For all the marbles, ACC Dual Championship and National Duals Host as ACC Champ (although loser probably gets an at-large and hosts a lower level Big 10 Team based on my understanding of the Duals by-laws). Predictions and rankings (using Intermat and NCAA Coaches Panel from 20 Jan 2017) are as follows:

125 lbs: #3/2 Joey Dance vs #13/UR Sean Fausz (most likely ranked in the top 20 in next poll).
These 2 wrestled last year several times and Joey won by 6 pts and 4 pts. See something similar like 7-2.
VT 3 NCS 0

133 lbs: UR/#26 Dennis Gustafson vs #18/14 Jamal Morris.
These 2 split last year with each dominating their matches. Morris higher ranked (but will fall in next rankings) but only 1-3 in ACC matches and he has lost 3 of last 4 matches. Going with Dennis in a close one, say 8-7.
VT 6 NCS 0 (this match goes either way though)

141 lbs: UR Brendan Ryan vs #2/2 Kevin Jack.
Ummm, fall here.
VT 6 NCS 6

149 lbs: #6/7 Solomon Chishko vs #9/11 Sam Speno.
Good matchup but stats suggest Sully by a takedown or two. Going with 9-4 or so. Feeling Speno is slightly overrated at #9/11.
VT 9 NCS 6

157 lbs: #15/16 Sal Mastriani vs. UR/#28 Thomas Bullard
Solid true freshmen in Bullard who has beaten #16 Atkinson (UVa) and #30 Faust (Duke) and wrestled several other top 20 guys close. Going with Sal in a close one, say 8-6.
VT 12 NCS 6 at the break.

165 lbs: UR David Bergida vs UR/#24 Brian Hamann.
We know the story here, David works hard but in the end gets majored 13-5 or so.
VT 12 NCS 10

174 lbs: #5/1 Zach Epperly vs UR/#30 Nick Reenan.
Epperly too much here for the true freshman (he has lost to all the ranked guys by 6 to 8 pts) and gets the major 12-4 or so.
VT 16 NCS 10

184 lbs: #4/5 Zach Zavatsky vs #11/10 Michael Macchiavello.
Tough matchup as MM is 21-5 this year and beat #20 Dakota Geer and #14 Emery Parker. Lost by 1 pt to Iowa's Sammy Brooks. ZZ in a squeaker 6-4 or so.
VT 19 NCS 10

197 lbs: #3 Jared Haught vs UR/#24 Malik McDonald.
Haught handles a solid wrestler 8-4 or so.
VT 22 NCS 10

HWT: #5/3 Ty Walz vs. UR/#21 Mike Kosoy.
Ty's aggression is too much for Kosoy late and gets the MD 12-4 or so.

Final VT 26 NCS 10

This might be slightly optimist as the 133 is a toss-up and a couple of others (157 and 184) will be tough but what the hell. I've been accused of being overly pessimistic in previous predictions. 23-13 might be a more down the middle prediction.








[Post edited by hokietony at 02/06/2017 5:15PM]