Full RPI and Coaches' Rankings
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Seven Fighting Illini wrestlers are ranked in the latest coaches and RPI rankings, released by the NCAA on Thursday afternoon, led by No. 1 Isaiah Martinez at 165-pounds. The NCAA office also announced conference bid allocations for NCAA Championships, as the Big Ten leads all conferences with 77 automatic qualifying spots.
A two-time Big Ten and NCAA Champion, No. 1 Isaiah Martinez enters the postseason with the top spot at 165 pounds in both the coaches' and RPI rankings.
Three other Illini rank among the nation's top-15 wrestlers in the coaches' poll, as Zane Richards is sixth at 133 pounds and Zac Brunson (174) and Emery Parker (184) both rank 11th. No. 27 Eric Barone (149) and No. 32 Brooks Black (HWT) round out the list of Illini.
Not ranked in the coaches' poll, true freshman Travis Piotrowski sits No. 27 in the 125-pound RPI rankings.
Once again the premiere wrestling conference, the Big Ten received an NCAA-leading 76 automatic qualifying spots for NCAA Championships. The conference features 24 more bids than second place Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association and 27 more than the Big 12.
The Big Ten received at least five automatic bids at each of the 10 weight classes, including nine spots at five weight classes: 133, 141, 157, 174 and 184 pounds.
The number of grapplers that meet at least two of the three measurements, based current year data, determines how many automatic-qualifying spots the conference is awarded. The three criteria are Division I winning percentage at the weight class, ratings percentage index (RPI) and coaches' rankings.
Each wrestler that reaches the necessary threshold for at least two of the three categories earns a automatic bid for his qualifying tournament. Each tournament is awarded at least one automatic qualifying spot for every weight class, which goes to the tournament champion. The remaining automatic bids will be awarded based only on place-finish at the qualifying tournament.
In addition to the 281 automatic qualifying spots, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee selects 49 at-large qualifiers, announced on Tuesday, March 7, to bring each weight class to a total of 33 wrestlers for NCAA Championships.
At-large selections are made based on head-to-head competition, quality wins, coaches' ranking, results against common opponents, RPI, qualifying event placement and win percentage.
Big Ten Championships are held March 4-5 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. The opening sessions of competition will be streamed live on BTN Plus with the championship round broadcast.
