Friday, January 13
East Lansing, Mich.
6:30 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Michigan
No. 21 Spartans Open B1G Slate at Home Against No. 3 Michigan, Travel to Face No. 12 Minnesota
1/12/2023 11:41:00 AM | Wrestling
Michigan State NotesWatch Live (Michigan | B1G+)Watch Live (Minnesota | BTN)Purchase Tickets (Michigan)MSU Clear Bag Policy
MSU Enters the Weekend 7-0 for the First Time in 49 Years
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State wrestling gets set to open Big Ten dual action at home on Friday, Jan. 13, as the No. 21 Spartans host third-ranked Michigan inside Jenison Field House in a 6:30 p.m. first whistle. The Spartans then hit the road for the first leg of a three-dual trek on Sunday, Jan. 15, with the Green & White facing off against No. 12 Minnesota inside Maturi Pavilion at 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
HEAD COACH ROGER CHANDLER SAID…
"We have an opportunity to compete against two very good programs that always compete at an extremely high level. This is an opportunity for each and every one of our guys to build on their season individually and as a team. It will no doubt be an exciting dual on Friday, where you will see both teams face off and give their best in each of the 10 matches. I know the environment will be a good one, as I'm sure the fans across the state of Michigan will show up to watch championship-caliber wrestling here in East Lansing. I encourage everyone to come out to Jenison on Friday and take part in what I'm sure will be one of the premier environments of the season. And then, we hit the road in the Big Ten for the first time on Sunday, which will be a valuable experience for our group."
THE B1G LEAGUES
Michigan State wrestling will embark upon its 72nd season of Big Ten Conference competition this weekend with a pair of nationally-ranked duals. MSU has seen a resurgence in Big Ten dual action over the past few seasons, culminating in the best single season for Spartan wrestling under head coach Roger Chandler last year. The Green & White published a quartet of B1G dual victories a year ago, downing nationally-ranked foes in then-No. 12 Purdue and No. 14 Rutgers, in addition to wins over Indiana and Maryland. The Big Ten boasts 12 teams ranked inside the National Wrestling Coaches Association top-25, highlighted by defending national champion Penn State at No. 1, perennial B1G powerhouse Iowa at No. 2, and defending league champion Michigan locked in a tie with Iowa State at the No. 3 spot. The most dominant conference in college wrestling, the Big Ten has won each of the last 14 NCAA Championships, with the last non-B1G champion, Oklahoma State, coming in 2006.
STARTIN' SPARTAN STRONG
Through the first seven duals on the schedule, Michigan State is off to the best start for any Spartan wrestling team since the 1973-74 squad published an identical 7-0 record through the early portion of the season. The 1973-74 edition of the Green & White went on to record 12 overall dual victories after starting the year 11-0 and finished third at the Big Ten Championships. MSU's unblemished start to the season marks the best run for Michigan State since head coach Roger Chandler assumed the top job in East Lansing. Chandler's previous best mark through seven duals was 6-1, set last season. The Green & White went 5-0 in the fall portion of the calendar but yielded a 27-14 defeat to then-No.7 Ohio State on Jan. 8, before toppling No. 12 Purdue, 17-16. Michigan State takes the mat this week following a solid 28-9 victory over the Bucknell Bison in the Spartans' home opener. No. 11 Rayvon Foley earned the signature win of the night at 133 pounds, toppling No. 22 Kurt Phipps by 5-4 decision.
FIRST LOOK: MICHIGAN & MINNESOTA
Led by the reigning Big Ten and NWCA National Coach of the Year in Sean Bormet, the Wolverines head into rival territory boasting a 5-0 dual record and will also make their B1G debut Friday. The Wolverines published a 12-1 dual meet record a year ago and captured the Big Ten championship for the first time since 1973, taking second place at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Michigan's signature dual win of the year came on Nov. 13, with the Wolverines downing then-No. 16 North Carolina on the road in Chapel Hill. Michigan took fourth at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and added a pair of wins in the new year at Cal Poly and CSU Bakersfield. Five Wolverines own top-10 rankings at their respective weight classes, highlighted by Dylan Ragusin (#5/133), Will Lewan (#8/157), Cameron Amine (#6/165), Matt Finesilver (#9/184) and Mason Parris (#2/285). Michigan State and Michigan meet for the 115th time in one of the most oft-played rivalry contests in collegiate athletics. Michigan owns a 73-36-5 lead in the all-time series which dates to the 1921-22 campaign.
