Big Ten: No. 1 Adam Coon (Michigan) vs. No. 2 Kyle Snyder (Ohio State) at 285
For the third consecutive season, many expected Snyder to plow through the competition at heavyweight. This seemed like an extremely likely scenario until he suffered an upset against Coon in last month's dual meet. These two faced off in the Big Ten final two years ago with Snyder winning via 7-4 decision. This year's final is likely to be a rematch and a preview of the upcoming NCAA final.
Bryce Meredith defeated Dean Heil in December (Photo/Troy Babbitt)Big 12: No. 1 Bryce Meredith (Wyoming) vs. No. 7 Dean Heil (Oklahoma State) at 141
Prior to this season, Heil had won four straight matches against Meredith. However, when the two met back in December, Meredith took home the 2-1 victory in overtime. Since then Meredith has gone undefeated, while Heil has uncharacteristically struggled at times. Of their five matches, four have been decided by two points or less. No matter what happens this match will likely be close and dramatic.
EIWA: No. 6 Austin DeSanto (Drexel) vs. No. 10 Scotty Parker (Lehigh) at 133
If this match ends up happening it will be a first time bout. Parker did not wrestle in the Lehigh-Drexel dual meet. DeSanto has come in as a true freshman and gone 23-4. Since the Southern Scuffle, he has won seven straight matches with three technical falls. Parker is the returning EIWA champion at this weight, but he has been out of the lineup with injuries. This bout would be an interesting match between an experienced veteran and an energetic true freshman.
MAC: No. 3 Grant Leeth (Missouri) vs. No. 4 Justin Oliver (Central Michigan) at 149
Since a tough showing at the Lindenwood Open, Leeth has moved his way up the rankings and knocked off multiple ranked wrestlers including Oliver. The two met in late January, and Leeth won a 3-1 decision. They previously wrestled during the 2015 season, and Oliver won via major decision This is one of the highest ranked potential matchups in the MAC, and it could end up having major seeding implications for the NCAA tournament.
ACC: No. 1 Jared Haught (Virginia Tech) vs. No. 3 Mike Macchiavello (North Carolina State) at 197
Haught finished his regular season with a one-point victory over Macchiavello. The season did not end for Macchiavello with that match. He returned two days later and defeated No. 4 Kollin Moore (Ohio State). Now both wrestlers are ranked in the top three and considered contenders for the NCAA title. Their first match was a tight affair, and a rematch appears to be similarly close.
EWL: No. 5 Chance Marsteller (Lock Haven) vs. No. 6 Chad Walsh (Rider)
In late January, Marsteller handed Walsh his only loss of the season. Since the loss, Walsh has gotten back on the winning track with six straight wins including a fall over No. 8 Nick Wanzek (Minnesota). Marsteller has been strong all season. He holds a 37-1 record on the season with his only loss coming against the redshirting Bryce Steiert (Northern Iowa). These two are two of the three highest ranked wrestlers in the EWL and just happen to be in the same weight class.
SoCon: No. 20 Forrest Przybysz (Appalachian State) vs. Andrew Morgan (Campbell)
Przybysz is one of only three ranked SoCon wrestlers. He went 20-7 on the season, and he did not lose a SoCon match. In January, he faced off against Morgan in the dual meet, and the two put on quite the show. Przybysz ended up taking the decision victory, but they combined for 24 points in the match. If these two meet again at the SoCon tournament, they could end up running up the score once again.
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