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    Jim Gibbons •

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    Laces Up: Jim Gibbons previews 157 pounds



    Big Ten Network and ESPN wrestling analyst Jim Gibbons knows wrestling. One of the best broadcasters in the business, Gibbons knows what it takes to win an NCAA championship both as an athlete and a coach. Who does Gibbons see as the favorite coming into this year's NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in St. Louis? Who does he think will have a breakout performance and exceed expectations as Mr. Upside? Gibbons will be previewing each of the 10 weight classes leading up to the NCAAs. Follow Jim on Twitter at @JGibLacesUp and let him know what you think if his previews and picks.

    Isaiah Martinez (Photo/Joe Maiorana, USA Today)
    I have been saying this for a while, "guys show up," and no weight class is a better example than 157 pounds. Undefeated No. 1 seed Isaiah Martinez (Illinois) redshirted last season and finished fourth in the Midlands. He lost in that event to the defending NCAA champion Derek St. John (Iowa) in the second round and lost in the third-place match, 9-6, to the Midlands No. 8 seed Johnny Greisheimer (Edinboro). This year Martinez is on a roll. He picked apart Dylan Ness (Minnesota) in the Big Ten finals. He is always looking for points. Martinez is a special talent that appears to be very coachable and his comments afterwards were mature and thoughtful. This leads me to believe he will be the same competitor this week and has a great chance to win the title.

    James Green (Nebraska) lost 2-0 to Martinez earlier this season. Green is explosive and dangerous as the No. 4 seed. Remember he was the No. 1 seed last season and held the ranking for two months. Brian Realbuto (Cornell) has everyone's respect as the No. 2 seed. He won by decision over Ness at the National Duals, and is a gamer. NCAA fourth-place finisher Ian Miller (Kent State) is seeded No. 7, but has a surprising number of losses for the talent he showed in OKC. How about No. 5 Cody Pack (South Dakota State)? He is 34-4 on the year and getting jacked. Having an All American would be huge for Coach Chris Bono and his program.

    The team race gets started right away with No. 6 Josh Demas (Ohio State) up against Mike Kelly (Iowa) in the first round. Demas, a senior who has made it to the round of 12, has to be counted on to hold or improve on his seed for the Buckeyes to win the title. Missouri coach Brian Smith is looking for No. 9 Joey LaVallee to catch fire and be the sixth man for the Tigers. With Smith's five other highly seeded wrestlers they could be holding the big prize Saturday with an All-American performance from LaVallee.

    Dylan Ness (Photo/GopherSports.com)
    Mr. Upside has had a flare for the dramatic the past three seasons. No. 3 Dylan Ness (Minnesota) has easily been one of the most exciting wrestlers in the country to watch. Ness's dichotomy of being unassuming off the mat and wildly entertaining on the mat is interesting. However, this season he hasn't had that signature dramatic moment to help his team. Is he due? Well, I guess that's what I'm saying. I would be upset with myself if Ness got it done and I didn't pick him. Everybody would say how could you ever doubt him. With all the memorable moments Dylan Ness has provided in his career, I can live with being wrong. Minnesota has a path to the national title, but it's not likely to happen without Ness contributing in a big way. That's not pressure; it's opportunity. We've learned that you can't count this guy out, but as I said at the top, "guys show up."

    Pick: Isaiah Martinez (Illinois)

    Mr. Upside: Dylan Ness (Minnesota)

    Previews:
    125 | 133 | 141 | 149 | 157 | 165 | 174 | 184 | 197 | 285
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