Add North Carolina State to the ILLINI Schedule

Coach Poeta is going to make sure the ILLINI face some tough competition before the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. We already know about the dual with the Iowa State Cyclones that is scheduled for February 12, 2023--smack dab in the middle of conference season--but there's gonna be another nonconference test much earlier in the year. 

The ILLINI will face the North Carolina State Wolfpack on November 18, 2022. That's only 85 days away, my friends! The match will take place in Albany, New York as part of a Journeymen Duals program. 

WHY WE HATE NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Well, we hate them for a lot of reasons. Nobody there wears shoes. Go into the bank, and the bank president is barefoot. Same thing in their courtrooms and hospitals. The radio stations play the theme to The Andy Griffith Show nonstop and nothing else. When they say the word "Ma" it takes them three full seconds. Finally, and most disgustingly, they use a mustard-based barbecue sauce. 

I can't be friends with people like that. 

THE SCHEDULE

There's good and bad with that day's schedule. The ILLINI start off with the Buffalo Bulls at 6:30pm, while the Wolfpack have a bit of a harder task taking on Central Michigan at the same time. Two hours later, at 8:30pm, the ILLINI wrestle NC State. 

The weigh-ins at 5:30pm likely help the Wolfpack, as that'll give Jarrett Trombley, who wrestled at 133 last year, more time to hydrate after making 125. Trent Hidlay also seems like a big boy who'll benefit from the extra time. Isaac Trumble is a large human at 197. On the other hand, if Luke Odom is at 157, this could give him a couple of hours to recuperate. 

SOME MATCHUPS

Not gonna do a full award-winning preview here, as that is best saved for the week of the dual. Wrestlestat.com has the Pack winning 21-12, but they have Edmond Ruth and the ILLINI 125 losing.

Of course, they also have Luuuuke Luffman winning, and the rumor I've heard is that the Orange Hulk might be taking a redshirt this season. 

The matches that I'm most looking forward to are #3 Lucas Byrd versus #16 Kai Orine, #7 Zac Braunagel versus #2 Trent Hidlay and super-under-rated #54 Danny Pucino versus #17 Ryan Jack. If Luffman wrestles, he'll face the #14 heavyweight. 

The answers to questions that I have include: How will Kevon Davenport look in Orange and Blue? Will there be a wrestle-off at 125? If so, who'll be the guy? How does the ILLINI squeeze Dylan Connell into the lineup? Is Joe Roberts taking a redshirt, and, if so, is Luke Odom the guy? Can Odom make 157, or will we see Davenport or Harrier or someone else? 

BOTTOM LINE

If the rumors are true about Luffman and Roberts redshirting, a win against NC State would be a very longshot, as the Pack have exceptional wrestlers who'll score bonus at those weights. On the other hand, with those fellows in the lineup and everybody else healthy, this is certainly winnable for the good guys.