Most interesting potential NCAA finals matchups

[BruceyB]

What are the potential NCAA finals matchups that you think would be the most intriguing come NCAA's? This isn't a prediction, but weight by weight, the final that garners the most interest. Mine are...

10. 165 Mesenbrink vs Barraclough

We've seen Mitchell vs Caliendo several times and the gap just seems to be widening. Nothing is likely to be exciting in the weight with how big of a favorite Mesenbrink is, but the off chance of the transfer taking down the superstar (ala Taylor vs Jenkins) would be the most interesting storyline.

9. 285 Steveson vs Hendrickson

Until we see someone be truly competitive with Steveson, it's hard to get too excited over a match that seems like a foregone conclusion. I put in Hendrickson because I think the match is much more likely to be a snoozer if it's Greg and Gable.

8. 133 Bailey vs Crookham

Not a lot of heat in this weight as it's really the dawn of a new age after the years with Desanto, Fix, RBY, and Vito as the top dogs. But Crookham winning a title after staying home at Lehigh or Bailey becoming the first NCAA champion from Little Rock would be big for both programs.

7. 125 Spratley vs Lilledahl

A little bit of a curveball here, but (depending on the finals order) starting off the finals with pupil Taylor's Ok St vs the master Cael and Penn St is the most interesting matchup. For the most part, we've seen many of the matchups at this weight over the last handful of years, and none of them have the juice of a penn st vs ok st final.

6. 157 Shapiro vs Kasak

I don't know if everyone gets a little fatigue from the 6th and 7th year guys, but I think to matchup between two young super studs that both finished 3rd in their true freshman season is the most exciting potential matchup in a weight without a real "final boss" type guy.

5. 149 Henson vs Van Ness

Returning national champion vs young PSU stud. I don't have too much to say, but both guys are absolute dogs and this is the most interesting matchup of 149 this year.

4. Alirez vs Mendez

Two super talented undefeated national champions that have yet to meet in college.

3. 174 O'Toole vs Haines

Two NCAA champions that have hopes of becoming 3x champions when their careers are over.

2. 184 Keckeisen vs Starocci

The unheralded recruit turned NCAA champion from UNI vs the man looking to become the first ever 5x champ. The potential of the upset makes this the match-up with the most on the line as it would likely be remembered for decades to come.

1. 197 Ferrari vs Buchanan

I admittedly hate to put this as the most interesting potential matchup at NCAAs, but I believe it cannot be denied. From a purely on the mat perspective, I actually think would likely be the most boring match on this list. However, if AJ steps on the mat for round 1 at NCAAs, who isn't tuning in? Every match will grow the anticipation of him facing Buchanan, the man who stepped into "his" spot at Iowa after last year's events. The entire arena at NCAAs cheering or jeering as the match goes on. The reaction of AJ to the crowd (regardless of outcome) and the potential interview after. I truly believe if this is the 197 final it should be the last match of the night for two reasons. One, everyone who is a real fan of college wrestling either loves the Ferrari antics or is absolutely disgusted by them, so fans won't want to miss the match. Two, who knows what will happen during and after this match, and it would be a shame for those events to overshadow the wrestling still to come. 

Thoughts?

[RawDog]

Nice back stories to all your potential match ups, but keckeisen vs starocci is by far the most interesting.  The fact that keckeisen has a legit shot to prevent a 5 timer makes this the biggest match of the decade.

[BruceyB]

On 12/13/2024 at 8:43 PM, RawDog said:

Nice back stories to all your potential match ups, but keckeisen vs starocci is by far the most interesting.  The fact that keckeisen has a legit shot to prevent a 5 timer makes this the biggest match of the decade.

I appreciate your comment. I was disappointed no one else chimed in with what they are most interested/hopeful to see.

[flyingcement]

7 minutes ago, BruceyB said:

I appreciate your comment. I was disappointed no one else chimed in with what they are most interested/hopeful to see.

you are right.  I call stalling on the forum.  I will post mine shortly

[flyingcement]

125: Figueroa vs Ramos (4)

133: Crookham vs Byrd (3)

141: Mendez vs Alirez (5)

149: Henson vs Van Ness (1)

157: Kasak vs Taylor (8)

165: Mesenbrink vs Caliendo (6)

174: O'Toole vs Haines (2)

184: Starocci vs Keckeisen (9)

197: Buchanan vs Barr (7)

285: Steveson vs Kerkvliet (10)

 

 

[1032004]

For most interesting and not necessarily most likely (although sometimes it’s both), I’d say:

