Next year…

[Kirk Nelson]

It appears Condon is going 174 based on U20's.

That means a freshman would need to start at 184 unless Anderson moves up. If Anderson moves to 165 it creates an open spot at 184.

Based on the U23 result, Endene is the favorite to start at 197. If Russo stays there he is probably a backup.

[MakingABadgerer]

My Guess

125 Rivera 11-12
133 Fugitt 6-5
141 Bobzien 0-0
149 George 1-2
157 Mechler 6-19
165 Model 3-9
174 Anderson 5-5
184 Condon 3-2
197 Endene *
285 Cassioppi *

Last year's records are from wrestlestat so I can't vouch for the accuracy. 
FWIW I expect the team to finish much better than last year's records and the skeptics' forecasts.

125 If Nicolar can make 125 he's the guy.  His 11-12 record is deceiving.  He wrestled up a weight and took his lumps.  If he can't make/hold 125 then Skebba to the rescue and we have a log jam at some of the other weights when Nicolar bumps.
133 See previous note.  Zan is the man at 125 unless Nicolar is too big for 125.
141 Bucky has some talented guys on the roster who due to no fault of their own have suffered injuries.  Bobzien is one of those guys.  He will be fun to watch.  Crossing fingers that he can stay healthy.
149 George looked tough at U20's.  Appeared to have a good rapport with Coach Reader. Julian is going to be an important part of the program in coming years.  Developing this year is a huge step.  From what I hear Zargo is going to take a redshirt.  Giving Joe an opportunity to heal and improve while providing Julian a year's experience is the best thing for Joe and the program.  Both come back into the lineup next year healthy and ready to contribute.
157 Mechler is a Wisconsin raised guy who has a pedigree.  Similar to Bobzien with regard to injuries, if Luke can stay healthy he will be an asset to this team.  Great young man from a great family. 
165 Losing DJ would sting any team.  He is a great wrestler.  Model isn't likely to produce the points that we are accustomed to with DJ but don't write off Gavin Model!  Gavin's experience will keep him in the fight in some matches where outsiders don't give him much of a chance and he is the kind of wrestler to pull some upsets, score some points when it matters most.   
174 Like the previous weight, Cale has 4 years in the room and will surprise some people this year.  The negative is that DJ is gone, the positive is that Coaches Reader & Model will have even more time to focus on guys like George, Mechler, Gavin Model and Anderson.
184 Lucas is coming off of a good redshirt season.  Having Russo, Endene, Coach Garrett Model, and Reader in the room every day is going to increase Condon's trajectory.
197  The good news is that we have Russo and Endene.  The bad news is if Endene is wrestling 214 pounds at U@# World Championships in late October UW will need to make a decision on whether to burn Russo's redshirt for a few early season nonconference duals or forfeit some of those early matches in November while Endene gets back down to weight.  Russo redshirting this season and having a year of Endene, Cassioppi, and who knows who else in the practice room will set Dylan and Wisconsin up for future success at 197.   
285 Cassioppi coming to Madison is not exactly a secret anymore.  The NCAA recently gave a couple of the Iowa/Iowa State gambling guys a year of eligibility back.  The NCAA also expanded NIL to allow schools to pay athletes.  Is this the perfect storm to make Big Tony the first player/coach in modern day NCAA?  If not, insert Gannon Rosenfeld who was competitive in many matches last year (Nebraska comes to mind).  Similar to Zargo I look for Amos and Johnson to redshirt.  Shoulder injuries do not heal quickly, nothing good comes from rushing a shoulder, and sitting rehabbing the shoulder is not the same as lifting and practicing during the off season.   Johnson needs to figure out where he fits in on the gridiron.  If he is an NFL prospect then we won't see him on the mat. If he is a good player, we may see him second semester in the future. Coach Fickle will dictate the decision  I was disappointed when I saw the clip which suggested that Johnson is not wrestling.   

It is easy for me as a fan to say that this one or that one should redshirt.  If the contract extension is a sign that the coaches' jobs are safe then I hope they focus on building the program.  If the coaches are on the hotseat as many here have suggested then I understand that it may be very tempting to forget the long term good of the athletes and the program to instead focus on the immediate.     

