NCAA Wrestling All American Predictions
by psuwresfan on Mar 18, 2010 11:54 AM EDT
38 comments
The NCAA tournament gets underway today around noon, and concludes with the finals on Saturday night. Below is the tv schedule for the tournament.
ESPNU - Fri
Quarterfinals
10:30am - 2:30pm EST
ESPNU - Fri
Semifinals
07:00pm - 10:30pm EST
ESPNU - Sat
Medal Round
11:00am - 03:00pm EST
ESPN - Sat
Finals
07:30pm - 11:30pm EST
Continue reading for my predictions on this years All Americans as well as some matches to watch.
125:
All Americans
1st: Angel Escobedo Indiana
2nd: Matt McDonough Iowa
3rd: Troy Nickerson Cornell
4th: Andrew Long Iowa St.
5th: Anthony Robles Ariz St.
6th: Zach Sanders Minnesota
7th: Chris Notte Oklahoma St
Matches to watch:
Every match with Troy Nickerson, no one knows what kind of shape his shoulder is in he's wrestled just 14 matches. He could win it all or not place depending on his heath.
Any match with Anthony Robles the Junior from Arizona St has always been a good story wrestling with just one leg, but last year he proved he's also a good wrestler. He's a bit of a wild card as well and should he meet Escobedo in the semifinals that could be a great match.
1st round match to watch:
Brad Pataky vs Jarrod Patterson their match at the Virginia Duals was a good one and I expect this to be about the same.
133:
All Americans
1st: Jayson Ness Minnesota
2nd: Franklin Gomez Mich St
3rd: Jordan Oliver Oklahoma St
4th: Daniel Dennis Iowa
5th: Mike Grey Cornell
6th: Scott Sentes Cent Mich
7th: Steve Bell Maryland
Matches to watch:
The semis here should be outstanding if the seeds hold with Oliver taking on Ness and Gomez and Dennis going at it again. Dennis has won every match with Gomez so far however I have a feeling this could finally be the time Gomez gets the edge.
1st round match to watch:
The pig tail between Sentes and Matt Fisk from Lehigh could be a potential upset, and should be a pretty good match.
141:
All Americans
1st: Reece Humphrey Ohio St
2nd: Jamal Parks Oklahoma St
3rd: Mike Thorn Minnesota
4th: Kyle Dake Cornell
5th: Montell Marion Iowa
6th: Alex Krom Maryland
7th: Zack Bailey Oklahoma
Matches to watch:
Kyle Dake the true freshman is also the number one seed. He's also rumored to have a banged up knee, which adds a little more intrigue. Most high school seasons would have ended by now so it's always interesting to see how worn down a true freshman is at the NCAAs.
The Chris Diaz Thorn quarterfinal tomorrow morning could be pretty good. Thorn is red hot right now after upsetting Humphrey in the Big Ten final.
1st round match to watch:
8th Seed Alex Krom from Maryland and Chris Drouin from Arizona St should be a pretty solid 1st round bout.
149:
All Americans
1st: Brent Metcalf Iowa
2nd: Lance Palmer Ohio St
3rd: Matt Kyler Army
4th Kyle Terry Okla
5th: Frank Molinaro Penn St
6th: Kyle Rushcell Wisconsin
7th: Jason Chamberlain Boise St
Matches to watch:
Obviously after the upset at the Big Tens a final between Palmer and Metcalf should be an extremely entertaining match.
Watch out for a PA kid Matt Kyler from Army if he gets past Terry of Oklahoma he could give Metcalf a very tough match in the semis.
A quarterfinal rubber match between Molinaro and Ruschell should be a good one.
1st round match to watch:
12th seed Mario Mason from Minnesota against Eric Albright from Pittsburgh. Albright was once a Penn State recruit before backing out at the last minute to go to Virginia. He's now in Pittsburgh and has the only real chance at a first round upset in this weight at my opinion. Also Grajeles of Penn against Kyle Terry in the first round could be interesting. Grajeles was suspended most of the season and only has 15 matches under his belt.
157:
All Americans
1st: Adam Hall Boise St
2nd: Cyler Sanderson Penn St
3rd: JP O'Conner Harvard
4th Dustin Schlatter Minnesota
5th: Matt Moley Bloomsburg
6th: Jesse Dong Va Tech
7th: Steve Fittery American
Matches to watch:
All of them this is probably one of the weaker weight classes in the tournament but it also has the most parity. I expect plenty of upsets.
