CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- No. 9 Illinois will take on No. 13 Minnesota in Minneapolis in a Big Ten dual on Friday at 5 p.m. CT, followed by another Big Ten dual with Northwestern in Evanston on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT. Both dual meets will be streamed on BTN+, and live stats will be available on Trackwrestling, or follow along with live updates on Twitter @IlliniWrestling.
PROBABLE STARTERS
QUICK HITS
• No. 9 Illinois visits No. 13 Minnesota for a Friday night Big Ten dual, followed by another Big Ten dual with Northwestern in Evanston on Sunday afternoon.
• Illinois is 24-32-2 all time against the Gophers, and 49-33-2 all time against the Wildcats.
• The Illini are ranked in the top ten (No. 9) of the NWCA D1 Coaches Poll for the third consecutive week.
• The Illini are 4-1 after losing their first dual of the season last weekend at No. 1 Iowa.
• Illinois has ranked wins this season over No. 8 Ohio State, No. 22 Wisconsin, and No. 13 Purdue.
• Seven Illini wrestlers are ranked in the top-25 across multiple ranking websites. Their highest respective rankings are as follows: Justin Cardani (No. 16), Lucas Byrd (No. 12), Dylan Duncan (No. 14), Mike Carr (No. 7), Danny Braunagel (No. 6), Zac Braunagel (No. 7), Luke Luffman (No. 9).
• Illinois true freshman Luke Odom picked up his first match win of the season last week, defeating Iowa's Joe Kelly in a 10-6 decision in the 165-pound bout.
• Redshirt sophomore Danny Braunagel is the only Illini starter who is still undefeated this season (4-0).
• Illinois is ranked on all major ranking websites, including top ten rankings in FloWrestling's team dual rankings as well as the NWCA Division I Coaches Poll.
NOTES
#9 ILLINOIS at #13 MINNESOTA // NORTHWESTERN
The Fighting Illini travel to Minneapolis to take on the No. 13 Golden Gophers after falling short to the top-ranked Hawkeyes in last weekend's dual meet in Iowa City. The Illini won two bouts against the Hawkeyes, who have wrestlers ranked in the top ten in all ten weight classes.
STREAMING AND LIVE STATS
Both the Friday evening and Sunday afternoon duals will be streamed on BTN+. Live stats and updates will be available on Trackwrestling, or follow along on Twitter @IlliniWrestling.
SERIES AGAINST MINNESOTA // NORTHWESTERN
Friday will be the 59th overall meeting between Illinois and Minnesota, with the Gophers holding a 24-32-2 series advantage over the Fighting Illini. Illinois and Northwestern will square off on Sunday afternoon for the 85th time, as the Illini head to Evanston with a 49-33-2 series advantage over the Wildcats.
RETURN TO THE MAT
Redshirt sophomore Danny Braunagel is 4-0 on the season, but has been sidelined the past two weeks due to a hand injury. Braunagel is still questionable for the two dual meets this weekend.
ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS
The Illini have seven wrestlers ranked in the top 25 across multiple national ranking websites, including four in the top ten. Justin Cardani (No. 16), Lucas Byrd (No. 12), Dylan Duncan (No. 14), Mike Carr (No. 7), Danny Braunagel (No. 6), Zac Braunagel (No. 7), Luke Luffman (No. 9) are all ranked by InterMat, FloWrestling, and OpenMat. The team is ranked No. 9 in both the InterMat and FloWrestling team dual rankings.
UP NEXT FOR THE ILLINI
No. 9 Illinois returns to Champaign, hosting No. 7 Nebraska in the last regular season Big Ten dual on February 21 at State Farm Center. The dual will be broadcasted on ESPNU and the start time has not been announced.
