Anatomy of an Upset: Matt Ramos' Win Over Spencer Lee 

I was unable to watch the semis, so checked my phone for the "NCAA wrestling results" while I was in a cigar bar in Wisconsin. The first thing that popped up was "Spencer Lee pinned in NCAA semifinals." I immediately stood up from my chaair and announced loudly to no one in particular, "NO WAY!"" Half the crowd turned and looked at me, but there was little to say. If I would've said, "Spencer Lee got pinned," it would've been met with blank stares, I'm sure -- and that's a shame. What a shocker.

Matt Ramos can win the NCAA title this year and next year, and still the biggest thing some people say Matt did was ending Spencer Lee dreams for a 4th title… 👀 that win was so big it overshadow the whole tournament 😂 No one cared that Pat glory won the title. Matt Ramos was the highlight of that tournament.

Gave me crazy chills

I am proud of the man AJ Schopp became. I remember him fondly when he was a camper at Chertows camps. I got to coach and see this kid get substantially better and better every year..extremely talented. Been every bit of 15-16 years since those days. But Purdue can’t go wrong with ol AJ on their staff. Real proud of ya, AJ! - Andy Cross

The left out the most Epic part, Spencer Lee's Mom.

This match was nothing short of breathtaking. I have watched it at least fifty times and still find my head nodding in admiration at Ramos' determination and grit in those final moments. Immediately afterward I was saying to whomever would listen that this win is MORE VALUABLE than even winning the national title. It will be replayed for as long as college wrestling exists. People will remember the name Matt Ramos the way they remember Larry Owings. What's THAT worth? They say that no one remembers second place (which Matt ultimately ended up in the tournament) but this is a different animal. Would anyone outside of Iowa disagree that THE MOVE (the so-called "front head-pinch") he used to pin Lee should be named "The Ramos"? I don't know if anyone has asked Matt this question, but if you're seeing this man (or if someone who knows him can ask him for me), let me ask you directly: If you were given the choice between winning this iconic match against Lee or winning the national title, which would you choose? Would the trade be worth it? P.S. More than anyone else I am rooting for you to get that national title this year! No one deserves it more.

Fantastic game plan and execution to Ramos. Stunning accomplishment and all congrats to him! As a side note; I think it’d be very cool to see a similar video format from the opposite perspective; it’d make for an interesting parallel to see Spencer’s and Brand’s thoughts related to the match and everything that went on before and after

Let’s go Purdue!! Purdue wrestling is on the rise.

Wow … just any young kids dream to beat the best 🔥🔥

The secret was….Matt watched Vision Quest, and believed it!

This video confirmed much of what I believed at the time. I believed that Matt beat Spencer largely because Matt learned a lot from their dual match that year, while Spencer learned nothing. Matt learned how to shut down Spencer's offense and how to defeat his go-to pinning combination. Spencer's only (highly questionable) take down was on reattack. Matt also learned that he had to come up with a killer pinning combination of his own. As a result, Matt showed Spenser a lot of respect by preparing well for him. Meanwhile, Spencer showed Matt very little respect by not preparing well enough for the only wrestler all year who had him down 8-1 and on his back. Instead, Spencer gave interviews in which he suggested that when he wins his 4th natty it will be the realization of his first major goal, and that when he steps on the mat, he sees himself as more than human. In this story, only one wrestler understood that winning the most important match requires keeping your mouth shut and your nose to the grind.

Biggest upset in NCAA wrestling ever, anything can happen in MArch. Ramos is a set up well to win it all this year though (btw he's back next year, there is a large chance he goes down as the best Purdue wrestler ever.)

Indiana has kids going to state that dont even have rides to practice NOR do they have off season wrestling or the drive to be the best imgaine

now go and win a national championship

how is he the best when he lost this season there are guys undefeated

Anybody can get caught, but this was a fluke. Lee wasn't 100% and 9 times out of 10 Lee wins. However with that being said Ramos capitalized on Lee's off day and was aggressive. Great win, it will never happen again

Spencer was hurt