Penn State Wrestling: Keys to taking down Michigan

STATE COLLEGE, PA - JANUARY 31: Zain Retherford of the Penn State Nittany Lions during a match against Alex Pantaleo of the Michigan Wolverines on January 31, 2016 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 35-7. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - JANUARY 31: Zain Retherford of the Penn State Nittany Lions during a match against Alex Pantaleo of the Michigan Wolverines on January 31, 2016 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 35-7. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Wrestling hits the road this Sunday to take on Big Ten foe Michigan

Who’s ready for some Penn State Wrestling? Heck yeah!

The No. 3 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) head to Ann Arbor this Sunday at 11 a.m. to take on the No. 2 ranked Michigan Wolverines (4-0), in a rescheduled dual meet from February 7th. Coverage will air nationally on the Big Ten Network and the PS Radio Network.

Penn State Wrestling hasn’t been on a mat since their demolishing of Wisconsin (43-6) back on February 2. While Michigan took on rival Ohio State last night in a thrilling 18-16 victory.

Here’s a look at the Nittany Lions lineup heading into Sunday:

Penn State Lineup

125 – Are we going to see Baylor Shunk or Robert Howard? Probably not. Forfeit will most likely slap on the ankle bands and hand Michigan six points.
133 – No. 3 Roman Bravo Young (3-0) – 2 decisions and 1 fall
141 – No. 2 Nick Lee (3-0) – 2 tech falls and 1 major decision
149 – No. 19 Jarod Verkleeren (0-1)
157 – No. 9 Brady Berge (3-0) – 2 decisions and 1 major decision
165 – No. 6 Joe Lee (3-0) – 2 decisions and 1 major decision
174 – No. 8 Carter Starocci (3-1) – 2 decisions and 1 tech fall
184 – No. 3 Aaron Brooks (3-0) – 2 major decisions and 1 tech fall
197 – No. 14 Michael Beard (1-0) – tech fall
Hwt – No. 7 Seth Nevills (3-0) – decision, tech fall, and fall

I don’t think anyone would be crazy enough to think this lineup is part of a rebuilding year, would they?

There are a plethora of small rankings numbers in front of the Penn State wrestler’s names. And if you lived on a deserted island with a volleyball for the past decade … Welcome to Penn State Wrestling!

Cael Sanderson is a coaching legend, and he consistently puts together championship teams. But Penn State is going to have their hands full against Michigan. Let’s look at their potential lineup for Sunday.

Michigan Lineup

125 – Kurt McHenry (0-2)
133 – Jack Medley (5-1) – 4 decisions and 1 tech fall
141 – No. 20 Drew Mattin (2-2) – decision and fall
149 – No. 6 Kanen Storr (3-1) – 2 decisions and a TB-2
157 – No. 8 Will Lewan (4-0) – 2 decisions, 1 tech fall, and a TB-2
165 – No. 16 Cameron Amine (3-1) – 2 decisions and 1 major decision
174 – No. 2 Logan Massa (4-0) – 3 major decisions and 1 fall
184 – Jelani Embree or Joseph Walker or Jaden Bullock
197 – Myles Amine (1-0) – decision
Hwt – No. 2 Mason Parris (4-0) – 2 falls, 1 tech fall, and 1 major decision

Interesting item to note here, Myles Amine made his season debut last night versus Ohio State at 197. He previously wrestled at 174 and InterMat currently has him ranked No. 1 at 184. So I don’t know exactly where he will wrestle this Sunday. Let’s just assume 197 to make it easier.

To makes things even more confusing, Michigan has the No. 2 ranked wrestler at 133 (Stevan Micic), however he has yet to suit up this year. So again, I’m just going to go with my pizza filled gut.

As with Penn State, Michigan also has a lot of numbers next to their names. In their tough fought victory against OSU, Michigan needed bonus points from both Massa and Parris to earn the win (18-16).

Let’s take a look at several key matches.