Twelve top 20 teams, four #1 ranked wrestlers, three returning national champions, and numerous All-Americans. The Southern Scuffle has become the premier in season college wrestling tournament, and this year is no different. While there will certainly be countless others matches you won’t want to miss, but in my opinion these are the top ten potential match-ups.

10. #1 Alex Dieringer, Oklahoma State State vs #2 Nick Sulzer, Virginia
The last time these two met was at this years NWCA All-Star Classic with defending national champion Alex Dieringer coming out on top 4-2. Despite being up a weight class, Dieringer has shown that the transition is no problem for him, Dieringer has cruised through the season so far, and will look to defend not only his Southern Scuffle crown, but his #1 ranking as well. Nick Sulzer is looking to break through in this probable finals match up, and prove that he can in fact win a national title this year.  

9. #2 Drake Houdashelt, Missouri vs #3 Josh Kindig, Oklahoma State
A semi final rematch from last years Scuffle, won by Houdashelt 5-3, would likely be a finals match up. Despite being 0-2 in his career versus Houdashelt, Kindig has been on fire since his NCAA finals run a year ago. Houdashelt has been on fire himself recently, avenging a loss to Tywan Claxton and pinning Hunter Stieber in the first period. Something will have to give if these two potentially meet in the finals.

8. #3 Ian Miller, Kent State vs #4 Brian Realbuto, Cornell
Brian Realbuto will be making his season debut after a knee injury, and will not have any easy matches to ease into, and one of those possible match ups is with defending Scuffle runner-up Ian Miller. Miller is arguably the most exciting wrestler in the country, and Realbuto can beat anyone on any given day. The two have never met, and could make for one of the best matches of the tournament.

7. #4 Matt Brown, Penn State vs #5 Blaise Butler, Virginia
As his name suggests, Virginia’s Blaise Butler has been on fire this year. Up two weights from a year ago, Butler has shown the transition is no problem. Out in Vegas Butler knocked off then #1 Logan Storley, and gave current #1, Robert Kokesh, problems. Matt Brown was third at the Scuffle two years ago and lost in the finals to eventual national champion Chris Perry in the finals a year ago. Brown will be looking to rebound from a home upset loss to Zach Epperly two weeks ago.

6. #1 Robert Kokesh, Nebraska vs #4 Matt Brown, Penn State
Despite being in the same conference, The Big Ten foes have only met once previously, two years ago with Kokesh winning 10-7. Kokesh has cruised thus far this season going a perfect 15-0, but that will surely change at the Scuffle. Kokesh will likely see a rematch with Butler in the semis, and if projected seeds hold true likely this match up with Brown in the finals. Brown will be trying to claim his first Scuffle title, and revenge for his setback to Kokesh a few years ago.

5. #1 Kyven Gadson, Iowa State vs #4 Morgan McIntosh, Penn State
Senior and two-time All-American Kyven Gadson has shown this year already that he’s capable of winning a national title. Gadson knocked off stud freshman Kyle Snyder, and then #1 Scott Schiller of Minnesota in back to back matches at Cliff Keen Las Vegas. McIntosh is undefeated on the year, but has yet to really have been tested thus far. These two met in the consolation quarterfinals at last years NCAA Tournament with Gadson winning 5-3.

4. #1 Kyven Gadson, Iowa State vs #3 J’den Cox, Missouri
Returning 197lbs national champion J’den Cox began the year ranked #1, but after falling to Scott Schiller in the NWCA All-Star Classic has fallen to #3. En route to his national title last year, Cox lost twice last season, and one of those losses was at the Scuffle to Gadson (3-1 in sudden victory). Gadson will look to continue making a statement, and defend his #1 ranking in this potential finals match-up.

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3. #1 Max Thomusseit, Pitt vs #3 Gabe Dean, Cornell
The Scuffle a year ago is where Gabe Dean became a household name by shocking the world with his victory over Ed Ruth in the finals. Dean finished third at last years NCAA Tournament, and was everyones favorite to run through the field at 184lbs this year. However, Dean limped to a fourth place finish at Cliff Keen Las Vegas, and he will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to win a second straight Scuffle title. Thomusseit, twice a round of 12 guy, as had big win after big win this year. Thomusseit has beaten Lorenzo Thomas, Nate Brown, Vic Avery, and will look to add Gabe Dean to that list. 

 

2. #2 Nate Brown, Lehigh vs #3 Gabe Dean, Cornell
Coming of a redshirt season, Nate Brown has been on a tear with his lone loss coming to #1 Max Thomusseit. Brown will look to continue to show that he is the real deal and capable of winning a national title, while Dean is looking to show he’s the same Gabe Dean that shocked the wrestling world.

 

1. #2 James Green, Nebraska vs #3 Ian Miller, Kent State
Two of the most exciting wrestlers in the country very well could be on a collision course to meet in the Scuffle finals. Green does own a 2-0 series lead over Miller, but both haven’t been without excitement. Green majored Miller for third place at last years NCAA tournament, and then edged him by a point at this years NWCA All-Star Classic. Each wrestler has shown they can beat anyone in the country, and without a doubt this will be the most highly anticpated match-up of the tournament. 

 

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