CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois wrestling squad is set for another full weekend of wresting when they host No. 11 Minnesota on Friday (Feb. 9) and travel to Madison to face No. 23 Wisconsin on Sunday (Feb. 11).
Friday is the last home meet for the Fighting Illini, and it will be Senior Day. Three seniors will be honored: Tony Madrigal, Jake Reicin and Justin Cardani. Madrigal is coming off a 2-0 weekend and raised up to No. 30 at 133 pounds. He major-decisioned Jaden Crumpler (MSU), 13-2, and upset Nebraska's #17 Jacob Van Dee via decision, 8-3.
Redshirt junior No. 8 (174 lbs.) Edmond Ruth joined Madrigal and went 2-0 this past weekend. He fought his way to an overtime win over Michigan State's DJ Shannon (SV-1 9-6) and shut out No. 33 Bubba Wilson (NEB), 4-0.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
No. 11 Minnesota enters Champaign with an 8-2 overall dual record and 3-2 in Big Ten duals. There are two common opponents between the Golden Gophers and Fighting Illini. First is the Iowa Hawkeyes, which defeated Minnesota, 22-9, and Illinois, 36-6. Next was Nebraska, which knocked off the Gophers, 19-14, and just beat the Illini this past Sunday, 28-9. Illinois trails, 24-34-2, in the all-time series against Minnesota, with the first meeting dating back to 1926. The last meeting between the squads was in Minneapolis on Jan. 28, 2023, when the Gophers defeated the Illini, 24-9.
No. 23 Wisconsin is 8-4 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten duals. There are two common opponents between the Badgers and Illini. First is Ohio State, which beat Wisconsin, 27-15, and Illinois, 36-6. Next is Michigan State, which beat the Badgers, 22-15, and the Illini, 29-10. Illinois leads the all-time series, 42-29-3, over Wisconsin, with the first meeting happening in 1915. The last meeting was on Jan. 8, 2023, in State Farm Center, where Illinois edged out an 18-17 win.
NOTES
- Head coach Mike Poeta is in his third season. His overall record is 12-21, 5-15 B1G.
- Illinois is 3-7 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten duals for the 2023-24 season.
- Edmond Ruth is 14-2 on the year and ranked No. 8 at 174 pounds.
- Leads team in dual points (28) and major decisions (6).
- Has not given up a bonus point all season in his two losses.
- 8-2 overall in duals, 3-1 in Big Ten duals.
- Danny Pucino is 9-7 on the year and ranked No. 26 at 141 pounds.
- Third on the team in dual points (14).
- Leads all starters in tech. falls with two.
- Joe Roberts is 5-6 on the year and fourth on the team in dual points scored (12).
- Has gone to overtime in a team-high three matches this season.
- Tony Madrigal is 3-3 on the year and No. 30 at 133 pounds.
- Fifth on the team in dual points (11).
- Dylan Connell is 4-6 on the season and ranked No. 31 at 184 pounds.
- Sixth Illini starter to reach double-digit dual points.
