In this episode of Basch & The Brain Live, we cover everything from who’s still in the transfer portal to the recent 18-month USADA suspension of Thomas Gilman, and signs pointing to Kyle Snyder’s return at Final X. We dive into updates on the Real American Freestyle movement, Lehigh adding women’s wrestling, and the increasingly competitive Junior World Team Trials. We also explore the impact of the same-day best-of-three format—and wrap by asking: Where is Iowa this freestyle season?

• 10:50 - Who is Left in the Transfer Portal?
• 13:45 - Thomas Gilman Suspended for 18 months
• 25:45 - Sounds like Kyle Snyder is Competing at Final X
• 33:00 - Real American Freestyle Update
• 39:10 - Lehigh Adds Women’s Wrestling
• 47:45 - Junior World Team Trials Continue to Heat Up
• 01:00:10 - The Advantage of Best of 3 Same Day in Junior World Team Trials
• 01:18:05 - Where is Iowa this Freestyle Season?

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]. BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

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In his first appearance on Baschamania, Penn State’s Levi Haines joins the show fresh off a World Team Trials win to talk about his dominant performance, what it means to be heading to Final X, and how it felt getting revenge on Dean Hamiti. We break down Levi’s incredible first three years at Penn State — including three Big Ten titles, a 73–4 record, and finishes of 2nd, 1st, and 3rd at the NCAA Championships. Levi opens up about leadership, faith, gratitude, and the elite culture inside the Penn State and NLWC room, plus his thoughts on social media, NIL, and who’s the better outdoorsman — him or Josh Barr.

TIMESTEAMPS

• 01:00 - Winning the World Team Trials
• 05:00 - Beating Hamiti in the Finals
• 07:00 - Opposing David Taylor
• 11:15 - Placing 1st, 2nd & 3rd at NCAA’s
• 16:45 - Learning The Most From Loss
• 18:00 - Moving Up Two Weight Classes
• 19:00 - Winning 3 Big Ten Titles
• 21:00 - Winning Team Titles vs Individual Titles
• 24:00 - The Depth at Penn State
• 28:40 - The Penn State Coaches & Leadership
• 31:00 - Having No Off Switch
• 35:00 - Importance of Family
• 39:15 - Stepping Up into Leadership
• 42:00 - Penn State Culture & Gratitude
• 47:00 - Growing in His Faith
• 49:00 - Plans for Social Media
• 53:30 - Perspective Heading into Final X
• 54:30 - Rapid Fire Fan Questions

In this episode of Basch & The Brain Live, we dive into the latest buzz around the Junior World Team Trials, previewing loaded brackets at 61kg, 65kg, and 70kg, and potential finals matchups across the board. We talk about the latest on Kyle Snyder, why USA isn’t attending the Ranking Series, and why Oklahoma State fans are once again triggering Willie.

• 03:00 - Girls High School Rankings Are Here
• 08:15 - Kyle Snyder Looking Likely
• 18:00 - Oklahoma State Fans are Pissing Willie Off Again
• 25:30 - USA Not Going to Ranking Series
• 30:00 - WIllie Getting Sick in Uzbekistan
• 32:00 - Junior World Team Trials Preview
• 41:40 - 61kg: Loaded for College Fans
• 45:30 - 65kg: Bassett/StanichRematch?
• 51:25 - 70kg: Duke Trying to Double Up
• 56:40 - 74kg: Dee Lockett Sitting in the Finals
• 58:35 - 79kg - Will William Henckel Break Through
• 01:01:30 - 86kg - Max McEnelly vs Sinclair Likely Battle Again
• 01:03:35 - 92kg & 97kg - US Open Final Rematches Likely
• 01:07:15 - 125kg is Gonna be a Show

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]. BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

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In this episode of Basch & The Brain, we break down all the major storylines from the 2025 World Team Trials. We start with the good, the bad, and the ugly from the event before diving into each key weight class — including Real Woods showing out at 65kg, Yianni vs PJ locked in at 70kg, Carter vs Dake delivering at 86kg, and Josh Barr making serious noise at 92kg. We also discuss PSU/NLWC sending 7 athletes to Final X, Skylar Grote vs Amit Elor, and whether Mason Parris & Gable Steveson’s absences left 125kg feeling flat. 

