We haven't seen Rutgers true sophomore Nick Suriano wrestle an NCAA match since February 2, when he beat #10 Sebastian Rivera 4-1 at a dual meet at Northwestern. What's happened since then?

February 4: According to Scarlet Knights head coach Scott Goodale, Suriano developed flu-like symptoms and did not weigh in for Rutgers' next dual meet against Illinois. The Scarlet Knights forfeited the weight, as they did not travel with a backup 125-pounder on the road trip that started two days earlier at Northwestern. 

Today's dual will start with a forfeit at 125 pounds, as Nick Suriano is out against Illinois this afternoon.

Goodale: "Nick developed flu-like symptoms this weekend, forcing us to hold him out of our dual with Illinois. We'll continue to monitor him moving forward."

— Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) February 4, 2018

February 9: Rutgers was back home for a senior night dual with Minnesota, but Suriano again did not wrestle. In his place stepped Luke Ecklof, a true freshman who burned his redshirt in a 16-0 technical fall loss to #8 Ethan Lizak.

February 16: The Scarlet Knights took on the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison, but without Suriano. Another true freshman burned a redshirt when Shane Metzler got the starting nod in the dual, pinning UW's Johnny Jimenez in 60 seconds. 

February 18: It was Metzler again as Rutgers went to Princeton to finish the regular season. The Scarlet Knights took out their Garden State rivals and held on to the "B1G Ivy" trophy for another year. 

Fun one for us this afternoon at Princeton.

Great team win as our focus shifts to March.#RUWR | #RelentlessPursuit pic.twitter.com/ydIE6m9yQ4

— Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) February 18, 2018

Rutgers is now approaching a full month without Suriano in a singlet, and the Big Ten Championships are looming right around the corner. 

With Metzler and Ecklof having both participated in the National Collegiate Open, all signs point to Suriano's return in East Lansing, Michigan, this weekend. However, we have yet to hear an official word on the topic from the Scarlet Knights. What also remains to be seen is what kind of shape Suriano will be in if and when he takes the mat. 

WATCH THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE!

DATE: March 3-4  | TIME: 10 AM ET | WHERE: Michigan State University

As a potential #1 seed (as figured by our very own Daniel Lobdell), Suriano is sure to have a major impact on the tournament. Suriano is Rutgers' best chance at getting a conference champion for the third year in a row, as Anthony Ashnault went back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, becoming the first Scarlet Knight to win a wrestling Big Ten title in school history.

But Suriano's path to the top of the Big Ten podium won't be easy, as the conference is ridiculously stacked at 125. Besides the aforementioned top 10-ranked Rivera and Lizak, the weight class can also expect to see #3 Spencer Lee and #4 Nathan Tomasello. The bracket will be insane and will only get crazier with a healthy Suriano. 

Where is Nick?? pic.twitter.com/jkXuqyNwmn

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) February 26, 2018