All rankings according to InterMat
CHAMPAIGN, Ill – The Fighting Illini wrestling team is set for another two-meet weekend as they gear up for two ranked opponents. They travel to No. 15 Northwestern on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. and host No. 23 Maryland on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. for Military Appreciation Day.
Illinois has already surpassed last year's win total with their fourth win on the year last Saturday against Purdue 31-9. Redshirt freshman Danny Pucino is starting to make some noise in the rankings after his second pin in a row. Pucino shot up to the No. 14th ranked wrestler at 141 pounds.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Northwestern enters the contest with the Illini with a 2-2 (1-2 B1G) record on the year. They won the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships on Dec. 29-30 with 122 points. There has only been one common opponent being the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes. Northwestern lost 27-9, Illinois lost 19-25. The Wildcats got the better of the Illini last year (Jan. 29, 2022) with a 26-13 win, only their second in the series history. Illinois holds a 17-2 edge over Northwestern.
Maryland holds an 8-2 (0-1 B1G) record to date. They have a meet against No. 7 Ohio State on Friday before traveling out to the State Farm Center. Similar to Northwestern, there is only one common opponent between the Terps and Illini. Before Thanksgiving Maryland defeated No. 24 Pittsburgh 18-16 (Illinois was defeated 6-30). Illinois has never lost to Maryland as they hold a 7-0 record over them. They last met on Feb. 9, 2020 and the Illini won comfortably 31-9.
NOTES
- Edmond Ruth won his 18th straight over the weekend, 20-1 on the year.
- Danny Pucino has recorded back-to-back pins, only Illini to do so this year.
- Danny Braunagel and Danny Pucino each lead the team with 4 pins this season.
- Illinois surpassed their win total from last year already, they are 4-3 (2-1 B1G) so far.
- Illinois is 7-0 against Maryland, largest margin of victory was 32-3 on Jan. 30, 2015.
- Illinois is 17-2 against Northwestern, largest margin of victory was 40-3 on Jan. 19, 2001.
