Waters has been the leader of this weight class all season; however, that is no guarantee of a national title, something Waters should know from the 2013 tournament. While the path is tough, look for him to go out with a bang in St. Louis. Gilman is one of the keys for Iowa to boost their chances to get the national title.
133: No. 9 A.J. Schopp (Edinboro) over No. 3 Cory Clark (Iowa)
Last year at this time Schopp was right on the heels of Tony Ramos for the national title in this weight class. Now, he's seeded ninth? Something doesn't seem right. Look for him to string together a big-time tournament. Clark is another key for Iowa in bolstering their title hopes.
141: No. 1 Logan Stieber (Ohio State) over No. 2 Mitchell Port (Edinboro)
About as boring a prediction as one can make. Stieber finishes his career as a four-timer, and cements his legacy in the history of collegiate wrestling. Just simply one of the best ever.
149: Drake Houdashelt (Missouri) over Jason Tsirtsis (Northwestern)
Houdashelt was seeded first last year, losing to eventual national champion Tsirtsis in a very tight semifinal match. Look for Houdashelt to flip that script this year in the national finals. It's his senior year in front of a hometown crowd, and at some point, a close match for Tsirtsis will yield a loss at the NCAA tournament.
157: No. 1 Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) over No. 3 Dylan Ness (Minnesota)
The way Martinez wrestled at the Big Ten tournament, you could put a clone of Jordan Burroughs out there, and it might not matter. James Green (Nebraska) will be sure to give him a go in the semifinal, though. Ness gets to the final, as he seems to find an extra gear come the big show, but not enough to take out the super frosh Martinez.
165: No. 1 Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) over No. 3 Isaac Jordan (Wisconsin)
Dieringer moved up a weight this year after winning the title down at 157 pounds last year, and there has been no ill effect. Dude is just locked in, and look for that type of form to continue this coming weekend. Though Jordan did lose to Moreno a month ago, I'll still pick him to clear the other side of the draw.
174: No. 1 Robert Kokesh (Nebraska) over No. 2 Matt Brown (Penn State)
For sake of the viewing audience, let's hope this is the final, as their Big Ten finals bout was an open affair. Kokesh is the safest pick as champion in this weight class with the next three best wrestlers all on the opposite side of the draw.
184: No. 1 Gabe Dean (Cornell) over No. 2 Max Thomusseit (Pittsburgh)
The fact that Dean lost two matches this year is the most shocking thing about the progress of this weight class. It's one that's relatively blah after those that immediate precede it and the one that follows. Thomusseit would make it a pair of St. Paris Graham alumni in the NCAA finals.
197: No. 1 J'den Cox (Missouri) over No. 3 Kyven Gadson (Iowa State)
Look for Cox to finish his season undefeated and repeat as a national champion. Even having to deal with Schiller (Minnesota) or Snyder (Ohio State) in the national semi, I think Cox is just too much of a physical freak. Gadson has yet to lose a contested match this year, and look for that to continue until the final.
285: No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski (North Carolina State) over No. 2 Mike McMullan (Northwestern)
This would be the most fan-friendly 285-pound final in years. Two attack-oriented wrestlers with mobility and range that look to score. So let's root for that. Gwiazdowski is the pick to repeat.
Team:
1. Iowa
2. Missouri
3. Ohio State
4. Minnesota
5. Cornell
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