2025 NCAA Wrestling March Madness

Who gets your vote for the Hodge?
All three have an argument. If I was a voter I’d go for Messenbrink. He just dominates people all season long. Starrocci is a five time champion, but I don’t think the intent is a lifetime achievement award. Hendrickson had the big win fresh in our minds, but he doesn’t have the competition week in and week out that the big ten does.
 
Yeah. I think this year it might be a joint award, where a couple of them share it. I don’t think it’s ever been shared by three people, though.

Can you imagine, the only guy in NCAA history with 5 championships, and zero Hodge trophies? I agree that it’s not, or shouldn’t be, a career achievement award. But that would be wild.
 
Hendrickson wins the Hodge Trophy.

 
@Gellar - in your experience, what’s the avg going rate on tickets to the PSU match at Carver Hawkeye? Thinking about making the journey out to one of wrestling’s Meccas for the match on 16 Jan.
I don't remember what they were going for in 2024, the last time the Lions came to Iowa City. The price will probably depend on how the Hawks are looking this year as a team, but it will be sold out no matter what.

I was afraid I was going to be in Hawaii during the PSU dual and I wouldn't be able to go to this meet. But all is good! I get to go to PSU vs Iowa. I will miss the Minnesota dual instead.
 
Oh boys! I haven't looked at this section ever. Good to see some more "wrastlers" on this site. Did you guys ever do the Pick'em contest on Intermat? We should do a HuntTalk one. (we can manage it ourselves since intermat quit doing it)
 
Oh boys! I haven't looked at this section ever. Good to see some more "wrastlers" on this site. Did you guys ever do the Pick'em contest on Intermat? We should do a HuntTalk one. (we can manage it ourselves since intermat quit doing it)
I’d do that if you get something organized.
 
Iowa vs Penn State tonight. I will be there. I have been going to Iowa meets for 35 years and I dont remember a year that has been so boring. The fans are just ho-hum. The first home meet I bet there wasnt even 2500 people in the seats, even though they said there was 10,000 or so. The wrestling has been even less ho-hum then the fans. I predict an ugly one for the Hawkeyes tonight. Some of the matches are not really a matter of who wins but, its if its by major or tech fall.

125: Dean vs Lilledahl - Dean beat him last year. He needs to do it again. Lilledahl has not really wrestled anyone yet this year. Dean by a decision.
133: Ayala vs Blaze - Ayala is a two time NCAA finalist but is currently sitting at 4-4 for the season. He needs to turn it around. Ayala by a decision.
141: Bailey vs Davis - Bailey was a killer in High school and surprised everyone by going to Little Rock. He transfered to Iowa this last year. Davis was in some offseason trouble with the law but that doesn't matter. Davis by a decision.
149: Block vs Van Ness - Block has looked like a giant killer until last week verse Wisconsin. I thought he got hurt during the match, but maybe he was just sick. Hopefully he rebounds, hes better than his 17 rank but Van Ness is to much. Van Ness by a major.
157: Williams vs Duke - Duke is a true freshmen phenom. Williams is a transfer from Little Rock and Oklahoma. Williams is at times flashy but other times you wonder if he is even in the building. Duke by a pin.
165: Caliendo vs Messenbrink - Caliendo closed the gap between Big Tens and NCAAS last year, but Messenbrink is still light years away. Messenbrink by major decision.
174: Kennedy vs Haines - Kennedy turned a corner last year at the NCAAS but Haines is like three hills and four turns away from him. Haines by major.
184: Ferrari vs Welsh - match of the night. I can see Ferrari on his one knee ready to pounce. Ferrari by a takedown in overtime.
197: ? vs Barr - The headlines are that #4 Endene was asked to leave the team on Monday. There are lots of rumors but none of them make sense. Does Iowa send out a True Freshman in Harvey Ludington or Brody Sampson. It doesnt make much difference Barr will tech fall or pin, probably whichever one he decides to do.
HWT: Kueter vs Mirasolo - Kueter is less then impressive when the lights arent on. I expect this to be close. Probably overtime.

Iowa 12 Penn State 26
 
Iowa vs Penn State tonight. I will be there. I have been going to Iowa meets for 35 years and I dont remember a year that has been so boring. The fans are just ho-hum. The first home meet I bet there wasnt even 2500 people in the seats, even though they said there was 10,000 or so. The wrestling has been even less ho-hum then the fans. I predict an ugly one for the Hawkeyes tonight. Some of the matches are not really a matter of who wins but, its if its by major or tech fall.