Anthony Jones from Michigan St and Jesse Dong from Virginia Tech could be an exciting 2nd round match tonight. Jones was red hot at the Big Ten tournament and Dong seems a bit over seeded in my opinion.
Every Dustin Schlatter match, he came into Minnesota very highly regarded and backed it up in his freshman campaign. He's battled injuries and other problems since and hasn't really quite lived up to Minnesota fans expectations. This is his final trip to the tournament after he injury defaulted out of the Big Ten tournament no one knows what kind of condition he'll be in tonight.
1st round match to watch:
7th Seed Chase Pami from Cal Poly against Kurt Kinser of Indiana. I've always though Kinser was over rated but he's capable of beating anyone and I think that's the best shot for a first round upset.
165:
All Americans
1st: Andrew Howe Wisconsin
2nd: Nick Marable Missouri
3rd: Jonathon Reader Iowa St
4th: Dan Vallimont Penn St
5th: Jarrod King Edinboro
6th: Colt Sponsellor Ohio St
7th: Alex Meade Okla St
Matches to watch:
Unlike 157 this weight class is loaded and has a ton of parity any of the top ten seeds has a chance to win it. I hate to not pick a specific match but the quarterfinals and semifinals at this weight could be some of the best matches of the tournament. Specifically Vallimont vs Marable and Meade vs King.
1st round Match to watch:
Dan Vallimont vs Matt Epperly Vallimont beat Epperly 4 3 at the Virginia Duals this a must win for Dan you don't want to fall into the consis this early at the NCAAs.
174:
All Americans
1st: Mack Lewnes Cornell
2nd: Jay Borschell Iowa
3rd: Stephen Dwyer Nebraska
4th: Scott Glasser Minnesota
5th: Chris Henrich Virginia
6th: Josh Patterson Binghamton
7th: Luke Manuel Purdue
Matches to watch:
Lewnes and Dwyer in the semis, Lewnes came in as the number 1 seed last year and got upset in the first round, so you have to think he'll be plenty motivated this time around. That match should be a dandy.
If it comes of according to seed you have to love a battle of two unbeaten wrestler in the final that will be the case if Lewnes and Borschell both make the final.
1st round match to watch:
9th Seed Luke Manuel of Purdue and Phil Morricone of Edinboro, Morricone has been around for a long time and you can never rule out a senior making his final trip to the NCAAs. And after last years upset you have to watch Mack Lewnes in the first round.
184:
All Americans
1st: John Dergo Illinois
2nd: Kirk Smith Boise St
3rd: Max Askren Missouri
4th: Clayton Foster Okla St
5th: Dutin Kilgore Kent St
6th Mike Cannon American
7th: Phil Keddy Iowa
8th: Joe LeBlanc Wyoming
Matches to watch:
For Penn State fans Dave Erwin vs Max Askren a win here would greatly improve Dave's chances of becoming an all american. Also top seed Kirk Smith against Phil Keddy in the quarters could be a great match.
1st round match to watch:
Probably easiest pick in the whole tournament #10 seed Mike Pucillo Ohio State vs Mike Miller from Central Mich. two former all american wrestling in a pig tail. Meaning one won't even be in the preliminary round of the tournament wow.
197:
All Americans:
1st: Jake Varner Iowa ST
2nd: Hudson Taylor Maryland
3rd: Cam Simaz Cornell
4th Craig Brester Nebraska
5th: Eric Lapotsky Oklahoma
6th: Trevor Brandvold Wisconsin
7th: Chad Beatty Iowa
Matches to watch:
Beatty and Sonny Yohn in the 2nd round tonight. Yohn beat Beatty in overtime at the Big Ten tournament Beatty has had another couple of weeks to heal up and get in better shape.
Simaz and Brandvold should be a great quarterfinal match on Friday morning.
1st round match to watch:
Chad Beatty vs Alan Glogaev Okla St Tough tough draw for Beatty this should be a great first round match and I wouldn't be surprised to see a not 100% Beatty lose this match.
Hwt:
All Americans
1st: David Zabriski Iowa St
2nd: Jared Rosholt Okla St
3rd: Conrad Dudziak Duke
4th: Zach Rey Lehigh
5th: Dan Erekson Iowa
6th: Nate Everhart Indiana
7th: Mark Ellis Missouri
Matches to watch:
Dudziak vs Erekson in the quarterfinal Dudziak surprised a lot of people last year with his strong tournament run.
