The NCAA finals didn’t just spark excitement on the mat—it stirred up controversy off it. When the match order was revealed, fans questioned why Carter Starocci opened the night while the heavyweights closed the show. But the bigger debate? The perceived snub of AJ Ferrari. While opinions were divided, Bo Bassett made his stance clear—he backed Wyatt Hendrickson and Gable Steveson. From Hendrickson’s grit to Steveson’s near-takedowns, Bassett had plenty to say about the showdown that stole the spotlight on his latest appearance at the Wrestling Mindset, and let’s just say, he didn’t hold back.

The match order has certainly been a point of contention. Certain fans and commentators gave the impression that the arrangement was unfair to the rest of the wrestlers, and the case in point was that such high-profile wrestlers as AJ Ferrari were left quite cramped. Bassett admitted to doubting the match order initially when Carter Starocci’s highly anticipated bout against Parker Keckeisen opened the night instead of closing it. Why push a three-time NCAA champ’s match to the start? Bo Bassett admitted, “I’m not going to lie, we were kind of questioning why they would start with Starocci first.” But by the end of the night, those doubts had been settled.

The heavyweight final between Wyatt Hendrickson and Gable Steveson was the perfect main event. The wrestling prodigy was prompt to recognize the same: “That last match was probably the best one. They put on an absolute show.” Why wouldn’t it be the best match of the night? It was thrilling from start to finish, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. What made the showdown even more exhilarating? The extremely close competition!

For the most part, the Minnesota Gophers’ star looked poised to win. But Hendrickson wasn’t backing down. As the host of the Wrestling Mindset pointed out, “Hats off to Gable, too, because he almost took him down like four times. Yeah, he was in deep the first 20 seconds or so, and then Wyatt found that funk and scramble.” Initially overpowered, the OSU wrestler channeled every bit of his strength to power through and take Steveson down the very last minute, thus securing a historical 5-4 win over none other than Gable Steveson. It was historical for reasons more than one!

Firstly, imagine defeating a 2x NCAA Champion, a 2x Dan Hodge Trophy winner, and an Olympic gold medalist, who had, at that point, remained undefeated since 2019. The whole combination makes Steveson sound invincible. But thanks to his overwhelming grit and determination, Hendrickson sailed through. It was also a proud moment for his alma mater, Oklahoma State, because he became the second heavyweight champion from his school since Steve Mocco in 2005. At the end of the day, it is safe to say that there could not have been a better match to end the finale with!

What started as a controversial scheduling move ended with one of the best NCAA finals in recent memory—proof that sometimes, breaking tradition is exactly what the sport needs. But Bo Bassett is no less, and always on the verge of dominating the wrestling mat.

Top Comment by Doug Tompkins

Yeah I totally agree what the heck did AJ have to do with the finals? He did take third, and...more

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Bo Bassett on wrestling’s biggest moments and rising to the occasion

Bo Bassett knows a thing or two about stepping up when it matters most. Competing on big stages isn’t just about skill—it’s about handling the moment. Whether it’s in age-group world championships or high-profile domestic events, Bassett has felt the pressure firsthand. He understands that it is the mindset that separates champions from the rest. “Self-confidence is a superpower. Once you start believing in yourself, magic starts happening,” he’s said before, a mentality that fuels his dominance on the mat.

Watching elite wrestlers like Gable Steveson and Wyatt Hendrickson only reinforces those lessons. Bassett doesn’t just see their wins—he studies their composure, their ability to adjust, and how they wrestle through adversity. Hendrickson’s shocking victory, for example, wasn’t just about technique. “He had that confidence, and again, wrestling is a sport where anything can happen,” Bassett pointed out in the same video by “Wrestling Mindset.” That belief is what turns an underdog into a champion.

Occupying the 4th rank among the list of high school pound-for-pound wrestlers in the United States, according to FloWrestling, the Pennsylvania native is already steadfast on his path to greatness. Having already lifted his second PIAAA state title with a spectacular fall 15-4 victory over Hudson Hohman, and with exciting possibilities lying ahead for him now that he is a part of the Iowa Hawkeyes, we are excited to see how the future pans out for the wrestling prodigy.