PAC-12 Thoughts After Bracket Release: 2021

 As I look over the brackets, I'll say what I said when the NCAA allocations came out.  I really feel that in many ways the PAC-12 got shafted.  Got the short end of the stick.  As a result I think a lot of at large bids will be awarded here, or so they should. 


125 lbs 

#1 Brandon Courtney of Arizona State should have an easy route to the finals, but there is a slight question as to whether he'll face #2 Jackson DiSario of Stanford or #3 Brandon Kaylor of Oregon State.  DiSario has looked more than in control in their last two matches 7-2 & 10-3.  Yet it cannot be forgotten that Kaylor does own a 8-7 win over DiSario.  


133 lbs 

What is Old Dominion's loss in dropping their program, has been Arizona State's gain in Michael McGee.  He has more than earned his #1 seed with a 6-0 record.  He should have a good finals match against #2 Devan Turner.  The match in question here is #4 Paul Bianchi of Little Rock against unseeded Chance Rich of Bakersfield. Bianchi won a 7-5 decision earlier this season, but it's not wise to over look Rich.  He's wild, unpredictable and he's caught more than one wrestler on his back.  How this weight class doesn't even have a single allocation is criminal. 


141 lbs 

I just read that Stanford's Real Woods WILL be entered into the tournament which switches around the brackets I am currently looking at.  I would imagine that makes him the #1 seed, which knocks Grand Willits of Oregon State to #2 and Lawrence Saenz of Cal Poly to #3.  Only one Allocation here, but wouldn't be surprised at all to see two at large bids for a total of three qualifiers.  Predict to finish in that order. 


149 lbs 

I predict one of the best matches of the night to be between #1 Legend Lamer of Cal Poly and #2 Jaden Abas of Stanford.  Lamer has more than impressed me this season, including an intelligently wrestled match that saw him prevail 4-3 over Abas.  Two extremely talented redshirt freshmen, who could steal the show.  Only one allocation, but both will go to NCAA's. 


157 lbs 

For some reason #1 Hunter Willits of Oregon State always seems to have the Stanford wrestlers figured out.  2-2 Vs All American Paul Fox, he always seemed to have his number at the PAC-12 tournament.   He could very well end up facing another Stanford wrestler in the finals here.  #2 Requir Van De Merwe will have to get past a tough #3 Jacori Teemer of Arizona State in the semi-finals first, but if he does, this should prove to be a good final. 

165 lbs 

I say that Lamer Vs Abas at 149 lbs could be the best match of the night, but I think #1 Shane Griffith of Stanford Vs #2 Anthony Valencia of Arizona State will give it a run for it's money.  Seldom mentioned, Griffith is STILL undefeated in his collegiate career. (Speaking varsity matches, not the two redshirt losses).   Makes one wonder if Stanford could be giving up one of the greatest wrestlers the modern era will ever see. 

With that said, some believe he hasn't been fully tested yet.  True.  He's had some big matches and he's beaten some top ranked opponents, but there are more test.  One of those test will be Valencia.  A chip on his shoulder, often in the shadow of older brother Zahid, Anthony Valencia has something to prove.  A win over Griffith would be the start of that something. 


174 lbs 

I was going to say that I thought #1 Bernie Truax's greatest challenge would be Stanford's Tyler Eischens, but from what I understand, Eischens will not be wrestling in the tournament. 


184 lbs 

The top three seeds here have not faced one another yet this season although #1 Ryan Reyes of Oregon State did defeat #3 Dom Ducharme of Bakersfield 6-1 last year.   Look for Ducharme Vs #2 Cade Belshay of Arizona State to be a good match.   No allocations here, it'll be all at large bids.  Can see top two for sure, maybe even three. 

197 lbs 

#1 Kordell Norfleet of Arizona State has really stepped it up a notch.  A win over Oklahoma's Jake Woodley and a dominating fall over Wyoming's Stephen Buchanan leads me to believe that he's on a quest for All American status that will not be denied.   I do think #2 J.J. Dixon of Oregon State is worth of an at large bid, but I do not see him denying Norfleet of his title. 

HWT 

 Brian Andrews, Isley Carter, Gannon Gremmel, I'll be the first to say that Cohlton Schultz has more than outdone what I thought he was capable of in his freshman year.  The young sundevil has more than earned his #1 seed here, but with that said, #2 Nathan Traxler of Stanford will be anything other than a pushover.  Should be a good finals match. 



There you have my thoughts.  I'll leave with this last one. 

What in the Hell is Stanford thinking? 

You have six NCAA qualifiers (maybe even 7 if Eischens is eligible for an At large).  One of which is still undefeated!  All American material? Without a question. NCAA champion material?  Hey, so far, so good.   I digress I suppose, but what a shame it is that this level of talent isn't wanted by their own school.  What a shame that as of now they're all being told, "we don't care about the success you have given the school or the pride you bring it in your accomplishments."   All being told, "Find somewhere else to compete."  How pathetic are those in charge at Stanford?  Unbelievable.