Early Big 12 Wrestling Summary

After reviewing the Big 12 conference through individual weight classes, we look at how things look as a team. Rounding out the end of the 2021-22, the Big 12 entered the NCAA Championship with the second most allocations (58). This put the Big 12 Conference thirty bids behind the NCAA-leading Big Ten Conference.

With those allocations and at-large bids becoming locked in, here is how the Big 12 fared moving through 2022 NCAA Championship tournament. The Conference came in with the second most cumulative total in team points for the national tournament.

Looking deeper into the conference, here is how each team finished the season at the Big 12 Tournament and in conference dual meets. We also see how the teams within the conference finished at the 2022 National Championships.

Moving into the next season, teams will have to do more roster shuffling. There will be wrestlers leaving either through the transfer portal or graduating. Here we take a look at what each team will be returning for the upcoming 2022-23 season. The following numbers are from wrestlers who competed in the 2022 Big 12 Tournament and National Championship. The chart does not include wrestlers who are coming back from redshirt seasons

Out of the teams inside the Big 12, only one team (South Dakota State) will be returning every point from the previous season. On the other hand, you have multiple teams who will be looking at new or returning faces to fill spots within their lineup.

Out of the 80 All-Americans from the 2021-22 NCAA Championship, there will be a total of 58 returning across the nation. Of those 58 returning All-Americans, the Big 12 will account for 8 looking to add to their resume.

Rounding out each weight class, there was a tournament prediction on who would place based on previous matchups, common opponents, and basic whose who knowledge. The actual scores will be much higher but through a simple score system based on placement (1st=8pts, 2nd=7pts, etc.) I was able to make a running total throughout each prediction to get an idea of a final score. Was there a little Mizzou bias in my result? As an outsider, one might say so, but to me, I’ll stand by my decisions with Mizzou. This a one of the more talented teams to come through the program in recent years. The culture and competition inside the wrestling room have created a must-watch program and an exciting atmosphere to be a part of.

There is a good chance many of the results could be altered throughout the year and even the rest of the offseason. There is much time between now and the beginning of the season for things to change and for wrestlers to move around.

The potential of multiple freshmen coming in and jumping straight into starting lineups could change things for most teams. There is a good crop of young and talented wrestlers competing inside the Big 12 which will be making for exciting matchups in the coming years!

Previous Overviews:

125lbs - 133lbs - 141lbs - 149lbs - 157lbs - 165lbs - 174lbs - 184lbs - 197lbs - 285lbs