PSU v. Ohio State Super Dual Breakdown
Christian Pyles

Coming into this year I would have expected a big time blowout for PSU considering the horses Ohio State was sitting out this year (Hunter Stieber, Bo Jordan and Nathan Tomasello).    Ohio State could make things real interesting if they can pull an upset and win the toss ups.  I'm not inclined to predict that, but just know that Ohio State has been tough this year and has already surprised me a good bit.

Let’s give it a look. 

125

#3 Nico Megaludis-Penn State v.  #14 Nick Roberts-Ohio State

Roberts is coming off of a breakout tournament at Cliff Keen Las Vegas.  He notched several wins over a few really tough wrestlers including Tim Lambert, Joey Dance, Earl Hall and Camden Eppert. Nick is beginning to show signs of real progress that align with the high pedigree he came with coming out of high school.  All that being said, there’s little to suggest Roberts is ready to truly challenge Nico.  I think Megaludis’ combination of pace, and technique wears out Roberts and ends up being a fairly lopsided decision.  Bonus points are certainly possible, but Roberts is an adept scrambler which can prolong situations and prevent points from being scored in bunches.

Nico Megaludis WBD Nick Roberts

Penn State-3
Ohio State-0

 

133

Jimmy Gulibon-Penn State v. #9 Johnni DiJulius-Ohio State

 Coming into this year I was fairly high on Jimmy Gulibon as a prospect.  He had notched a number of legit wins, and was in the country’s best room(my opinion).  Couple that with his sterling high school resume and the fact that he seems like a great worker, I thought Jimmy was a shoo in for success this season.  Turns out circumventing Jordan Conaway has been no picnic.  Combine that with a rough Binghamton Open (losses to Conaway and Alexander) and a defeat at the hands of Boston’s Dane Harlowe, and there are some serious questions as to how well Jimmy can do this year.  Meanwhile, Johnni DiJulius is coming off the greatest weekend of his collegiate career.  Is there a letdown factor after such a great weekend?  Or will he use Vegas as a stepping stone for better things to come?  Their Freestyle match was interesting, but I’m not sure what takeaways there are from it.  JDJ hit his patented dump ( 2 and 2) and then hit a few laces  for a total of 8 points.  JDJ hung on for the 8-5 win.  Jimmy was able to get to the legs and finish a few times on Johnni, but struggled to stay free of the ties where Johnni is so good. 

Despite the fact that these two guys seasons seem to be headed in different directions, I still believe Jimmy can beat Johnni.   Probably not today, but down the line, I think  DiJulius is someone Gulibon can beat.  In my opinion this match comes down to Gulibon being able to keep his elbows.  If he keeps them, he can win.  If Johnni get’s them, it’s hard to see Jimmy pulling off the win. 

I’ll call it for Johnni, but you best believe Jimmy has a chance here.  Check out their match from this Spring and tell me what you think?

Watch more video of USAW University and Cadets on flowrestling.org

Johnni DiJulius WBD Jimmy Gulibon

Penn State-3
Ohio State-3

141

#11 Zain Retherford v. #1 Logan Stieber

I don’t care how good a true Freshman the kid is, he’s not ready for Logan.  You could roll out True Freshman Kyle Dake, and I’d have a hard time giving him a shot against Logan here.  I love Zain and think his future is bright and he will probably place this season.  However, Logan is going to overwhelm him physically and technically.  I wavered between pin and tech here.  Maybe I’m over-exaggerating the disparity between the two.  I think a tech or pin is possible, but looking at Logan’s CKLV he went major, pin, pin, pin, tech.  That said to me the further he gets from the weigh in, the worse a beating he puts on a guy (I could be looking way too far into one result here).  The tech or pin is certainly possible, but I think that depends on how fresh and energized Logan is.   I’ll straddle the line and say just a major.  I will say I’d be pretty surprised if Logan didn’t bonus.

Logan Stieber WMD Zain Retherford

Ohio State-7
Penn State-3

 

149

James English-PSU v. #17 Ian Paddock-Ohio State

I may have over-rated English a bit this year, but he’s still been a really solid guy and a phenomenal back up filling in for Andrew Alton.  Ian Paddock was impressive at Vegas beating Grajales, Hamann and Nelsen.  All tough opponents.  I was high on Paddock coming into the season, but he faltered a bit early.   I think CKLV is an indication of better days to come and expect Paddock to win here with his pace, scrambling and top game. 

