It’s Oklahoma State at Iowa tonight in men’s wrestling

IOWA CITY — The importance of tonight’s men’s wrestling dual between Oklahoma State at Iowa isn’t lost on Hawkeye Coach Tom Brands.

He has, after all, wrestled in this historic series. He’s coached in it, too. He mentioned coaches like Dan Gable, Joey Seay and John Smith who came before him.

“John Smith packed a pretty good punch,” Brands said.

His wrestlers know it’s a big dual, too. The No. 2 Cowboys against the No. 3 Hawkeyes. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.

But ... there are bigger things ahead and, Brands said, he doesn’t really have time to think about Oklahoma State. Apparently, it’s just another dual to his wrestlers, too.

“It’s a rivalry, I guess,” 133-pounder Drake Ayala said. “Last dual of the season, big implications.

“It should be fun. We’re excited.”

Top-ranked 197-pounder Stephen Buchanan, in his first season with the Hawks, called it a “pretty good dual.”

This will be the 58th meeting between these program, schools that have combined to win 58 NCAA championships (Oklahoma State 34, Iowa 24).

The Cowboys lead the all-time series, 29-26-2, but the Hawkeyes have won eight of the last 10 meetings, including last season’s 22-9 victory in Stillwater.

“Definitely a place where wrestling is relevant,” Brands said of the Cowboys . “... That’s exciting. We love it.”

But as for new coach David Taylor, who replaced the retired Smith this season, Brands said his focus is on his own wrestling room.

“I’ve got a lot of problems here so I’m not going to think too much about his program,” he said.

The problems? A lopsided loss to No. 1 Penn State, followed by a lackluster come-from-behind win over Nebraska may top the list.

“This team, I feel like, has been doubted all year,” Ayala said. “We’re going to keep getting better.”

Iowa also still is trying to figure out its tournament roster, just two weeks before the Big Ten Championships in Evanston, Ill.

“We’re just not going to talk about that,” Brands said. “It’s always going to be vague.

“I know we’ve got a lot of good guys and there are 10 weight classes, and we’ve got more than 10 guys who can do very well, that we believe in.”

The biggest decision could come at 174, the only “or” in today’s lineup. Nelson Brands or Patrick Kennedy will get the nod against third-ranked Dean Hamiti, Jr.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Brands said. “... (and) we’re doing the work.”

That work continues — but does not end — today. And, Buchanan, said it will be that work that dictates which team comes out on top.

“You come in and do the work,” he said. “You do everything right and if you do everything right, it will show out of the mat.”

The Cowboys feature a lineup with seven wrestlers ranked in the Top 10, including third-ranked Hamiti, Jr., Dustin Plott at 184 and Wyatt Hendrickson at heavyweight.

“It will be an exciting atmosphere and I’m looking forward to it,” Buchanan said.

“There a lot of on line when it comes to these two teams,” said the top-ranked Ayala, who faces Reece Witcraft today.

“This is my favorite part of the season. I’m pumped. I’m excited. It’s going to be a fun month here.”

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