (7)
1. Greg Kerkvliet (PSU)
2. Nick Feldman (OSU)
3. Lucas Davison (MICH)
4. Yaraslau Slavikouski (RUT)
5. Seth Nevills (MD)
6. Nick Willham (IND)
7. Bradley Hill (IOWA)
8. Bennett Tabor (MINN)
9. Josh Terrill (MSU)
10. Nash Hutmacher (NEB)
11. Jack Jessen (NU)
12. Gannon Rosenfeld (WIS)
13. Peter Marinopoulus (ILL)
14. Hayden Filipovich (PUR)
More analysis to come.
The biggest news for Iowa is probably that both star true freshmen, Gabe Arnold (174/184) and Ben Kueter (285), are not competing at the Big Ten Tournament and will be taking redshirts for the 2023-24 season. That's not particularly surprising news. If Arnold was used, it would have to be at 184, which is not his best weight and there's little point is using up a year of eligibility for him doing that. Kueter has a lot of upside at 285, but very little experience so far, and the decision was made to use his redshirt and preserve the potential for 4 years from him in the future.
NCAA Tournament allocations in parentheses. As a reminder, allocations refer to the qualifying spots the Big Ten has received at each weight. For instance, the Big Ten was allocated 9 spots at 125, which means the top-9 finishers at 125 in the Big Ten Tournament will all receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Big Ten has 7 spots at 133, which means the top-7 finishers at 133 in the BTT will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. And so on.
If you finish outside of the automatic bid spots, you'll have to receive an at-large bid to compete in the NCAA Tournament. To be eligible for an at-large bid, a wrestler has to meet these criteria:
* wrestle at least 2 matches at the conference tournament
meet or exceed 2 of the following 3 criteria
* .700 winning percentage
* Top 33 RPI
* Top 33 coaches rankings
I believe every Iowa wrestler would qualify for an at-large bid except for Aiden Riggins at 184, although Teske (133) and Hill (285) could be borderlines cases if they have poor showings at the Big Ten Tournament.
Coaches Poll rankings
125 - Drake Ayala #2
133 - Brody Teske #25
141 - Real Woods #3
149 - Caleb Rathjen #8
157 - Jared Franek #5
165 - Michael Caliendo #6
174 - Patrick Kennedy #6
184 - Aiden Riggins N/A
197 - Zach Glazier #11
285 - Bradley Hill #33
RPI rankings
125 - Drake Ayala #1
133 - Brody Teske N/A
141 - Real Woods #3
149 - Caleb Rathjen N/A
157 - Jared Franek 2
165 - Michael Caliendo #5
174 - Patrick Kennedy N/A
184 - Aiden Riggins N/A
197 - Zach Glazier #6
285 - Bradley Hill #25
Big Ten Tournament pre-seeds:
125 lbs. (9)
1. Matt Ramos (PUR)
2. Drake Ayala (IOWA)
3. Eric Barnett (WIS)
4. Patrick McKee (MINN)
5. Caleb Smith (NEB)
6. Braeden Davis (PSU)
7. Michael DeAugustino (MICH)
8. Brendan McCrone (OSU)
9. Dean Peterson (RUT)
10. Tristan Lujan (MSU)
11. Justin Cardani (ILL)
12. Massey Odiotti (NU)
13. Tommy Capul (MD)
14. Blaine Frazier (IND)
133 lbs. (7)
1. Dylan Ragusin (MICH)
2. Dylan Shawver (RUT)
3. Nic Bouzakis (OSU)
4. Jacob Van Dee (NEB)
