Vaisforlovers Thanksgiving NCAA Prediction Extravaganza!

[vaisforlovers]

125

1. Matt McDonough
2. Jesse Delgado
3. Nico Megaludis
4. Alan Waters
5. David Thorn
6. Jarrod Garnett
7. Matt Snyder
8. Nashonn Garrett
   I'm of the opinion McDonough caps his career off with his first undefeated season. Hoping he is able to go out on a great note. Delgado is easily the most terrifying match up for him. His speed and ability to finish/scramble present a number of problems for Matt. After watching the All Star I felt Jesse was the better guy. Nothing has really changed my mind about that but I wonder if Nico is going to become one of those guys who just knows how to win.
   
   I really think Waters has a tough tough year with Sammie Henson in his corner. He could easily make the finals and not surprise me. I'd be very surprised if he's denied a spot on the podium this year. Thorn is a tough dude, and I think he will do well. Is he a bit over-rated here? Possibly. Up until last year NCAA's a win over Steve Bonanno wouldn't such a big deal, but he was a returning AA, so everyone puts way more stock in a guy. Bonanno is basically the same guy he has always been, so a win over him wasn't but so impressive to me. I like Thorn, and he's probably half crazy which can only help in this crazy sport. He could be another guy who could crash the top 3 but at this point I'm a bit reserved.

   
   
   Jarrod Garnett: It is time. Just do it. Get on the freaking podium. I think he will. I think Dresser will find a way to make sure everyone is nice and fresh for this years NCAA's. The talent has never been a question(in my mind). I like Snyder to get on the podium. Anyone with that kind of turning ability has a shot. He's been close before and I think he does it finally. I think Rob Koll has gone two years without a freshman AA(he had a crazy long streak for Freshman AA). I think Garrett ends that streak for him and winds up 8th.

[buckvader]

I like Thorn, and he's probably half crazy

You're underselling him....he's 100% crazy. And that makes him very dangerous. I see him pinning at least one of the big four at some point this season (McD, Waters, Meg, Delgado).

[vaisforlovers]

133

1. Logan Stieber
2. Tony Ramos
3. Chris Dardanes
4. AJ Schopp
5. Scotti Sentes
6. Shelton Mack
7. Cody Brewer
8. Jon Morrison

This weight really drops off after Sentes imo.

I love Tony Ramos. I love how he wrestles, and his work ethic and competitive nature. I'm sure he's put in lots of time training to beat Logan this year, and I think he'll do it once probably this year. But Logan is also a very hard worker with a great attitude and is exceptionally talented. I just think it's two hard workers but Logan is just better. So I got Logan over Tony in a tight one.

Chris starts the 2nd tier imo. I don't see anyone below breaking through those top two. Chris will avenge his loss to Schopp if he sees him again. I like AJ and think he has a nice year, but I didn't leave that All Star match thinking he was the better guy. Still a top 4 spot is nice for him. Sentes may be a tad under rated here, but he hasn't been particularly sharp at this point, so I'm going to wait before I put him in the top 4.

When I started to look over the contestants at 133 I thought "surely Shelton Mack won't make my top 8." Lo and behold there he is at 6. Just a pretty weak weight right now. He's a tough kid with some upside and he's been close. I like Pittsburgh and his whole training situation. Brewer has been my sleeper guy all year and so far(against pretty bland competition) he's done really well. I'm predicting he keeps it going and winds up on the podium.

Though he lost to Nathan McCormick, I still believe in Jon Morrisons talent. That is all.

[vaisforlovers]

141

1. Hunter Stieber
2. Kendric Maple
3. Michael Mangrum
4. BJ Futrell
5. Tyler Graff
6. Nick Dardanes
7. Zach Niebert
8. Mark Ballweg(judge me)

Maple is probably the most physically gifted guy there this year. He might have been last year too. I worry about his ability to last 7 minutes. I think Hunter is only getting better and is more gifted from a tactical stand point. People forget that Hunter was the only guy to beat Kellen Russell in his last two seasons of competition(right?). Also has wins over Mangrum and Marion. It may seem somewhat "out there" to predict him to win, but I see it happening.

Mangrum seems to be maybe struggling with weight right now, but I think by the years end he'll have that under control and will be the same physical and athletic guy he's always been.

BJ impressed me at the all star dual. I think he has a nice finish this seaons, but don't see him as a threat to the top 3. Not sure what happened to the 133 Freshman year Graff, but I hope we see some of that guy this year. If we do, he could well out-perform this prediction.

I thought Dardanes would medal last year. I think he will this year. Needs to last 7 minutes and get out on bottom and he'll be just fine. I might be underselling Niebert a bit, but I think this is about right for him. He's a tough match up for a lot of guys.

I think Ballweg is going to have a really nice year personally. Hope he ends his career on the podium. Total homer pick but I believe it's rooted in some reality.

[FalconWrestlingKY]

I picked Ballweg too so it is all ok

[kr1963]

I thought that Hunter might RS this year? Guess not....

[goferphan]

No Colon at 125 or 133?

[vaisforlovers]

I thought that Hunter might RS this year? Guess not....

He is wrestling.

No Colon a 125 or 133?

Ah..thats sort of an oversight, but where to put him? Im going to see how he does at midlands before i make any predictions.

[goferphan]

I can live with that. Since I really need him at 125 for my team you can comfortably assume he'll go 133.