Rutgers Wrestling announces 2017-18 schedule & it's good

It doesn't get much better than this.

With the defending national champions and defending Big Ten champions at home - and not the same team! - Rutgers has both a challenging and extremely attractive schedule at the RAC next year.

Ohio State won the Big Ten Tournament four individual champions. The Buckeyes outscored Penn State by 9.5 points.

Penn State, which took the regular season B1G title, returned to form in winning their sixth national title in seven years. They outscored second place OSU by 36.5 points.

Iowa finished fourth at the NCAAs, meaning three of the four top teams from this past March’s tournament will be visiting the RAC next season.

Minnesota only finished at 7-5 last season and just behind RU in the conference. The Gophers, though, finished seventh at the national tournament.

Local opposition comes in the form of Hofstra - they were nominally the host for the 2016 NCAA Tournament at MSG - as the Pride travels to the RAC on January 19. They are joined in the non-con schedule by North Carolina coming in the week before. Hofstra was only 6-11 in 2016-17. The Pride finished 14th at the EIWA tourney. North Carolina 8-5 last season, finishing in 5th place at the ACC Tournament, having three in the finals. The Heels sent five to the NCAA tournament.

Rutgers is also the host for the Maryland match, part of the wrestling-football doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.

In total, Rutgers’ six home opponents produced 41 NCAA qualifiers, 21 All-Americans, 10 championship finalists and seven NCAA individual champions last season.

“We’re extremely excited about this year's home schedule,” said head coach Scott Goodale. “Having arguably the top Big Ten wrestling programs and all of the individual national champions competing at the RAC next season provides our fans with an exhilarating match-day experience."

Rutgers (12-5) closed the 2016-17 dual season tied for 12th in the final USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll.

Times and ticket information for the 2017-18 Rutgers wrestling season will be announced at a later date. Fans can secure season tickets for the upcoming dual campaign with a $50 deposit, which can be applied to both new and renewal season ticket plans for 2017-18. To make a deposit or purchase group tickets, call the ticket office at 1-866-445-GORU (4678) or visit ScarletKnights.com.