Feb. 13, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Life does not get any easier for the Northwestern wrestling squad (7-10, 0-5). Competing in a conference which boasts the top four teams in the nation and eight of the top 25, there is no off weekend. After facing top-ranked Minnesota last weekend, the 'Cats travel to East Lansing to take on No. 20 Michigan State (4-8, 1-3) Friday at 7:30 p.m. EST. This is NU's fifth straight dual versus a ranked team.
MSU lost to two ranked opponents last weekend, falling to then-No. 4 Oklahoma State (18-3) and No. 9 Missouri (30-6). This matchup could be one of the Wildcats' best chances at a Big Ten win this season, as the Spartans have been hampered by injuries down the stretch. All-American Gray Maynard broke his hand in practice last week, NCAA qualifier Karl Nadolsky has a broken nose, and Ryan L'Amoreaux sat out last weekend with a broken rib.
MSU leads the all-time series between the schools, 23-14-1. The last meeting was in Evanston during the 1999-2000 season. The Wolverines won the dual, 24-17.
For the 'Cats John Giacche (Flemington, N.J./Flemington) will set out to win his 11th straight match. The junior has not lost since Jan. 5 and remains 16th in the latest InterMat Wrestling rankings after his win last week over Minnesota.
Ryan Kane (Temecula, Calif./Temecula) also had a strong outing against the Gophers last week, defeating then-No. 12 John Hardy 13-7 at 165 pounds. Kane is 12-2 in his last 14 matches.
NU only has two duals left after MSU. The 'Cats will remain on the road next week for a dual with No. 18 Wisconsin on Friday, Feb. 22. Then return home to close out the regular season with Indiana Sunday, Feb. 24.