Roar’s Annual Big Ten Seeds - 2023
I see two challenges this season, maybe three if one includes the injury bug. Once again we’re at eight Big Ten duals for each team, so the idea of having plenty of data for every wrestler can be thrown out the window. 14 teams means 13 potential opponents, and we’re at eight, or barely 60% of the possible iterations. Another factor is the trend to sit wrestlers, even when not injured, to give the starter a rest or a back-up some action, whichever way one chooses to look at it. It seems this is happening more than ever. One could argue that a Brooks or Bravo-Young sitting has no impact as in everyone's mind that would result in a PSU win and an opponent loss. But make no mistake – flipping a loss into a win (IF the PSU back-up loses) does have an impact on wins/losses and WILL influence the committee.
My plan this year is a bit different than year’s past. My seeds won’t go all the way to 14. Some of that reasoning is provided in the first paragraph. My seeds will go AT LEAST to #9, which will cover the 8/9 bout in the first round, and more at times. For example, I believe 125 warrants going to #10. Here goes – ENJOY!!
I see two challenges this season, maybe three if one includes the injury bug. Once again we’re at eight Big Ten duals for each team, so the idea of having plenty of data for every wrestler can be thrown out the window. 14 teams means 13 potential opponents, and we’re at eight, or barely 60% of the possible iterations. Another factor is the trend to sit wrestlers, even when not injured, to give the starter a rest or a back-up some action, whichever way one chooses to look at it. It seems this is happening more than ever. One could argue that a Brooks or Bravo-Young sitting has no impact as in everyone's mind that would result in a PSU win and an opponent loss. But make no mistake – flipping a loss into a win (IF the PSU back-up loses) does have an impact on wins/losses and WILL influence the committee.
My plan this year is a bit different than year’s past. My seeds won’t go all the way to 14. Some of that reasoning is provided in the first paragraph. My seeds will go AT LEAST to #9, which will cover the 8/9 bout in the first round, and more at times. For example, I believe 125 warrants going to #10. Here goes – ENJOY!!