Big Ten Tournament time for everyone
A B1G weekend lies ahead for Nebraska wrestling, as well as a number of Nebraska teams. It's that time of the year.
A B1G weekend lies ahead for Nebraska wrestling. (I can’t take credit for that. All credit to the Huskers.)
But it really is a big weekend, as No. 3 Nebraska heads to College Park, Maryland, for the 2024 Big Ten Wrestling Championships. The two-day event kicks off Saturday with Session I slated for 9 a.m. CT.
Let’s dive into what you need to know heading into the weekend.
How did Nebraska’s regular season end up?
The Huskers went 12-2 on the year, losing only to No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Iowa.
How many Huskers received preliminary seeding for the championships?
Nine Nebraska wrestlers received top 10 seeds in the preliminary seeding for the weekend, which is determined by a vote from conference coaches. They rank 14 wrestlers in all 10 weight classes. The Huskers also received two top two pre-seeds.
Ridge Lovett grabbed the No. 1 spot at 149. Lenny Pinto is seeded second at 184, followed by Jacob Van Dee (133), Brock Hardy (141) and Silas Allred (197) all in fourth for their respective weight classes. Caleb Smith (125), Peyton Robb (157) and Antrell Taylor (165) sit in fifth.
Nash Hutmacher (HWT) will also make his Big Ten Tournament debut, while two-time NCAA Qualifier Bubba Wilson (174) received a 12th-place seed.
What about the team race?
Penn State is the early favorite, so that second-place spot is going to be an interesting one. Keep an eye on Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State and Michigan to make a run at it. It really could go any way for each team.
What’s the full schedule of events?
Day Date Session Coverage Time (All CT)
Saturday, March 9 - Session 1 - 1st Rd, Quarters, Wrestlebacks - BTN 9 a.m.
Saturday, March 9 - Session 1 - 1st Rd, Quarters, Wrestlebacks - B1G+ 9 a.m.
Saturday, March 9 - Session 2 – Wrestlebacks — B1G+ 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 9 - Session 2 — Semifinals — BTN 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 - Session 3 – Cons. Semis, 7th Place Matches — B1G+ 11 a.m.
Sunday, March 10 - Session 4 — Finals, 3rd and 5th Place Matches — BTN 3:30 p.m.
How can I watch?
The Big Ten Network will offer live linear and streaming coverage of the championships beginning Saturday morning. Championship coverage continues Sunday with consolation matches on B1G+ and returns to BTN at 3:30 p.m. (CT) for the final bouts. Additional mat coverage can be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required) for every session.
Live stats and brackets will be also available on trackwrestling.com.
What else to watch this weekend:
>> Nebraska baseball (7-3) makes its home debut this weekend, set to face South Alabama (10-3) at Haymarket Park. This weekend’s three game slate kicks off 11 home games for the Huskers over the next 16 days. All three games this weekend can be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).
Additionally, Nebraska will appear on Big Ten Network four times this regular season, against Rutgers (April 14), Iowa (April 27) and Indiana (May 11 and 12). Nebraska Public Media will televise four more games: Ohio State (April 6), Creighton (April 16), Maryland (April 20) and Indiana (May 10).
>> The Nebraska softball team is in Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the Razorback Rumble. Thursday’s matchup against No. 18 Arkansas was canceled due to forecasted inclement weather. It will not be made up, while the other four games are still a go as long as the weather plays nice.
Here is how it looks (all CT):
Friday, March 8
Nebraska vs. Northern Iowa (9 a.m.)
Nebraska vs. Saint Francis (1:30 p.m.)
Saturday, March 9
Nebraska vs. Saint Francis (9 a.m.)
Nebraska vs. South Alabama (11:15 a.m.)
Speaking of schedules, the Huskers also added two extra home games on Tuesday, March 12. Nebraska vs. Northern Colorado will be at 12 p.m., while Nebraska vs. Maine will be at 5 p.m. Both are free to the public.
The Huskers will also have nine games televised this season, with six games on Big Ten Network, two on Nebraska Public Media and one on FS1.
Here’s the televised schedule:
March 16 vs. Creighton, 4:30 p.m. (Nebraska Public Media)
March 22 vs. Illinois, 5 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
March 24 vs. Illinois, Noon (Nebraska Public Media)
April 19 at Michigan, 6 p.m. (FS1)
April 23 vs. Iowa (DH), 4 & 6:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network both games)
May 3 at Minnesota, TBA (Big Ten Network)
May 4 at Minnesota, 2 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
May 5 at Minnesota, TBA (Big Ten Network)
>> On the basketball front, the No. 5-seeded Nebraska women’s basketball team defeated Purdue on Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament and will face No. 4 Michigan State Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.
As for the men, the Huskers will face Michigan on Sunday at 11 a.m. Breakfast basketball!