To open their stretch of eight straight Big Ten matches before the postseason begins, the Hoosiers will take the mat in a setting — Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana — usually used for basketball.
IU Coach Duane Goldman has been talking to his team about the rivalry and wrestling in Mackey Arena.
“They have been promoting it really hard up there, and I have seen lots of advertisements,” Goldman said. “Purdue Coach Tony Ersland is really hoping for a good crowd, and I hope they are able to fill the place. It would be a lot of fun.”
Before Friday the Hoosiers had almost two weeks off to get healthy. The break was helpful in giving the wrestlers time to address some injuries and be as healthy as possible heading into the most difficult portion of the season.
Heading into the match the Hoosiers will have a new nationally ranked team member. Freshman 174-pound wrestler Devin Skatzka capped off 2016 with a fifth-place finish at the Midlands Tournament, which Goldman called a prestigious event.
With the strong showing, FloWrestling has put the freshman wrestler at No. 18 in his respective weight class, which has helped Skatzka feel more self-assured.
“I think it is really building my confidence to see I am right there with all those guys,” Skatzka said. “In my weight class everyone is really close, there is not too many stand-out guys, and that shows I can wrestle with just about anyone in my weight class.”
Skatzka said he is excited to wrestle in front of such a large crowd and get a true feel for the IU-Purdue rivalry while also trying to add another win to his credit and help get the team its first Big Ten win.
A win against IU’s rival would be valuable to Goldman and his wrestlers, and they are looking forward to a great match and chance to compete.
“It would be great, it’s the Purdue dual so it’s the biggest dual of the year for both teams,” Goldman said. “It’s a little different in that it is really early this year, being the first match after Christmas — it is usually a little later in the season. Nevertheless, it should be a great display of wrestling for the fans, and we are looking forward to a great match.”
