Wildcats Set to Face Nebraska in Big Ten Tournament Opener

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern is headed to Madison, Wisc. this weekend to face Nebraska in its first match of the Big Ten Tournament, set for Friday at noon CT. 
 
It is the second consecutive year that the 'Cats have squared off against Nebraska in the first round of the conference tournament, coming out on top 4-2 last season.
 
The Wildcats are coming off a great weekend, with back-to-back sweeps against Purdue and Indiana. Starting on Saturday, the 'Cats took the doubles point early on with a 6-1 win from Brian Berdusco and Simen Bratholm and a 6-2 win from Trice Pickens and Natan Spear before clinching the match with straight set victories at No. 3 from Pickens (6-1, 6-1), No. 1 from Steven Forman (6-2, 6-2) and No. 4 from Presley Thieneman (6-4, 6-1). 
 
Sunday's matchup had a similar result. The 'Cats earned the doubles point, followed by singles wins from Forman (6-0, 6-2), Bratholm (7-6 (3), 6-1) and Pickens (6-3, 6-1). 
 
Three Wildcats are currently on the ITA rankings with Forman at No. 39, Bratholm at No. 121, and Pickens at No. 124. Forman has had a standout season with an 18-6 record and is ranked as high as No. 30 in the ITA rankings. Forman has played in the No. 1 singles position all season.
 
The 'Cats hold an 18-9 record this season and are currently at No. 28 in the latest ITA team rankings.  
 
Nebraska's season record is 9-14 overall and 5-3 in conference. The two teams met earlier this month, when Northwestern took home a 4-3 win. Northwestern is undefeated against Nebraska dating back to 2015 with nine wins.