Lincoln Journal Star
Steven M. Sipple, Parker Gabriel and a fresh-off-the-plane-from Indianapolis Chris Basnett discuss the Nebraska men's basketball season coming to a close with a 71-69 loss to Northwestern in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament and the next steps for Fred Hoiberg, who is in for an offseason of change. Then the conversation turns to football, including offensive philosophy, Mark Whipple, Casey Thompson and Scott Frost's comments from Wednesday.
Nebraska will send eight wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, which are this weekend at Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit.
The three-day event will consist of six sessions beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday on ESPNU.
The Huskers are looking to bounce back after a seventh-place showing at the Big Ten Championships in their own backyard. NU placed 12th at last year's NCAA meet.
Of the eight Huskers competing this week, six are returning All-Americans — Chad Red, Taylor Venz, Eric Schultz, Mikey Labriola, Ridge Lovett and Peyton Robb.
Here's a closer look at the Huskers headed to Detroit:
Chad Red (141 pounds, seeded 19th, sr.): Has earned All-American honors in four previous NCAA trips; finished sixth last year and is 12-6 this year.
Ridge Lovett (149, 10th, so.): Placed fourth at Big Tens and will be making his second appearance at NCAAs. He's 20-3 this year.
Peyton Robb (157, 10th, so.): Placed fifth at Big Tens and will be making his second appearance at NCAAs. He's 13-8 this year.
Bubba Wilson (165, 27th, rfr.): Will be making his first appearance at NCAAs after earning an automatic bid with a sixth-place finish at Big Tens. He's 13-13.
Mikey Labriola (174, 9th, jr.): Will be making his third NCAA appearance after placing fifth at Big Tens. He's 19-3 this season and 101-34 for his career.
Taylor Venz (184, 10th, sr.): Veteran is making his fourth appearance at NCAAs after a fifth-place showing at Big Tens; was fourth at the 2018 NCAA meet.
Eric Schultz (197, 3rd, sr.): The highest-seeded Husker finished second at Big Tens; has qualified for NCAAs five times now.
Christian Lance (285, 12th, sr.): Making his second NCAA appearance after going 16-8 during the season.
Photos: Big Ten wrestling championships wrap up at Pinnacle Bank Arena
Nebraska’s Taylor Venz (bottom) gets ready before a reset against Maryland’s Kyle Cochran in the 184-pound fifth-place match of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young lifts Iowa’s Austin DeSanto off the ground during the 133-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Big Ten wrestling championship trophy is on display Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Iowa’s Austin DeSanto attempts to regain some form of control as Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young turns him into scoring position during the 133-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wisconsin’s Austin Gomez celebrates after defeating Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso (not pictured) 8-5, in the 149-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Northwestern’s Ryan Deakin dives after Michigan’s Will Lewan, who attempts to maintain an upright position during the 157-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The headgear of Michigan’s Will Lewan falls over his eyes as he is held to the floor by Northwestern’s Ryan Deakin (not pictured) during the 157-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Michigan’s Will Lewan is held to the floor by Northwestern’s Ryan Deakin during the 157-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Northwestern’s Ryan Deakin is named the winner of the 157-pound final during the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Peyton Robb (back) takes down Purdue’s Kendall Coleman in the 157-pound fifth-place match during the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso (right) faces off with Wisconsin’s Austin Gomez in the 149-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Penn State’s Carter Starocci (back) holds onto Michigan’s Logan Massa in the 174-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Penn State’s Carter Starocci (top) holds onto Michigan’s Logan Massa in the 174-pouind final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Peyton Robb (left) takes on Purdue’s Kendall Coleman in the 157-pound fifth-place match of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Eric Shultz (right) faces off against Penn State’s Max Dean in the 197-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Eric Shultz (right) balances on one foot as Penn State’s Max Dean looks for the takedown in the 197-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Michigan’s Myles Amine celebrates his win over Penn State’s Aaron Brooks in the 184-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young (left) tries to take down Iowa’s Austin DeSanto in the 133-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young (right) wrestles Iowa’s Austin DeSanto in the 133-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Peyton Robb (top) takes on Purdue’s Kendall Coleman in the 157-pound fifth-place match of the Big Ten wrestling championships on March 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska’s Taylor Venz (right) faces off against Maryland’s Kyle Cochran in the 184-pound fifth-place match of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JAIDEN TRIPI, Journal Star
Former NCAA National Champion and Olympic medal winner Tervel Dlagnev (center) is joined by his family as he is honored with a medal ceremony before the Big Ten wrestling championship matches Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Former NCAA National Champion and Olympic medal winner Tervel Dlagnev is honored with a medal ceremony before the Big Ten wrestling championship matches Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young is declared the winner of the 133-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Michigan’s Cameron Amine wrestles Iowa’s Alex Marinelli during the 165-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Michigan’s Cameron Amine connects with the head of Iowa’s Alex Marinelli during the 165-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Sweat drips off of Michigan’s Logan Massa as he wrestles against Penn State’s Carter Starocci (not pictured) during the 174-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Michigan assistant coaches Kevin Jackson (left) and David Bolyard call for a takedown but are denied during the 165-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Sweat drips off of Michigan’s Logan Massa as he wrestles against Penn State’s Carter Starocci (not pictured) during the 174-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Penn State’s Carter Starocci (left) and Michigan’s Logan Massa vie for position over one another during the 174-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Iowa’s Alex Marinelli is named the winner of the 165-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Penn State’s Carter Starocci (top) attempts to wrestle control of his foot away from Michigan’s Logan Massa during the 174-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Penn State’s Max Dean upends Nebraska’s Eric Schultz during the 197-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Penn State’s Carter Starocci (left) wrestles Michigan’s Logan Massa during the 174-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
An Iowa Hawkeyes fan waits for his change after buying two beers during the Big Ten Wrestling Championships in March at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Michigan’s Logan Massa celebrates after an overtime win over Penn State’s Carter Starocci during the 174-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Penn State’s Max Dean (left) faces off against Nebraska’s Eric Schultz during the 197-pound final of the Big Ten wrestling championships Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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