EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 24 Michigan State wrestling plays host to the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday, Feb. 5, with first whistle inside Jenison Field House slated for 2 p.m. The dual will be broadcast to a national television audience via the Big Ten Network.
 
In recognition of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Michigan State Athletics and the Spartan wrestling program will recognize the inaugural Michigan High School Athletic Association state placewinners in girls wrestling, as well as the accomplishments of female wrestlers from across the state during the intermission of MSU's dual against Illinois on Sunday.
 
HEAD COACH ROGER CHANDLER SAID…
"First and foremost, it will be good for our guys to get a sense of normalcy being back at home. Sleeping in your own bed on a regular basis is beneficial for them, especially since we've been on the road for most of the year. That's going to be big for them, and it will have a significant impact on how they compete. It's always good to wrestle in front of your hometown fans, so we look forward to having that opportunity. As far as honoring our women's state placewinners, I think it's extremely important for the growth of our sport, and the growth of women's sports in general. It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country right now. There's a reason why it has been classified as an emerging sport, so we look forward to celebrating their successes on Sunday."
 
CELEBRATING YOUTH WRESTLING: NGWSD
MSU wrestling will dedicate Sunday afternoon's dual to celebrating the growth of youth wrestling in the state of Michigan and around the country. A year ago, the MHSAA sanctioned its first-ever girls wrestling state championships inside Ford Field in Detroit. Fourteen athletes took home individual crowns out of a 213-member field. Michigan is one of 35 states that sanction an official girls wrestling championship, with more than 31,000 athletes competing nationwide. One of the fastest growing sports in the United States, women's and girls wrestling has grown from three states hosting girls championships a decade ago to the present count of 35. Michigan State wrestling joins the Women's Sports Foundation and countless NCAA institutions in celebrating the achievements of all girls and women in sports around the world. MSU has dedicated four athletic events this weekend to the celebration of NGWSD, with Spartan wrestling joining the festivities alongside gymnastics, women's basketball and women's tennis.
 
THE GOLDEN NUMBER
Michigan State wrestling head coach Roger Chandler is one win away from reaching his 50th career dual victory since assuming the top spot in East Lansing during the 2016-17 season. Chandler would become just the fourth head coach in Michigan State program history to reach the 50-win mark, joining Spartan wrestling legends in Grady Peninger (213), Tom Minkel (173) and Fendley Collins (158). Chandler would be the second-fastest head coach to reach 50 wins at MSU. The Spartans have experienced a resurgence in dual success under Chandler's guidance. MSU went 2-11 in dual competition in the year prior to Chandler's hiring, and improved its win tally in each of Chandler's first three seasons. In 2018-19, Chandler led Michigan State to its first winning dual season in 14 years as the Spartans compiled a 10-8 overall ledger.
 
FIRST LOOK: ILLINOIS
Under the leadership of program alumnus and second-year head coach Mike Poeta, the Illinois Fighting Illini enter the weekend with a 5-5 overall record and a 3-3 mark in Big Ten Conference dual action. Illinois will face off against 10th-ranked Nebraska on Friday before heading to East Lansing. Illinois split a pair of duals to open the B1G season, falling to #2 Iowa before upsetting #13 Wisconsin. The Illini have defeated Purdue and Maryland, while dropping results to #15 Northwestern and #11 Minnesota. On an individual basis, the Fighting Illini feature seven student-athletes nationally ranked at their respective weight classes according to InterMat, including Lucas Byrd (#10 | 133), Danny Pucino (#16 | 13-5), Mike Carr (#13 | 157), Danny Braunagel (#20 | 165), Edmond Ruth (#12 | 174), Dylan Connell (#24 | 184) and Zac Braunagel (#10 | 197).
 
Michigan State and Illinois prepare for the 66th all-time meeting between the two programs on Sunday afternoon, with the Spartans maintaining a 40-21-4 edge on the Fighting Illini in a series that dates to the 1945-46 season. Illinois has won each of the last six contests in dual competition dating to the last MSU victory on Jan. 30, 2011. The Spartans tallied a 21-15 win at home inside Jenison Field House. The most recent meeting on Jan. 31, 2020, saw Illinois pick up an 18-12 win in Champaign. MSU saw success at 184, with Cameron Caffey downing Zac Braunagel, 7-6
 
JENISON MATCHDAY CENTRAL
Click the link here to be redirected to the ticket purchasing page for Sunday afternoon's nationally-televised dual against Illinois. 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 final nationally-televised dual of the 2022-23 season against Illinois will be broadcast via 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.

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