#23 Hofstra/#3 Cornell Preview (UPDATED W/RESULTS)
165 
The Matchup: Ryan Patrovich (HU) vs. John Basting (Cornell)
Synopsis: While I have yet to get it confirmed, a rumor I saw a few weeks ago indicated that 2008 All-American and #1 ranked wrestler, Mack Lewnes, will be taking a few weeks off. Hence, unless something has changed, fans coming to the Mack today should expect to see John Basting filling in. The absence of Lewnes takes what would have been a hotly contested matchup favoring Cornell and transforms it into a weight class where the Pride are favored and must win in order to remain alive in their uphill battle to shock the #3 Big Red. While Patrovich continues to struggle to find his offense against nationally ranked opponents, he has shown an ability to put points on the board against less caliber competition. Last week, Patrovich defeated UPenn backup, Andrew Coles. Therefore, he has demonstrated that unlike a lot of wrestlers, he does not wrestle down to his competition. While I do not see bonus points happening at this weight class, I do think that Patrovich’s excellent defense will make it very hard on Basting to score from the feet. Competing against a backup, Patrovich is likely to score at least one of two takedowns. That maybe all of the points that he needs to get the better of his Big Red opponent. Despite going 2-0 last week, Patrovich was bumped from the national rankings this week. I am hoping that he uses this as motivation to go the extra mile and score more than my previous description might sugguest….If Lewnes does pick today to make his comeback, you will need to expect that Cornell instantly becomes the favorite at 165. While Patrovich’s defense should keep this bout close, I do not feel that he will have much success finishing on a wrestler of Lewnes’s caliber. Without Lewes, 7-3 Patrovich; With him, 5-1 Lewnes (a pair of takedowns + riding point).
Prediction: Patrovich Wins by Decision
Projected Team Score: 14-6 Cornell
Result: Lewnes (Cornell) Dec Patrovich (HU), 3-1 SV
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174 
The Matchup: #10 Alton Lucas (HU) vs. #6 Steve Anceravage (Cornell)
Synopsis: Last season, Anceravage went 2-0 against Lucas, including a pin at the NCAA Tournament. Therefore, you may ask yourself, may is he picking Lucas to win? The answer is destiny. This will be the last time that Alton Lucas ever wrestles in front of the home crowd. Therefore, given that his career has been plagued by him gassing during what seems like every match, I am hoping that just once, he goes out there, wrestles a full seven minutes, and beats a highly regarded opponent. During the dual last season, Lucas was leading Anceravage for the majority of the bout, only to gas and lose it in the final seconds. Therefore, if nothing else, Lucas has shown that he is capable of competing with a wrestler the caliber of the Big Red senior. However, natural ability will not be enough. The West Babylon native needs to wrestle every second of this match with intensity if he hopes to win. The good thing, is that despite not always getting the best of the match, Lucas does seem to gas less in matches against other nationally ranked wrestlers. Therefore, given that this match should go down to the wire, I am optimistic that Lucas will stay within himself and do just enough to win a close decision in the neighborhood of 3-2 or 4-3. Without a Lucas win, it is hard to see the Pride beating the Big Red. Therefore, hopefully for his own sake, as well as that of his team, Alton picks today to put everything together. After four years of the same old routine, Lucas owes it to the fans, his team, and himself to realize his potential….Because of his amazing throwing ability, Anceravage is dangerous at all times. Last year, he chucked Lucas to his in St. Louis. Hence, Lucas must be careful when coming forward. If Anceravage has a lead after five minutes, Lucas may feel demoralized. This should allow Anceravage to extend the lead, rather than relinquish in in the final period…Another toss-up bout !!!
Prediction: Alton Wins by Decision
Projected Team Score: 14-9 Cornell
Result: Anceravage (Cornell) Dec Lucas (HU), 2-0
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184 
The Matchup: Ben Clymer (HU) vs. #16 Justin Kerber (Cornell)
Synopsis: In the past Clymer has seemed to wrestle his best (in losing efforts) against nationally ranked wrestlers. Already this season, he has kept matches with Binghamton’s Josh Patterson and Rider’s Doug Umbehauer close. While not ranked as high nationally, Kerber presents the same type of challenge for the true freshman from the Keystone State. As demonstrated by his 10-5 over then #20 wrestler, Jerome Ward (Iowa State), Kerber is plenty capable of scoring putting points on the scoreboard. If Clymer wants to win, he is going to need to keep this bout as low scoring as possible. While improved from his feet, I cannot imagine that Clymer can win a takedown battle. Therefore, his best bet is to focus on keeping his defense solid and then try to win the match 2-1 or 3-2. Clymer has shown that he has above average mat skills. Thus, when he gets his turn on top, he needs to work his butt off and keep Kerber down for as long as possible. The more time that Kerber has from neutral, the more I feel his experience and better technique will win out. While I do not see it happening, should Clymer be able to lock up a tilt, his chances of posting the win over the top-20 wrestler increases dramatically. Personally, as much as I hope that Clymer wins, I would be very happy if he just puts up a good fight. With postseason not too far away, it is not as important to win as it is to look sharp.
