BTN Communications, January 8, 2021

The Big Ten Network today announced its schedule for the 2021 Big Ten Wrestling season, featuring at least 18 scheduled duals in a conference-only slate beginning on Friday, Jan. 8.

Ten Big Ten teams are currently ranked in the top 20 of TrackWrestling?s rankings, including the four of the top five. No. 1 Iowa, No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Penn State, No. 5 Nebraska, No. 7 Ohio State, No. 10 Rutgers, No. 12 Northwestern, No. 13 Minnesota, No. 17 Michigan State and No. 19 Purdue lead the way for the nation?s top wrestling conference.

Wrestling coverage begins with a top-15 doubleheader tonight, as No. 2 Michigan takes on No. 10 Rutgers at 7 p.m. ET, before No. 13 Minnesota visits No. 5 Nebraska at 9 p.m. ET. Additional highlights include a matchup of No. 1 Iowa vs. No. 2 Michigan at noon ET on Sunday, Jan. 31, a rivalry doubleheader on Feb. 12 with No. 7 Ohio State visiting No. 2 Michigan at 7 p.m. ET before No. 1 Iowa takes on No. 3 Penn State at 9 p.m. ET and No. 3 Penn State traveling to Columbus to face No. 7 Ohio State at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 19.

Shane Sparks, who was recently named as the NWMA Broadcaster of the Year, and newcomer Ray Flores will provide play-by-play alongside analysts Jim Gibbons and Tim Johnson to anchor BTN?s dual meet coverage.

Big Ten Network?s original digital series, On The Mat, returns to YouTube tonight for season two with features on Rutgers? Sebastian Rivera and the 20th anniversary of Minnesota?s national championship. On The Mat tells the behind-the-scenes stories of Big Ten wrestlers and programs navigating the most competitive wrestling conference in the country. Additionally, a new Big Ten Network wrestling Instagram account is launching this season with highlights, original content and special features for Big Ten wrestling fans.

In the coming weeks, additional events will be assigned to Big Ten Network+, a subscription service for non-televised live events. This season, sport-specific packages are available at a new price point for fans only interested in viewing wrestling events. For details and subscription information, please visit btnplus.com.

Big Ten Network Wrestling Schedule

Day Date Visiting Team Home Team Time (ET)
Friday Jan. 8 No. 2 Michigan at No. 10 Rutgers 7:00 PM
Friday Jan. 8 No. 13 Minnesota at No. 5 Nebraska 9:00 PM
Sunday Jan. 10 Illinois at Indiana 12:00 PM
Friday Jan. 15 No. 12 Northwestern at No. 19 Purdue 7:00 PM
Friday Jan. 15 No. 5 Nebraska at No. 1 Iowa 9:00 PM
Saturday Jan. 16 No. 3 Penn State at No. 10 Rutgers 2:30 PM
Friday Jan. 22 No. 1 Iowa at No. 13 Minnesota TBD
Sunday Jan. 31 No. 2 Michigan at No. 1 Iowa TBD
Sunday Jan. 31 No. 7 Ohio State at Maryland TBD
Sunday Feb. 7 No. 3 Penn State at No. 2 Michigan TBD
Sunday Feb. 7 No. 1 Iowa vs. No. 7 Ohio State TBD
Friday Feb. 12 No. 7 Ohio State at No. 2 Michigan TBD
Friday Feb. 12 No. 1 Iowa at No. 3 Penn State TBD
Friday Feb. 19 No. 2 Michigan at Michigan State TBD
Friday Feb. 19 No. 3 Penn State at No. 7 Ohio State TBD
Sunday Feb. 21 No. 1 Iowa at Wisconsin TBD
Monday 2/21 or 22 Indiana at No. 19 Purdue TBD
Monday 2/21 or  22 Maryland at No. 3 Penn State TBD
Saturday March 6 B1G Championships at Penn State TBD
Sunday March 7 B1G Championships at Penn State TBD

About Big Ten Network: A joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Networks, Big Ten Network is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With more than 1,700 events across all platforms, the 24/7 network is the ultimate destination for Big Ten fans and alumni across the country, allowing them to see their favorite teams, regardless of where they live. The Fox Sports App is the digital extension of the Big Ten Network, delivering live games and on-demand programming to Big Ten Network customers via the web, smartphones, and tablets. Network events include football, men?s and women?s basketball games, dozens of Big Ten Olympic sports and championship events, studio shows and classic games. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments of some of the nation?s finest universities, including the Emmy-nominated The Journey. The network is in more than 60 million homes across the United States and Canada, including carriage by all the major video distributors, such as DIRECTV, DISH, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-Verse, Charter Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Altice USA, Cox Communications, Mediacom, RCN, WOW!, and approximately 300 additional video providers across North America. Big Ten Network is also available through the majority of streaming providers, including AT&T TV NOW, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Sling TV and fuboTV. For additional information, please visit www.btn.com.

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