Wisconsin vs Northern Iowa - Preview And Predictions
Wisconsin vs Northern Iowa - Preview And Predictions
A full preview and predictions for Wisconsin vs Northern Iowa.
In one of the best duals of the week, the Wisconsin Badgers will travel to Cedar Falls to take on the Northern Iowa Panthers on Thursday at 8:00 pm (ET). Take a look below at the probable lineups for the dual along with a breakdown of each match.
Probable Lineups:
125: #5 Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) vs #16 Brody Teske (UNI)
133: HM Kyle Burwick (Wisconsin) vs #21 Kyle Biscoglia (UNI)
141: #15 Joe Zargo (Wisconsin) vs #24 Cael Happel (UNI)
149: #4 Austin Gomez (Wisconsin) vs HM Colin Realbuto (UNI)
157: #22 Garrett Model (Wisconsin) vs HM Derek Holschlag (UNI)
165: #8 Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin) vs #18 Austin Yant (UNI)
174: HM Andrew McNally (Wisconsin) vs #20 Lance Runyon (UNI)
184: #22 Chris Weiler (Wisconsin) vs #4 Parker Keckeisen (UNI)
197: #22 Braxton Amos (Wisconsin) vs John Gunderson (UNI)
285: #11 Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) vs HM Carter Isley (UNI)
125: #5 Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) vs #16 Brody Teske (UNI)
Brody Teske is coming off an impressive win over Kysen Terukina but Eric Barnett is a different challenge. A returning All-American, Barnett is 12-1 on the year and has ranked wins over #11 Devin Schroder and #9 Patrick McKee. Teske has had an up-and-down season with a 9-4 record and should be considered a slight underdog in this match.
Prediction: Barnett by decision - Wisconsin 3, Northern Iowa 0
Teske's win over Kysen Terukina from last week:
133: HM Kyle Burwick (Wisconsin) vs #21 Kyle Biscoglia (UNI)
The match-up at 133 could prove crucial to the outcome of the dual. On paper, Biscoglia is a slight favorite and has put together a better season than Burwick. Biscoglia also brings a four-match winning streak into the dual whereas Burwick has lost 6 of his last 8 matches.
Prediction: Biscoglia by decision - Wisconsin 3, Northern Iowa 3
141: #15 Joe Zargo (Wisconsin) vs #24 Cael Happel (UNI)
While Zargo is ranked higher than Happel, the two have put together similar seasons and this should be considered a toss-up match. Zargo is coming off an impressive win over All-American Dylan Duncan while Happel lost a close match against Ian Parker last weekend. The Panthers will need Happel to come through for the upset if they hope to win this dual.
Prediction: Happel by decision - Wisconsin 3, Northern Iowa 6
Highlights from Zargo's win over Dylan Duncan:
Joe Zargo ?????? No. 4 Dylan Duncan. ?@BadgerWrestling pic.twitter.com/2WoI9N2fPX
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) February 12, 2022
149: #4 Austin Gomez (Wisconsin) vs HM Colin Realbuto (UNI)
While the first three matches of the dual should be close bouts, Gomez should be a considerable favorite and threaten for bonus points. Gomez has put together the best season of his college career and is currently 14-1 with 7 bonus point wins. Depending on how the dual unfolds, the Badgers might need Gomez to come through with a major decision or tech fall.
Prediction: Gomez by major decision - Wisconsin 7, Northern Iowa 6
157: #22 Garrett Model (Wisconsin) vs HM Derek Holschlag (UNI)
Garrett Model has put together a solid season highlighted by a 10-5 win over Brayton Lee. Similarly, Holschlag is 17-8 on the year with a win over Wyatt Sheets. These two have never met in collegiate competition but their results this year show their match should be a highly competitive bout.
Prediction: Holschlag by decision - Wisconsin 7, Northern Iowa 9
165: #8 Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin) vs #18 Austin Yant (UNI)
Hamiti is 18-1 on the year with his only loss coming to Iowa’s Alex Marinelli in a competitive, 8-5 match. On top of his record, Hamiti has also recorded bonus-point wins in 16 matches - 6 pins, 4 techs, and 6 majors. Yant’s only losses on the year have been decisions and he presents unique challenges of his own with his ability to turn and ride tough on top.
Prediction: Hamiti by major decision - Wisconsin 11, Northern Iowa 9
174: HM Andrew McNally (Wisconsin) vs #20 Lance Runyon (UNI)
While this match isn’t the highlight of the dual, it should be competitive and could determine the outcome of the dual. Runyon showed last week in his match against Joel Devine how tough he is on top and that could ultimately prove the difference in his match against McNally.
Prediction: Runyon by decision - Wisconsin 11, Northern Iowa 12
184: #22 Chris Weiler (Wisconsin) vs #4 Parker Keckeisen (UNI)
Parker Keckeisen has proven to be in the top tier of 184-pound wrestlers this season and will be a huge favorite against Chris Weiler. Keckeisen is 19-1 on the season with his only loss coming to returning NCAA champion Aaron Brooks (3-2). Look for Keckeisen to push for bonus points against Weiler on Thursday night.
Prediction: Keckeisen by major decision: Wisconsin 11, Northern Iowa 16
Keckeisen's win last week over Marcus Coleman:
197: #22 Braxton Amos (Wisconsin) vs John Gunderson (UNI)
While Braxton Amos hasn’t been as dominant as some might have hoped for entering the season, he’s still put together a solid freshman campaign at 15-6 on the year. On top of that, Amos will be a considerable favorite against Gunderson and challenge for bonus points. Gunderson, however, is a tough out and showed how dangerous he can be with his win-dixie against Bastida last week.
Prediction: Amos by decision - Wisconsin 14, Northern Iowa 16
Braxton Amos has BIG move potential:
— Wisconsin Wrestling (@BadgerWrestling) February 12, 2022
285: #11 Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) vs HM Carter Isley (UNI)
Carter Isley wrestled in his first dual of the season last weekend against Iowa State and might still be shaking the rust off from his time off the mat. Hillger, a two-time All-American, is an especially challenging match-up for Isley after his long lay-off but expect a competitive bout on Thursday night. While Hillger is the favorite, Isley should keep the match close.
Prediction: Hillger by decision
Final Dual Prediction: Wisconsin 17, Northern Iowa 16
There are a number of “toss-ups” in this dual meet making every match important for the final outcome. Wisconsin might be the favorite, but there is certainly a realistic path to victory for the Panthers. Northern Iowa needs to avoid giving up bonus points, win the toss-ups, and record one big upset to take the dual. Wisconsin has a little more breathing room in their path to victory and simply needs to win the matches in which they’re favored. Either way, the dual meet on Thursday will contain a number of great individual matchups making the night incredible from start to finish.