#4 PackWrestle: New Rankings & Pitt Preview

New Rankings

For the 77th consecutive NWCA Coaches Poll, NC State (3-0, 1-0 ACC) was ranked in the top-10 - this week holding serve at #4 after Friday’s victory over Virginia. Consequently, the Pack’s next three opponents all have a home in the top-15 as well.

We also have a new set of individual rankings courtesy of FloWrestling. See below for where our guys stack-up this week:

• 125 - Camacho #2 (previous: 3)
• 133 - Trombley #16 (17)
• 141 - T. Wilson #11 (10)
• 157 - H. Hidlay #2 (2)
• 165 - T. Bullard #14 (11)
• 174 - D. Bullard #13 (14)
• 184 - T. Hidlay #3 (3)
• 285 - D. Wilson #17 (16)

The rankers were generous with Thomas Bullard and didn’t drop him too far after his second loss in as many duals. Ed Scott impressed last week and is just outside the top-25 at his weight. Unfortunately, his matchup this week won’t do him much good even with a dominant performance, but he could slip into the rankings next week if someone above him falters. Camacho moved up to #2 after Michigan State’s Rayvon Foley lost this past weekend. Otherwise, everyone else pretty much stayed about the same.

Pittsburgh Dual

How to Watch: ACC Network

Wrestling Rules & Scoring

Over the next three weeks, NC State will face top-15 ACC foes back-to-back-to-back.

We start it off this Friday evening when #12 Pittsburgh (3-0, 1-0) comes to Reynolds Coliseum. Pitt poses a real threat, as they have for the last several years. Going back to the 2018-19 season, the Panthers are the last team to defeat the Pack in a dual. They managed that off the back of bonus points and upsets. Pitt has multiple guys in the top-10 of their respective weight classes who will be favored, so they’re going to win some bouts. But if the Pack can win the matches they are favored in and avoid losing the bonus point battle, they shouldn’t have any trouble winning this dual. See below for projected lineups and my predictions:

• 125: #2 Jakob Camacho vs. Colton Camacho (J. Camacho tech fall; 5-0 NCSU)
• 133: #16 Jarrett Trombley or Ryan Jack vs. #5 Micky Phillippi (Phillippi decision; 5-3 NCSU)
• 141: #11 Tariq Wilson vs. #16 Cole Matthews (Wilson decision; 8-3 NCSU)
• 149: Ed Scott vs. Luke Kemerer (Scott major; 12-3 NCSU)
• 157: #2 Hayden Hidlay vs. Tyler Badgett (Hidlay tech fall; 17-3 NCSU)
• 165: #14 Thomas Bullard vs. #6 Jake Wentzel (Bullard decision; 20-3 NCSU)
• 174: #13 Daniel Bullard vs. Jared McGill (Bullard decision; 23-3 NCSU)
• 184: #3 Trent Hidlay vs. #19 Gregg Harvey (Hidlay decision; 26-3 NCSU)
• 197: Nick Reenan vs. #5 Nino Bonaccorsi (Bonaccorsi decision; 26-6 NCSU)
• 285: #17 Deonte Wilson vs. Jacob Slinger (Wilson decision; 29-6 NCSU)

Key Matchups

#16 Jarrett Trombley vs. #5 Micky Phillippi

I am hopeful that the coaching staff returns Trombley to the lineup this week. I just feel at this point, he is our best option at this weight. He may not have the bonus potential that Ryan Jack does, but I think he is better equipped to win the big matches at this time. I especially would like to see the switch back this week, because of how close Trombley wrestled Phillippi in last year’s dual. Micky is a beast on top and stingy from his feet but I think Jarrett has a legitimate shot at the upset here - he just has a controlling style that I think can give the two-time reigning ACC Champ some problems. No matter who gets rolled out, beating Phillippi would make the staff’s decision a lot easier moving forward.

#14 Thomas Bullard vs. #6 Jake Wentzel

This could be the perfect “get right” match for Thomas Bullard, who began the season ranked #6 at 165 pounds but has fallen due to a 1-2 start. Facing the reigning ACC Champ at this weight, a top-10 opponent, and you’re 2-0 against him in your career. These two both have very similar styles with the top-class scrambling ability and ferocious top games. I just believe Thomas is a little better in both areas, which is why he was able to win both of their previous meetings. Make it a third, and Thomas’ season could be back on track.

Nick Reenan vs. #5 Nino Bonaccorsi

These two have met before, twice during Nick’s nightmare season in which he tore his ACL. Both meetings were at 184 and were dominant Bonaccorsi victories over a one-legged Reenan - 8-0 and 10-3. Since then, they have both bumped up to 197, and Nick appears to have regained his health and confidence. So this could be a completely different matchup two years later. Bonaccorsi is a high-volume attacker, which gave Reenan issues so we will need to see improvement there if Nick hopes to pick up a statement win. I’ve got Bonaccorsi until proven otherwise, but the Nick we’ve seen thus far this season certainly has a decent shot at this one.

Pitt definitely has some bullets, but top-to-bottom I don’t think they can hang with the Pack this year. Even if they somehow manage to win five of ten bouts in this dual, I think our bonus points will be enough for the victory.

Tune in at 6PM on Friday evening for this top-15 showdown. Go Pack!