All rankings according to InterMat.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 18 Fighting Illini wrestling squad is prepared for their last home meet of the season on Friday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. CT as they welcome in Big Ten opponent No. 10 Nebraska. Illinois completes their Big Ten schedule on Sunday, Feb. 5 at Michigan State on BTN at 1 p.m. CT.

The Illini are coming off of a 9-24 loss at No. 11 Minnesota last Saturday Jan. 28. Redshirt sophomore Lucas Byrd defeated Jake Gliva 3-1 to extend his win streak to nine. Redshirt junior Zac Braunagel continues his best season to date. He now holds a 10-match win streak after his TB-1 5-4 win over No. 27 Michial Foy. Sixth year senior Mike Carr improved to 3-0 with his 11-6 decision over Sebas Swiggum.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

NEBRASKA
No. 10 Nebraska enters the State Farm Center with a 7-3 (3-1 B1G) record on the season. Illinois is 4-9 all-time against Nebraska with the first meeting dating back to Feb. 4, 1939 (Illinois won 23-3). Last meeting between the two was on Feb. 13, 2022 in Lincoln, Neb. and Illinois lost 11-23. Illinois last win against the Huskers came on Jan. 5, 2018 at Huff Hall, 18-17.

There are five common opponents between the Cornhuskers and Illini.

1. No. 8 NC State (Neb. lost 10-23) (Ill. lost 12-27).
2. No. 11 Minnesota (Neb. won 21-9) (Ill. lost 9-24)
3. No. 14 Northwestern (Neb. won 22-15) (Ill. lost 17-17, match points).
4. No. 2 Iowa (Neb. lost 6-34) (Ill. lost 25-19).
5. No. 19 Wisconsin (Neb. won 24-11) (Ill. won 18-17).

MSU
Michigan State will hold an 8-5 (1-5 B1G) record when the Illini arrive on Sunday. Illinois is 22-40-3 all-time against MSU with the first meeting dating back to Jan. 19, 1946 (Illinois lost 11-15). The Illini currently have a six-meet win streak against the Spartans from Jan. 22, 2012-Jan. 31, 2020. Illinois won the last meeting 18-12 in Champaign.

There are two common opponents between the Spartans and Illini.

1. No. 11 Minnesota (MSU lost 11-21) (Ill. lost 9-24).
2. Maryland (MSU won 37-9) (Ill. won 29-11).

NOTES

• No. 10 Lucas Byrd 20-3, extends win streak to nine.
• No 10 Zac Braunagel 19-3 with a 10-match win streak.
• Mike Carr stands a perfect 3-0 in his return.
• No. 16 Danny Pucino and No. 20 Danny Braunagel leads the Illini with four pins each on the year.
• Illinois is still seeking their first road win, they are 0-3.
• Illinois is 4-1 at home. 
• Last meeting with Nebraska was on Feb. 13, 2022 in Lincoln, Neb. and Illinois lost 11-23.
• Illinois last win against the Huskers came on Jan. 5, 2018 at Huff Hall, 18-17.
• The Illini currently have a six-meet win streak against the Spartans from Jan. 22, 2012-Jan. 31, 2020. Illinois won the last meeting 18-12 in Champaign.
• Illinois is 22-40-3 all-time against MSU, first meeting dating back to Jan. 19, 1946.