Plus, we close with a teaser on the Class of 2026 Big Board and our Top 10 recruiting prospects.

• 05:00 - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of the World Team Trials
• 18:18 - 65kg Recap, Real Woods Brought It
• 30:25 - 70kg Recap, We’re Getting Yianni vs PJ!
• 36:00 - National Team/Not Wrestling Back
• 44:40 - 79kg, PSU/NLWC Sends 7 to Final X
• 48:43 - 86kg - Carter/Dake Delivered
• 57:00 - 92kg - Barr is an Animal
• 01:01:45 - 97kg - TBD if Our Rep is Now Set
• 01:05:15 - 125kg - Lacked the Star Power We're Used To
• 01:10:20 - Skylar Grote brought it to Amit Elor
• 01:12:15 - Class of 2026 Big Board Teaser
• 1:14:20 - The NEW TOP 10 in The Class of 2026!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]. BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

SUBSCRIBE FOR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!

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TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbasch

INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbasch

BASCHAMANIA: https://www.instagram.com/baschamania

WILLIE ON TWITTER/X: https://twitter.com/MatScouts1

WILLIE'S PLATFORM FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://rokfin.com/MatScouts

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In this episode of Basch & The Brain Live, we break down the latest on Kyle Snyder’s situation and what it could mean for Final X. We also dive into the Raney brothers’ commitment to Oklahoma State, reactions from Iowa fans, and what it means for recruiting momentum moving forward. Plus, we talk about the Class of 2027, and make our final picks for World Team Trials matchups across the board.

Video Timestamps:

• 4:50 - Kyle Snyder Update
• 11:45 - Will We See Snyder at Final X?
• 17:31 - Raney Bros Commit to Oklahoma State
• 25:30 - Iowa Fan Reactions to Not Getting Raney
• 31:30 - Next Year, Class of 2027
• 39:30 - World Team Trials Matchups & Making Final Picks

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPSISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected] is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

SUBSCRIBE FOR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxf0TDH1TTYTWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbaschBASCHAMANIA: https://www.instagram.com/baschamania/WILLIE ON TWITTER/X: https://twitter.com/MatScouts1WILLIE'S PLATFORM FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://rokfin.com/MatScoutsSUBSCRIBE FOR AUDIO ON THE GO:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baschamania/id1475498491Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LBgpWGohZxuHHYGgJF9Mu

On this week’s Basch & The Brain Live, we cover a packed slate of news and speculation across the wrestling world. We kick things off with the breaking news of Kyle Snyder’s arrest, then dive into transfer buzz with Sammy Alvarez announcing he's heading to Iowa. We discuss Dee Lockett’s possible weight change, preview the World Team Trials, and then we get into Real American Freestyle, new recruiting class rankings, and more.

Video Timestamps:

• 03:50 - Kyle Snyder Got Arrested
• 17:35 - Sammy Alvarez to Iowa?
• 31:45 - Dee Locket Changing Weights?
• 37:15 - World Team Trials Preview for Men’s Freestyle (65 & 70)
• 52:20 - 74kg at WTT
• 57:00 - 79kg & 86kg at World Team Trials
• 01:03:15 - 92kg and 97kg
• 01:08:15 - Is Heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson Next Topic?
• 01:12:00 - Real American Freestyle Wrestling
• 01:17:15 - Recruiting Class Rankings Are Out

Tweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected].

BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBasch

CONNECT ON X/TWITTER:

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbasch

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After an incredible freshman season, Josh Barr returns to Baschamania to talk about his NCAA Finals run, battling through injury, and what he learned in year one at Penn State.

We dive into everything from his mindset after the Buchanan match to his growing leadership role, the addition of new training partners and teammates like Rocco Welsh and Ono, and his decision-making around World Team Trials.

