Iowa Wrestling: No. 2 Iowa vs No. 11 Northwestern – Preview

Friday evening marks the three hundredth twin in Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment, which coincidentally, is nearly 40 years to the date that CHA opened its doorways with a twin meet win over Oklahoma (Jan. 3 1983).

After we consider Northwestern wrestling the phrase “historic” doesn’t come to thoughts, however for Friday evening, maybe it ought to.

Regardless of main the all-time collection 74-7-1 and rattling off 14 consecutive twin wins relationship again to 2005, this can undoubtedly be an all-out struggle on our house mat. Well being is theprimary issue right here as we’re not solely battling accidents, but additionally illness. Nonetheless, we should notice that these explicit Wildcats are downright good.

NORTHWESTERN (2-0)

Northwestern has seen restricted motion up to now this 12 months, however they’ve capitalized on their few encounters: beating Virginia, 20-13, successful the Midlands match, and upending #12 Minnesota, 18-11, final weekend.

Because the NWCA polls debuted in October, they’ve steadily climbed the rankings and now discover themselves positioned at #11. They’re using a 7 twin win streak relationship again to final 12 months and positioned sixth within the NCAA’s (solely 9 factors shy of the rostrum). Although they’ve graduated their lone NCAA champ in Ryan Deakin, that is arguably a deeper and extra gifted group.

In keeping with the newest Intermat Wrestling rankings they’ve 9 inside the highest 33 together with 5 inside the highest 10.

A path to victory is conceivable and completely doable – particularly contemplating the illnesses surrounding our present lineup. Win the weights they’re favored at (141, 157, 197), win a pair tossups (133, 149, 174, 285), and maintain selections within the different weights. This isn’t a straightforward process, however it’s believable.

IOWA (9-0)

I hate to say it, but when Actual Woods (141) and Jacob Warner (197) don’t go, we’ll be staring down the barrel of an unpleasant loss.

Each of our returning All-American’s weren’t listed within the mid-week lineup dump. Warner appeared to return up limping a pair weeks again, however has largely battled by means of – whereas Woods has wrestled sparingly, with 4 of his 6 matches coming on the Soldier Salute 2 weeks in the past. He didn’t make an look in opposition to Illinois or Purdue.

Per typical, bonus factors are going to play a significant factor. Assuming Spencer Lee goes, he’ll have a troublesome matchup in opposition to returning AA #3 Michael DeAugustino (who supposedly can also be battling his personal accidents). But when Lee does Lee issues and desires to push his present win streak to 46, then we want a win through tech or fall.

Likewise, our different potential bonus level alternatives lie at 165 and 184. Patrick Kennedy and Abe Assad have their work reduce out for them, however majors are a particular risk and they should wrestle their asses off and capitalize.

Guys, I’m nervous. The disgusting efficiency in opposition to Illinois final weekend continues to be very a lot in my mouth and we can’t afford a repeat of that terrible evening. And Illinois isn’t any Northwestern.

These Wildcats are coming into hostile territory sensing blood within the water they usually’ll be in all-out frenzy mode – we should be prepared!

Earlier than I soar into the lineups I need to publish Spencer’s match from final weekend in opposition to Purdue’s Matt Ramos. I’ve by no means, NEVER seen a match like this. When Ramos threw Lee I instantly had visions of Lee’s loss to Nick Piccininni (osu) from a couple of years in the past, however the second he escaped the autumn, I knew Ramos was completed like dinner.

The uncooked emotion we are saying on show following the pin was… one thing else. I’ve my very own ideas, however I’d love to listen to your reactions within the feedback under. However in your leisure, right here’s that unimaginable comeback in all its glory.

PROBABLE LINEUP vs NORTHWESTERN:

125: #1 Spencer Lee vs #3 Michael DeAugustino

133: Brody Teske // #17 Cullan Schriever vs #13 Chris Cannon

141: Drew Bennett vs #10 Frankie Tal-Shahar

149: #4 Max Murin vs #5 Yahya Thomas

157: #20 Cobe Siebrecht vs #9 Trevor Chumbley

165: #10 Patrick Kennedy vs #23 Maxx Mayfield

174: #16 Nelson Manufacturers vs #20 Troy Fisher

184: #8 Abe Assad vs Evan Bates

197: Zach Glazier vs #28 Andrew Davison

285: #3 Tony Cassioppi vs #4 Lucas Davison

KEY MATCH-UPS:

***technically all of them***

125: #1 Spencer Lee vs #3 Michael DeAugustino

Naturally I would like to pick this. DeAugustino is a gamer and got here into his personal throughout final 12 months’s run to seventh on the NCAA’s. Lee doesn’t desire a repeat of the Ramos match, so I anticipate him to be a bit extra cautious on his toes, a minimum of to begin. However figuring out we want bonus I believe he’ll be going for an additional 1st interval fall.

133: Brody Teske // #17 Cullan Schriever vs #13 Chris Cannon

Cannon is a 2x AA and the precise kind of opponent we have to beat to get on the rostrum ourselves. Canon stored issues shut final 12 months in a 7-3 loss to Austin DeSanto, in order that in all probability doesn’t bode effectively for our probabilities right here. A win right here can be a big-time shock, however Cannon isn’t a bonus machine and wrestles tight matches. Something can occur late within the third in a 1 or 2 level match.

149: #4 Max Murin vs #5 Yahya Thomas

That is the co-match of the evening. Max leads their all-time collection 3-0, however has hasn’t reached the rostrum not like Thomas, who positioned third 2 years in the past (R12 final season).

Thomas is powerful and insanely athletic and is the kind of opponent that normally provides Murin matches, which is the rationale it’s shocking he’s been topping him of their heads-up bouts. With a purpose to win this twin Murin must push his document to 4-0 and intestine out one other large victory. This will probably be an early, however large momentum swinger.

285: #3 Tony Cassioppi vs #4 Lucas Davison

Davison has all the time been a gifted man, however now that he’s in his 2nd full season at heavyweight he’s beginning to put all of it collectively. They’ve met as soon as earlier than with Massive Cass the victor, 7-3, however was out-placed by Davison on final 12 months’s podium. Davison completed sixth whereas Cass was seventh.

Cassioppi doubtless has the all-around dimension on his facet, however Davison is rattling sturdy and rattling athletic – which has traditionally been an issue for our large man.

Much like Illinois, the destiny of this twin may come all the way down to heavyweight. We want Massive Cass at his best possible!

Broadcast Information

Opponent: Northwestern

Twin time: 8:05PM GT (Central) // Friday, Jan. 12 2022

Location: Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment // Iowa Metropolis, IA

TV/ On-line: ESPNU

Radio: iHeartRadio (AM800 KXIC)