27 Can't Miss NCAA Round of 16 Matches

The first round of wrestling always answers a lot of questions that we have before the tournament. We finally saw Carter Starocci compete again for the first time since injuring his knee in his final dual of the year. In the same weight class we saw Shane Griffith, who is also dealing with some knee issues, back in action. And we saw a number of upsets and great matches that have us set for the second round of wrestling. For some it’s win or go home in the next session, but for others it’s a chance to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. In the championship bracket we have 27 matches that you absolutely can’t miss. # - seed 125 This weight class has been on fire the entire year and the entire next round is going to be the same. From top to bottom we have matchups that are can’t-miss. But here’s a six-pack of bouts in this weight class that will be awesome. #1 Braeden Davis (PSU) vs #17 Brett Ungar (Cornell) #2 Luke Stanich (Lehigh) vs #15 Caleb Smith (Nebraska) #3 Drake Ayala (Iowa) vs #14 Nico Provo (Stanford) #6 Troy Spratley (OKST) vs #11 Cooper Flynn (Virginia Tech) #7 Jakob Camacho (NC State) vs #10 Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) #8 Richie Figueroa (ASU) vs #9 Patrick McKee (Minnesota) 133 Unlike 125, we’ve had more consistency throughout 133 during the year so even though there are some good matches on deck. Besides seeing how Vito Arujau, who has been in and out of the lineup this year, looks as he takes on #22 Domenic Zaccone who was one of the four guys to get an upset win this morning, there’s three specifically that have my attention. #3 Kai Orine vs #14 Jacob Van Dee (Nebraska) #8 Evan Frost (ISU) vs #24 Julian Chlebove (ASU) #7 Nasir Bailey takes on #23 Marion Yarbrough 141 Here is where we get some matches that we saw during the year that had us on the edge of seats. Even though I’m not adding this match to the list below, I think that the bout between Mitch Moore and Beau Bartlett could be interesting because of how stingy the defense is for both of them. #3 Real Woods (Iowa) vs #14 Jesse Vasquez (ASU) #8 Sergio Lemley (Michigan) vs #9 Brock Hardy (Nebraska) #6 Lachlan McNeil (UNC) vs #11 Josh Koderhandt (Navy) 149 Things are going close to what was expected here outside of a few upsets which has given us 2 matches we need to see. #3 Jackson Arrington (NC State) vs #14 Dylan D’Emilio (Ohio State) #4 Caleb Henson (VT) vs #20 Jordan Williams (OKST) #10 Chance Lamer (Cal Poly) vs #26 Jaden Abas (Stanford) 157 This weight is spicy and it’s about a lot hotter with some familiar foes matching up this round. #4 Ed Scott (NC State) vs #13 Michael Blackhus (Minnesota) #5 Ryder Downey (UNI) vs #12 Bryce Andonian (VT) #8 Peyton Robb (Nebraska) vs #9 Will Lewan (Michigan) 165 The top guys looked pretty good in the first round and look like they should be in the driver’s seat for their next matches as well. But there’s one match that is enticing. #7 Izzak Olejnik (OKST) vs #10 Cam Amine (Michigan) 174 Ok, so hear me out with this one. After seeing how Starocci is maneuvering with his new knee brace I think his match with Adam Kemp is going to be must-watch. But it’s that reason alone that I think Kemp can push him. As we saw in Starocci’s first match, it’s not the easiest thing to work with. #4 Shane Griffith (Michigan) vs #13 Justin McCoy (UVA) #8 Adam Kemp (Cal Poly) vs #9 Carter Starocci (PSU) 184 The biggest wild card in this weight class all year continued his crazy ways with a fall this morning and will keep throwing the kitchen sink at his opponents, who in this case is #2 seed Isaiah Salazar, who narrowly escaped with a 2-1 win in this first round. #2 Isaiah Salazar (Minnesota) vs #18 Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio State) 197 Both the matches here are in the top half of the bracket with the winner of one of them getting top-seeded Aaron Brooks tomorrow morning. But these two bouts have fireworks potential. #5 Jacob Cardenas (Cornell) vs #12 Rocky Elam (Mizzou) #8 Stephen Buchanan (OU) vs #9 Stephen Little (Little Rock) 285 We are spoiled with having big boys that bring it and put on show-stopping bouts. There are a few matchups here that fans shouldn’t be leaving the stadium before they see them. #5 Nathan Taylor (Lehigh) vs #12 Konner Doucet (OKST) #7 Taye Ghadiali (CAMP) vs #10 Lucas Davison (Michigan) #9 Nick Feldman (Ohio State) vs #25 Bradley Hill (Iowa)

Sign In

27 Can't Miss NCAA Round of 16 Matches

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in

Categories

Rankings

Browse

Activity

Support