This NCAA tournament may be the most competitive in years on an individual basis. Gable is really the only prohibitive favorite and Yianni is a solid favorite. After those two weight classes every other weight is super competitive and likely won by razor thin margins. Should be an amazing tournament.
NCAA Prohibitive Favorites
- Thread starter Bertrand
- Start date
I believe Brooks should be mentioned with those 2.
Confidence rankings:
1) Gable
2) Yanni
3) Carr
4) AB
5) Suriano
6) CStar
7) NLee
8) RBY
9) Dean
10) O'Toole
1) Gable
2) Yanni
3) Carr
4) AB
5) Suriano
6) CStar
7) NLee
8) RBY
9) Dean
10) O'Toole
If RBY and lee win big 10 only will be challenged at NCAA's in finals. Carter has possibly 3 tough matches at NCAA's
Thoughts? :
Any word on SeaBass? That knee looked bad vs Princeton. Missed Columbia match. Obviously, That would change 141 dramatically for Bigs and NCAAs. I like Nick over him . I think he d would be Nick s biggest challenge. Been impressive this year. Has grown into the weight.
Compared to last year who do we think has made more progress ( folk style) RBY or Fix. DeSanto not beating either imo . I don t care how many “ after I lost crazy stares he gives RBY or anyone else” Hasn t been the same since he gave up and tapped out ( “ tough wrestling”) vs RBY! RBY lives in his head 24/7! Dice man you know your stuff and it s not your first rodeo but I put RBY higher.
Suriano 5 ? I think Vito is favorite w Glory next. Nick looks gaunt like a skeleton . Wght management?
Any word on SeaBass? That knee looked bad vs Princeton. Missed Columbia match. Obviously, That would change 141 dramatically for Bigs and NCAAs. I like Nick over him . I think he d would be Nick s biggest challenge. Been impressive this year. Has grown into the weight.
Compared to last year who do we think has made more progress ( folk style) RBY or Fix. DeSanto not beating either imo . I don t care how many “ after I lost crazy stares he gives RBY or anyone else” Hasn t been the same since he gave up and tapped out ( “ tough wrestling”) vs RBY! RBY lives in his head 24/7! Dice man you know your stuff and it s not your first rodeo but I put RBY higher.
Suriano 5 ? I think Vito is favorite w Glory next. Nick looks gaunt like a skeleton . Wght management?
That's true, and Fix is better than anyone Carter or Nick will face.
Among those 3, confidence pick in either order is defensible.
Glory did beat Arujau 2 weeks ago. It was close and perhaps could be reversed at EIWAs or at NCAA semis. But hard to see Arujau favored over both Glory and Suriano today.
I wouldn't be concerned about Suriano's appearance. If we've learned nothing else about him as a wrestler over the years (never mind off the mat stuff with his father): he is insanely, obsessively disciplined. If he loses, weight won't be why.
Thanks for the insights Jefe. Your reasoning makes sense and is well taken. I Have an admitted LI / NY bias for Vito as I ve watched him develop over the years. I just think he gets it done. I may be a Lone Wolf here but that s ok. I d think the loser of Vito / Glory at EIWAs might fall below Courtney if he wins out in terms of NCAA seeding putting that wrestler on Nick s side if he wins Big ten .
Having said all that , Drew is the wrestler I m fully behind even w Vito and whoever. We ll know a lot more after the conference tournament but I think ppl sell Drew short. His conditioning will peak at the right time. He s at about 20 matches now. Strong , big, smart, mentally tough! and experienced . I m on the Drew train. In neutral good defensively and I think can take his shots and counter shots to the next level. He s one of the keys to the team race imo. Jefe curious where u see Ayala in all this? And is he fully recovered? Thanks, Bevi
Don't get me wrong, Arujau could win it and isn't an unreasonable pick. There's a clear top 3 and he's in it. Just can't see him as favored today.
I don't see Courtney getting the 3 seed. Definitely not if Arujau wins EIWAs, would be Glory's only loss + he beat Courtney 12-6 this year.
Maybe over a 2-loss Arujau, though all of their losses would be to Glory. Courtney's schedule was weaker with no bonus vs ranked wrestlers. Arujau bonused every ranked wrestler he faced except Glory (9-11) and Lane (9-3) -- including Barnett (13-3). So probably not.
No idea how healthy Ayala really is. Dangerous if healthy, could make the podium. Earl has him ranked 12th, which seems about right. He could be like Howard last year, in that he wrestles better at nationals than the rest of the year.
Unfortunately I would like to see RBY, nick, carter and dean a little higher on that list. Though all are capable of winning.
No Hawks? Seriously, it really is too bad Lee won't be wrestling because he would be high on the list. 5 Lions and a former Lion.
We've heard that before, and maybe it's true, but there he was competing Sunday against Nebraska's 4-12 starter. Seems to me like a winnable match for Ybarra, and needless risk and wear for Ayala, but what do I know?
Or maybe he's not quite as injured as rumored.
He should get one of those kevlar labrum protectors
I would as well, but all have challenges ahead & therefore in MHO these ranking are reasonable.
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