Pitt Clashes with NC State in Top-10 ACC Dual Saturday

PITTSBURGH – The 10^th-ranked University of Pittsburgh wrestling team [7-2, 1-0 ACC] hosts No. 4 NC State [11-0, 1-0 ACC] Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Fitzgerald Field House.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Saturday's dual will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra/ESPN App and may be viewed by clicking here.
Follow the team on Twitter for updates at @Pitt_WRES.

LAST TIME OUT

The Panthers earned their second shutout of the season Saturday, Feb. 25 defeating Duke, 50-0, at Card Gymnasium in their ACC opener.
The 50-point win was Pitt's first since 2015 when it defeated Clarion, 51-0.
Redshirt junior Gregg Harvey defeated No. 26 Mason Eaglin 15-6 to earn a major decision in the 174 bout.
Redshirt sophomores Micky Phillippi (133) and Nino Bonaccorsi (184), and redshirt senior Taleb Rahmani (157) recorded pins in the win.
Redshirt freshman Louis Newell, junior Jake Cherry and redshirt freshman Luke Kemerer all won by forfeit.
The Panthers went on to complete the weekend sweep when they defeated Edinboro, 28-6, on Sunday, Feb. 26.
Three Panthers, redshirt freshman Louis Newell (125) redshirt sophomore Micky Phillippi (133) and redshirt freshman Cole Matthews all won with bonus points.
Redshirt senior Taleb Rahmani (157) used a takedown with 50 seconds left in the third period to break a tie and take a 6-4 lead. Rahmani was one of five Panthers earned a decision.

THE SERIES - NC STATE

Saturday marks the seventh meeting between the Wolfpack and Panthers.
NC State leads the all-time series, 4-2.
In the last meeting, then-ranked No. 16 Pitt upset No. 8 Wolfpack 18-16, at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh a year ago. With the win, the Panthers handed NC State its only ACC loss of the year.
The match was highlighted by unranked Gregg Harvey upsetting No. 20 Denial Bullard 6-4.
No. 13 Nino Bonaccorsi also added to the upsets when he defeated No. 3 Nick Reenen 8-0 for the major decision at 184 pounds.
Kellan Stout put Pitt within two points of NC State when he upset No. 20 Malik McDonald 5-4 at 197 pounds.
Demetrius Thomas gave the Panthers the win when he earned a 17-5 major decision over Deonte Wilson bringing the final score to 18-16.
Pitt's first victory over the Wolfpack came in 2014 at the Fitzgerald Field House where the teams met for the first time.

SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK

NC State enters the match 11-0 and 1-0 in the ACC. Two of the Wolfpack's 11 wins came against ranked opponents.
In its last time out, NC State defeated Virginia 28-9 capturing eight of 10 bouts in the win, recording two major decisions and one fall. The Wolfpack's two losses came at 125 and 197 pounds.
NC State returns five NCAA qualifiers from a year ago, including fourth place finisher Hayden Hidlay (157).
The Wolfpack currently has nine ranked wrestlers in the first coaches' panel rankings of the year. NC State's highest ranking comes at 157 pounds with Hidlay ranked second. The other rankings include 125 (21st), 133 (26th), 141 (12th), 165 (12th), 174 (14th), 184 (third), 197 (24th) and 285 (32nd).
The Wolfpack finished the 2018-19 season 16-3 overall and 4-1 against ACC foes en route to winning the ACC dual title. In postseason competition, NC State captured the ACC Championship title and placed 17th at the NCAA Championships in Pittsburgh.
NC State had three wrestlers claim ACC Championships and three wrestlers place second.
The Wolfpack is led by eighth year head coach Pat Popolizio.

PITT IN THE COACHES' PANEL RANKINGS

Seven Pitt wrestlers were listed in the first of four NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings, announced Friday, Jan. 24.
- 133, Micky Phillippi, #6
- 141, Cole Matthews, #24
- 157, Taleb Rahmani, #28
- 165, Jake Wentzel, #10
- 174, Gregg Harvey, #24
- 184, Nino Bonaccorsi, #9
- 285, Demetrius Thomas, #9
The final rankings will be one of the criteria used as part of the selection process to determine qualifiers and seeding for the 2020 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on March 19-21 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The rankings are determined by a vote of 14 head coaches in each weight class with two head coaches from each of the seven conferences.
For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. Wrestlers must have participated in at least five matches against Division I opponents in the weight class and have wrestled within the last 30 days to be ranked.
The first two rankings (Jan. 24/Feb. 13) are used primarily for educational purposes to promote the selection criteria to coaches, student-athletes, media and fans.
The third ranking (Feb. 27) will be the ranking that will be used by the NCAA Wrestling Committee to assist in determining the advance allocations to each qualifying tournament. The final ranking following conference tournaments will be used to provide the most accurate and up-to-date rankings to the committee as an important element of the selection criteria during the in-person selection meeting.

PITT RETURNS TO TOP 10

Pitt returned to the top 10 of the NWCA Rankings Tuesday, Nov. 26 for the first time since 2015.
For the sixth consecutive week, Pitt ranks No. 10 in the country.
The Panthers had previously earned a No. 10 rankings eight times.

ACC WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Tickets for the 2020 Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestling Championship are now on sale. The Championship, hosted by the University of Pittsburgh, will take place Sunday, March 8 at the Petersen Events Center.
To order tickets, visit theacc.co/20ACCtix.
- Ticket Prices (all seating is general admission):
- Single: $10
- Children (18 & under): $5
- Group (15+ people): $3/person
March 8, 2020 will mark just the second time that Pitt has hosted the conference championship since joining the league in 2013. Pitt served as the host institution on March 8, 2015 and saw three Panthers earn titles.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Panthers will host two more home matches, including one against ACC rival Virginia on Friday, Feb. 7 and Davidson Saturday, Feb. 9 before going back on the road to face No. 8 North Carolina.
Pitt ends its regular season versus No. 7 Virginia Tech Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Fitzgerald Field House.

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Pitt Clashes with NC State in Top-10 ACC Dual Saturday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Nino Bonaccorsi

Jake Cherry

Gregg Harvey

Luke Kemerer

Cole Matthews

Louis Newell

Micky Phillippi

Taleb Rahmani

Kellan Stout

Demetrius Thomas

Jake Wentzel

Pitt Clashes with NC State in Top-10 ACC Dual Saturday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Nino Bonaccorsi

Jake Cherry

Gregg Harvey

Luke Kemerer

Cole Matthews

Louis Newell

Micky Phillippi

Taleb Rahmani

Kellan Stout

Demetrius Thomas

Jake Wentzel

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