The #13 Illinois Fighting Illini take on the #2 Iowa Hawkeyes in BIG 10 dual action this Friday! While the black & gold look to win their eighth matchup in a row, the blue & orange should hold their own in some of the individual contests.
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| #2 Lucas Byrd Vs #4 Drake Ayala 133 |
A disappointing end to 2023, and missing out on 2024 due to injury, Lucas Byrd has been a man on a mission to make positive that 2025 ends on a high note. 11-0 thus far, he's had some impressive wins, including All American Nasir Bailey. Drake Ayala, an NCAA DI finalist, currently stands at 10-1. Not only does he want this this victory for his own sake, but also for the team's. Just because Iowa is currently ranked 2nd, doesn't mean that they've already earned 2nd. It'll be a dog fight at both the BIG 10 championships & the NCAA championships to earn one of those top four trophies. Seedings matter, and a W here for either Byrd or Ayala, is important.
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| #12 Danny Pucino Vs #30 Ryder Block 141 |
Opportunity swings both ways in this encounter. Danny Pucino has the opportunity to really cut loose and put some points on the board for the Illini. Ranking suggests such an outcome. On the other hand, this could be an opportunity for Block to climb that ladder of rankings & show the Hawkeyes & the nation he's more of an asset than originally thought. In these team races, within the conference, and within the entirety of the NCAA, "all hands on deck" is the only mentality that will suffice. A win here would be beneficial for the young Hawkeye.
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| #12 Kannon Webster Vs #3 Kyle Parco 149 |
The Hawkeyes are going into this one expecting to come out with some bonus points, but I guarantee you that is the furthest thing from Kannon Webster's mind. He's stepping out on the mat to do battle and the only thing he can smell cooking is an upset. Easier said than done against a man of Kyle Parco's resources. The former Bulldog, former Sun Devil, current Hawkeye is a four time All American, looking for his fifth appearance as one of the nation's elite 8 within his weight class by season's end. You don't get to that status in this sport, at this level by accident.
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| #11 Braedon Scoles Vs #2 Mikey Caliendo 165 |
I can imagine the late Gordon Solie of the American Wrestling Association (AWA) hyping this match a good hour before the start of the dual. "At 165 lbs, we have a match of youth Vs experience, as Braedon Scoles, a talented freshman continuing to prove himself throughout Division I wrestling takes on Mikey Caliendo, a veteran who has proven himself to be one of the nation's top competitors, and a threat to the NCAA title." Only we're not in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the AWA we're currently referring to stands for Askren Wrestling Academy. Do I think Scoles could find himself eventually in the company of former Illini greats like Ernest Benion, Adam Tirapelle, John Llewellyn, John Lockhart & Matt Lackey? Yes, I do. I think that's further down the line though. I see him giving the Hawkeye a respectable match, but I do not see an upset. I think Caliendo is too advanced, too prepared, and too on fire. Doesn't look to be running out of fuel anytime soon.
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| #21 Danny Braunagel Vs #5 Patrick Kennedy 174 |
To my understanding, Nelson Brands is still out, which therefore gives Patrick Kennedy an opportunity to garner another win over a ranked opponent, thus giving him even more substance to be the starter come the post-season. The last time Kennedy met up with Danny Braunagel on the mat, it was a 15-4 thrashing in favor of the Hawkeye. Kennedy could use such a victory again, but that's the peculiar thing about Braunagel. With him you never know what you're going to get. This could once again end in major decision for the black & gold. Then again, Braunagel could also go toe to toe with Kennedy, and prove that he belongs with him out there on the mat.
All duals have a marquee matchup, and I believe the Iowa Vs Illinois dual main event will be between Edmond Ruth and Gabe Arnold here at 184 lbs. We have two quick, strong, fast & physical wrestlers ready to throw everything they have at one another. Both of these wrestlers enjoy getting the upper hand on their opponents and then making them pay severely for any mistakes that are made. I'm not sure who draws first blood in this match, but I predict that could be who wins this battle. Either one of these guys gets a lead, he'll be tough to score on after that.
