MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Ranked No. 10 in the nation in the Intermat Team Tournament rankings, and No. 18 in the Dual Meet rankings, Northwestern (8-1) opens its 2014-15 Big Ten slate on Thursday night at No. 1 Minnesota live on Big Ten Network at 7 p.m.
Head coach Drew Pariano's Wildcats enter Thursday's dual at The Sports Pavilion with an 8-1 dual meet record after a 4-0 sweep of the Windy City Duals at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tonight's showdown in Minneapolis is expected to feature three matches between ranked opponents.
At 165 senior Pierce Harger, 12-1 this season and ranked No. 8 in the nation, will take on No. 18 Nick Wanzek of the Gophers. No. 8 Alex Polizzi has posted a 12-1 mark thus far this year at 197 and is scheduled to take on No. 2 Scott Schiller, the fourth all-time meeting between the two. The Heavyweight division will pit three-time All-American and top-ranked Mike McMullan against No. 12 Michael Kroelis of Minnesota.
McMullan enters the Big Ten season with a perfect 10-0 record this year, including a season-opening victory over then-No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski of NC State in the NWCA All-Star Classic. McMullan is one of two Wildcats toting an unblemished record into Conference competition, with sophomore Jason Tsirtsis boasting a perfect 15-0 mark. The reigning Big Ten and NCAA Champion at 149, the Crown Point, Ind., native is ranked No. 1 in the nation in his weight class with three major decisions, one pin and one tech fall on his resume this year.
Thursday's dual will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network and will be available to stream online via the BTN2Go app. Updates throughout the match will be provided on Twitter at @NU_SportsLIVE.
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