Arizona State Vs Oklahoma State Dual Preview (11-24 Sunday)

 

So far we've seen David Taylor's #3 Cowboys in action against the Wolverines of Utah Valley and the Beavers of Oregon State.  Now we get to see them in action against the #22 Sun Devils of Arizona State. There should be some opportunities here for the Orange and Black to make some serious statements, but in turn there will be some opportunities for the maroon and gold to make some statements of their own.   Seven of the ten matches stick out in particular. 

#1 Richard Figueroa Vs #6 Troy Spratley
  125

 Here's a match that could get the wrestling community hot and heavy on an otherwise day of rest.  Richard Figueroa won the NCAA DI title last season, but it's important to note that he did not do so undefeated. In fact, one of his losses was a 13-5 major decision to Troy Spratley.  Imagine if you will, Spratley earning such a victory once again.   That'd make for headlines, wouldn't it?   Let's also add in the fact that Figueroa had to injury default out of the Daktronics here not too long ago.  Spratley already defeated him when he was 100%, and who's to say that he'll be 100% by Sunday?  He might not even be good to go.  If not, the Sun Devils will put out a backup and we'll unfortunately miss out on this match.  So goes it in the world of collegiate wrestling. 

#20 Julian Chlebove Vs #33 Cael Hughes Or U.R. Reece Witcraft
133

I'm anxious to see who the Cowboys start here against Chlebove. I think Hughes and Witcraft are both strong assets to the Oklahoma State lineup & it's a shame that there isn't room for both of them on the varsity roster.   Witcraft has already proven himself against Chlebove.  A 7-3 decision to be precise.  Okie State isn't in jeopardy of losing this dual, so I would think Hughes will get the nod to compete over Witcraft, if for nothing more, testing results.  How does Hughes match up against Chlebove?  Such a result, be it positive or negative, could have heavy impact on who starts come BIG 12's. 

U.R. Emilio Yasaguirre Vs #14 Tagen Jamison
    141

Here's an opportunity for the Sun Devils to make a statement.  Just triple checked and in the rankings I'm using, Emilio Yasaguirre for whatever reason is not listed.  He's probably one of the best wrestlers with an U.R. next to his name, and come Sunday he might very well prove it. He has a tough opponent in Tagen Jamison, but he's overcame tough opponents in the past.  Simply look at what he did to Brock Hardy in the dual with Nebraska last season.  Was that a fluke? Simply a guy on his best day meeting a guy on his worst?  The match Vs Jamison on Sunday should be very telling. 

#15 Jesse Vasquez Vs #18 Carter Young
149

Two young tough wrestlers, close to one another in the rankings, ready to do battle this Sunday.   As said before, Oklahoma State should walk away with the dual win without challenge. With that said, on an individual level, there's still quite a bit of opportunity for certain ASU reps to shine during this dual.  A win for Vasquez over Young would be quite notable.  At the same time, every wrestler on the squad wants to prove himself to Coach Taylor.  A win for Young over Vasquez would help to do just that. 

#29 Nicco Ruiz Vs #5 Cam Amine
165

I can't help but think that after a tough loss to Terrell Barraclough that Cam Amine is fired up and ready to just rip someone apart.  Nicco Ruiz has yet to face anyone of Amine's caliber in his first season of varsity wrestling & this will give him an opportunity to see where he stands among one of the DI nation's best wrestlers at 165 lbs.  Fortunately/unfortunately, I suppose perspectives on the matter differ, but in collegiate wrestling there often isn't a grace period of easing into it.  You're thrown to the wolves pretty much from the get-go.  Let's see how Ruiz swims in the deeper end of the ocean. 

#31 Azizbek Fayzullaev Vs #3 Dustin Plott
184

I love seeing former NJCAA wrestlers have success at the next level. I do have high hopes and high expectations for the 2024 NJCAA champ in his two seasons that he'll have with the Sun Devils.  I also know that he this Sunday he has to face three time All American/NCAA DI finalist Dustin Plott.  Do I see Plott upending Starocci or Keckeisen for a spot in the 2025 finals?  Do I see him beating both to win the NCAA DI title.  I don't know if my imagination will allow me to get that whimsical.  I do think though when talking about who will capture bronze, Plott is as strong of a pick as is anyone.  If Fayzullaev could pull off this upset, I think under the circumstances it'd be an even bigger story than if Spratley were to defeat Figueroa again.  I personally feel that if Fayzullaev is simply able to give Plott a respectable match, that in itself would be quite a statement. 

#6 Cohlton Schultz Vs #2 Wyatt Hendrickson
HWT

Gable, Kerkvliet.  Gable, Kerkvliet.  Gable, Kerkvliet.  When it comes to NCAA DI HWT it seems those are the only two names anyone wants to mention.  For good reason too.  Both have more than earned it.  It questions though, is there any possibility, any chance, even the teeniest, tiniest, smidgen of a plausibility that this year's finals will be anything other than Gable Steveson Vs Greg Kerkvliet?  Regardless of how small the % may be, I still say it's higher than 0%.   Two of those guys are Wyatt Hendrickson & Cohlton Schultz who will do battle with one another this Sunday.  Matter of fact, if anything, it wouldn't surprise me at all if the fight for NCAA bronze by season's end isn't between Schultz & Hendrickson.   They've never met.  Steveson tech'd Hendrickson back in '20-'21, as Steveson defeated Schultz 6-2 in '21-'22.   Hendrickson gave Kerkvliet a very respectable 4-2 match the last they met, as Schultz has lost 8-1 & 14-8 decisions to Kerkvliet.   Make of it what you will, this HWT match will be a showdown!