Bo Bassett has been on a journey that has caught the wrestling world’s attention rather quickly. It all started with the ever-reducing college list that had 80 names on it. But then Bo took the world by surprise and backed it up with wins. His recent match against Wyoming Seminary on January 8, 2025, even helped his school get a 37-17. And for Bo, it was his 100th high school career win! However, now with the NCAA season in full swing, the focus is back on his college list.

The wrestling community that has followed Bo Bassett since the inception of his intriguing list knows that it has been a long, tedious process. With Bo eliminating one name from the list in the last few updates. When the November 21 update came out, Missouri was off the list. This was followed by the November 28 list that took off Northern Iowa. On December 5, he cut Arizona State from consideration. And his last list that came on December 12 saw Cornell Big Red being removed. This time, however, Bo has changed his pattern and dropped two schools from his list!

Bo Bassett makes brutal cuts and reduces the list to 7!

As of the December 12 update, Bo Bassett’s list had nine schools on it. However, the latest list has cut off Iowa State and Pitt-Johnstown. And it just might be because of their rather dismal performances this NCAA wrestling season! Iowa State currently has a 7-3 record. And Pitt-Johnstown was also caught slacking! Pitt-Johnstown lost 10-23 to West Liberty (WV) University first. And then went on to lose 8-32 to the University of Pittsburgh. So it does not come as much of a surprise that these names were cut. However, the names that remain have had a rather brilliant season. So, which are the big names that might have a chance to call Bo Bassett their own?

Well, right on top is Cael Sanderson’s Penn State Nittany Lions, who have had a 7-0 record this season. And it is followed by Sanderson-trained prodigy-turned-coach David Taylor’s Oklahoma Cowboys. The #3 ranked Cowboys, much like the Nittany Lions, have had an undefeated season and stand with an 8-0 record. There is also Coach Sean Bormet’s Michigan, which, despite having one loss, has wrestled well this season. Bormet’s prodigies have a 3-1 record. But the competition gets tougher!

The list also has Coach Tony Robie’s Virginia Tech Mountaineers, who have had a not-so-great season. But their matches have been rather high-octane despite having a 3-2 overall record. If the decision did not look hard enough, there’s also the legendary Scott Goodale’s Rutgers on the list. And their record? 9-3! The two names that remain are Iowa and Ohio State, much like PSU and OSU have had an undefeated season!

Coach Tom Brands has done a rather brilliant job this season. The Iowa Hawkeyes record stands at 7:0. Meanwhile, Coach Tom Ryan is not behind either. Ohio State has a 10:0 record this season. Bo Bassett has been observing the NCAA wrestling action. But where will Bo end up? Well, the answers might just be on the NCAA mats!

So where is Bo Bassett likely to end up?

With just seven schools on the list, the decision might not be that hard anymore for Bo Bassett. But there are four schools that are coming in undefeated! First up, there is Iowa with the 7-0 record. Now let’s not forget that the Hawkeyes have a special connection with Bo, as it is the place where his idol, Spencer Lee, competed. To add on, Bo’s reducing college recruitment process was Lee-inspired! However, can the Hawkeyes fight legacy?

On the other side of the mat is coach Cael Sanderson and the Penn State legacy with a 7-0 record. If anything, the last Nittany Lions match against Michigan State says it all. PSU took down Michigan State 55-0. Now that’s not everyone’s cup of tea; it just might be a Sanderson special. Additionally, PSU has produced names like Bo Nickal, Jason Nolf, and even the maiden-season coach David Taylor!

Coach Taylor and the Cowboys stand with an 8-0 record, but what makes it all the more special is the fact that it is their head coach’s first season. And the kind of performances that Wyatt Hendrickson, Dustin Plott, Caleb Fish, and Tagen Jamison have given, it is evident that the Magic Man has been spreading his magic around. Last but not least is Ohio State, who are standing with a 10-0 record. And that speaks for itself! Now the only question that remains is, which of the four will Bo Bassett eliminate or choose next? And if he eliminates one from the undefeated four, what would be the reasoning for the same?