Where to Watch: YouTube, January 17th at 8PM CT
After a dual in Tempe, AZ on Thursday the Tigers travel to Orem, UT for a dual against an improving Utah Valley team. The Wolverines graduated All-American Terrell Barraclough last season but have some solid returning starters and another podium threat transfer in David Evans. The team started their year with a big upset over Stanford and has shown to be a tough dual team all year.
The Tigers will be coming off a tough dual against Arizona State and have some individual challenges in matches here. Utah Valley has ranked wrestlers at 125, 141, and 149 but have ranked wins at multiple weights. If Mizzou comes in unprepared then they could certainly be on the wrong end of some of these matches.
125lbs: #27 Mack Mauger (13-8) vs #31 Bridger Ricks (9-8)
Mauger gets an under the radar tough matchup with Ricks, a two-time JUCO All-American in his second year at Division I. Ricks has turned close losses from last season into some solid wins this year with unranked losses mixed in. Ricks is very positional and difficult to score on at times but doesn’t have too much offense himself.
I think Mauger can win this match as long as he trusts his offense and takes attacks. If he lets Ricks dictate the pace and keep things tight then he runs the risk of Ricks stealing this one late.
Prediction: Mack Mauger Dec. Bridger Ricks (MIZ 3 UVU 0)
133lbs: #27 Kade Moore (7-6) vs Geronimo Rivera (5-8)
Rivera is a tricky matchup; as a true freshman he has wins over All-American Zan Fugitt and qualifier Tristan Daughtery but unranked losses mixed in as well. The #104 recruit out of high school he can be stingy defensively and seems to continue to be finding his groove in college. Moore’s unique style can be a lot though, and I think he takes this one by decision.