CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The No. 3 ranked Illinois men's gymnastics team looks to stay undefeated as the Illini travel to University Park, Pennsylvania, to take on No. 2 Penn State on Saturday, January 27, at 3 p.m. CT. UI handed the Nittany Lions their first loss of the season a year ago at Huff Hall, defeating PSU by a score of 411.350-404.550.
Scouting PSU
Penn State enters the weekend at No. 2 in the most recent CGA rankings (407.225) and carries a record of 6-0 on the season. The Nittany Lions opened the regular season at the West Point Open and earned a first-place finish over Navy, Army, William and Mary, Springfield College and Temple. PSU also defeated Army in a dual meet (407.600-384.100) a week ago.
Last Time Out
The Illini came away with a victory over Arizona State in the team's home opener a week ago, as UI defeated the Sun Devils 407.700-387.700 to move to 4-0 on the young season. Senior Bobby Baker won three event titles, while seniors Harry McLellan and Tyson Bull each came away with an event title of their own.
Baker Named B1G Co-Gymnast of the Week
Following an impressive performance against Arizona State, which included three event titles and a nation-best 14.900 on vault, senior Bobby Baker was named Big Ten Co-Gymnast of the Week (Sean Melton, OSU). It is the fourth-time the Lemont, Illinois, native has earned the award in his Illini career.
Illini in the Rankings
Illinois moved up to No. 3 in the latest CGA Coaches Poll, two spot higher than its preseason ranking.
Big Ten Preseason Poll
In the Big Ten Preseason Poll, Illinois was slated to finish third in the league for the fifth-consecutive season. A year ago, the Illini hosted the Big Ten Championships and finished second behind Ohio State. Senior Chandler Eggleston, the 2014 Big Ten Floor Exercise Champion, and Alex Diab,the only two-time Big Ten Still Rings Champion in program history, were named "Gymnasts to Watch" by the conference.
Returning All-Americans
Spring welcomes back five gymnasts that have garnered fourteen All-America honors over the course of their careers. Redshirt senior Chandler Eggleston (2x Floor, High Bar and Vault) and senior Bobby Baker (All-Around, Still Rings, Vault and Parallel Bars) have each earned the honor four times, while junior Alex Diab (2x Still Rings, High Bar) has earned All-America status three times during his time with the Orange and Blue. Senior Brandon Ngai has earned the honor twice on Pommel Horse and senior Tyson Bull garnered All-America status on High Bar in 2016.
Up Next
Following the meet against Penn State, the Illini will travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to take on No. 8 Iowa on February 3. Meet competition is set to begin at 1 p.m. CT.
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