James Hackney
Watch Live: FloWrestling, February 4th @1PM CT
Coming off a tough loss on the road Missouri heads back home for an always great dual against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are undefeated this season and have ten in the rankings to make for a ranked match at every weight. There are toss up matches throughout the dual at 125, 149, 157, 174, 197, and 285. This dual will have a major impact on Big 12 seedings, and Missouri will need to find a way to bounce back in a big way. Before the dual look out for a high school dual between Liberty and Stillwater, in a dual filled with potential high level recruits.
125lbs: #7 Noah Surtin (12-1) vs #20 Troy Spratley (16-4)
Spratley and Surtin competed while Spratley was a true freshman at Minnesota last season. It was a tough match but late in the third Surtin hit his outside trip for the pin while leading 5-2 with riding time. Both wrestlers have come a long way since then, so this match could look very different.
Spratley is dynamic offensively, with a lot of speed from neutral. If he gets the first takedown he is great at not giving up scores, but has shown some vulnerability from the bottom position. Surtin will have to find ways to get to legs without reaching too much, and being aggressive from top. While Surtin is always game to put someone on their back, I think he gets the decision here.
Prediction: Surtin Dec. Spratley (MIZ 3 OKST 0)
133lbs: #22 Kade Moore (10-3) vs #3 Daton Fix (9-0)
Another match against a world medalist for Moore, as he’ll take on four-time All-American and World Silver medalist Daton Fix. One of the most veteran wrestlers in the NCAA, Fix is an incredibly tough matchup and never lost to a Big 12 wrestler.
He’s got a great single leg, inside trip, and throw by that he can sometimes score at will with. He can be tough on top, but occasionally struggles to get out from bottom. Moore’s hips and style are always dangerous, but Fix tends to wrestle a much tighter style than Arujau did. I think Fix pushes for the major and is able to find one as Moore can sometimes fade late in matches….
