I think a top 4 finish is very possible. I feel like we are at this point probably a year earlier than most of us who follow the program closely would have predicted when this weird covid-affected season began. But the young guns really stepped up. The next couple of years are going to be fun to watch ... but so is this tournament because they are ready to perform.

I agree with a lot of the above assessments ... except:

I see less chance of Latona slipping. He is young, but he has been tested and has stood up to the tests.

Regarding Mekhi: Yes, this season has been mixed and who knows what impact the injury could have, but he shows up for the biggest moments. I think he takes care of Marinelli, and I see him in the final.

Bolen: As much as the ACC final hurt, there's a part of me that was glad to see him get that loss out of the way rather than losing the first close one the way Haught did in the NCAA Finals. I expect to see him come back mad and more aggressive. Real homer stripes showing here too. I expect Hunter in the final, with 3d place as his worst possible landing spot.

Catka: I expect this to be a coming out party for him. The top two at 285 are etched in stone (like Snyder and Gwiz a few years back), and Steveson is the best HWT since Snyder. I don't even expect Parris to seriously challenge him. But after the top 5 or 6, there's a lot of room at HWT for a natural beast like Catka to shine, especially in a season like this when everyone has had less matches, and I expect Hunter will do just that. I could see him slipping into the top 8 this year, way ahead of schedule.

Yeah, I said I'm a homer. Go Hokies!!!!