[Sudden Death]

I think at 165 it will come down to Sheen and Model as Sheen was wrestling 165 near the end of last year and beat Model in OT.  I do ultimately believe Cale Anderson will make the drop to 165

[charteroak1]

285 Cassioppi coming to Madison is not exactly a secret anymore.  The NCAA recently gave a couple of the Iowa/Iowa State gambling guys a year of eligibility back.  The NCAA also expanded NIL to allow schools to pay athletes.  Is this the perfect storm to make Big Tony the first player/coach in modern day NCAA?  If not, insert Gannon Rosenfeld who was competitive in many matches last year (Nebraska comes to mind).  Similar to Zargo I look for Amos and Johnson to redshirt.  Shoulder injuries do not heal quickly, nothing good comes from rushing a shoulder, and sitting rehabbing the shoulder is not the same as lifting and practicing during the off season.  Johnson needs to figure out where he fits in on the gridiron.  If he is an NFL prospect then we won't see him on the mat. If he is a good player, we may see him second semester in the future. Coach Fickle will dictate the decision  I was disappointed when I saw the clip which suggested that Johnson is not wrestling. 

Insert Gannon at HWT, if what you say is right about Braxton, which I could definitely see him RS.  Plus that will give him another year to settle into the Hwt roll.  I personally think we will never see Johnson on the mat. 

Nelson Brands was on FRL today and spoke about how those guys did not get their year back.  Asad and Tony, done! Nelson-Medical RS year.

Cassioppi in to Coach I would guess.  I guess all of the people who said we don't have a HWT Coach can now stop their complaining. 

[dad 2 5]

it used to be "wait until next year" but right now you can't even say that about the Badgers and the worse part is we all know nothing is going to change, sad

[dad 2 5]

Makingabadger
My Guess

125 Rivera 11-12
133 Fugitt 6-5
141 Bobzien 0-0
149 George 1-2 (Zargo?)
157 Mechler 6-19 (George?)
165 Model 3-9
174 Anderson 5-5
184 Condon 3-2
197 Endene *
285 Cassioppi * (Amos?)

(maybe change to?)

[bigoil]

Cass has no eligibility left.

165 Anderson
174 Condon
184 Russo
197 Endene
Hwt Amos (Rosenfeld, Johnson)

[charteroak1]

Makingabadger
My Guess

125 Rivera 11-12
133 Fugitt 6-5
141 Bobzien 0-0
149 George 1-2 (Zargo?)
157 Mechler 6-19 (George?)
165 Model 3-9
174 Anderson 5-5
184 Condon 3-2
197 Endene *
285 Cassioppi * (Amos?)

(maybe change to?)

I'm most interested to see how Rivera and Amos do at those new weights.  I know both of those weights aren't what they were the past few years, but it's always a grind in the Big 10. 

Would be nice to have a wrestle-off similar to what Barry did, just so we can get a chance to see what the other guys look like.  We never really get to see those guys compete as everything is away.

Yes, bring back the Northern Open.  So many great matches!

[dad 2 5]

In my mind I cannot see that Amos is going to have success at HWY but that is just me. I am interested in what Rivera can do at 25

[littleguy301]

Take it for what it is. I think the badgers will have some good duals meets with alot of teams. I don't see iowa and other powerhouses sending their full line ups so I see the badgers making some of those duals fun.

I don't expect alot out of the badgers but they will have gas tanks and will bring it for 7 minutes unless........

[No One Cares]

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Ba6MtR1jD/?igsh=bWhseWFlMTF3N3pv

Amos and Zargo both at media day. Amos looking like he is certainly going heavyweight.  Lol.

[wrastle63]

125- Rivera
133-Fugitt
141-Bobzien
149-George/Zargo
157-George/Zargo
165-Anderson/Model
174-Condon
184-Russo
197-Endene
285-Amos
Looking like a bunch of NQ, but maybe 0 AAs. Endene may be our best shot at AA.

[Kirk Nelson]

Coy could push for the spot at 141.

Zargo will start at the weight he chooses. I presume that will be 149.

Can Julian George or Royce Nilo or Cody Goebel push for the spot at 157? Mechler may still have the edge.

Anderson, Condon and Russo are cutting weight - hopefully that does not affect their performance. Anderson should have the edge at 165. Condon and Russo are the favorites at their weight.

Looking forward to seeing Braxton on the mat. He was a 220 lber in high school so he is used to wrestling heavier guys. Hopefully he stays healthy.

[asdf]

125- Rivera
133-Fugitt
141-Bobzien
149-George/Zargo
157-George/Zargo
165-Anderson/Model
174-Condon
184-Russo
197-Endene
285-Amos
Looking like a bunch of NQ, but maybe 0 AAs. Endene may be our best shot at AA.

Curious who you (and others) see as NQ?

Flo preseason rankings has Zargo ranked (20th at 149#).  No other Badgers.  Yes, its early for rankings and its Flo.

I'd go with Nicolar, Zargo, Endene and Amos.  Outside shots hopefully for Fugitt and Condon.  Amos is no guarantee as Big Ten is loaded as always at Hwt.  Nine ranked by Flo.

[charteroak1]

All Ten!  Hustle, Effort and Attitude will get them all to the Show.