Ranked #4 in the DI Nation, the National Duals runner-up Iowa Hawkeyes host the #24 Pittsburgh Panthers tonight in what will be the first ever dual meeting between two tonight. While Pittsburgh has traveled to both Ames & Cedar Falls for duals Vs Iowa State & Northern Iowa, this will be their first time in Iowa City for this particular confrontation. Iowa heavily favored of course, and it will show, but look for the Panthers to show fight throughout.
 |
| 141 |
The Black & Gold faithful are going to expect bonus points in this match, and whether they get them or not highly depends on which Briar Priest shows up for the match. There have been times in the past where Priest has shown up & given high ranked opponents a good match. Example would be giving two-time All-American C.J. Composto a one takedown match. There have been other times when he's gotten nearly majored by fellow unranked wrestlers. So tonight do we get Cringer or do we get Battle Cat?
 |
| 149 |
Another match that intrigues me. At the National Duals Ryder Block made a friggin' statement. He's not just someone that Iowa threw in at 149. No sir, his IS Iowa's 149. He went from "probably a qualifier for the Hawks" to "this guy is gonna help the Hawks at the NCAA's" with his strong performance in Tulsa. With that said, there's still a lot of season left. The more W's Ryder can pick up the better & a W Vs Kade Brown would be a very nice one to add to the collection.
 |
| 157 |
I would say this match has the same potential for outcome as does the 141 lbs match. An NCAA DI qualifier in 2024, Finn Solomon spent nearly all of '24-'25 ranked within the top 33. Yet he came up short of qualification #2 at the ACC championships & he's seen that ugly U.R. next to his name ever since. Getting a huge upset W over Jordan Williams? I don't see that happening tonight, especially in Iowa City. I know Brands & Co will be expecting some bonus here, but if we're talking straight talent & ability, there's no reason at all why Solomon can't keep this to a decision.
 |
| 174 |
Environment & atmosphere can be big factors at times and I'm anxious to see how the Panthers react to the hostile & rowdy fans that fill up Carver Hawkeye Arena. Hilton & McCleod get pretty riled up themselves, but I still don't know if it is quite the same aura. On paper, this battle between Kennedy & Augustine could very well be the best of the war. The last the two met, Kennedy pulled off a hard fought 7-6 decision.
 |
| 197 |
When Massoma Endene entered NCAA Division I wrestling he wasn't "just a D3 wrestler." He was a three-time NCAA Division III champion, who outright kicked the crap out of everyone he wrestled. Why so many still had doubts concerning how he'd do this year, is beyond me. I myself wasn't sold that he'd be #7 this soon, this early, but I knew he'd do some great things for the Hawkeyes. If those that often rely on faith as much as they do, for some reason needed evidence, he surely proved it at the national duals.
Now tonight, he has what is thus far the biggest test of his DI career. 7th in the DI nation, Mac Stout has his sights set on becoming the first Panther national champion since Nino Bonaccorsi won a title in 2023. This match has a lot on the line. A win here for either of these guys is huge moving forward.
 |
| HWT |
The last time these two met, it was a controlled, well wrestled & smart 5-1 victory for the Hawkeye over the Panther. The odds increase, with home mat advantage. Nevertheless, Dayton Pitzer is a wrestler that should never be underestimated or looked over. He's had his moments in the past & he's not afraid to go for those big moves, in big matches. Keep that in mind as we take a look at our heaviest weight class.
No comments:
Post a Comment