2016 Northern Iowa Open

Breaking Down Zane Richards vs Jaydin Eierman

Breaking Down Zane Richards vs Jaydin Eierman

FloWrestling breaks down a possible matchup between Missouri freshman Jaydin Eierman and Illinois senior Zane Richards at the Northern Iowa Open on Saturday.

Dec 2, 2016 by Christian Pyles
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NCAA Wrestling Live On FLO: Dec. 2: No. 2 Iowa at South Dakota State (7 PM CT) | Dec. 2-3: Cliff Keen Las Vegas | Dec. 3: UNI Open | Dec. 4: Journeymen Tussle | Dec. 4: Pitt at No. 1 Oklahoma State (1 PM CT)

This weekend at the UNI Open, we'll learn a lot about Jaydin Eierman. The oft-discussed freshman for the Missouri Tigers enters Cedar Falls, Iowa, with a style all his own that has many fans speculating where he can finish this year against an established and deep 133-pound bracket.

Eierman has a fearless mentality able to score from his own attacks but is even more dangerous when you attack him. Your shot can turn into his points in the blink of an eye. If you aren't careful, you'll be counting the lights. On top, he's brutal with cradles and just riding tough in general.

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Eierman has his way with Virginia Tech's Dom Latona:


Enter Illinois senior Zane Richards. He's as efficient a wrestler as you'll find at this weight. He has incredible go-behinds off opponents' attacks and crisp, clean leg attacks to go along with stifling head hands. If you're drawing up a style to challenge a wide-open freshman on Saturday, Zane is your guy.

Richards won't easily fall for the traps that Eierman may set. He isn't a volume shooter, and instead is a wrestler who takes attacks he's almost certain to finish. Has he faced a wrestler as counter-savvy as Eierman? Perhaps not but Cory Clark is an incredibly underrated scrambler who Richards has had some success against. Additionally, Zane is great from bottom. I first took notice a few years ago when his sit-out series prevented one of the 133s' most legendary turners, AJ Schopp, from accumulating riding time or a turn. Zane has gotten away from better top wrestlers than Eierman. That doesn't mean he will, but he certainly has the ability.

A blowout on either side or a nailbiter should come as a shock to no one. This kind of style clash leaves you guessing until you finally get to watch them scrap!

Fortunately for us, we will likely get to see this match this weekend. Additionally, we could see No. 3 Daniel Lewis of Missouri take on top-ranked Isaiah Martinez of Illinois. The UNI Open starts Saturday at 9 AM CT.

How To Watch

UNI OPEN
WHEN: 9 AM CST, Saturday, Dec. 3
ON TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4
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