All rankings according to InterMat
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 18 Fighting Illini wrestling team is set to close out their regular season with a dual in Ames, Iowa vs. the No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones. The dual will take place on Sunday, Feb. 12 at noon CT.

Illinois is coming off of a 1-1 weekend where they dropped their final home match of the year 19-27 to No. 8 Nebraska on Friday, Feb. 3. They bounced back with a 17-16 win in East Lansing against Michigan State on Sunday, Feb. 5.

Redshirt sophomore No. 10 Lucas Byrd went 2-0 on the weekend and extended his win streak to 11. First, he defeated Nebraska's Kyle Burwick by a 3-0 decision. Next, he defeated Michigan State's No. 18 Rayvon Foley via decision 6-1.

Redshirt freshman No. 17 Danny Pucino picked up a huge tech. fall over MSU's Blake Noonan (23-8, 6:15) that gave the Illini the necessary bonus points to win the dual. Redshirt sophomore No. 11 Edmond Ruth decisioned Ceasar Garza (MSU) 13-7 to get the final points the Illini needed to win. Ruth also took No. 2 Mikey Labriola (NEB) to OT, but fell just short.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Iowa State enters the contest with a 14-2 (6-0 Big 12) record pending their match against Northern Iowa on Friday, Feb. 10. Illinois holds a 7-3 record all-time against the Cyclones with the first meeting dating back to Feb. 16, 1935 (Illinois won 25-3). The last meeting was Jan. 16, 2010 where Illinois lost 9-33, Iowa State was ranked No. 2. Illinois last win against Iowa State was on Feb. 3, 1940 by a score of 14.5-13.5.

There are three common opponents between the Cyclones and Illini

1. No. 19 Wisconsin (ISU won 26-6) (Ill. won 18-17).
2. No. 2 Iowa (ISU lost 15-18) (Ill. lost 19-25).
3. No. 16 Pittsburgh (ISU won 16-15) (Ill. lost 6-30).

NOTES

• No. 10 Lucas Byrd 22-3, 11 match win streak.
• No. 11 Edmond Ruth is 23-3.
• No. 16 Danny Pucino and No. 20 Danny Braunagel lead the Illini with four pins each on the year.
• The last meeting between the Cyclones and Illini was Jan. 16, 2010.  Illinois lost 9-33, Iowa State was ranked No. 2.
• First meeting was Feb. 16, 1935 (Illinois won 25-3).
• Illinois holds a 7-3 record all-time against the Cyclones.
• Illinois is 1-3 on the road, first road win was Sunday, Feb. 5 against MSU.
• Illinois last win against Iowa State was on Feb. 3, 1940 (14.5-13.5).