Flo 184 Predictions

[edquinn06]

Bold move picking Nickal over 2X champ Dean. I know Dean has had a few losses but he gets it done when it matters unlike Nickal last year. I don't think Nickal is better then Ruth so my pick is Dean. This weight is so good!

CP Predictions:
1. Bo Nickal, Penn State
2. Gabe Dean, Cornell
3. Myles Martin, Ohio State
4. Timothy Dudley, Nebraska
5. Pat Downey, Iowa State
6. Zack Zavatsky, Virginia Tech
7. Sammy Brooks, Iowa
8. Nolan Boyd, Oklahoma State

Round of 12: Willie Miklus, Missouri; Domenic Abounader, Michigan, Jack Dechow, ODU; Nick Gravina, Rutgers

CP's take on Brooks:

"Brooks has found himself in this 7-12 range the last two years, and I think that's about where he winds up this year. Is Brooks a guy who can jump up and beat a top 4-5 guy? Absolutely. He's been that for a few years now. However, I have my doubts about his ability to string it together for three straight days. Still, he's a maniac on his feet with his underhooks and pace. On top, he's a great turner with tilts. His motor and ability to get to a single will carry him by much of the field, but his upside is limited, perhaps only by himself."

 

[akaoni]

Not too far off IMO. Brooks' strength is also his weakness. He brings so much energy to each match, he can expend his reserves and drop a match he shouldn't. He can also get in his own way from time to time. But still, I'll take his aggressiveness over a guy who wants to stand around and win 3-2.

 

[Azchief32]

For F*ck's sake, he has Downey over Brooks? And a two time champ under the runner up from 174? I think all of those burritos down in Austin are affecting CP's "gut."

 

[9Hawks]

Nickal over Dean is the worst prediction I've seen in a long time. Nickal has a better chance not placing in this bracket than winning it.

 

[NYWRESTLER94]

On the fence with that one

 

[MSU158]

It looks like he may have missed the forest through the trees. He kept talking about Nickal being a bad match up for Dean, without addressing the fact that Bo would have to beat everyone else just to get to Dean. Without even considering the size and strength transition necessary going from 174 to 184, you have to consider just how thin 174 was compared to 184. He wrestled 5 matches at the NCAA tournament last season and didn't wrestle 1 returning AA. 184 will return 10.

I think his odds of making the Finals are even less than beating Dean once he got there.

 

[crablegs1]

Agreed, the Nickal pick is a bad one. I think Nickal will be fine going up a weight, but this weight is just far tougher. I might be out on a limb, but I think Nickal was overrated last year. 2 losses at a weak weight class. I think the only title contender here is Dean and then everyone else.

Brooks seems to be about right. I think he could end up anywhere from 2nd to R12 just depends on how he's wrestling and matchups come March.

Expect some fireworks in this weight class. Brooks will have a tough dual schedule this year. I don't think he matches up well with Downey at all. Brooks might get tossed on his head if he goes upper body with Downey.

 

[SPOONER]

For F*ck's sake, he has Downey over Brooks?

Downey was 5th at 197 last year
Brooks was 8th at 184

I have no problem with this prediction.

Well, other than picking the Hodge winner 5th at 184 of course.

 

[whejoe]

For F*ck's sake, he has Downey over Brooks? And a two time champ under the runner up from 174? I think all of those burritos down in Austin are affecting CP's "gut."

The guy likes to be provocative. "Provocative Pyle"

 

[ping72]

Did CP just "Gulibon" Bo Nickal?

Poor guy.

 

[NYWRESTLER94]

The guy likes to be provocative. "Provocative Pyle"

It gets the people going

 

[wasdt21]

who's okie st got at this weight,boyd?

 

[CowboyUp61]

who's okie st got at this weight,boyd?

Boyd will be at 184.

 

[wasdt21]

didn't look close enough he is in there,

 

[pinters]

CP enjoys rattling our feathers. Don't feed the troll

 

[KujawaFan]

I am just more worried about Downey's Dad trying to hurt people since his son is not number 1. That guy is beyond crazy.

