James Hackney
Mizzou gets their first top ten matchup of the year as they’ll look to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. The team is on a rough streak against them as they’ve lost the last three duals, the last two by just one match. The team has All-American contenders throughout the lineup, and will be a good test for the Tigers coming off break. Tech had a handful of starters at Midlands that would likely affect their rankings, but not until the morning of the dual.
157lbs: #5 Brock Mauller (9-0) vs #8 Bryce Andonian (13-3)
This is actually a rematch from the 2021 NCAA quarterfinals where Mauller won 8-3 at 149lbs. Andonian is known as a high flyer that has an array of unique moves and scrambles. He’s got a great feel and can put points on the board in a hurry. In their 2021 match Mauller scored three takedowns, using his strength to get Andonian in the air and nullify the big moves. I think Mauller can use a similar gameplan here to separate, and with a three point takedown wrestle a smart match with a big score differential. One area to be careful could actually be from top, where I’ve seen Andonian float his hips in unique ways while getting turned to put opponents on their back. I’ll take Mauller getting a decision here, and am curious to see how his attacks look against a top 157 wrestler.
Prediction: Mauller Dec. Andonian (MIZ 10 VT 7)
165lbs: #1 Keegan O’Toole (9-0) vs #24 Connor Brady (8-4)
Last year Brady did a good job of slowing O’Toole down, as it was only an 8-4 decision. Brady is a three-time national qualifier and no slouch, but I think O’Toole gets the bonus here. Brady has only given up bonus points twice in his career, while O’Toole has bonused everyone he’s faced at 165 this year. With the three point takedown, I’m predicting a major here.
Prediction: O’Toole Maj. Brady (MIZ 14 VT 7)
174lbs: #6 Peyton Mocco (6-1)/Ellis Pfleger (6-4) vs #2 Mekhi Lewis (4-0)
Mocco missed the last dual with an injury, so there’s a chance he may not wrestle here. However this looks like a match he could be looking for, so even if not 100% may find himself back on the mat. Mocco is 0-2 against Lewis, one in OT and a one point loss last year. Lewis has some of the best defense in the weight class, while Mocco’s offense has looked great against lower ranked opponents….
