I can see the Fighting Illini having a better year on the mat than what most will project on paper. At this point I see up to 8 qualifiers, 5 of which contend for NCAA All American status.
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| 125 Justin Cardani Sophomore Record: 35-25 NCAA: 20'NQ BIG 10: 20'WC |
With the parity at 125 lbs, it's safe to say that Cardani probably should place somewhere within the top 8 at the BIG 10 championships, but I'm not sure where. Victories over Northwestern's Michael DeAugustino and All American Eric Barnett of Wisconsin suggest that placement could be pretty high. As of right now, I see Cardani a top 12 wrestler but will reevaluate at midseason to see how I feel.
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| 133 Lucas Byrd Freshman Record: 28-8 NCAA: 21'5th BIG 10: 21'3rd |
Byrd had an extremely good season last year, with impressive showings at both the BIG 10's and the NCAA's. I think finishing a BIG 10 3rd again will be a tall order as both Roman Bravo Young of Penn State and Austin Desanto of Iowa both return, plus Stevan Micic of Michigan is back and Sebastian Rivera has moved down from 141. Then again, maybe I shouldn't have my doubts because Byrd took Desanto to the limit in a 5-4 loss & he handed Pittsburgh's Micky Phillippi a 6-2 loss. At this point, calling Byrd an All American but might soon enough cement himself as national champion material.
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| 141 Dylan Duncan Senior Record: 81-44 NCAA: 18'NQ, 19'NQ, 20'NQ, 21'5th BIG 10: 18'3rd, 19'8th, 20'7th, 21'7th MIDLANDS: 18'5th, 19'6th, 20'4th CKLV: 19'R12 |
I don't think beating Iowa's Jaydin Eierman or Penn State's Nick Lee is going to happen, but I can see Duncan finishing as high as 3rd in the BIG 10. Along with finishing 5th in the nation last year, a 3-0 victory over Chad Red of Nebraska sticks out to me most as does a 7-4 victory over Central Michgan's Dresdon Simon. Sorta came out of nowhere last season as the #14 seed to secure All American honors. Did it once, he can do it again.
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| 149 Mike Carr Junior Record: 39-16 NCAA: 18'R12, 19'NQ BIG 10: 18'2nd, 19'8th CKLV: 19'6th |
Stay healthy! That's the thing. If Mike Carr can stay healthy, he is one hell of a hand for the Fighting Illini. Even in the 1/3 of a dozen matches he wrestled last season, he showed what he was capable of in a 3-2 victory over 3rd place All American Yahya Thomas of Northwestern. If he's 100% look for him in the finals of the BIG 10 vs Sammy Sasso of Ohio State & among the top 8 in Detroit.
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| 165 Danny Braunagel Sophomore Record: 40-16 NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ BIG 10: 20'6th, 21'WC MIDLANDS: 20'4th |
I can see Braunagel being a BIG 10 finalist this season. From where I stand within the conference, other than Alex Marinelli of Iowa there isn't anyone that Braunagel can't beat. He has some impressive victories thus far in his career. A 5-4 decision over Ethan Smith of Ohio State, a 9-6 decision over Peyton Robb of Nebraska and a 10-4 decision over Zach Hartman of Bucknell. I can see him sneaking onto the award stand at the NCAA's, 7th or 8th place.
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| 174 D.J. Shannon Freshman Record: 11-13 |
I'm not sold that Shannon makes the NCAA tournament this season, but if he can wrestle like he did Vs Anthony Mantanona of Oklahoma, he will. He defeated the Sooner 7-2.
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| 184 Zac Braunagel Sophomore Record: 40-23 NCAA: 20'NQ, 21'NQ BIG 10: 20'WC, 21'WC MIDLANDS: 20'4th |
184 lbs is a very loaded weight. Loaded as in NCAA's and loaded as in BIG 10's. Braunagel has shown promise as in a 15-7 victory over Michigan State's Cam Caffey and a 3-1 sudden victory over Nelson Brands of Iowa. I think his main issue is consistency. Winning those matches under high pressure situations. Whether he places in the top 8 at the BIG 10's or not, I think is irrelative. As tough as the competition is, he'll get into the NCAA's a third time, even if it has to be through the allocation being beyond 8 or an at large bid. See him as a top 16, possibly top 12 wrestler by year's end.
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| HWT Luke Luffman Sophomore Record: 26-18 NCAA: 21'NQ BIG 10: 20'8th, 21'8th MIDLANDS: 20'R12 |
I can see Luffman being an All American this season. Wins over 6th place All American Trent Hillger of Wisconsin and 8th place All American Tate Orndorff of Ohio State are indication of that being a possibility.
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125 - NQ
133 - All American
141 - All American
149 - All American
157 - DNQ
165 - Top 12/Possibly low All American (7th/8th)
174 - Possible NQ
184 - NQ
197 - DNQ
HWT - All American
Perhaps a bit overoptimistic but within the realms of possibility. I think Illinois could have a pretty good team this year. On top of it, relatively young team. One junior, one senior, among four sophomores and two freshmen. Could be a bright future for the Navy blue and orange.
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