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    Jim Gibbons •

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    Laces Up: Jim Gibbons previews 285 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.

    NCAA champ Nick Gwiazdowski (North Carolina State) is having an amazing run in a very balanced weight class. He came from behind last season in the finals to beat two-time NCAA champion Tony Nelson (Minnesota). Gwiz is the favorite and No. 1 seed coming into this year's tournament. He now possesses the only thing he didn't have going into last year's tournament -- a target. Like my good friend Mike Sheets (two-time NCAA champ for Oklahoma State) says, "It's better to have a target than a monkey on your back." Gwiz is technically solid and has great footwork on his takedown finishes. There is no reason for him not to be my pick. Like I said in an earlier preview, I agree with the seeding but I'm going in a different direction.

    Mike McMullan (Photo/Darren Miller)
    No. 2 Mike McMullan (Northwestern) has shown people he has the ability to come back. He has finished third, second and third in the NCAAs during his three years as a Wildcat. In last week's Big Tens he came from behind to win every match, including overcoming a 5-0 deficit in the quarters. He wrestles every match of the tournament. I think this year his matches will all be in the championship bracket. Both these guys are first-class wrestlers. I am looking forward to the matches in this weight.

    Gwiz and McMullan are not the only title contenders. In my opinion, the next four seeded wrestlers could all make the finals. No. 3 Bobby Telford (Iowa), No. 4 Austin Marsden (Oklahoma State), No. 5 Connor Medbery (Wisconsin) and No. 6 Adam Coon (Michigan) have proven they can win tight matches but haven't gotten it done on Friday yet. Of these wrestlers, I think Medbery is the most dangerous. He's on the top side of the bracket with Gwiz and is a big reason I went with McMullan. I really like how competitive this weight class is ... and it breaks down between the guys who look to score and those who can only score defensively. I'm hoping for the good of the sport the officiating rewards offensive wrestling and legitimate attempts to score, not pushing and reaching.

    Connor Medbery (Photo/Pam Ruschell)
    When looking for Mr. Upside, there are several candidates. One is No. 7 Blaize Cabell (Northern Iowa), who can attack both legs below the knee. Cabell owns a win over No. 10 Ty Walz (Virginia Tech), who also has good leg attacks. However, the guy I think that is real close to putting it all together is Connor Medbery (Wisconsin). Medbery is turning into a good combination of technique, power and aggression. If he adds a bit of patience, I get a sense he will put together a great tournament.

    Gwiz has a target on his back and is now the guy to beat. Last year he was driven incredibly by not being picked to win it. How will this fuel his fire? Or will it?

    Pick: Mike McMullan (Northwestern)

    Mr. Upside: Connor Medbery (Wisconsin)

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