#8 Mizzou (#3 Minnesota, #16 Northern Colorado, #17 Little Rock, #19 Illinois, Northern Illinois, SIU-Edwardsville, Bellarmine)
After a difficult November that saw the Tigers go 1-3 in duals, they kick off December with a visit to the Cougar Clash. While most of the national attention will be towards the Cliff Keen Invitational, this tournament could quietly be stacked at a handful of weights. It’s doubtful that any team has their full lineup here, including the Tigers.
Minnesota has been an impressive team this year with strong transfer additions, young talent, and the return of Gable Steveson. They’ve confirmed to be bringing eight of their starters, missing Gable and Salazar. Northern Colorado, Little Rock, and Illinois are all teams that Missouri has competed against this season and present with highly ranked individuals. SIUE and Bellarmine don’t have any ranked wrestlers but some sleepers that could be threats.
Noah Surtin is likely to make his return here as Gage Walker is out of dates. Rocky Elam made his debut here last season, but I’m not sure that he’ll be ready just yet. Sinclair has one date left, so I doubt we see him use it here. Cam Steed is likely still banged up, so 165 and 197 could be thin for the Tigers.
With most teams unlikely to bring their full lineups it’s hard to predict exactly what we’ll see here. Some weights are likely to be very strong while others may be quite thin. I’ll throw in my predictions and expectations as best I can, and we’ll see who ends up showing up.
125lbs: #14 Noah Surtin\
Wrestlers to Watch: #5 Stevo Poulin (UNCO), #13 Cooper Flynn (MINN), #21 Ramazan Attasauov (ILL), Blake West (NIU), Jeremiah Reno (LR)
If Noah Surtin makes his return here, he could have some great tests with a handful of ranked possibilities. Flynn is confirmed for Minnesota but Poulin didn’t compete here last season. Attasauov still has only wrestled in Illinois’ first dual so he’s questionable as well. Ideally at least one of the three ranked wrestlers is there so Surtin has a strong challenger. He is 0-2 against Poulin, most recently dropping a 3-1 match at NCAA’s. He also lost in overtime to Cooper Flynn while he was at Virginia Tech. Surtin’s biggest issue the past two seasons has been injuries, so I’m excited to see a healthy version of him to start the season.
Prediction: 1. Noah Surtin 2. Stevo Poulin 3. Cooper Flynn 4. Blake West
133lbs: Kade Moore
Wrestlers to Watch: #2 Lucas Byrd (ILL), #3 Nasir Bailey (LR), #8 Tyler Wells (MINN), #20 Dom Serrano (UNCO)
This is another weight that could end up being stacked or thin outside of the top. Last season Moore and Wells actually faced twice, with Wells getting two decision wins. A true freshman, Wells impressed last season and actually ended up finishing in the bloodround. Lucas Byrd and Dom Serrano already bonused Moore this season in duals. Nasir Bailey had a dominant win over him at NCAA’s last season.
