BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team will play its final home game of the calendar year Wednesday, Dec. 6, as North Park University pays a visit to the Shirk Center. The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin bout is slated for a 7 p.m. start.
    The Titans are 5-3 on the season and an even 1-1 in CCIW play. IWU most recently knocked off Carroll University, 79-69, Dec. 2. The Vikings are 2-5 on the year and 0-2 in league games. NPU has seen some tight losses as of late and finds itself on a five-game skid. North Park most recently came up short against 21st-ranked Elmhurst, 74-69, Dec. 2.
    Fans can tune into the game via live stats, live stream, or radio broadcast. Eric Stock will call the action on the court on 88.1 FM WESN and the live stream alongside Joel Swanson. Links on how to follow along can be found on the men's basketball schedule page of IWUsports.com.

HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN?: The answer to the question "How deep is the ocean?" may yield the same answer as "How deep is the Titan's bench?" In the Titan's first eight games, a total of 12 Titans are averaging over nine minutes per game. Additionally, the Titans are outscoring their opponents 223-124 in bench points and five different IWU players have been the team's leading scorer this season.
    Specifically, junior Shane Miller cracked into the rotation on Saturday night against Carroll, playing over 14 minutes, and recorded two rebounds, two steals, and three points. Freshmen Jackson Niego and Mason Funk are also progressively gaining playing time, each averaging around 10 minutes per contest in league play.

SIX FEET, EIGHT INCHES OF ROPE: St. Louis native Nick Roper has burst onto the scene in his junior campaign and has been especially impressive in CCIW play. Plagued by injury last year, Roper has started all eight games for the Titans this season and averages the third most minutes on the team. In his last two contests, Roper leads the Titans with 17.5 points per game on 56% shooting from the floor. In a win over Carroll on Saturday night, Roper recorded career highs with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

DUELS WITH THE VIKINGS: In a series dating back to the 1961-62 season, the Titans hold a 91-36 advantage over the Vikings. IWU has won 10 of the past 13 matchups, but NPU got the best of the Titans in their two matchups last season. Coming off their first ever CCIW Tournament Championship in the 2022-23 season, the Vikings were picked to win the league again in this year's preseason poll.

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 301-66 record on their home floor, good for a .820 win percentage.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!: The Titans have been elite defensively through the team's first eight games of the season. Not only is Illinois Wesleyan one of the top defensive teams in the CCIW, IWU is among the top in Division III. IWU is holding opponents to a field goal percentage of 38.7 percent, the best mark in the CCIW and the 49th-best nationally. Additionally, IWU is giving up just 66.2 points per game, good for 70th in Division III.

A TEST BEFORE FINALS?!: With non-conference play mostly behind them, the Titans were tested with several top-25 opponents before the CCIW gauntlet gets into full swing. In fact, according to the Massey Ratings, the Titans hold the 11th-toughest schedule in all of Division III. Out of the eight teams that the Titans have played this season, four of them have been ranked or are currently receiving votes in the D3hoops.com poll. WashU and Elmhurst, both teams that the Titans have faced, are currently ranked 16th and 21st, respectively. Still remaining on IWU's schedule this year are No. 22 Carthage, another bout with 21st-ranked Elmhurst, and a Redlands squad that is receiving votes.

MEN IN BLACK: Illinois Wesleyan sported its alternate uniforms in its win at WashU, Nov. 22, picking up the Titans first win in the black uniforms. The alternate was introduced last season. IWU's record by uniform this season stands at 3-2 in white, 1-1 in green, and 1-0 in black.

PAYING OFF: The 2022-23 season saw Hakim Williams thrust into point guard duties for the Titans, leaving Williams to play out of his usual position for most of last season. The time as IWU's point guard is paying off for Williams, who has the Green and White's best assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.55. His mark, which is second-best in the conference, ranks 62nd nationally. The Round Lake, Ill. native is averaging 3.5 assists per game with 28 dimes to his credit this season, both of which lead the team.

ON THE HORIZON: Illinois Wesleyan hits the road this Saturday, Dec. 9, as the Titans begin a five-game roadtrip at North Central College. Tipoff is set for 7:15 p.m.