After competing against Division II and III schools last weekend, the NIU wrestling team will be put to the test against Big Ten programs at this weekend’s Michigan State Open.

The two-day open starts Saturday and will feature most of the MAC teams and eight of the 11 Big Ten teams. NIU coach Dave Grant said the tough competition will be a measuring stick for the team at the beginning of the season.

“A lot of national rankings come out of this tournament,” Grant said. “There are 40 guys in each weight class, and beating that field will get our guys into the top 20 and garner national attention.”

The Michigan State Open is the final tune-up for the No. 21-ranked Huskies before their first dual match of the season Nov. 28 vs. No. 12 Wisconsin.

Grant said Michigan State is one of the five hardest tournaments of the year and hopes his team is up to the task.

“It’s hard to predict how we will do,” Grant said. “For Sam [Hiatt], it’s huge to play such great competition, and Josh [Wooten] has won it before, so it’s big for everyone. The most important thing is knowing that everyone wrestled their best.”