In Episode 55 of The MatStats Show, hosts Glenn Gormley, Jason Bryant, and Kevin Hazard continue their "Moneyball" deep dive into the impact of the 3-point takedown rule. Analyzing over 3,300 matches from the 2021–2026 NCAA Championships, the team investigates whether the recent rise in total points is a result of increased action or merely "scoring inflation". 

 The data reveals a staggering 228% increase in technical falls, prompting Gormley to suggest that bonus-point thresholds have been "cheapened".

The hosts propose modernizing the sport by raising the Major Decision margin to 10 points and Technical Falls to 18 or 20 points. This adjustment aims to restore the historical value of dominance in an era where takedowns now account for 59% of all scoring.

The episode also features a "College Business Update," highlighting the financial pressures of Revenue Sharing and massive NIL budgets. With top basketball NIL budgets now estimated at $20 million per year, the crew discusses how these external shifts may eventually force Men’s Basketball to seek a larger share of NCAA revenues.

 Slideshow for Episode 55: https://www.mattalkonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/slideshow55.pdf

About Mat Stats
Welcome to the NWCA’s latest venture to help our favorite sport. Glenn Gormley, Jason Bryant and Kevin Hazard outline their effort to bring statistical analysis to wrestling. Mat Stats is the NWCA’s attempt to bring wrestling up to speed with so many other sports by incorporating stats. It is the same sport, the wrestlers are just older and better.


Mat Stats by the NWCA is a monthly podcast by the National Wrestling Coaches Association Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Podcast Addict | Castbox | RSS