Under the direction of seventh-year skipper Brandon Eggum, Minnesota enters the weekend boasting a 7-1 overall record with their only loss coming in their Big Ten opener against Northwestern by an 18-11 margin. The Golden Gophers are 3-1 against opponents inside the NWCA top-25. In their most recent dual with Northwestern, the Golden Gophers took a trio of matches at 174, 184 and 197, including two major decisions, but couldn't surpass the Wildcat onslaught at other weights. Minnesota features nine individually ranked wrestlers among their probable starters, highlighted by fourth-ranked 125-pounder Patrick McKee. Michigan State and Minnesota will face off in wrestling for the 59th time on Sunday, with the Golden Gophers maintaining a 35-23 edge in the all-time series that dates to the 1945-46 season.
JENISON MATCHDAY CENTRAL
Click the link here to be redirected to the ticket purchasing page for Friday evening's Big Ten-opener and rivalry matchup with Michigan. General admission tickets are available now online and at the gate beginning one hour before first whistle. Tickets for individual adults are available for $5, while individual youth and senior tickets are available for $3. All Michigan State students will be granted free admission to the dual with a valid MSU ID. Children under the age of 8 will be admitted for free. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1-800-GO-STATE. Gates will open one hour before the start of the dual. Additionally, fans are encouraged to click here to learn more about Michigan State's clear bag policy at Jenison Field House.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Michigan State's Big Ten-opening dual against rival-Michigan will be streamed live to a worldwide audience via B1G+ with Zach Surdenik and Eric Olanowski calling the action. Click here and sign in with credentials to follow along live with Friday's dual meet. The Green & White will make their national television debut this season on Sunday at Minnesota, as Shane Sparks and Jim Gibbons call the action live for Big Ten Network. Click here and sign in with your TV provider to watch live, or follow along on the Fox Sports App. As always, fans are encouraged to follow the Spartans on Twitter @MSU_Wrestling for score updates as matches finish.
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State wrestling. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan wrestling team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_Wrestling.
HEAD COACH ROGER CHANDLER SAID…
"We have an opportunity to compete against two very good programs that always compete at an extremely high level. This is an opportunity for each and every one of our guys to build on their season individually and as a team. It will no doubt be an exciting dual on Friday, where you will see both teams face off and give their best in each of the 10 matches. I know the environment will be a good one, as I'm sure the fans across the state of Michigan will show up to watch championship-caliber wrestling here in East Lansing. I encourage everyone to come out to Jenison on Friday and take part in what I'm sure will be one of the premier environments of the season. And then, we hit the road in the Big Ten for the first time on Sunday, which will be a valuable experience for our group."
THE B1G LEAGUES
Michigan State wrestling will embark upon its 72nd season of Big Ten Conference competition this weekend with a pair of nationally-ranked duals. MSU has seen a resurgence in Big Ten dual action over the past few seasons, culminating in the best single season for Spartan wrestling under head coach Roger Chandler last year. The Green & White published a quartet of B1G dual victories a year ago, downing nationally-ranked foes in then-No. 12 Purdue and No. 14 Rutgers, in addition to wins over Indiana and Maryland. The Big Ten boasts 12 teams ranked inside the National Wrestling Coaches Association top-25, highlighted by defending national champion Penn State at No. 1, perennial B1G powerhouse Iowa at No. 2, and defending league champion Michigan locked in a tie with Iowa State at the No. 3 spot. The most dominant conference in college wrestling, the Big Ten has won each of the last 14 NCAA Championships, with the last non-B1G champion, Oklahoma State, coming in 2006.
