After beating Wisconsin 5-2 and getting trampled by Minnesota 4-0 last weekend, the Hoosiers (12-8) will return home to face two more Big Ten opponents.
“I think it’s always nice to be at the court that you practice on most days and hopefully have a good crowd out there that can help us during our matches against Nebraska and Iowa,” IU Coach Jeremy Wurtzman said. “Teams are getting better and better and get a lot of time on the courts that we are playing at, so I wouldn’t say it makes a huge difference.”
The Hoosiers will play their matches outside this weekend, barring weather concerns.
“There are no factors,” Wurtzman said. “We might play in, we might play out, whatever the weather does, we’ll do what it says.”
If the weather does not comply, the Hoosiers will move to their usual home, the IU Tennis Center.
The Hoosiers are more concerned with factors they can control, like preparing for Nebraska and Iowa.
“I think we are very similar teams, both with Nebraska and Iowa,” Wurtzman said. “They are going to be very equal matches and probably won’t be much difference between us and Nebraska or Iowa. I think it’s great for our team to get these opportunities to get out there and play good tennis.”
The No. 44 Hoosiers are 5-2 at home this season and will play six of their eight remaining matches in ?Bloomington.
“It definitely helps when you’re playing at home,” Wurtzman said. “But I don’t think it plays as huge of a role as it might be in other sports because there are so many matches going on at once.”
IU faces Nebraska (9-7) at 2 p.m. Friday at the IU Men’s Tennis Center. The Cornhuskers are 2-2 in the Big Ten this year and are coming off of a 4-0 defeat of Michigan at home.
“Nebraska is talented in a lot of spots,” Wurtzman said. “They play really good tennis so we’re going to be able to have our best effort out there and compete very hard because I think their skills — all throughout — the lineup is very tough.”
The Hoosiers shift their attention to Iowa (10-5), who they will play at 2 p.m. Sunday. Iowa is 3-3 on the road this year, 2-2 in the Big Ten and is coming off a 4-3 home loss against Michigan State on Sunday.
“They have had a great year,” Wurtzman said. “They have beaten some good teams and they play very good tennis as well.”