Rey and Everhart should be another strong quarterfinal it's time for both guys to prove they deserved to be highly ranked.
1st round match to watch:
Truthfully I don't really expect many upsets of seeded guys in the top round here. If I had to pick one it would be Josh Arnone from Cornell against 9 seed Mark Ellis of Missouri. Arnone is a solid but not spectacular wrestler and Ellis isn't having the best season ever.
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1st update of the day
Miller beats Pucillo in their pig tail. Meaning for National Champ Pucillo will have to wrestle back all the way through consolations to place this year.
Pataky wins
Pataky gets the “upset” over Patterson 6 – 4. Good tight match Pataky was in a ton of trouble in the 3rd period nearly getting pinned, but he hangs on for a solid 6 4 win.
Good Start for Penn State.
As much as I dislike the utter cockiness and overall attitude of the Easton program...
I have to admit that it was enjoyable watching Jordan Oliver just decimate kids at the Manheim Holiday Tournament year after year. It will be interesting to see how he fares in this year’s tournament.
He won his first bout close
I’m not sure of the score but the Penn State radio guy said it was a tight bout and then Molinaro started wrestling.
3 - 2
Not a great start for Oliver Stevens from Michigan isn’t very strong.
Did he change his wrestling style?
IIRC in one tournament, his goal at the beginning was to set a new “takedowns” record, and he won every match by tech fall until he set the record… then pinned his opponent in the finals for the extra team point. I have never seen an Oliver bout where he failed to score double digits.
Not real sure
In high school he used to use that low ankle pick over and over and most kids in high school couldn’t stop it.
The times I’ve seen him this year he seems very very cautious compared to what he used to be, I have noticed that.
Molinaro wins 9 4
Solid start for Frank and Penn State.
Sanderson wins 16 12
Ugly start for Cyler but he survived a wild scary bout.
Dustin Schlatter was unable to get through his preliminary bout. His tournament is over as is his career at Minnesota. Really disappointing finish for him.
Dominate 8 3 win for Vallimont
Vallimont looked great in his first bout. He’s off to a good start. As is Penn State, two matches to go in the first round, Erwin should be favored and Wade is a big underdog. But a 5 – 1 first round would be a great start for Penn State.
Good new for Vallimont
The 3 and 4 seeds at 165 both got upset in round number 1. The road just got a little easier for Vallimont.
Erwin wins
5 0 start for Penn State. Iowa just lost their 1st bout as Gegoleav upset Beatty. But they’ve been off to a good start so far. Central Michigan is in the early lead.
So far the worst round has to be Minnesota they had 4 seeded wrestlers get upset.
Wade loses
Wade loses 3 1 in over time. Not a bad start for Penn State 5 – 1 in the first session.
Pataky gets session 2 off to a good start
Pataky picked up a solid win over his second straight seeded opponent. Things get much tougher now as he takes on top seeded Angel Escobedo in the quarters tomorrow.
Troy Nickerson was upset in the second round by a kid from Boston University which isn’t exactly a big wrestling school.
That’s a big blow to Cornell’s team chances and huge lift for Iowa.
First bonus points for Penn State
Frank Molinaro wins 8 0 giving Penn State their first win other than decisions.
Cyler is coming to the mat now for his second mat. Penn State has wrestled well so far in the NCAAs. Cyler had the worst match in the first round so hopefully he can tighten it up here.
Gillespie upsets Ruschell
Ruschell from Wisconsin goes down. Molinaro will take on Gillespie in the quarters that should be a better match for him.
Sanderson wins
Cyler got ridden the entire second period which isn’t a good sign for a guy who struggled getting out most of the year. But it was a much more controlled match and a far better performance then his first round match. Final Score 4 2.
Vallimont looking awesome
Dan Vallimont looks like the guy who finished 3rd in the country two years ago. His match with Schmelyun was expected to be a tough one. But Dan was absolutely dominant. He got an early takedown then rode Schmelyun the entire first period.
He was able to get out on bottom and then quickly added another takedown in the second and then rode for the entire second period.
The final score was 10 0 Dan finished with 4 minutes and 52 seconds of riding time.