5. Aaron Nagao (PSU)
6. Tony Madrigal (ILL)
7. Braxton Brown (MD)
8. Tyler Wells (MINN)
9. Nicolar Rivera (WIS)
10. Cayden Rooks (IND)
11. Dustin Norris (PUR)
12. Andrew Hampton (MSU)
13. Patrick Adams (NU)
14. Brody Teske (IOWA)
141 lbs. (11)
1. Beau Bartlett (PSU)
2. Jesse Mendez (OSU)
3. Real Woods (IOWA)
4. Brock Hardy (NEB)
5. Sergio Lemley (MICH)
6. Danny Pucino (ILL)
7. Mitch Moore (RUT)
8. Jordan Hamdan (MSU)
T9. Dan Fongaro (IND)
T9. Vance VomBaur (MINN)
11. Kal Miller (MD)
12. Greyson Clark (PUR)
13. Kolby McClain (NU)
14. Felix Lettini (WIS)
149 lbs. (9)
1. Ridge Lovett (NEB)
2. Austin Gomez (MICH)
3. Caleb Rathjen (IOWA)
4. Tyler Kasak (PSU)
5. Dylan D’Emilio (OSU)
6. Ethen Miller (MD)
7. Joseph Zargo (WIS)
8. Graham Rooks (IND)
9. Drew Roberts (MINN)
10. Michael Cetta (RUT)
11. Marcos Polanco (PUR)
12. Braden Stauffenberg (MSU)
13. Aiden Vandenbush (NU)
14. Jake Harrier (ILL)
157 lbs. (9)
1. Levi Haines (PSU)
2. Michael Blockhus (MINN)
3. Brayton Lee (IND)
4. Jared Franek (IOWA)
5. Peyton Robb (NEB)
6. Chase Saldate (MSU)
7. Will Lewan (MICH)
8. Joey Blaze (PUR)
9. Trevor Chumbley (NU)
10. Isaac Wilcox (OSU)
11. Al DeSantis (RUT)
12. Michael North (MD)
13. Luke Mechler (WIS)
14. Logan Swaw (ILL)
165 lbs. (10)
1. Dean Hamiti (WIS)
2. Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU)
3. Michael Caliendo (IOWA)
4. Caleb Fish (MSU)
5. Antrell Taylor (NEB)
6. Cameron Amine (MICH)
7. Stoney Buell (PUR)
8. Bryce Hepner (OSU)
9. Tyler Lillard (IND)
10. Blaine Brenner (MINN)
11. Chris Moore (ILL)
12. Maxx Mayfield (NU)
13. Anthony White (RUT)
14. AJ Rodrigues (MD)
174 lbs. (8)
1. Carter Starocci (PSU)
2. Shane Griffith (MICH)
3. Patrick Kennedy (IOWA)
4. Edmond Ruth (ILL)
5. Rocco Welsh (OSU)
6. Jackson Turley (RUT)
7. Max Maylor (WIS)
8. DJ Washington (IND)
9. Andrew Sparks (MINN)
10. Brody Baumann (PUR)
11. Dominic Solis (MD)
12. Bubba Wilson (NEB)
13. DJ Shannon (MSU)
14. David Ferrante (NU)
184 lbs. (8)
1. Isaiah Salazar (MINN)
2. Lenny Pinto (NEB)
3. Bernie Truax (PSU)
4. Ryder Rogotzke (OSU)
5. Jaden Bullock (MICH)
6. Layne Malczewski (MSU)
7. Shane Liegel (WIS)
8. Brian Soldano (RUT)
9. Troy Fisher (NU)
10. Roman Rogotzke (IND)
11. Dylan Connell (ILL)
12. James Rowley (PUR)
13. Aiden Riggins (IOWA)
14. Chase Mielnik (MD)
197 lbs. (7)
1. Aaron Brooks (PSU)
2. Jaxon Smith (MD)
3. Zach Glazier (IOWA)
4. Silas Allred (NEB)
5. Garrett Joles (MINN)
6. Luke Geog (OSU)
7. John Poznanski (RUT)
8. Evan Bates (NU)
9. Ben Vanadia (PUR)
10. Gabe Sollars (IND)
11. Kael Wisler (MSU)
12. Isiah Pettigrew (ILL)
13. Bobby Striggow (MICH)
14. Josh Otto (WIS)
285 lbs. (7)
1. Greg Kerkvliet (PSU)
2. Nick Feldman (OSU)
3. Lucas Davison (MICH)
4. Yaraslau Slavikouski (RUT)
5. Seth Nevills (MD)
6. Nick Willham (IND)
7. Bradley Hill (IOWA)
8. Bennett Tabor (MINN)
9. Josh Terrill (MSU)
10. Nash Hutmacher (NEB)
11. Jack Jessen (NU)
12. Gannon Rosenfeld (WIS)
13. Peter Marinopoulus (ILL)
14. Hayden Filipovich (PUR)
More analysis to come.