Josh also shares how his faith anchored him through the highs and lows of a grueling season.

• 02:00 - Bo Nickal’s Fight Reaction
• 04:30 - Biggest Takeaways from Freshman Season
• 06:30 - Getting Injured at Big 10’s
• 12:30 - Getting Momentum at NCAA’s
• 14:30 - Cardenas Semis Rubber Match
• 17:15 - Gratitude for Heading to NCAA Finals
• 19:50 - Mindset after NCAA Finals
• 25:00 - 2nd or 3rd Place
• 29:10 - Role of His Faith This Season
• 32:15 - Iron Sharpens Iron
• 36:30 - Leadership in the Room
• 39:30 - Approaching Next Season Differently?
• 43:00 - Rocco Welsh Coming & Zack Ryder Leaving
• 46:30 - Depth at Penn State, Wrestling with Mirasola
• 49:30 - Excitement for Ono
• 51:30 - World Team Trials?
• 56:30 - Biggest Pride from This Past Year

Tweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected].

BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBasch

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Fresh off winning the U.S. Open at 70kg, Yianni Diakomihalis returns to Baschamania with a lot to unpack. We dive into his transition to 70kg, what beating James Green meant to him, how a year off changed his approach, and what’s fueling him heading toward Final X and the World stage.

• 01:30 - How This Open Win Compares
• 03:30 - Having a Full Year Off
• 07:00 - The Transition to 70kg
• 10:00 - Cardenas & Bryce Wins
• 11:30 - Takeaways from Finals with Green
• 14:00 - Best of 3 Series at Final X
• 16:45 - Focusing on Green vs World Competition
• 19:00 - Only 26, But Already 26
• 22:30 - Being the Old Guy
• 23:00 - PJ Duke Story
• 24:30 - Inspiration in the Young Guys
• 29:00 - Mindset Focus
• 33:00 - Evolving at This Point in Your Career
• 34:15 - Thoughts on Current State of Team USA
• 39:00 - Impact of Guys Wrestling for Other Countries
• 45:45 - NIL’s Impact on RTC’s
• 58:00 - Simon Ruiz Story
• 01:00:50 - Fan Q&A

Tweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected].

BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

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Fresh off winning the 2025 US Open - (Seniors!) High School Phenom Jax Forrest joined me to talk about his awesome performance in Vegas, committing to Stillwater, and finishing up his time at Bishop McCort.

• 1:30 - Going Seniors instead of U20/Juniors
• 03:15 - Oklahoma State Commitment Impact on US Open
• 05:30 - Seeing the Veterans Retire
• 07:10 - Perspective Heading into the Open
• 09:15 - Finals Match with Seth Gross
• 12:00 - When He’s Locking In for Vito
• 13:30 - Daton Fix Injury Update
• 14:50 - Importance of Faith
• 19:30 - Balancing Expectation & Pressure
• 21:45 - Jax on Social Media
• 23:30 - Other Team Plans?
• 24:15 - The Excitement in Stillwater
• 27:15 - Bishop McCort
• 30:30 - Dynamic in the McCort Room
• 31:30 - Motivation for Remainder of High School Career
• 34:15 - Influences for Development & Maturity
• 36:00 - Getting a Cadillac
• 37:45 - Fan Questions

Tweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected].

BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

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The 2025 US Open did not disappoint as we really kick off a new cycle/quad! Fun diving into it all tonight on a live Basch & The Brain!

• 08:00 - Thoughts on USABracketing.com
• 13:35 - Seniors Men’s Freestyle: 57kg
• 19:00 - 61kg
• 32:15 - 65kg
• 37:30 - 70k
• 43:35 - Par Terre
• 48:30 - 74kg
• 53:45 - 79kg
• 01:03:00 - 86kg
• 01:11:00 - 92kg
• 01:14:30 - 97kg
• 01:15:30 - 125kg
• 01:19:00 - Junior/U20s Quick Recap

Tweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected].

BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.

SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBasch

CONNECT ON X/TWITTER:

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbasch

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