James Hackney
The Tigers look to continue their undefeated record with a home dual against Big 12 opponent Air Force. Last year Missouri won the dual 35-9, only losing two matches they didn’t have starters in. This time, they’re favored in every match except heavyweight. However, there are some great ranked matchups at 165 and 184 as well. Instead of making picks in a likely one-sided dual, I’ll highlight some things to watch out for in their last home dual of 2023.
- Matches to Watch
With Mizzou’s lineup, they could put backups in at various weights and still win the dual. However, I’m crossing my fingers that we at least see the ranked matches. Keegan O’Toole takes on #23 Giano Petrucelli, who’s broken out for the Falcons this season. He’s got some solid wins, but is coming off a major decision loss to Peyton Hall (WVU). I expect O’Toole to score bonus points here as he’s coming off back to back falls and has a 100% bonus rate.
An under the radar match to watch is at 125 with Noah Surtin and Tucker Owens. Owens was a NCAA qualifier last season with a 26-14 record as a freshman who finished 6th at Big 12’s. He’s fallen out of the rankings after an upset loss at CKLV, but was razor close against #25 Jett Strickenberger (WVU) who just beat Big 12 champ Stevo Poulin. While not a ranked match, it has the feel of a “trap” match with Surtin coming off a big upset of Jore Volk.
The two matches to really watch should come at 184 and 285. Clayton Whiting has been on a heater, but gets his toughest match yet with Sam Wolf. An NCAA qualifier at 174 last year, Wolf has been someone that I’ve been waiting on making an impact. This year he’s coming off a CKLV that saw him beat Chris Foca of Cornell, who was 3rd at 174lbs last year. Whiting’s offense has been humming, but this could be the first match where his defense really gets tested. Whiting has two ranked wins this season, but his big jump in the rankings partially came from Colton Hawks beating #10 Isaiah Salazar of Minnesota. Wolf got majored by #3 Dustin Plott (OKST) and #5 Will Feldkamp (ISU), so if Whiting can have similar results could show that he is right there with the top of the Big 12.
The match at heavyweight didn’t happen in the dual last year, so fingers crossed it happens this year. The two have actually only wrestled once, in the quarterfinals of NCAA’s last year where Wyatt Hendrickson won 17-8. Zach sent it with a big throw to go up early, but Hendrickson’s offense at heavyweight is ridiculous. Hendrickson looked banged up earlier in the year, but just teched #26 Michael Wolfgram (WVU) in under two minutes. I’m not going to count Zach out as he has some big moves himself, but this will be a significant test.
- Weight Watchers
While not normally a big topic for Mizzou, there are some wrestlers to watch at new weights and how they are handling it. At 133 Seltzer did not wrestle against Wyoming, and I don’t anticipate him to here. Making weight consistently at 133 has been an issue this season despite his high level flashes
With that, fingers are crossed that he can resolve that issue sometime in early 2024. It is first year full time in the lineup, and I like his potential if he gets it in order. If he doesn’t go then it will likely be Kade Moore again, who actually dropped to 133 this season. He has a fun style, and impressed against Wyoming. Look for another solid win for him, hopefully where he can push for bonus points.
Another wrestler to drop weights this season is Josh Edmond at 141, who missed the last dual due to illness. He’s looked great this season, and has an even better offensive output then when he was at 149 two years ago. I was worried about his weight coming, but am very impressed with how he’s looked this season and expect him to get a win here…Mauller has kept his offense up as well. Look for him to get another bonus win here.
