Logan Stieber after a victory over India at the Freestyle World Cup (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)The online sportsbook BetDSI.com posted betting odds on this weekend's World Team Trials in Rochester, Minn. Let's examine the best bets based on the betting odds. Note: Some of the betting odds have changed since they opened on Tuesday.
Easy money
Logan Stieber -230 at 65 kilograms
Stieber was a massive favorite to win the U.S. Open, but was upset by Jaydin Eierman in the quarterfinals. While Eierman appears to be a rising star with a lot of potential in freestyle, Stieber remains the class of the field. He's still relatively cheap at -230 considering his resume and success in recent years. He was a world champion in 2016 and notched a win over three-time world champion Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan at the Freestyle World Cup this year. If Stieber does reach the best-of-three finals, it seems very unlikely that anyone could beat him twice.
Adam Coon -215 at 125 kilograms
Coon was a bit of a question mark heading into the U.S. Open because he was competing in both freestyle and Greco-Roman and had been focusing on folkstyle wrestling for the past six months as a collegiate competitor at Michigan. In Las Vegas, Coon was phenomenal, navigating his way to the finals in both styles. A day after falling to Olympian Robby Smith in the Greco-Roman finals, Coon topped 2012 Olympic champion Jake Varner to win the freestyle title. Now he gets to sit out until Sunday's best-of-three. The odds were stacked against Coon at the U.S. Open and he still came out on top in freestyle. A rested Coon at -215 has value.
Isaiah Martinez (-250) at 74 kilograms
With multiple-time world champion Jordan Burroughs not competing at the U.S. Open, Martinez was unchallenged at 74 kilograms, outscoring his opposition 49-0. He won by 10-0 technical fall over Dan Vallimont in the finals. By winning in Las Vegas, Imar gets to sit out until Sunday's best-of-three finals. However, missing from the U.S. Open was Dave Schultz Memorial champion Nazar Kulchytskyy. He's expected to compete this weekend in Rochester and will be the favorite to reach the finals against Martinez. Kulchytskyy is a savvy veteran, but Martinez is too explosive and will likely be too much for the former Division II champion. I don't love laying heavy juice (-250), but I think it's worth it in this case.
Value plays
Frank Molinaro +150 at 70 kilograms
Molinaro, a fifth-place finisher at the Olympic Games in Rio, entered the U.S. Open as the favorite at 70 kilograms. He was upset by Jason Chamberlain in the semifinals. Prior to that meeting, Molinaro had Chamberlain's number in recent years. Molinaro is still the top wrestler in this field and has value at plus money. He claimed a bronze medal at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in January.
Dom Bradley +450 at 125 kilograms
Bradley was the top seed at the U.S. Open and finished third. While Coon remains the favorite this weekend at 125 kilograms, there is certainly value on Bradley at +450. If you're betting Coon, it's probably not a bad idea to also put a little money on Bradley as a hedge. Of course, there is no guarantee he gets to Coon. He still has to go through a field that includes Varner and three-time age group world champion Gable Steveson.
Worth a shot
Field +400 at 61 kilograms
The 61-kilogram weight class was wide open at the U.S. Open, and it is once again wide open at this weekend's World Team Trials. Joe Colon came out on top in Las Vegas, beating Nahshon Garrett in a wild, high scoring affair (20-13) in the finals. Colon advanced to Final X by winning the U.S. Open, which means he will not be competing this weekend. Garrett is the favorite this weekend at -170, but he's far from a lock to win the title. Also listed with odds are NCAA champions Nico Megaludis (+285) and Seth Gross (+500). The Field bet might have the most value at this weight class at +400. It includes Tyler Graff, Brandon Wright and Jon Morrison. It's probably worth a shot.
Deron Winn +900 at 92 kilograms
Two-time world-level bronze medalist J'den Cox earned a spot in Final X by winning the U.S. Open. With Cox not competing this weekend, it's anyone's guess who comes out on top at 92 kilograms. Nick Heflin, a Dave Schultz Memorial champion, suffered an injury this year that prevented him from competing at the U.S. Open. He's listed as the favorite at -160, but it remains to be seen if he's healthy enough to come out on top. Hayden Zillmer finished runner-up to Cox at the U.S. Open, but doesn't have much value at +125. If you're looking for value at 92 kilograms, consider a wager on Deron Winn at +900. He's as talented as anyone in the weight class and has more experience than anyone. Working against him is that he's primarily been focusing on his MMA career. Just last weekend Winn won by knockout at Bellator 199. With no strong favorite at 92 kilograms, Winn has value at +900.
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