Where to Watch: November 21st @7PM CT, Big Ten Plus
The Tigers will look to rebound against a much improved Illinois team. Last season the Tigers won an exciting 29-6 dual at the Stifel Theater, which saw Keegan O’Toole bump up to beat Edmond Ruth at 174. Illinois had a number of wrestlers redshirting at the time and likely only return four starters that competed in last year’s dual. This season they beat new Big 12 member Arizona State in a dominant 37-6 that had the Sun Devils full lineup.
Mizzou is likely to be out Noah Surtin and Rocky Elam again, with Gage Walker and Aeoden Sinclair stepping in. There are two rematches here, at 141 and 149. Illinois has looked great this season, while the Tigers seem to still be adjusting. If they were at full strength I’d be confident, but this could be a nip and tuck dual against an under the radar Big 10 team. This is also Illinois’ home opener, and like Virginia Tech are trying to make a large event and bring in a good crowd.
125lbs: Gage Walker (3-3) vs #20 Ramazan Attasauov (0-1)/Caeden Riley (2-2)
This is an intriguing spot for the dual, and could be a big opportunity for the Tigers. Without Noah Surtin it’s been clear that they’re missing that spark to start the dual, but Gage Walker came close to providing one last week and will get another shot here.
Illinois got an intriguing transfer in Attasauov this offseason, who spent four years at 133 for Iowa State and was a qualifier in 2022. He didn’t compete in 2024. Attasauov has only wrestled once against SIUE, where he lost to true freshman Drew Davis who finished 8th at the Tiger Style Invite. Last time we saw him at 133 Attasauov was lanky and best in neutral. A strong freestyle background, he wasn’t a huge threat on the mat but after years in college is serviceable.
Riley is a redshirt sophomore who has competed in their two most recent duals but doesn’t have any relevant results. If Riley is in, I expect Walker to at least push for bonus points. Even if Attasauov is in, I think Walker can compete. He came up short against VT but showed a lot of positive development. If he can use that as a confidence builder for more offense, I like his shot to get a dual win here.
