BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team will kick off the 2023 season Tuesday night, Jan. 3, inside the Shirk Center as host to Washington University in St. Louis. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Titans hold a 6-4 record on the year and will return to action for the first time since Dec. 20. IWU most recently outlasted Chicago, 67-63, in overtime in the Windy City. Meanwhile, WashU sits at 8-2 on the year and brings a three-game win streak into Bloomington. The Bears enter the game after a, 86-49, blowout win at Westminster, Dec. 30. WashU will play in just its fourth road game of the season Tuesday night.
Fans can tune into the game via live stats, live stream, or radio broadcast. Links on how to follow along can be found on the men's basketball schedule page of IWUsports.com.
THE GREATEST NON-CONFERENCE RIVALRY IN D3HOOPS: Tuesday night's tilt will serve as the 43rd all-time meeting between Illinois Wesleyan and WashU in a series that first began in the 1933-34 season. Since winning the series' first game 33-32, IWU has built up a 23-19 lead in the all-time tally. The road team has won four of the past five meetings, dating back to Dec. 17, 2016.
WashU outlasted IWU in the last two bouts, with both coming on Dec. 19. Just last season, the Bears tripped up the Titans, 71-61, in St. Louis. In 2019, WashU escaped the Shirk Center victorious, 97-88.
BEATING THE BEARS: The Titans are in search for their first win over WashU since Nov. 20, 2018, when they bested the Bears, 92-85, in St. Louis. Additionally, IWU is looking to down WashU inside the Shirk Center for the first time since the 2015-16 season. That year, IWU came out on top, 67-57, Dec. 5, 2015. Brady Rose led the Titans with 15 points in that game, while Joel Pennington added 14 points off the bench.
WORTH THE WAIT: D3hoops fans will get a belated gift as the Titans and Bears renew one of the greatest non-conference rivalries in the country. In fact, the two teams will square off after the New Year for the first time since the two squads met in the NCAA Tournament. IWU edge WashU, 71-67, March 9, 2013. In fact, the WashU and IWU have met after the holiday break five times since the 1989-90 season, with all five occurrences coming in the NCAA Tournament (2012-13, 2009-10, 2002-03, 1995-96, 1994-95).
MR. 300: With Illinois Wesleyan's overtime win at Chicago, Dec. 20, Ron Rose earned his 300th career victory. In his 17-year career, Rose has accumulated a 300-140 record including five conference championships. Currently, Rose's 300 career wins are second-most in Illinois Wesleyan history, trailing only school record holder Dennie Bridges (667-319, 1965-2001).
Furthermore, Rose's 300-140 record at the helm of his alma mater gives him the 26th-best win percentage among active NCAA Division III bench bosses, as well as the top in the CCIW.
BALANCED BOX SCORE: Illinois Wesleyan has been at its best when the scoring has been balanced this season. In fact, IWU is 6-2 when three-or-more players score 10+ points, while the Titans are 0-2 when fewer than three players hit double figures.
A BATTLE IT WILL BE: The Titans will have their work cut out for them when they take on the Bears Tuesday night. WashU ranks fourth in all of Division III with a three-point field goal percentage of 42.3, and sits 16th in overall FG% at 49.3. The Bears efficiency on offense is only part of WashU's recipe for success, as they are 18th in the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 60.5 points per game.
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!: The Titans needed overtime to take care of the Maroons, Dec. 20, escaping the Windy City with a 67-63 triumph. The game marked IWU's second overtime contest of the season and the Titans' 34th OT contest since the 2000-01 season. Over that span, IWU has compiled a 18-16 record.
NO NEED FOR WINDEX: Illinois Wesleyan has been dominant on the glass this season, out-rebounding its opponents 411 to 318. The strong effort on the glass has IWU holding a +9.2 rebounding margin on the season, the 21st-best in all of Division III. Senior Cody Mitchell leads the Green and White with 8.9 boards per contest. Hakim Williams' 4.9 rebounds per game are good for second-best on the team, followed by Ryan Sroka with 4.5. Harrison Wilmsen pulls in 4.4,. Nick Roper averaged 4.0 per game before injury, and Marko Anderson adds 3.8 caroms per contest. Evan Schneider tallies 3.6 rebounds per outing, with Lucas Heflen adding 3.1 per game.
FROM THE 314 TO THE 309: It's no secret that IWU's coaching staff has had great recruiting success in recent years, especially in the St. Louis area. If 2022 graduate and All-American Matthew Leritz foreshadows the success that St. Louis natives can have at Illinois Wesleyan, there will be much success to be had for three current players on the IWU roster. Nick Roper, who is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign also hails from the Lou, along with sophomore Harrison Wilmsen and junior Evan Schneider, who look to add to the list of successful St. Louis big men.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Titans remain at home this Saturday to enjoy one of the greatest athletic venues in NCAA Division III. The Shirk Center has been home to more than 650 Titan basketball games between both the men and women. The men hold a 295-61 record on their home floor, good for a .829 win percentage.
SCHEDULE SHUFFLE: Despite seeing their flights to Portland canceled over the holiday break, the Titans will still be heading to the Pacific Northwest. Fortunately, IWU was able to reschedule games at Linfield and George Fox for Jan. 23 and Jan. 24, respectively.
ON THE HORIZON: The Green and White returns to CCIW play this weekend, Saturday, Jan. 7, with a road game at Carthage College. Tipoff is set for 4:15 p.m. and will serve as the second leg of a doubleheader with the IWU women's basketball team.
