CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 11 Illinois wrestling team (7-2, 2-2 B1G) is set for another two dual road trip weekend when they travel to No. 29 Maryland on Friday (Jan. 24) at 6 p.m. CT and No. 13 Rutgers on Sunday (Jan. 26) at noon CT.
No. 10 at 285 pounds Luke Luffman knocked off Iowa's No. 11 Ben Kueter last Friday in a 3-1 decision. Luffman's win was the highlight of the evening after he hit a reversal on Kueter in the second period to get the win. No. 12 at 141 pounds Danny Pucino also picked up a ranked win in the Iowa dual against No. 31 Ryder Block in a 4-3 decision.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Maryland enters the contest holding an 8-5, 3-0 B1G dual record with their last time out being a 24-13 win over Wisconsin on Jan. 17. There is one common opponent between the Illini and Terrapins being Binghamton, Illinois beat them 30-10 and Maryland lost 28-10. The all-time series record between the two squads is 8-0 in favor of Illinois with the first meeting dating back to 2007. The last meeting was a 29-11 Illini win in Champaign, Ill on Jan. 22, 2023.
Rutgers boasts a 10-3, 2-1 B1G dual record with their last time out also being a 31-7 win over Wisconsin on Jan. 19. There are two common opponents between the Scarlet Knights and Fighting Illini being Ohio State and Indiana. Rutgers lost 17-15 to Ohio State and Illinois lost 24-9, Rutger beat Indiana 28-6 and Illinois beat them 34-3. The all-time series record between the two squads is 3-2 in favor of Illinois with the first meeting dating back to 2015. The last meeting was a 21-13 loss in Piscataway, N.J. on Jan. 14, 2022, and the last win for Illinois was 29-6 on Feb. 7, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J.
NOTES
- Lucas Byrd has the best record on the team being 11-1 overall, 8-1 in duals and 3-1 in Big Ten duals.
- His six decision wins and four major decision wins lead all starters.
- His 28 duals points are tied for third on the team.
- Braeden Scoles (10-2, 7-2, 2-2) leads the team in falls (3) and dual points (34).
- Has won seven of his matches by bonus points: three pins, three tech. falls and a major decision.
- Luke Luffman (10-2, 8-1, 3-1) is second on the team in dual points with 31.
- Joins Byrd as the only wrestler on the roster with an 8-1 dual record.
- Jason Kraisser (8-4, 721, 3-1) is fourth on the team in dual points with 27.
- Has the second-fastest fall among starters (2:18).
- Zac Braunagel (8-4, 6-3, 2-2) is tied for fifth on the team in dual points with 26.
- Danny Pucino (10-2, 7-4, 3-1) is tied for fifth on the team in dual points with 26.
- Leads the team with two wins in overtime.
- Kannon Webster (8-4, 5-4, 1-3) is sixth on the team in dual points with 24.
- Has the fastest fall out of the 10 starers (1:17).
