Like 141 lbs, 149 lbs only has 4 spots left for the NCAA Division I National tournament. When evaluating the weight class, I started off with 10 eligible candidates. I've done my best to narrow it down.
Here is who I've already eliminated and why...
Those Already Eliminated
Wille McDougald of West Virginia - I absolutely hate knowing that a three-time NCAA DI qualifier won't be going to the NCAA DI's in his final season, but I can't see McDougald being one of the final four who get in. A losing record of 7-11 & no wins of significance. It's not happening.
#30 Kaden Keiser of Appalachian State - 26 wins on the season, including an 8-6 win over Ryan Michaels, but I'm pretty much 100% positive that Keiser will not get a nod. You cannot finish 4th in a SOCON bracket that is only taking the champion. I'm not even real positive if you could finish 2nd.
So now we're left with 8....
 |
| #33 Drew Roberts Minnesota |
The lowest ranking of those left to mention & probably the worst record. Yet here's the thing, are we counting quantity or are we talking quality? The 2024 NCAA DI qualifier may only have an 11-10 record but take a look at some of those 11 wins.
5-1 over Brock Herman
7-6 over Michael Gioffre
4-2 over Ryder Block
5-3 over Andrew Clark
 |
| #31 Wynton Denkins Virginia |
An NCAA DI qualifier last season, Wynton Denkins finished 5th in an ACC bracket where he needed to finish in the top 4. 18 wins on the season, what really sticks out to me is a 3-2 decision over ACC champ Collin Gaj. He also has an 8-5 decision over Dylan Layton.
 |
| #25 Noah Tolentino Oregon State |
Tolentino finished 3rd in a PAC-12 bracket that only took the finalists. 17 wins on the season, an ability to upend Gabe Willochell on two occasions is the best thing the Beaver has going for him. A 1:54 fall & a 14-8 win over the Cowboy.
 |
| #22 Kaden Kassidy George Mason |
An NCAA DI qualifier last year & 15-4 on the year, for the life of me, I do not understand the strategy of making the MAC semis & then defaulting out to 6th place. Of all the times I've had to include Patriots in my "Best to Not Qualify" list, I can't help but think this decision is going to come back to bite him in the ass. As tough and competitive as the field has become, you cannot rely on that. A 15-9 win over Kade Brown & 10-7 win over EIWA champ Eugene Harney. Good wins, but will they be enough?
 |
| #20 Josh Edmond Missouri |
Another three-time NCAA DI qualifier who is now at the mercy of the decision makers who decide who goes and who doesn't. A 2024 R12'er, who finished 7th in the BIG 12 bracket that only took the top 5. 22 wins on the season, a 6-2 win over Brock Herman.
 |
| #18 Chance Lamer Nebraska |
If I haven't convinced you yet how tough it can be to qualify for the NCAA DI championships, here's yet another three-time NCAA DI qualifier relying on an At Large/Wildcard bid to earn his fourth qualification. This one a two-time NCAA DI R12'er. Chance Lamer finished 10th in a BIG 10 bracket that took 9. 17 wins on the year.
12-4 over Lucas Kasputska
14-3 over Dylan Layton
8-1 & 5-2 over Michael Gioffre
 |
| #15 Eligh Rivera Princeton |
An Ivy League finalist last season, Elijah Rivera finished 4th this season, when he needed to finish at least 3rd. Nevertheless, the Tiger has enough quality wins & a good ranking that should get him into the dance this year.
4-3 over Lachlan McNeil
11-4 over Jacob Frost
4-1 s.v. over Dylan Layton
 |
| #13 Max Petersen North Dakota State |
Of all the candidates in line to get an At Large/Wildcard bid, Max Petersen to me looks to be in the best shape. A High ranking & a 6th place finish in a BIG 12 bracket that took the top 5.
6-5 over Caleb Rathjen
17-4 over Anderson Heap
8-3 over Lucas Kasputska
No comments:
Post a Comment