AWP 50 in 50: #44 Michigan State

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#44 Michigan State
Head Coach: Tom Minkel
Assistant Coaches: Roger Chandler, Sam Wendland
'14 Dual Record: 8-10
'14 NCAA Finish: 32nd

Projected Lineup ('14 D1 Record)
125: Mitch Rogaliner (8-8)
133: Javier Gasca (14-6)
141: Josh Pennell (6-5)
149: Nick Trimble (13-13)
157: Roger Wildmo (8-19)
165: #30 Ryan Watts (5-3)
174: Kevin Nash (7-10)/Nick Proctor (0-1)
184: #16 John Rizqallah (20-12)
197: #28 Nick McDiarmid (16-11)
285: Luke Jones (8-6)/Chris Nash (10-8)

Team Outlook
Key Returners: The Spartans return a pair of quality upperweights in John Rizqallah at 184 and Nick McDiarmid at 197.  Rizqallah is a grinder who can wrestle with anyone in the country, thanks to his scrambling and mat wrestling.  He's a guy who has a legitimate shot of making the podium in his final year.  McDiarmid started out strong last year but faltered a bit towards the end when he hit the Big Ten schedule.  Look for him to contend for a spot at the national tournament.

Key Additions: Two tough lightweights join the varsity lineup this season for MSU.  Javier Gasca at 133 is coming off an impressive redshirt season in which he went 14-6.  The California native should be very tough and a fixture in the Spartan lower weights for years to come.  Mitch Rogaliner, a former 2x MI State Champ, will likely be the starter at 125 pounds.  Like Gasca, he too is coming off a good redshirt year.  He's a goer and may be able to use the fact that he's not an overly big 125 to his advantage, especially in dual meets with a one hour weigh in.

X-Factors: The biggest X-Factor, or question mark really, is whether or not Ryan Watts at 165 will be able to return to form (or return at all).  He suffered what was presumed to be a career ending injury last season, but early indications point to him being in the lineup.  He was a stud two seasons ago, and even beat RJ Pena of Oregon State opening week last year.  So if he can get back to normal, he'll help out tremendously.

Key Dates
Nov. 15- at Eastern Michigan Duals
Nov. 21- at Minnesota
Nov. 23- vs. Iowa State
Dec. 6- at Iowa
Jan. 10- vs. Michigan
Jan. 14- vs. Ohio State
Jan. 23- at Eastern Michigan
Jan. 25- vs. Wisconsin
Feb. 1- vs. Penn State
Feb. 8- vs. Nebraska
Feb. 13- at Indiana
Feb. 15- at Purdue
Feb. 21- vs. Central Michigan
Mar. 7- at Big Tens

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