BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team will make the short trip to Decatur, Ill. Wednesday night, Jan. 31, to battle the Big Blue of Millikin University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside MU's Griswold Center.
    The Titans enter the week with a 14-6 overall record, highlighted by a 10-1 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin mark. IWU most recently escaped with a 64-60 win over Augustana College, Jan. 27, inside the Shirk Center. Meanwhile, Millikin has stumbled since the calendar turned to the New Year. The Big Blue are 6-14 overall and amid an eight-game losing skid. Millikin is 2-9 in CCIW play, most recently dropping a home game to Carroll University, 83-67, Jan. 27.
    Live stats and a live stream of the game will be provided, while Eric Stock and Joel Swanson will also have the call on WESN. Links on how to follow Saturday's game can be found on the men's basketball schedule page of iwusports.com.

A LITTLE BIT OF THIS, A LITTLE BIT OF THAT: Junior guard Hakim Williams contributes in just about every way possible for the Titans, whether it be distributing the ball, scoring himself, or playing some of the best defense in the conference. Williams' all-around strong play has him scattered throughout the CCIW's top-25 in several statistical categories. In fact, he is the only player ranked in the CCIW's top-15 in both blocked shots and steals in league play. Williams leads the conference with 19 steals (1.9 spg) and is second in blocks with 11. Elsewhere, he is tied for 13th in assists (2.0 apg) and tied for 17th in rebounding (4.7 rpg).

LET HIM WORK: Harrison Wilmsen put together a career-day to help IWU hold off Wheaton, Jan. 17. The St. Louis, Mo. native scored a career-high 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting with six rebounds and a pair of assists. Illinois Wesleyan holds a 7-1 record this season when Wilmsen scores 15+ points, while the Titans are 10-1 when he meets that mark over his career.

HOME SWEET HOME: The Titans enjoy one of the greatest athletic venues in NCAA Division III. The Shirk Center has been home to more than 700 Titan basketball games between both the men and women. The men hold a 305-66 record on their home floor (.822 win pct.).

LONG-STANDING RIVALRY: IWU and Millikin have met on 239 occasions, with the first match-up held in the 1909-10 season. The 239 total contests rank second in Division III men's basketball in most-played rivalries. The Titans hold a 161-78 advantage against the Big Blue all-time, including winning the past 15 meetings and 32 of the last 34.
The Titans won the first meeting between the two this season, defeating the Big Blue, 72-50, inside the Shirk Center, Jan. 10. Nick Roper led all scorers with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Trey Bazzell added 15 points off the bench.

DIALED IN ON DEFENSE: The Titans have been one of the top defensive teams in all of Division III this season. In fact, IWU is limiting opponents to a field goal percentage of 39.0, the 27th-best in the country. The Green and White is giving up just 64.7 points per game (33rd nationally).

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN W AND L: Illinois Wesleyan's record can be boiled down to its ability to take care of the ball. Through 20 games, IWU holds a 11-1 record when committing fewer than 15 turnovers. Conversely, when racking up 15-or-more miscues, Illinois Wesleyan is 3-5.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME: The junior duo of Nick Roper and Harrison Wilmsen have seemingly found a second home inside the Shirk Center this season. The St. Louis, Mo. natives have accounted for 216 of IWU's 656 points scored at home this season, good for 33 percent. Not only have the two posted plenty of points, they have done so at an incredibly efficient rate. Together, they have combined to go 81-of-142 (57.0 percent) from the floor and 14-of-32 (43.8 percent) from three-point range.  In nine home games, Roper leads the team with 12.9 points per contest, while Wilmsen is second with 11.1 points per game.

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 year stands at 7-3 in white, 5-2 in green, 1-0 in grey, and 1-1 in black.

NEW YEAR, NEW ME: Since the calendar flipped over to 2024, senior Ryan Sroka has found his footing. In seven games in the new year, Sroka has drained 31-of-56 shots, good for a 55.4 percent clip. Surprisingly, in this stretch, Sroka is just 5-of-17 from three, making his efficient shooting from two-point range of 26-of-39 (66.7 percent) even more impressive. Additionally, Sroka has committed just six turnovers in the seven-game span.

ON THE HORIZON: The Titans enjoy a weekend off before returning to the hardwood Wednesday, Feb. 7, against Elmhurst University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside the Shirk Center and will see IWU try to even the regular season series, after the Bluejays bested the Titans to begin CCIW play, Nov. 29.