 

[hoythawk]

Agreed, the Nickal pick is a bad one. I think Nickal will be fine going up a weight, but this weight is just far tougher. I might be out on a limb, but I think Nickal was overrated last year. 2 losses at a weak weight class. I think the only title contender here is Dean and then everyone else.

Brooks seems to be about right. I think he could end up anywhere from 2nd to R12 just depends on how he's wrestling and matchups come March.

Expect some fireworks in this weight class. Brooks will have a tough dual schedule this year. I don't think he matches up well with Downey at all. Brooks might get tossed on his head if he goes upper body with Downey.

Brooks would be higher had he been given the obvious takedown he had against Dudley. Brooks just needs to stay healthy and he can beat anyone, including Dean.

 

[Omahahawk86]

Brooks would be higher had he been given the obvious takedown he had against Dudley. Brooks just needs to stay healthy and he can beat anyone, including Dean.

No

 

[PSU Mike]

Brooks would be higher had he been given the obvious takedown he had against Dudley. Brooks just needs to stay healthy and he can beat anyone, including Dean.

Sorry, no.

 

[pinters]

Dean did lose to NB 14-9 correct? Anything's possible in this w class

 

[mike tognetti]

Brooks would be higher had he been given the obvious takedown he had against Dudley. Brooks just needs to stay healthy and he can beat anyone, including Dean.

haha

 

[pinters]

Thanks for all the work you do with Iowa Wrestling and HWC Hoyt.

 

[Azchief32]

Dean did lose to NB 14-9 correct? Anything's possible in this w class

Yes...Dean had come off being sick. Dean owned him in the rematch.

 

[minnhawkeye]

Anything is possible at any weight. As for winning 184 I still go with Dean.
As for Brooks lots will depend on seeding and who is in his bracket. Could see
him as high as 3rd or round of 12.

 

[so cal hawkfan]

I don't get picking against Dean. It's like picking against IMar cuz he lost to Nolf once last year. Dean is 117-6 going into his senior year. Two of those losses were to Ed Ruth. (One of those 117 wins was against Ruth as well) He's a 3x AA going 3,1,1. I wish Dean was at Iowa so I could go off on a Flo is anti-Iowa rant.

 

[so cal hawkfan]

I've got Brooks 5th btw and CPs take on him is spot on.

 

[93hawkeye]

Brooks has great skills on his feet and loves action. If he can discipline himself to be a bit more selective on his set up/shot selection, he is headed for top 4 finish.
Nickal is a gambler and that is indeed a bad matchup against a guy like Dean who is freakishly strong and excellent counter-er

 

[Sandor45]

CP tends to favor guys moving up in weight and sees it as an advantage rather than a catch up. Sometimes he buys into this way too much. Has a history of this. Sometimes it's the case (Nashon) other times, it doesn't work out (realbuto, guillbon)
It's not like the guys who stay at the weight are not strong for their weight already.

 

[Azchief32]

CP tends to favor guys moving up in weight and sees it as an advantage rather than a catch up. Sometimes he buys into this way too much. Has a history of this. Sometimes it's the case (Nashon) other times, it doesn't work out (realbuto, guillbon)
It's not like the guys who stay at the weight are not strong for their weight already.

But this isn't NATO moving up to face Clark. Lots of tough SOB's in that weight class.

 

[Sandor45]

But this isn't NATO moving up to face Clark. Lots of tough SOB's in that weight class.

I know. Like I said, CP loves when guys move up.
If CP was a head coach, he'd just have everybody move up a weight the following year for a sure fire team title

 

[Sandor45]

Brooks would be higher had he been given the obvious takedown he had against Dudley. Brooks just needs to stay healthy and he can beat anyone, including Dean.

Yes

 

[CradleKing26]

I wouldn't bet against Gabe Dean, he beat Ed Ruth at scuffle and came very close to beating him a second time. I don't think Nickal is close to as good as Ruth was.



I may be biased, I became a huge Gabe Dean fan after I saw this video. A must watch if you haven't seen it before.

 

[Jay on HR]

I know. Like I said, CP loves when guys move up.
If CP was a head coach, he'd just have everybody move up a weight the following year for a sure fire team title

Okay that was pretty funny.

