Rankings according to InterMat
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 13 Fighting Illini wrestling team is set for a trip to Bethlehem, Pa. where they will face Binghamton and No. 21 Arizona State on Saturday Nov. 9 in the Journeymen WrangleMania duals, before competing in the Journeymen Collegiate Classic tournament on Saturday, Nov. 10. Competition between Illinois and Binghamton is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. followed by No. 21 Arizona State at 3 p.m. CT.
The Illini own a 1-0 dual record this season with a dominant 41-3 performance in the season opener against SIU-Edwardsville. Illinois dropped the first match of the night at 125 pounds, before redshirt senior Lucas Byrd got the first win of the season for the Illini with his major decision, 12-3, win over Marcel Lopez (SIUE) at 133 pounds. The Orange and Blue went on to win all eight of the remaining matchups including two more major decisions, four tech. falls and a pin.
Scouting the Opponents
Last season, Arizona State ended the 2023-24 season as Pac-12 Champions with a 7-6 overall dual record while going 4-1 Pac-12 Conference duals. The Illini own a 3-0 dual record against the Sun Devils, with the first meeting taking place on Nov. 16, 2013. The last matchup between the two programs was on Jan. 29, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. where Illinois won 26-9.
Binghamton is coming off a 2023-24 campaign where they finished with a 9-4 dual record while going 7-3 in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) duals and placing eighth in the EIWA Championships. The Illini beat the Bearcats 39-10 in the lone matchup between the two programs on Nov. 24, 2012, in Troy, N.Y.