Erwin loses
Erwin lost by fall to Askren. It was actually a really tight close match until Erwin got caught in a cradle in a scramble and got pinned.
So Penn State will have a 4 guys into the quarterfinals. At this point the positive they have yet to be upset which can’t be said by most teams. There have been a ton of upsets so far in the tournament.
Wade Wins
Cameron Wade beats David Wade 1 0 to advance to the 2nd round of consolation. Not a bad 1st day for Penn State. At this point they haven’t been upset and have gotten a few upsets of their own.
Tough break for Pataky
Day 2 is about to get under way. Pataky’s draw got even tougher last night. If he loses to Escobedo the number 1 seed this morning he’ll likely have to wrestle Troy Nickerson the #2 seed in his first consolation bout.
That means Pataky would have wrestled the 8, 9, 1 and 2 seeds in his NCAA tournament.
That being said Nickerson is injured and doesn’t look that great, and obviously is beatable. Still a very very tough match up for Brad.
Pataky gets teched
Pataky loses Penn State’s first Day two bout 15 0.
Penn State has their first all american
Frank looked outstanding with an 8 0 major decision over Torsten Gillespie of Edinboro. He’ll wrestle top seed Lance Palmer in tonights semifinals.
Vallimont wins
Dan wins 5 2 and is headed to the semifinals to take on Jarrod King of Edinboro again.
King beat Vallimont already this year but the bouts were close and the way Dan is wrestling right now I think he has a great shot at winning.
Penn State has two into the semis, and will have at least two in the consis tonight. Erwin and Wade have consolation matches coming up. Erwin would should be favored, Wade will be an underdog in his bout.
Penn State was tied for 10th going into today’s session I have to think they’ll be right around that same spot at the end of the session.
Penn State is in 9th place
Updated team results after the 157 lb results Penn State is in 9th just a half point behind Wisconsin.
Dan Vallimont’s win isn’t factored in so they could still move up some.
Dave Erwin wins
Erwin picks up a big win in his first consolation bout. He still needs two more wins I think to become and all american.
Wade upsets Tomei
Wade beat Tomei from Pitt 8 3 huge win for Wade who will also stay alive and move on to the next round of consolations.
Very good round so far for Penn State. Erwin and Wade have one more match this session.
Erwin loses
Dave Erwin becomes the first penn state wrestler eliminated losing to former National Champion Mike Pucillo.
Wade Eliminated
Wade loses 7 0 and is eliminated from the tournament. Penn State is down to 4 guys left. Pataky and Sanderson need wins tonight in the round of 12 to reach all american status or they’ll be eliminated.
Pataky loses
Pataky got eliminated in the round of 12 for the second straight year. One big five point move was the difference for Nickerson.
Tough tough draw, I think Pataky would have fared much better on the other half of the bracket where Quiroga from Purdue somehow made the semifinal.
Penn State picks up a 3rd all american
Cyler Sanderson beats Anthony Jones 6 3 to become Penn State’s 3rd All American.
Valimont dropped a 2 0 decision to top seed Lance Palmer of Ohio State. He’ll fall into the consolation semifinals.
Thanks for the updates
I think you meant Molinaro lost to Palmer.
Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany
Penn State gets a Finalist
Dan Vallimont beats returning national champ Jarrod King of Edinboro in the semifinals.
Vallimont out wrestled King the entire match. King was content to keep wrestling on the edge, without taking a single shot. Vallimont locked up a takedown in overtime for the 3 1.
Dan will take on Andrew Howe of Wisconsin tomorrow for the title. Howe has beaten Vallimont twice but Dan is wrestling outstanding right now.
Great story for Penn State, Dan was 3rd in the country two years ago with just three losses all coming to Poeta of Illinois. He had high hopes for last year but went through a difficult year and made the move up to 165.
Sanderson wins
Sanderson wins 9 6 and advances to the consi semis to face unseeded Justin Lister from Binghamton.
That’s it for Penn State in tonights session. I’m not sure of the team score at this point. Iowa has locked up the team race they are well well out in front. Penn State has to be close to the top ten. Picking up wins in the consi semifinals will definitely help.
Molinaro and Sanderson will wrestle tomorrow morning in the consi semifinals and then will wrestle for 3rd or 5th places in the same session.
Vallimont will wrestle in primetime at 730 on espn when he takes on Andrew Howe for the national title.
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