The #2 Iowa Hawkeyes will be taking on the #12 ranked Minnesota Gophers this Friday at Minnesota. The dual will begin at 9pm EST and can be streamed live on the Big Ten Network.
Projected Matches:
125- Spencer Lee vs Patrick McKee
Starting off with a big one at 125, Spencer Lee will be taking on yet another All American in Patrick McKee. However with all being said the way Spencer has been wrestling it is hard to see this as anything other than a tech or a pin.
133- Brody Teske vs Aaron Nagao
Another fun match at 133, this one could easily go either way and most would lean in favor of Teske here. I would have to say the Hawkeye pulls this one out as well.
141- Real Woods vs Jake Bergeland
Bergeland hasn’t been too consistent this season so I will give this one to Woods. There is a solid chance that he blows this match wide open as well if he can put together a turn or two.
149- Max Murin vs Michael Blockhus
Murin has been looking solid this season, and holds a prior win over Blockhus back in the 2021-22 season where he won 3-1. Wouldn’t expect too much scoring out of Murin but he should be able to come out with a victory here without too much issue.
157- Cobe Siebrecht vs Brayton Lee
This is a very interesting one, Lee really hasn’t been the same after coming into the season ranked #1. Siebrecht seems to have jumped levels already since the beginning of the season so I wouldn’t be surprised if he pull this off.
165- Patrick Kennedy vs Andrew Sparks
Kennedy has entered the top 10 as of this week, and most people were expecting that. He should not have too much trouble with Andrew Sparks here and should be looking for a major possibly in this one.
174- Nelson Brands vs Bailee O’Reilly
O’Reilly is coming off a massive win over Edmond Ruth ending his 20 match win streak. Brands is coming off a fairly uneventful loss to 2x champ Carter Starocci, might be looking at a win here for O’Reilly but with a very possible chance that Iowa could’ve won every match up till this point the momentum is going to be in Iowa’s favor.
184- Isaiah Salazar vs Abe Assad
Another swing match here, Assad has definitely looked better this season if we don’t look at his loss to Tyler Dow of Wisconsin. Should things go how they seem on paper Assad most likely takes a close one, but Salazar is dangerous here.
197- Jacob Warner vs Michial Foy
Foy has looked impressive here, doubtful that there is upset potential but he has had close matches with top competition. Warner coming off a loss to Max Dean might be the only chance to get him. That being said Warner most likely takes this one by 1-2 points.
285- Tony Cassioppi vs Garrett Joles
Cassioppi shouldn’t have much trouble with Joles here, probably a tech or a pin. The team score shouldn’t be too much of an issue heading into this match unless we see Iowa not wrestle the full lineup or a crazy upset happens.
Overall Thoughts:
Iowa should take this dual by a solid margin, very possible that Iowa doesn’t wrestle a full lineup as Assad did not wrestle against Penn State either.
Swing matches at 133, 157, 174, and 184 will be the only real chances for Minnesota unless they pull off something big.
