133 in the Big Ten is juicy. There are four dudes who have a legitimate shot at winning: Seth Gross, Sebastian Rivera, Roman Bravo-Young, and Austin DeSanto. Here is how Austin DeSanto could win his first conference title over those other three killers.

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According to Nomad, the seeds will probably be as follows:

1. Seth Gross

2. Roman Bravo-Young

3. Austin DeSanto

5/6/11/12. Sebastian Rivera

Rivera’s seed is up in the air because he only has two Big Ten matches this season: a loss to Seth Gross and a win over King Sandoval. If he gets the 5 or 12 seed, he’ll be on the top half with Seth Gross and Travis Piotrowski. But if he’s the 6 or 11 seed, he’ll be on the bottom half, setting up a quarterfinal with DeSanto.

Against Roman Bravo-Young

Say all you want about their match in January, but clearly after the opening exchange, DeSanto wasn’t wrestling 100 percent.

He took a couple of weeks off and is now wearing a sleeve and brace on his right knee, but in his two matches since injury defaulting, DeSanto has looked fine. He tech falled Boo Dryden and pinned Reece Witcraft. 

Ahead of their dual match, I broke down this matchup in depth. So, read that if you want an even more in-depth breakdown. However, since I’m not putting too much stock into their first match this season, most of the keys to victory remain the same.

Keys To Victory

• Find a way to score not carry/fireman’s (two-on-one?)

• Control center mat, get RBY to the edge, and get him called for stalling

• Use pressure to make RBY break his game plan

• When you shoot don’t allow RBY to be able to reattack (at least get to a lock on one leg)

• Avoid the cradle

The first key is crucial as one of the few things I took away from their last match was that RBY isn’t going to let DeSanto anywhere near his left arm. At least at the beginning of the match.

Against Seth Gross

These two have split so far this season.

Match 1 - All DeSanto

Match 2 - Gross, but close

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If it wasn’t for a beautiful transition to a cradle right after a takedown for a quick two count, DeSanto might be 2-0 and boasting the #1 seed. He’s done a great job against Gross and has pretty much already set the game plan. 

One great thing he has done is only shoot head outside shots. Gross is phenomenal at defending and even scoring from the hip-tip position, but when DeSanto keeps his head on the outside he not only eliminates this, but it allows him to finish quickly more often and also keeps him out of front headlock where Gross can grab on and at least slow him down if not score. Go back to the very first takedown of match #1 (2:14 mark) and watch Gross try to stuff DeSanto's head inside, but DeSanto gets it back outside and finishes.

Keys To Victory

• Head outside shots (high-c/fireman’s)

• Don’t get stuck on bottom

• No cradles

• Stay out of Gross’ two-on-one

Against Sebastian Rivera

Sebastian Rivera’s gas tank has never been an issue. However, due to the nature of an ankle injury, which requires rest and makes it hard to train even cardio, and that we haven’t seen him wrestle a full seven minutes with anyone since getting injured, let alone DeSanto, you have to wonder if it will come in to play here.

So, I think DeSanto should get on Seabass early and don’t slow down. Don’t be afraid to give up one or two early, just be careful moving into ties and from space with Rivera’s ankle pick. 

Keys To Victory

• Take Seabass into deep waters

• Keep hands on him/don’t spend time from space

• Avoid the ankle pick

So what do you think, can Austin DeSanto win Big Tens?