Big Ten Weekly Preview: Indiana-Purdue Renews one of Midwest’s Best Rivalries

Photo Courtesy: Andy Jessop/Purdue Athletics

By Dan D’Addona.

The state of Indiana has a great tradition in basketball, leading to great rivalries.

But those rivalries aren’t just on the court.

One of the biggest swimming rivalries in the Big Ten renews this week when Indiana faces Purdue. The Hoosiers and Boilermakers have had long and successful swimming traditions — which has done nothing but enhance their already intense rivalry.

The Hoosiers will have the upper hand in this year’s installment. The Indiana men, ranked No. 4 by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America are having a stellar season and led by Blake Pieroni are the favorites to win the Big Ten.

For the women, Olympic gold medalist Lilly King leads the Hoosiers, ranked No. 13 in the women’s poll. Indiana is a Big Ten contender, but trails Michigan as the favorite.

Meanwhile, Purdue is in a bit of a rebuilding stage. The Boilermakers have a few top-level swimmers and Olympic diver Steele Johnson. The women will be led by diver Morgan Meixner, fresh off her 3-meter victory against Michigan State. The Purdue divers will have a definite impact on this rivalry meet, but it likely won’t be enough to catch their rivals this time.

That won’t take away from the stunning atmosphere this meet will bring. It will have a Big Ten Championships feel at a dual meet, which is what makes this rivalry so special.

Michigan State at Ohio State

The Buckeyes host one of their few meets against a Big Ten opponent when they host the Spartans on Friday. Ohio State will then host Pitt and Akron on Saturday. Michigan State then swims at instate rival Oakland University on Saturday.

Saturday roundup

In other Big Ten action on Saturday, Iowa faces Northwestern, Penn State faces Navy, Nebraska swims at Illinois and Rutgers travels to Virginia Tech.

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