 Ian Paddock WBD James English

Ohio State-10
Penn State-3

157

James Vollrath-PSU v. Randy Languis-Ohio State

Languis has been solid so far this year, and really exceeded my expectations for him coming into this year.  In the past he had been a struggling 141/149 pounder.  I anticipated tough times for him up at 157, but he’s been a pleasant surprise so far beating Dave Habat and Justin DeAngelis.  Vollrath has been solid as well filling in for the injured Dylan Alton falling only to Nestor Taffur (who has been really tough this year) and Joe Napoli.  This is a pretty tough call  but Vollrath is the favorite here.  It won’t be a flashy win, but I think physically Languis is outmatched. 

James Vollrath WBD Randy Languis

Ohio State-10
Penn State-6

 
165

#1 David Taylor-Penn State v. Joe Grandominico-Ohio State

I’ll save some time here.  Taylor by fall or tech.  I’ll say fall.

David Taylor WBF Joe Grandominico

Penn State-12
Ohio State-10

174

#3 Matt Brown-Penn State v. Mark Martin-Ohio State

 

Martin has been pretty solid so far this season, but I’m not sure he’s quite ready for this spot.  Brown has been rock solid all season.  Martin has some great attacks and could steal a takedown in this one, as we’ve seen Brown is occasionally susceptible to give up an isolated takedown (also I’m pretty sure Martin took DT down a time or two last year as well).   That being said Brown has great position, pace and solid leg attacks.  He’s not going to give Martin room to breathe or operate from space.  This one could be close for a bit, but Brown runs it up late. 

Matt Brown WMD Mark Martin

Penn State-16
Ohio State-10

184

#1 Ed Ruth-Penn State v. #9 Kenny Courts-Ohio State

These two PA guys who probably grew up wrestling within a half hour of each other.   Ruth comes in off of his month long suspension after a DUI.  Kenny is coming off a Vegas tournament where we saw him struggle with conditioning and closing out matches.  Courts has a really nice fireman’s carry and is solid on the mat.   It is also notable that Kenny gave Ed a real tough match at University Nationals.  All that being said, Folkstyle is Ed’s game.  It’s where he’s at his best, and I’d be surprised to see Ed not get a bonus point here.  Not sure he will pin Kenny, but I like him by major here.  Check out their Freestyle match below. 

Watch more video of USAW University and Cadets on flowrestling.org

 

 Ed Ruth WMD Kenny Courts

Penn State-20
Ohio State-10

197

#7 Morgan McIntosh-Penn State v. #6 Nick Heflin-Ohio State

Huge one here and the one I’m looking the most forward to.  I’ve been high on McIntosh and have picked him to win this weight at NCAA’s.  I like him here even though Heflin looked solid before forfeiting out of CKLV.  Heflin likes to pick his spots and pop under the elbows and shoot his double leg.  He’s stingy defensively and uses good positioning to keep guys off of his legs.  I think Morgan will open him up with his motion and get to the ankles of Heflin.  Morgan has a variety of attacks that I think over time will give him the scores he needs to get the win over Heflin.  McIntosh is underrated on top, but it is pretty rare that you see Heflin ridden.  McIntosh transitions well from takedowns to his turk, so if he gets a ride going, it’ll probably be due to a quick transition from neutral to top.  Morgan is my pick here, but this one will be tight.  There are some health questions for both guys coming in, so here’s hoping that doesn’t play a factor.

Morgan McIntosh WBD Nick Heflin

Penn State-23
Ohio State-10

285

#12 Jimmy Lawson-Penn State v. Nick Tavanello-Ohio State

Jimmy Lawson comes in with an undefeated record here.   That can be taken with a  grain of salt considering his competition has been solid but not spectacular.  They have never met but the two have a common opponent in Rutger’s Billy Smith.  Lawson defeated Smith 3-1, whereas Tavanello fell 4-2.  This will not be a shoot out as both guys struggle to string points together.   I like Lawson by a takedown or two here.

Jimmy Lawson WBD Nick Tavanello

Penn State-26
Ohio State 10

I legitimately believe that 133, 149, 157 and 197 could flip differently from what I predicted.  It would be take a substantial upset for the other matches to have different outcomes, but those 4 weights will be the real thrillers in my opinion.  This should be a good one!  Make sure you tune in on Big 10 Network, BTDN or BTN2GO!