Missouri Wrestling: #17 Tigers Fall to #5 Minnesota 27-13 in National Duals

Once again, the Tigers are competing in the Cliff Keen National Duals Tournament, one of the most interestingly formatted wrestling tournaments of the season.  If you are not familiar, teams either compete in dual meets against other teams (10 matches to decide the winner) or individual tournaments (where team score decides the winner).  This meet has teams compete in a dual meet scenario, with the winners and losers moving through brackets.  It is always HIGHLY contested and packed with talented squads from around the nation.  The Tigers had a REALLY tough draw this morning, facing the #5 and perennial powerhouse Minnesota Gophers.  With the loss, they will next face NorthwesternSome thoughts on their 27-13 loss after the jump.

• The Tigers only won three matches today (22-7 tech fall for Nick Marable, late third round pin by Max Askren and 6-1 win by Mark Ellis, which all came against unranked wrestlers)
• Brad Wisdom did not wrestle at 125, and in fact the Tigers took a forfeit at the weight against #6 Zach Sanders.  For how (relatively) well the true freshman started the season, I am growing concerned about his lack of action of late.
• Nathan McCormick was clearly overmatched against #2 Jayson Ness at 133, getting pinned and putting Mizzou down early 12-0.
• #17 Patrick Wright appeared to lose a real tough decision to an unranked wrestler at 157
• This dual could have been a lot closer, as there were multiple matches between ranked wrestlers, with the Tigers winning none of them
  #20 Todd Schavrien lost a decision to #7 Mike Thorn at 141
  #9 Dorian Henderson got thumped by #13 Scott Glasser at 174
  #11 Brent Haynes was shut out by #15 Sonny Yohn at 197

Northwestern has a ranked wrestler at 149 (17th)...and that's it.  Mizzou would do well here to get back on the winning track and see what other experience they can while freezing up in Northern Iowa.