Iowa Hosts #10 Michigan, Travels to Purdue for Big Ten Dual Finale

Hawkeyes look to end regular season on a high note against ranked conference foes

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team will wrap up their 2025-26 Big Ten dual schedule this weekend, hosting #10 Michigan on Friday night before traveling to face Purdue on Sunday. The Hawkeyes, ranked 7th nationally, will look to pick up wins against their highly ranked conference opponents as they prepare for the postseason.

Why it matters

These final two Big Ten duals will be a good test for the Hawkeyes as they gear up for the conference and NCAA tournaments. A strong finish to the regular season could provide momentum and confidence heading into the most important part of the year.

The details

Iowa will be without a couple of key wrestlers, as 141-pounder Nasir Bailey continues to work his way back from injury and 125-pounder Angelo Ferrari remains sidelined. The Hawkeyes will have multiple lineup options at several weights as they try to find the right matchups against Michigan and Purdue. The Wolverines have some talented wrestlers, including 125-pounder Diego Sotelo and 141/149-pounder Dylan Ragusin, while Purdue is led by undefeated 165-pounder Joey Blaze, who will face Iowa's Michael Caliendo in a marquee individual matchup.

  • The Iowa vs. Michigan dual will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. CST in Iowa City.
  • The Iowa vs. Purdue dual will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CST in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The players

Drake Ayala

A senior wrestler for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Michael Caliendo

A senior wrestler for the Iowa Hawkeyes who will face Purdue's Joey Blaze in a key individual matchup.

Diego Sotelo

A 125-pound wrestler for the Michigan Wolverines, a two-time NCAA qualifier who has reached the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships.

Joey Blaze

An undefeated 165-pound wrestler for the Purdue Boilermakers, who was the NCAA runner-up at 157 pounds last season.

Tom Brands

The head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team.

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What they’re saying

“We must start fast and get big bonus points from our seniors if we want to have a chance against Michigan.”

— Tom Brands, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes (on3.com)

“This is the matchup I've been waiting for all year. I'm excited to test myself against one of the top wrestlers in the country.”

— Joey Blaze (Instagram)

What’s next

After this weekend's duals, the Hawkeyes will turn their attention to the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Championships in the coming weeks as they look to cap off their season with postseason success.

The takeaway

These final two Big Ten dual meets will be a crucial test for the Iowa Hawkeyes as they aim to build momentum heading into the most important part of the season. A strong finish could provide a major boost of confidence for the team as they prepare to compete for conference and national titles.