Cliff Keen Las Vegas is being dubbed “Mini NCAA’s” by Willie Saylor and others for good reason.  With over 100 ranked wrestlers, the possibilities for tons of compelling, entertaining and potentially educational (not as boring as it sounds) bouts to be excited about.

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Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 | 12PM Central

The matches I’ve identified here are a combination of high-level match ups (Anthony Ashnault vs Mickey Jordan), super entertaining (Jaydin Eierman vs Dom Demas) and educational (Mekhi Lewis vs Branson Ashworth).

So here are the matchups I’m most excited about and why:

125: #2 Sebastian Rivera, Northwestern vs #3 Ronnie Bresser, Oregon State

For obvious reasons on this one.  Two cat-quick, neutral dynamos who had a somewhat surprising result (the score, not the winner) when Rivera won 12-2 at NCAA’s against Bresser who Daton Fix, Spencer Lee and Nick Suriano couldn’t take down last year.

133: #7 Ethan Lizak, Minnesota vs #5 Luke Pletcher, Ohio State

Love the style clash here.  Mr. Fundamental Pletcher vs the top monster Lizak.  If LIzak is beating a Pletcher type of guy, I think he can start to trickle into finalist conversation once again. 

133: #2 Nick Suriano, Rutgers vs #7 Ethan Lizak, Minnesota

It was all Suriano last time, has anything changed now that they’re 33 pounders?

141: #2 Joey McKenna, Ohio State vs #4 Jaydin Eierman, Missouri

I’m kinda always down for this one.  Two vastly different styles.  Eierman will have to be far more assertive to lure McKenna out of his comfort zone and into the wild world of Eierman’s high risk, high reward style.

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141: #3 Jaydin Eierman, Missouri vs #15 Dom Demas, Oklahoma

I guarantee silliness in this one.  Two of the wildest guys at their weights.  Eierman’s game is more refined and robust at this point, but if you have seen Dom Demas at all, you know he may be the best upper body guy at this weight.   

141: #19 Kanen Storr, Michigan vs #7 Mikey Carr, Illinois

Where does Kanen Storr fit at 141 in the Big 10?  Enter Illinois Mike Carr and let’s find out together.  Curious to see if Storr has made leaps since transferring to Ann Arbor.

149: #2 Micah Jordan, Ohio State vs #3 Anthony Ashnault, Rutgers

What's not to love about this one? Early lead for top seed at Big Tens, an interesting style matchup, and two seniors trying to cement themselves as THE favorite in a wide open 149lb weight class.

157: #4 Tyler Berger, Nebraska vs #7 Kennedy Monday, UNC

Fireworks every time these two have competed so far.  A year ago at CKLV their back and forth bout ended in controversy with Berger getting his hand raised.  Later on Monday would have his revenge, pinning Berger. Round 3 in Vegas, let’s go.

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157: #6 Ryan Deakin, Northwestern vs #4 Tyler Berger, Nebraska

Apparently I’m excited for Tyler Berger matches.  Really, I want to learn where Deakin fits in at 157.  How he fares against this field and someone skilled in all three positions like Berger will help us learn a lot.

165: #5 Logan Massa, Michigan vs #6 Branson Ashworth, Wyoming

Massa's trying to bounce back from an injury filled season that kept him off the podium and Ashworth is attempting to close out his Cowboy career with a placement at NCAAs. Both can help their case here this weekend, but I expect it to be lower scoring than the average Massa match.

165: #7 Bryce Steiert, UNI vs #16 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech

These two were both at the Scuffle last year, but didn’t hit.  Since then, Lewis won a Junior World title.  While he fell earlier this year to Connor Flynn, that’s not causing me to panic as far as Mekhi as a 65 with his best days well in front of him.  We see freshmen break out all the time here, could be Mekhi’s time.

174: #11 Mikey Labriola, Nebraska vs #9 Taylor Lujan, UNI

I really need this match.  maybe more than any other match.  Labriola keeps coming, strong pace, good leg attacks and skills in all facets.  Lujan is fun, flashy and if he runs out of kitchen sinks to throw, he’ll go and toss the bathtub too.  Entertainment wise, this is the match I want the most.

184: #16 Louie DePrez, Binghamton vs #8 Max Dean, Cornell

I know DePrez lost to Corey Hazel (who is very solid, btw), but I am still buying up all available Lou DePrez stock.  This weight is nails, as is Max Dean.  I chose Dean for no reason other than I think he’s one of the best guys in the weight that DePrez can compete with.  It’ll be a good measuring stick for the freshman Bearcat.

So you tell me, which ones did I miss?  Remember, action starts Friday, November 30 at 9AM PT (THATS TOMORROW MORNING!)