125:  Battles of transfers/current guys.  Some combo of:

Ventresca/Flynn

Flynn/Ramos/Spratley

Robinson/Poulin/Noto

 

133: Byrd/Ragusin usually brings the fire

 

141: Mendez vs Alirez last 2 champs

 

149: Henson vs Van Ness defending champ vs highest remaining placer from 2023

 

157: Taylor vs Downey rematch of controversial CKLV

Saldate vs Fish former MSU

Hipolito vs anyone

 

165: Mesenbrink vs Barraclough

 

174 and 184: Haines vs O’Toole, Starocci vs Keckeisen little chance it will be any different matchup

 

197: Ferrari vs Glazer

Barr vs Beard

 

285: Steveson vs Kerk last 2 champs

[HarryConnickJr]

Most interested in Alirez vs Mendez

[BarSeries]

Most to least:

Mendez/Alirez

Henson/Van Ness

O'Toole/Haines

Starocci/Keckeisen

Steveson/Kirkvliet

[Truzzcat]

Ill throw in some off the board ones because I think everyone has covered the main ones

Ech vs Mendez/Alirez/Beau: I think Chittum burning his red shirt means that Iowa State is bumping everyone down. Ech honestly should have beaten both Ridge and Parco I do not think anyone is as prolific on top at 141 as Ridge or Parco perhaps Mendez or Hardy but I really think Echemendia could play spoiler to what is otherwise seemingly an anointed finals.

Lilledahl vs Ramos vs Robinson vs Richie figs: all of these style matchups would be very fun in any iteration 

Hamiti vs Haines or Keegan: Probably going to be Keegan and Levi at the end of the day but Dean is still young compared to probably every senior in the country I believe he is 21 so I think he would still be developing anywhere but being with David I really think the best is yet to come for him.

Meyer vs kasak: Jacori if healthy could play spoiler but his match is going to look similar vs anyone can they take him down when they get to his legs. Meyers health is also a big question mark but his skill and athleticism are undeniable.

 

[Wrestleknownothing]

For me the most interesting possible match ups are those involving two past champs.

Steveson v Kerkvliet - Can the PSU brain trust come up with a Cassar-esque game plan to get Kerkvliet over the top? Doubtful as this is not the same Steveson. But will the time in the wilds of pretend wrestling, pre-season NFL camp, and a cup of coffee in a WWE gym cause any regression?

Alirez v Mendez - Two guys with a lot of dog in them that seems so evenly matched. I have no idea how this will turn out, but I am here for it.

O'Toole v Haines - Neither championship came at their current weight. Can a two weight jump trump a one weight jump? I do not know, but I cannot weight to find out.

Keckeisen v Starocci - I find the potential five-timer status to be uninteresting, frankly. But with one guy having dominated in one way (five bonus point wins) and the other having dominated in a different way (five one leg victories) at the last tournament, I am intrigued by the potential clash of styles.

[feet2back]

Some of these Semi-Finals this season will also be Electric!

[PortaJohn]

I'll go out on a limb and be controversial but I believe of the "most anticipated" finals the Starocci vs Keck will be the least interesting.  Carter will dictate the pace of the match and win in his usual fashion.  

The 2 that will be the most interesting will be Mendez/Alirez and Haines/O'Toole

[JeanGuy]

5 hours ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

Keckeisen v Starocci - I find the potential five-timer status to be uninteresting, frankly. But with one guy having dominated in one way (five bonus point wins) and the other having dominated in a different way (five one leg victories) at the last tournament, I am intrigued by the potential clash of styles.

I'm with you on the 5-time thing. To me it is pretty meh. The better discussion would be who of the 4-timers could have been 5-timers if given the chance. I would guess most.

I do think it will be an interesting match-up. I think many underrate the strength of Starocci. I think he has an edge there in his ability to finish when most guys would give up for the stalemate.

I am interested to see who Steveson is today (March) versus when he was last competing.

[flyingcement]

You guys are all higher on Alirez vs Mendez than I am.  I was one of the original Alirez homers and predicted him to win the title in Nick Lee's senior year (he did not place and was pinned by Clay Carlson in the blood round).  But when we watched them face off (I think it was a catch weight?) in the offseason and it didn't seem particularly close.  In my mind they are the clear number 1 and number 2 with 3rd place as a true unknown.  Mendez is currently king of the castle in my book

[ionel]

174:  McLane vs Conley would be extremely interesting.  

