NCAA Tourney Projections Based on Rankings - No One Saw That Coming edition

[Wrestleknownothing]

OK, let's get the boring team race stuff out of the way first.

Though there is a little gift in there from Wrestlestat to @jajensen09. Christmas comes late to Lincoln.

For our bonus content this week I thought we would look at the late season surprises.

Who are the highest ranked wrestlers that were unranked in the pre-season (using Intermat)?

Take a bow Owen Trephan. The NC State heavyweight will be looking to throw his weight around come tournament time. After going 44-17 across his three freshman years (three? ahh, remember Covid? Those were good times), he is 17-3 this season with a 6 match winning streak.

But the Keith "He Cannot Be Killed With Conventional Weapons" Richards Award has to go to Illinois' Michael Carr. The seventh year senior has battled back from a number of injuries to return to wrestling (though at 3-0, I am not sure how full that return is yet).

You will notice there are no freshman on the list. I filtered them out as they are typically not seeded in the pre-season.

So for our double bonus section let's look at the freshmen that have made the biggest jump since early in the season.

While Caleb Henson and Levi Haines have the highest current rank at #8, it is Lachlan McNeil who is the Movingest and Shakingest among Movers and Shakers. Entering the rankings at #26, the Tar Heel has jump 14 spots to #12.

No news here as it has been well covered, but I had a number reactions to the fact that PSU has three freshman on this list:

1. Wow, that is some strong recruiting.
2. That is also some damn fine coaching.
3. This does not portend well for wrestling fans suffering under the hegemony of Penn State.
4. This may be a good test of the "PSU outperforms at the NCAA's" phenomena. With this many freshmen this highly ranked can they keep the outperformance in tact?

[BerniePragle]

2 hours ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

But the Keith "He Cannot Be Killed With Conventional Weapons" Richards Award has to go to Illinois' Michael Carr. The seventh year senior has battled back from a number of injuries to return to wrestling (though at 3-0, I am not sure how full that return is yet).

 

You are not only very, very good with the data, you are also a funny guy.  Thanks for the insight and thanks for the laughs.

[dragit]

3 hours ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

This may be a good test of the "PSU outperforms at the NCAA's" phenomena. With this many freshmen this highly ranked can they keep the outperformance in tact?

Sounds like one of them good problems to have.

(Speaking of every situation in life being able to be described by a line from Sopranos/Seinfeld/Wire, in this case Marlo Stanfield from the latter.)

[ionel]

4 hours ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

But the Keith "He Cannot Be Killed With Conventional Weapons" Richards Award has to go to Illinois' Michael Carr. The seventh year senior has battled back from a number of injuries to return to wrestling (though at 3-0, I am not sure how full that return is yet).

Pretty sure Carr is not a senior anymore, more like a first/second year kid.

[MPhillips]

4 hours ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

OK, let's get the boring team race stuff out of the way first.

Just wanted say thanks. Appreciate the effort. Kudos.

[Wrestleknownothing]

1 hour ago, ionel said:

Pretty sure Carr is not a senior anymore, more like a first/second year kid.

He's on the Dake plan?

[bnwtwg]

How many years until Carr starts residency? And is there truth to the rumor he is being mentored by one Dr. Mike Kemerererererer?

[lightweight]

On 2/7/2023 at 5:11 PM, dragit said:

Sounds like one of them good problems to have.

(Speaking of every situation in life being able to be described by a line from Sopranos/Seinfeld/Wire, in this case Marlo Stanfield from the latter.)

Ah, THE WIRE.  Best show I ever watched on television.  I should go back and find where to re-watch it sometime.  Thanks for the nudge in the right direction.

 

[dragit]

45 minutes ago, lightweight said:

Ah, THE WIRE.  Best show I ever watched on television.  I should go back and find where to re-watch it sometime.  Thanks for the nudge in the right direction.

 

100% agree.  Do it!!   I just started season one again.  Being hooked on it is one of them good problems to have.  

[creek chub]

The ACC could end up with 3 top 10 teams at the ncaa tourney