Hasn't been much discussion of this dual that I've seen. While I completely expect Iowa to win, this dual could be closer than we might think. Here's my breakdown/predictions...
125 - #1 Gilman FALL Gillette
Takedown shows are great. We like takedowns. We like techfalls. But we like pins more. Gilman needs to get it done here and stick Gillette. I think he will.
6-0 IOWA
133 - #1 Clark DEC #7 Gross
Probably the most anticipated match of the night. I expect Clark to win, but Gross is going to be game...
9-0 IOWA
141 - Carton MD Pohlmeyer
Though he's a senior, Carton is relatively untested as a DI starter. Regardless, I expect him to bonus Pohlmeyer here.
13-0 IOWA
149 - #2 Sorenson DEC Kocer
This match could be closer than people expect. Kocer is no slouch (he recently beat Stroker from MN) and Sorenson isn't exactly known for lighting up the scoreboard. Bonus would be great here, but I will conservatively pick a DEC for Sorenson.
16-0 IOWA
157 - #7 Kemerer DEC Holler
WresteStat predicts this to be a TF for Kemerer. I'm not sure why. Holler has a recent win over Jake Short from Minnesota, and kept #8 Berger from Nebraska to a decision. If Kemerer could major here that would be a great sign moving forward, but I'll play it safe and say Holler wrestles him tough.
19-0 IOWA
165 - Zilverberg DEC Gunther
Toss-up match here. I'm not sure what we have in Gunther yet. Zilverberg is an upperclassmen with a couple decent wins already under his belt this year (Kingsley MN, Arthur NEB) so I predict he puts the Jackrabbits on the board here.
19-3 IOWA
174 - #6 Meyer DEC #15 Kocer
Meyer should win here, but if he pulls one of his "I don't think I'll start wrestling until midway through the 2nd period" things then he might find himself on the wrong end of an upset. Kocer already has a couple nice wins this year having beat #10 Weatherspoon of Iowa State and #17 Micah Barnes of Nebraska. Let's hope he doesn't add Meyer to this list...
22-3 IOWA
184 - #7 Brooks MD Mueller
Possibly even a tech or pin. Brooks should roll.
26-3 IOWA
197 - #4 Rotert DEC Wilcke
This will be a good test to see how Wilcke fairs against a top 10 guy in this pretty weak weight class. Rotert should win.
26-6 IOWA
285 - Macki DEC Holloway
Another toss-up. Macki isn't anything special, but he's at least an experienced upperclassmen who is a true heavyweight. Holloway didn't do anything against Purdue to inspire any confidence. Holloway might win, but I'll give it to Macki.
26-9 IOWA
This obviously shows a pretty solid win for Iowa. But if, say, Gross upset Clark and Kocer knocked off Meyer, or maybe Rotert or Macki came up with a surprise pin, then things could get interesting. This dual should provide some decent tests for some our younger, unproven guys like Gunther, Kemerer, and Wilcke.
125 - #1 Gilman FALL Gillette
Takedown shows are great. We like takedowns. We like techfalls. But we like pins more. Gilman needs to get it done here and stick Gillette. I think he will.
6-0 IOWA
133 - #1 Clark DEC #7 Gross
Probably the most anticipated match of the night. I expect Clark to win, but Gross is going to be game...
9-0 IOWA
141 - Carton MD Pohlmeyer
Though he's a senior, Carton is relatively untested as a DI starter. Regardless, I expect him to bonus Pohlmeyer here.
13-0 IOWA
149 - #2 Sorenson DEC Kocer
This match could be closer than people expect. Kocer is no slouch (he recently beat Stroker from MN) and Sorenson isn't exactly known for lighting up the scoreboard. Bonus would be great here, but I will conservatively pick a DEC for Sorenson.
16-0 IOWA
157 - #7 Kemerer DEC Holler
WresteStat predicts this to be a TF for Kemerer. I'm not sure why. Holler has a recent win over Jake Short from Minnesota, and kept #8 Berger from Nebraska to a decision. If Kemerer could major here that would be a great sign moving forward, but I'll play it safe and say Holler wrestles him tough.
19-0 IOWA
165 - Zilverberg DEC Gunther
Toss-up match here. I'm not sure what we have in Gunther yet. Zilverberg is an upperclassmen with a couple decent wins already under his belt this year (Kingsley MN, Arthur NEB) so I predict he puts the Jackrabbits on the board here.
19-3 IOWA
174 - #6 Meyer DEC #15 Kocer
Meyer should win here, but if he pulls one of his "I don't think I'll start wrestling until midway through the 2nd period" things then he might find himself on the wrong end of an upset. Kocer already has a couple nice wins this year having beat #10 Weatherspoon of Iowa State and #17 Micah Barnes of Nebraska. Let's hope he doesn't add Meyer to this list...
22-3 IOWA
184 - #7 Brooks MD Mueller
Possibly even a tech or pin. Brooks should roll.
26-3 IOWA
197 - #4 Rotert DEC Wilcke
This will be a good test to see how Wilcke fairs against a top 10 guy in this pretty weak weight class. Rotert should win.
26-6 IOWA
285 - Macki DEC Holloway
Another toss-up. Macki isn't anything special, but he's at least an experienced upperclassmen who is a true heavyweight. Holloway didn't do anything against Purdue to inspire any confidence. Holloway might win, but I'll give it to Macki.
26-9 IOWA
This obviously shows a pretty solid win for Iowa. But if, say, Gross upset Clark and Kocer knocked off Meyer, or maybe Rotert or Macki came up with a surprise pin, then things could get interesting. This dual should provide some decent tests for some our younger, unproven guys like Gunther, Kemerer, and Wilcke.