[BruceyB]

2 hours ago, JeanGuy said:

I'm with you on the 5-time thing. To me it is pretty meh. The better discussion would be who of the 4-timers could have been 5-timers if given the chance. I would guess most.

I do think it will be an interesting match-up. I think many underrate the strength of Starocci. I think he has an edge there in his ability to finish when most guys would give up for the stalemate.

I am interested to see who Steveson is today (March) versus when he was last competing.

I am curious to see how much fire he has after not competing for over a year and a half. The fact that he was willing to step away from the sport after winning an Olympic gold to pursue WWE and NFL makes me wonder how much passion he has left. If someone can take a match to deep waters, it'd be interesting to see how he responds.

[PortaJohn]

1 hour ago, flyingcement said:

You guys are all higher on Alirez vs Mendez than I am.  I was one of the original Alirez homers and predicted him to win the title in Nick Lee's senior year (he did not place and was pinned by Clay Carlson in the blood round).  But when we watched them face off (I think it was a catch weight?) in the offseason and it didn't seem particularly close.  In my mind they are the clear number 1 and number 2 with 3rd place as a true unknown.  Mendez is currently king of the castle in my book

Really?  No love for Beau Bartlett?  There's a gap but it's pretty small

[flyingcement]

1 minute ago, PortaJohn said:

Really?  No love for Beau Bartlett?  There's a gap but it's pretty small

Bartlett probably going to be third, but as good as he is, I think he has a higher chance of being upset because how how close he keeps matches.  He reminds me of the pre-injury Sammy Sasso in that way

[PortaJohn]

1 minute ago, flyingcement said:

Bartlett probably going to be third, but as good as he is, I think he has a higher chance of being upset because how how close he keeps matches.  He reminds me of the pre-injury Sammy Sasso in that way

You can say the same exact thing about Mendez.  

[MPhillips]

5 minutes ago, PortaJohn said:

You can say the same exact thing about Mendez.  

Mendez

69% bonus last season, 75% this season...

[flyingcement]

7 minutes ago, PortaJohn said:

You can say the same exact thing about Mendez.  

That strikes me as surprising.  If that stats actually show that, I would be shocked.  That's not how it *Feels* when I watch him wrestle, but of course that feeling could be misplaced

[MPhillips]

5 minutes ago, flyingcement said:

If that stats actually show that,

I don't believe they do...

[PortaJohn]

18 minutes ago, flyingcement said:

That strikes me as surprising.  If that stats actually show that, I would be shocked.  That's not how it *Feels* when I watch him wrestle, but of course that feeling could be misplaced

 

Yes Mendez does a much better job than Bartlett with racking up points against lesser competition.  But, when he's wrestled ranked opponents he's been in some battles.  Last year took a loss to Matthews and Bartlett in the regular season. Happel gave him a good scrap.  Echemendia gave him a good push in the last minute of their semi finals match. 

He didn't blow away the competition at Cliff Keen this year.  He's my pick to win it but I'm more questioning not having Bartlett as a clear #3.

Edited December 18 by PortaJohn

[flyingcement]

1 minute ago, PortaJohn said:

 

Yes Mendez does a much better job than Bartlett with racking up points against lesser competition.  But, when he's wrestled ranked opponents he's been in some battles.  Last year took a loss to Matthews and Bartlett in the regular season. Happel gave him a good scrap.  Echemendia gave him a good push in the last minute of their semi finals match. 

He didn't blow away the competition at Cliff Keen this year.  He's my pick to win it but I'm more questioning not having Bartlett as a clear #3.

That's fair.  I was thinking of Brock Hardy as a possibility to make it interesting with Bartlett.  Main reason I was worried is that Bartlett is a sure three if he gets to the main matches.  but he has a higher chance in my mind of randomly getting burned in a close match (hasn't really happened yet, so this is only me feeling uneasy about him playing with fire)

[BruceyB]

8 minutes ago, flyingcement said:

but he has a higher chance in my mind of randomly getting burned in a close match (hasn't really happened yet, so this is only me feeling uneasy about him playing with fire)

I typically agree with this logic, but man is he good at winning boring matches. His only losses at 141; Mendez x2, Alirez, Real Woods, and Brocky Hardy. Mendez even when he wins lower scoring matches appears more dominant because he maintains pressure, moves forward, attacks, and is rarely in danger of getting scored on. Bartlett is much more willing to stand around and wait for a reattack score against tougher opponents. But it seems like Bartlett has cemented himself into the #3 spot at this weight until someone proves otherwise.