Representing the Spartans (9-9 overall, 1-8 Big Ten) are sophomore 149-pounder Dan Osterman, freshman 157-pounder Sean McMurray, junior 174-pounder Curran Jacobs, junior 197-pounder Tyler Dickenson and sophomore heavyweight Joe Rizqallah — each of whom is making their first career NCAA appearances.

“Everybody’s been wrestling really well this year, and all the guys are scrappy,” Osterman said. “Everyone has a chance to do well. Everyone’s put in the time and been dedicated all season, and I feel like good things can happen.”

All five wrestlers received automatic bids to nationals and will be among 330 wrestlers — 33 for the 10 weight classes — competing. Because the Big Ten is the most talented conference in the nation, often times competing in NCAAs is a slightly more manageable task for the Spartans.

“The (Big Ten) Tournament is exceptionally tough,” Minkel said. “The good side of that is that when you advance to the NCAAs, the tournament feel there is actually relatively not as difficult. There are wrestlers from other conferences that aren’t as strong so the talent is not nearly as condensed as it is in the Big Ten.”

The first round of the tournament begins Thursday morning, and the subsequent rounds continue into the weekend. Each match winner will advance in his weight class’ bracket, leading up to the championship round on Saturday.

Facing off in the first round, Osterman (24-9 overall) will wrestle Virginia’s 149-pounder Derek Valenti. If Osterman advances, he could potentially face Penn State’s No. 2-seed Frank Molinaro — whom he lost to in a 12-5 decision in the regular season.

Rizqallah’s (20-12) bid earned him a close-to-home first round match against Eastern Michigan’s heavyweight David Wade. Qualifying as a true freshman, McMurray (16-13) will take on Clarion’s No. 9-seed 157-pounder James Flemming.

“Anytime you go to the NCAAs, that’s a pretty significant accomplishment, and to do that as a true freshman is even more so,” Minkel said. “I think that just speaks to the fact that (McMurray) is a very, very tough young man. He’s very accomplished.”

Both competing against Lehigh wrestlers in the first round, Jacobs (24-11) will face No. 11-seed 174-pounder Austin Meys, while Dickenson (22-15) will wrestle 197-pounder Joseph Kennedy.

Being the oldest Spartans going to the national championships, Jacobs and Dickenson have an advantage from their ample experiences competing in the Big Ten.

“(Meys) is a really strong kid, and his strength is his strength,” Jacobs said. “I don’t think he’s going to be able to handle my style as far as my balance and aggression goes, and I’m going to take it to him.”

The top eight wrestlers finishing in each weight class will receive All-American honors.

“It might be a long shot to say these guys are going to be national champions, but every guy can win every match,” Dickenson said. “So it may be a long shot, but I’m excited because I believe in all our guys, and I don’t think that any of them are ever going to lose a match.”