The Illini will look to continue their momentum as they head to Madison, Wisconsin, to take on the No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers on Friday.

Illinois comes off its first conference win this season against Indiana, dominating the Hoosiers, 36-3, breaking a five-dual losing streak.

After starting the season promisingly, Illinois has struggled significantly in the Big Ten, with all of its five losses being against conference competition. 

The Badgers are coming off a loss against defending national champion No. 2 Iowa. They are now 9-2 on the season and 5-2 in the Big Ten, with their only other loss against Nebraska.

Illinois is 3-5 on the season while being 1-5 in conference play. The Illini got their first two wins back in December against UT-Chattanooga and SIU-Edwardsville, followed by losses against Rutgers, Iowa, Purdue, Northwestern and Minnesota.

Since 2000, Illinois has won 12 out of their last 15 meets against Wisconsin. The last time Illinois competed against Wisconsin in a dual meet was on Jan. 17, 2021, when the Illini won, 21-9.

Wisconsin will look to be driven in the 125-pound division by junior All-American Eric Barnett, who won his match against No. 2 Iowa. He will most likely face off against Illinois’ Justin Cardani, who has seen massive improvements in his redshirt sophomore season.

Illinois will look to extend its win streak on the back of redshirt freshman All-American Lucas Byrd in the 133-pound division. He will likely face off against Wisconsin redshirt sophomore Kyle Burwick.

The meet will take place at the UW Fieldhouse on Friday at 7 p.m.

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