 

[Stanley75]

Brooks would be higher had he been given the obvious takedown he had against Dudley. Brooks just needs to stay healthy and he can beat anyone, including Dean.

If wishes were fishes we'd all have a basket full.

 

[PSU Mike]

Yes...Dean had come off being sick. Dean owned him in the rematch.

And if one doesn't buy into the sickness angle, I'll suggest that Nickal has more Boyd in him than Brooks does. Personally I wouldn't be surprised by anything Bo can pull off, but Dean's one hell of a tough out.

I'm guessing Team Nickal saw the bumps Taylor hit moving up in the past year, and they want to take a staged approach. It's hard to imagine a guy making 184 folk is going to contend at 86kg in the same year, but it's a necessary step to them.

 

[1stplacehawk]

I wouldn't bet against Gabe Dean, he beat Ed Ruth at scuffle and came very close to beating him a second time.

This is the part that everyone conveniently forgets when it comes to Dean. That match at nationals was a takedown a piece, with Ruth winning on an extra escape point and a minute of stall riding. Dean has taken some losses, but I'll take him when the lights are on until proven otherwise.

 

[MSU158]

Dean is a great example of how long and draining the DI wrestling season is. Not only is it hard to avoid major injuries(some sort of injury is inevitable), you also have to avoid illnesses(it doesn't help wrestling is during flu season). Luckily for both himself and Cornell, he knows how to peak in March.

The level of talent in DI is truly hard for many to comprehend. Look at early season tournaments, for instance. 3rd stringers are beating JuCo champs and DII and DIII AA's left and right. All it takes is the wrong kind of injury or illness to make a 2X Champ vulnerable. That is what makes Sanderson's run so incomprehensible. Being the best at your weight for 4 years is one thing. Being the best at your weight for the biggest tournament of the year all 4 years is another. Being the best every single time you step on the mat is nearly impossible!

 

[Herkuleez5]

I would take Dean as well if him and Brooks were to face each other but for a couple posters on here to say that Brooks has no chance to beat Dean is absurd. This is D1 college wrestling so upsets do happen. If anyone remembers and I am not mistaken 2 years ago it was a tight match between the two at Nationals when Sammy had a double under on Dean and he moonwalked off the mat in the 3rd and the ref swallowed the whistle. Before anybody jumps up and starts arguing that it didn't happen or it was not stalling on Deans part go back and watch it. For the record if I was Dean I would have done the same thing. Close match in that one, 3-2 I believe.

 

[Azchief32]

And if one doesn't buy into the sickness angle, I'll suggest that Nickal has more Boyd in him than Brooks does. Personally I wouldn't be surprised by anything Bo can pull off, but Dean's one hell of a tough out.

I'm guessing Team Nickal saw the bumps Taylor hit moving up in the past year, and they want to take a staged approach. It's hard to imagine a guy making 184 folk is going to contend at 86kg in the same year, but it's a necessary step to them.

I jumped on the Boyd bandwagon after that because...the "sickness" excuse is for wimps. Dean owned him in the rematch.

 

[Azchief32]

More on this on FRL. The lads were going through some mental gymnastics to get Bo to beating Dean as in "Imagine if Bo didn't lose those two matches and won 174, would it be that crazy to pick him?" Seriously. Also, guys generally get worse in their 5th year according to the lads.

When Nate Jackson beats Bo, Bo was the better wrestler who got beat in a "weird" match and his NCAA match with Martin was an outlier (my words) because Bo had beat him so much. With Dean, he "just takes some losses"...Gabe Dean has lost six matches in his career: Boyd (AA) 2016, Zillmer (AA) and Meeks (AA) 2015, Sheptock (2XAA) and Ed Ruth (An all timer) twice in 2014. He also beat Ed Ruth once.

For the past two years, everybody has talked about 184 being such a meat grinder as the toughest weight in the country (including Flo) and the guy who has come out of it twice on top is picked second to a guy who got beat in the finals by a true freshman in the second or third weakest weight in college. Welp...

Is this a knock on Bo? Nope. I'm a big fan of Bo and he would be my pick over the other Bo at 174 this year. Could he beat Dean? Sure. But c'mon.