125: Dean vs Lilledahl - Dean beat him last year. He needs to do it again. Lilledahl has not really wrestled anyone yet this year. Dean by a decision.
133: Ayala vs Blaze - Ayala is a two time NCAA finalist but is currently sitting at 4-4 for the season. He needs to turn it around. Ayala by a decision.
141: Bailey vs Davis - Bailey was a killer in High school and surprised everyone by going to Little Rock. He transfered to Iowa this last year. Davis was in some offseason trouble with the law but that doesn't matter. Davis by a decision.
149: Block vs Van Ness - Block has looked like a giant killer until last week verse Wisconsin. I thought he got hurt during the match, but maybe he was just sick. Hopefully he rebounds, hes better than his 17 rank but Van Ness is to much. Van Ness by a major.
157: Williams vs Duke - Duke is a true freshmen phenom. Williams is a transfer from Little Rock and Oklahoma. Williams is at times flashy but other times you wonder if he is even in the building. Duke by a pin.
165: Caliendo vs Messenbrink - Caliendo closed the gap between Big Tens and NCAAS last year, but Messenbrink is still light years away. Messenbrink by major decision.
174: Kennedy vs Haines - Kennedy turned a corner last year at the NCAAS but Haines is like three hills and four turns away from him. Haines by major.
184: Ferrari vs Welsh - match of the night. I can see Ferrari on his one knee ready to pounce. Ferrari by a takedown in overtime.
197: ? vs Barr - The headlines are that #4 Endene was asked to leave the team on Monday. There are lots of rumors but none of them make sense. Does Iowa send out a True Freshman in Harvey Ludington or Brody Sampson. It doesnt make much difference Barr will tech fall or pin, probably whichever one he decides to do.
HWT: Kueter vs Mirasolo - Kueter is less then impressive when the lights arent on. I expect this to be close. Probably overtime.

Iowa 12 Penn State 26
Have you watched the 133 lb Forrest kid from Ok State? Got a chance to watch some of the OK-Ok St. dual. That kid is a spider monkey on the mat.
 
I am so excited about the upcoming schedule as the in-conference stuff starts really heating up. 20 years ago, I did not know a cowcatcher from a single leg. My son wrestled in high school and now I am recording duals. Ha
 
Iowa vs Penn State tonight. I will be there. I have been going to Iowa meets for 35 years and I dont remember a year that has been so boring. The fans are just ho-hum. The first home meet I bet there wasnt even 2500 people in the seats, even though they said there was 10,000 or so. The wrestling has been even less ho-hum then the fans. I predict an ugly one for the Hawkeyes tonight. Some of the matches are not really a matter of who wins but, its if its by major or tech fall.

125: Dean vs Lilledahl - Dean beat him last year. He needs to do it again. Lilledahl has not really wrestled anyone yet this year. Dean by a decision.
133: Ayala vs Blaze - Ayala is a two time NCAA finalist but is currently sitting at 4-4 for the season. He needs to turn it around. Ayala by a decision.
141: Bailey vs Davis - Bailey was a killer in High school and surprised everyone by going to Little Rock. He transfered to Iowa this last year. Davis was in some offseason trouble with the law but that doesn't matter. Davis by a decision.
149: Block vs Van Ness - Block has looked like a giant killer until last week verse Wisconsin. I thought he got hurt during the match, but maybe he was just sick. Hopefully he rebounds, hes better than his 17 rank but Van Ness is to much. Van Ness by a major.
157: Williams vs Duke - Duke is a true freshmen phenom. Williams is a transfer from Little Rock and Oklahoma. Williams is at times flashy but other times you wonder if he is even in the building. Duke by a pin.
165: Caliendo vs Messenbrink - Caliendo closed the gap between Big Tens and NCAAS last year, but Messenbrink is still light years away. Messenbrink by major decision.
174: Kennedy vs Haines - Kennedy turned a corner last year at the NCAAS but Haines is like three hills and four turns away from him. Haines by major.
184: Ferrari vs Welsh - match of the night. I can see Ferrari on his one knee ready to pounce. Ferrari by a takedown in overtime.
197: ? vs Barr - The headlines are that #4 Endene was asked to leave the team on Monday. There are lots of rumors but none of them make sense. Does Iowa send out a True Freshman in Harvey Ludington or Brody Sampson. It doesnt make much difference Barr will tech fall or pin, probably whichever one he decides to do.
HWT: Kueter vs Mirasolo - Kueter is less then impressive when the lights arent on. I expect this to be close. Probably overtime.

Iowa 12 Penn State 26
I agree with for most part but will take Blaze and Welsh. Lillehdahl can go either way. The Brands have run there coarse and had a heck of a run; they’re loosing to many recruits anymore and signing with people that have troubles in College kinda like Oklahoma the last few years Smith was head coach.
 
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I agree with for most part but will take Blaze and Welsh. Lillehdahl can go either way. The Brands have run there coarse and had a heck of a run; they’re loosing to many recruits anymore and signing with people that have troubles in College kinda like Oklahoma the last few years Smith was head coach.
Blaze is 80% likely to win. Ayala needs to turn it around, I’m hoping tonight.

I’ll stick with Ferrari. Ask me again come tournament time and I may change.

The Brands are loyal to a fault. Some people love that, some people don’t. Unfortunately there are so many Iowa wrestling haters in the media they print any and every whiff of negative news towards Iowa gets published without fact checking. The brands and the Iowa program never come out and tell their side of the story. What happened with the Bassett commitment I think will turn out to be good. I think him and his family are going to be to much. I honestly would not be surprised if that is part of the reason Jax Forrest left early. They do go to the same high school and Jax would wipe the mat with Bo. What has happened with Endene, I don’t know. I do know his girlfriend just had a baby. Does that have something to do with it? I don’t know. They have also struck out for the most part in the transfer portal. The kids they’ve struck out with imo have been mentally done but tried to get a payday from Iowa with the NlL. High school kids are so good now. The days of getting a tough farm kid from Iowa and teaching him a head snap and double leg to dominate are over.
 
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