Sean Mael
Mizzou vs. Binghamton
125
#15 Noah Surtin (4-1) vs. Micah Roes (5-4)
Thoughts: Surtin has been wrestling at a really high level this season and will have another chance to prove himself here against another returning NCAA qualifier in Micah Roes. Surtin wrestles with a high pace and consistently attacks with low singles and doubles. Surtin is tough in ties and is good at controlling the pace of bouts. Surtin is tough on top and has some been putting up points in bunches this season. Roes is having somewhat of a slower start this season compared to his results from last season. Against NCAA qualifier level opposition Roes has struggled from the bottom position. Roes is a gamer and he could keep this one close and is capable of snagging an upset here, but if Surtin wrestles to the standard he has set thus far this season he should win here. Surtin is traditionally a fast starter and I look for him to jump out to a big lead before cruising late here and just snagging a major decision. I expect Missouri as a team to come out rather focused this weekend after the loss to Virginia Tech in their last outing.
Prediction: #15 Surtin Maj. Roes 15-6 (MIZZ 4-0)
133
Matt Schmitt (0-0) or Trey Crawford (3-5) vs. Anthony Sobotker (10-6)
Thoughts: This bout holds a lot of intrigue as it could be the season debut for 3x NCAA qualifier Matt Schmitt. Schmitt is coming of a strong campaign that ended in the R12 last season, but to this point has been absent for the Tigers. If Schmitt is healthy he is a top fifteen wrestler at this weight with great handfighting and clutch performances late in bouts. Crawford has been competing for the Tigers at this weight thus far this season and has a good win over #28 Kellyn March of NDSU, but has struggled of late and has lost five of his last six matches. Sobtoker has been in and out of the rankings this season and has wrestled a ton of bouts to this point. Sobotker has a loss by fall to March this season. Sobotker is dangerous and has eight wins by fall out of his ten wins this season. I think that we will see Schmitt debut here and that he will win a controlled decision here. It will be interesting to see how Schmitt’s gas tank and mat wrestling look as he comes back here.
