165 Pounds:
The Favorites:
No. 1 Jordan Burroughs, Senior (Nebraska), Record: 31-0
The 2009 NCAA Champion returns to the mats after suffering an injury that kept him out of the 2010 season. Burroughs is pound-for-pound one of the top wrestlers in the nation. His lightning-quick double-leg takedown is almost impossible to avoid even if you know it's coming. The Big 12 champ has several marquee victories this season, most notably over No. 2 and 2009 NCAA champion, Andrew Howe (Wisconsin) and two wins over No. 3 Tyler Caldwell (Oklahoma). Looking to become Nebraska's first two-time champ, Burroughs has the talent and ability to turn any match into a sprint with his high motor.
No. 2 Andrew Howe, Junior (Wisconsin), Record: 22-2
Howe is a master on the mat with his intelligence and exceptional skills in every facet of wrestling. The 2009 NCAA champion battled a late injury this season, but has come back strong and will no doubt figure into the title chase in Philadelphia. Howe owns wins over No. 5 Colt Sponseller (Ohio State), No. 8 Justin Kerber (Cornell) and No. 10 Zach Toal (Missouri), with his only loss coming by decision to Burroughs (injury defaulted in match against Conrad Polz of Illinois). A second showdown with Burroughs looms if the Badger junior can get through a tough field.
No. 3 Tyler Caldwell, Sophomore (Oklahoma), Record: 28-5
Caldwell has been one of the biggest bright spots for the Oklahoma Sooners. After placing fifth at nationals in 2010 as a freshman, the Sooner sophomore put together an exceptional season this year and figures to be in the mix for a national title in Philadelphia. Caldwell wrestled part of the season at 174 pounds before moving down to 165. He owns victories over No. 4 Josh Asper (Maryland), then-No. 7 Andrew Sorenson (Iowa State), No. 9 Dallas Bailey (Oklahoma State) and No. 10 Zach Toal (Missouri) three times. However, it was a pair of close decision losses to Burroughs that has people thinking Caldwell could pull it off at nationals.
No. 4 Josh Asper, Sophomore (Maryland), Record: 31-2
Asper has taken his skills to a new level during his sophomore season. The Maryland grappler hasn't had the opportunity to wrestle a lot of the top competition at his weight, but he does own a victory over No. 7 Scott Winston (Rutgers) and No. 10 Zach Toal (Missouri). The ACC champ has sufficient skills to get to the latter rounds of the NCAA tournament and is a threat to pull a few upsets of the top three.
Others to watch:
No. 5 Colt Sponseller, Senior (Ohio State), Record: 21-5
No. 6 Shane Onufer, Junior (Wyoming), Record: 29-2
No. 7 Scott Winston, Sophomore (Rutgers), Record: 20-3
No. 8 Justin Kerber, Senior (Cornell), Record: 30-4
Predicted Winner: Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska)