BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University wrestling team (6-0) opens Big Ten competition on Wednesday, Dec. 15, playing host to the No. 9 Northwestern Wildcats (7-0) in a 7 pm tussle. The battle of undefeated squads is being streamed live at BigTenNetwork.com (subscription required). In addition, IUHoosiers.com will be running a live blog during the match.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
125 lbs.- Justin Brooks (9-6) vs. No. 2 Brandon Precin (12-0)
133 lbs.- Matt Ortega (10-5) vs. Robert Joyce (4-3) or No. 19 Levi Mele (7-1)
141 lbs.- Mitchell Richey (10-7) vs. Kaleb Friedley (13-1)
149 lbs.- No. 11 Kurt Kinser (11-3) vs. No. 7 Andrew Nadhir (11-0)
157 lbs.- No. 9 Paul Young (11-2) vs. No. 5 Jason Welch (9-1)
165 lbs.- Ryan Konz (9-8) or Ryan LeBlanc (1-0) vs. Kevin Bialka (5-4)
174 lbs.- Nick Avery (5-6) vs. Brian Roddy, Jr. (5-1)
184 lbs.- Eric Cameron (6-8) vs. Aaron Jones (10-1)
197 lbs.- No. 14 Matt Powless (15-1) vs. John Schoen (8-2)
285 lbs.- Ricky Alcala (12-3) vs. Ben Kuhar (6-7)
Indiana has won the last four meetings with the Wildcats, and owns a 45-27-4 advantage in the all-time series. Up to seven nationally-ranked wrestlers could be in action Wednesday night in Bloomington. In the most recent Intermat rankings, three Hoosiers are slotted in the top-20 while Northwestern posts four ranked grapplers in their potential line-up. For IU, Paul Young and Kurt Kinser are currently ranked 9th and 11th in the 157-pound and 149-pound weight classes, respectively. Matt Powless, owner of a 15-1 record, is slotted 14th at 197 pounds. Northwestern's ranked student-athletes include: Brandon Precin (No. 2, 125 lbs.), Levi Mele (No. 19, 133 lbs.), Andrew Nadhir (No. 7, 149 lbs.) and Jason Welch (No. 5, 157 lbs.).