In my '24-'24 preseason previews I called two time NCAA R12'er Zac Braunagel one of the best 197 lbs'ers yet to All American, and I'm still sticking to my claim. It doesn't escape me that he's not having the season I hoped he would, and among an impressive win over Mac Stout & taking All American Michael Beard to a 1 point match, he's faced a couple of upsets. I've been paying attention, I'm well aware. I also know he's a Braunagel and Braunagel's rarely go into combat without some scars and battle wounds. Friday though, he'll face who could very well be 197's very best by 2025's end. Former Cowboy, former Sooner, now Hawkeye Stephen Buchanan has been making some very good wrestlers look silly, so far this season. He's wrestled 11 matches, & only one of them has ended in a decision. Other than that, it has been two falls, five techs & two major decisions. The Hawkeye scored a 15-4 major decision over Aeoden Sinclair, who upset Braunagel 16-10. Does that necessarily mean anything? In this sport? Not always. Actually, more often so, it doesn't. There's a ton of parity in this sport, especially at this level. I'm still laying my money down on a Hawkeye victory, but I can see Braunagel showcasing why he's finished top 12 twice in his career.
Pride is a key player often within the world of wrestling. Pride in what you do for yourself and pride within what you do for your team. Both Luke Luffman & Ben Keuter are currently top 12 wrestlers, looking to eventually place themselves within the top 8. For Luke Luffman a win here would not only be good for him on an individual level, but also help to illustrate that the Illini are no pushovers and Iowa isn't going to just come into this engagement and bully them around. For Ben Keuter, he's wanting to go from a Rook to a King, and a win over Luffman would be a step in that direction.
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| #10 Edmond Ruth Vs #5 Gabe Arnold 184 |
All duals have a marquee matchup, and I believe the Iowa Vs Illinois dual main event will be between Edmond Ruth and Gabe Arnold here at 184 lbs. We have two quick, strong, fast & physical wrestlers ready to throw everything they have at one another. Both of these wrestlers enjoy getting the upper hand on their opponents and then making them pay severely for any mistakes that are made. I'm not sure who draws first blood in this match, but I predict that could be who wins this battle. Either one of these guys gets a lead, he'll be tough to score on after that.
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| #18 Zac Braunagel Vs #2 Stephen Buchanan 197 |
In my '24-'24 preseason previews I called two time NCAA R12'er Zac Braunagel one of the best 197 lbs'ers yet to All American, and I'm still sticking to my claim. It doesn't escape me that he's not having the season I hoped he would, and among an impressive win over Mac Stout & taking All American Michael Beard to a 1 point match, he's faced a couple of upsets. I've been paying attention, I'm well aware. I also know he's a Braunagel and Braunagel's rarely go into combat without some scars and battle wounds. Friday though, he'll face who could very well be 197's very best by 2025's end. Former Cowboy, former Sooner, now Hawkeye Stephen Buchanan has been making some very good wrestlers look silly, so far this season. He's wrestled 11 matches, & only one of them has ended in a decision. Other than that, it has been two falls, five techs & two major decisions. The Hawkeye scored a 15-4 major decision over Aeoden Sinclair, who upset Braunagel 16-10. Does that necessarily mean anything? In this sport? Not always. Actually, more often so, it doesn't. There's a ton of parity in this sport, especially at this level. I'm still laying my money down on a Hawkeye victory, but I can see Braunagel showcasing why he's finished top 12 twice in his career.
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| #11 Luke Luffman Vs #12 Ben Keuter HWT |
Pride is a key player often within the world of wrestling. Pride in what you do for yourself and pride within what you do for your team. Both Luke Luffman & Ben Keuter are currently top 12 wrestlers, looking to eventually place themselves within the top 8. For Luke Luffman a win here would not only be good for him on an individual level, but also help to illustrate that the Illini are no pushovers and Iowa isn't going to just come into this engagement and bully them around. For Ben Keuter, he's wanting to go from a Rook to a King, and a win over Luffman would be a step in that direction.
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