Prediction: Kerber Wins by Decision
Projected Team Score: 17-9 Cornell
Result: Kerber (Cornell) Dec Clymer (HU), 6-2
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197 
The Matchup: Joe Fagiano (HU) vs. Cam Simaz (Cornell)
Synopsis: Simaz beat Fagiano at the Southern Scuffle. Therefore, until that loss is avenged, one must automatically consider Simaz to be the favorite. At times during the season, both wrestlers have made appearances in the national top-20. Therefore, while this is one of the few bouts that does not feature a ranked wrestler, make no mistakes about it, both of these guys are immensely talented wrestlers. Fagiano has been out of the Pride lineup the past few weeks because of an alleged conduct violation. Therefore, no one really knows what kind of shape he is in and whether or not he will show any signs of mat rust. Against an opponent of Simaz’s ability, the transfer from Indiana is going to need to be at his best if he hopes to get his hand raised. If Fagiano is in top form, 197 is another spot where the Pride has a chance to steal one from the Big Red…A recent HU press release has not confirmed that it will be Fagiano who will be competing for the Pride this evening. If Fagiano is a scratch, the odds on favorite to fill in will be Anthony Tortora. Tortora, who like Lucas, is a senior and would be wrestling his final home match, is incredibly undersized for the weight class and he continues to show. Since stepping into the lineup, Tortora has managed only one win. While he is undoubedtly giving it his all, the size disadvantage just seems to be getting the best of Tortora. Last week, against UPenn’s Thomas Shovlin, Tortora just barely afforded surrendering bonus points. When pitted against an equally if not more talented opponent in the person of Simaz, one might suspect that 197 could become another weight class where visiting Cornell can add a bonus point or two to their tally.
Prediction: Simaz Wins by Decision
Projected Team Score: 20-9 Cornell
Result: Simaz (Cornell) Dec Tortora (HU), 11-4
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285 .jpg "Zach Hammond")
The Matchup: Jordan Enck (HU) vs. #12 Zach Hammond (Cornell)
Synopsis: A classic case of size versus speed. For those of you who read all of these Pride previews, you are likely getting tired of me writing it, but again, I don’t see Enck winning this dual because he cannot seem to get the better of much larger opponents. While holding a significant advantage in athleticism against the majority of them, Enck has yet to show that he can translate his quickness and explosiveness into points. And, when on bottom, he has struggled to consistently build up and get out. Having seen Hammond once or twice in the past, I will say that he does not conjure up images of Tommy Rowlands. By that, I mean that he strikes me as someone who is steady, but not necessarily offensive minded. A 3-2, 4-3 victory seems to be just fine with him. Given his size advantage, once should assume that Hammond will be successful in completing one takedown. Therefore, it will be up to Enck to push the pace and try to find an equalizer. In his bout against top-20 wrestler, Corey Morrison (Ohio State), Enck did show decent offense. However, last week, he seemed to regress in his scoring ability, averaging only thee points against opponents from UPenn and Drexel (both losses). If Enck cannot score against an undersized Kyle Frey (Drexel), I have a hard time believing he will have much luck trying to finish on a man considerably larger than his Dragon opponent from last week. Enck has been sporting what appears to be a knee brace. Hence, perhaps his lack of points two Saturdays ago can be blamed on a bum wheel. Injury or not, If Enck needs to suck it up and come up big for the Pride. With the CAA tournament less than a month away, a victory over a top-15 opponent will do wonders for the true freshman’s confidence….Until Enck gets a win over a legit heavyweight, I have to go with the larger individual, Hammond.
Prediction: Hammond Wins by Decision
Projected Final Team Score: 23-9 Cornell
Result: Enck (HU) Dec Hammond (Cornell), 2-1 TB
Final Team Score: Cornell-27; Hofstra-12
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