Where to Watch: ESPN+, 6:30PM CT
Coming off National Duals we’ll see a quick rematch from the 7th place match where Illinois beat Mizzou 26-18 in a dual that had two injury defaults and a forfeit. Both teams might be missing some starters in this one and it has potential to be a tight dual. Illinois has pushed into the top ten with nine ranked wrestlers including four wrestlers in the top ten.
The Tigers are favored in just three matches if Illinois is healthy but have some potential upset matches at 125, 141, and 165. It sounds like Steed will be out for a few weeks which leaves a big question for the Tigers at that weight. J Conway missed National Duals so he might be out as well but the Tigers have a number of blue chip freshmen that could step into this dual.
125lbs: #25 Mack Mauger (7-4) vs #23 Spencer Moore (2-4)
Don’t let the record fool you as Spencer Moore is appropriately ranked but an always tough opponent. He’s only qualified once in his career but made the round of 16 and had wins over Jett Strickenberger, Eddie Ventresca, Cooper Flynn, and Brendan McCrone. At National Duals he had an overtime loss to Ventresca and a one score loss to Dean Peterson while actually beating Mauger 4-0. In that match he got an escape and scored a takedown in the third period after Mauger took neutral.
Mauger had some great performances at National Duals but showed difficulty scoring in neutral and getting escapes. He’s great in the handfight but Moore was able to mostly match his positioning, not leaving him many chances to score. Moore is very stingy against the best wrestlers at 125, so this could be another one score match in one the Tigers need. I’ve really like seeing Mauger’s adjustments and development early in the season so I think they get in the room and find a way to score but this one is likely to be close.
Prediction: Mack Mauger Dec. Spencer Moore (MIZ 3 ILL 0)
133lbs: #20 Kade Moore (9-3) vs #1 Lucas Byrd (6-0)
If you haven’t seen how this match ended check out the clip here. Moore probably finishes that cradle on almost every other 133 and even though he lost it, maintaining his grip for that long was an impressive fight. Even though Moore got pinned against Byrd and Ayala at National Duals, I was really liking what he was doing up to those points.
With how good Byrd is it’s hard to point out any changes Moore might need to make in match two, other than adjusting his finish. If Moore comes out there attacking then I’m expecting another fall. Not ruling Moore out with how close that cradle could have been but I think Byrd’s strength and experience keeps him in a better position again.