STARTIN' SPARTAN STRONG
Through the first seven duals on the schedule, Michigan State is off to the best start for any Spartan wrestling team since the 1973-74 squad published an identical 7-0 record through the early portion of the season. The 1973-74 edition of the Green & White went on to record 12 overall dual victories after starting the year 11-0 and finished third at the Big Ten Championships. MSU's unblemished start to the season marks the best run for Michigan State since head coach Roger Chandler assumed the top job in East Lansing. Chandler's previous best mark through seven duals was 6-1, set last season. The Green & White went 5-0 in the fall portion of the calendar but yielded a 27-14 defeat to then-No.7 Ohio State on Jan. 8, before toppling No. 12 Purdue, 17-16. Michigan State takes the mat this week following a solid 28-9 victory over the Bucknell Bison in the Spartans' home opener. No. 11 Rayvon Foley earned the signature win of the night at 133 pounds, toppling No. 22 Kurt Phipps by 5-4 decision.
FIRST LOOK: MICHIGAN & MINNESOTA
Led by the reigning Big Ten and NWCA National Coach of the Year in Sean Bormet, the Wolverines head into rival territory boasting a 5-0 dual record and will also make their B1G debut Friday. The Wolverines published a 12-1 dual meet record a year ago and captured the Big Ten championship for the first time since 1973, taking second place at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Michigan's signature dual win of the year came on Nov. 13, with the Wolverines downing then-No. 16 North Carolina on the road in Chapel Hill. Michigan took fourth at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and added a pair of wins in the new year at Cal Poly and CSU Bakersfield. Five Wolverines own top-10 rankings at their respective weight classes, highlighted by Dylan Ragusin (#5/133), Will Lewan (#8/157), Cameron Amine (#6/165), Matt Finesilver (#9/184) and Mason Parris (#2/285). Michigan State and Michigan meet for the 115th time in one of the most oft-played rivalry contests in collegiate athletics. Michigan owns a 73-36-5 lead in the all-time series which dates to the 1921-22 campaign.
Under the direction of seventh-year skipper Brandon Eggum, Minnesota enters the weekend boasting a 7-1 overall record with their only loss coming in their Big Ten opener against Northwestern by an 18-11 margin. The Golden Gophers are 3-1 against opponents inside the NWCA top-25. In their most recent dual with Northwestern, the Golden Gophers took a trio of matches at 174, 184 and 197, including two major decisions, but couldn't surpass the Wildcat onslaught at other weights. Minnesota features nine individually ranked wrestlers among their probable starters, highlighted by fourth-ranked 125-pounder Patrick McKee. Michigan State and Minnesota will face off in wrestling for the 59th time on Sunday, with the Golden Gophers maintaining a 35-23 edge in the all-time series that dates to the 1945-46 season.
JENISON MATCHDAY CENTRAL
Click the link here to be redirected to the ticket purchasing page for Friday evening's Big Ten-opener and rivalry matchup with Michigan. General admission tickets are available now online and at the gate beginning one hour before first whistle. Tickets for individual adults are available for $5, while individual youth and senior tickets are available for $3. All Michigan State students will be granted free admission to the dual with a valid MSU ID. Children under the age of 8 will be admitted for free. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1-800-GO-STATE. Gates will open one hour before the start of the dual. Additionally, fans are encouraged to click here to learn more about Michigan State's clear bag policy at Jenison Field House.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Michigan State's Big Ten-opening dual against rival-Michigan will be streamed live to a worldwide audience via B1G+ with Zach Surdenik and Eric Olanowski calling the action. Click here and sign in with credentials to follow along live with Friday's dual meet. The Green & White will make their national television debut this season on Sunday at Minnesota, as Shane Sparks and Jim Gibbons call the action live for Big Ten Network. Click here and sign in with your TV provider to watch live, or follow along on the Fox Sports App. As always, fans are encouraged to follow the Spartans on Twitter @MSU_Wrestling for score updates as matches finish.
FOLLOW THE SPARTANS
Visit MSUSpartans.com for more information on Michigan State wrestling. Fans can keep up to date with the Spartan wrestling team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by following @MSU_Wrestling.
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
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