BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The No. 4 Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team will travel to the Windy City for a non-conference bout at the University of Chicago Tuesday, Nov. 26. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. inside UC's Ratner Athletic Center.
    IWU holds a 5-0 record following a sweep of competition at the Gorlok Classic, Nov. 22-23. The Titans downed Westminster, 82-63, to begin the weekend, Nov. 22, before grabbing a 70-44 victory over host, Webster, Nov. 23. Chicago sits at 3-1 ahead of Wednesday's bout. The Maroons most recently soared past Edgewood College, 77-57, Nov. 24.
    A live stream as well a live stats of the game will be provided, while Eric Stock and Joel Swanson will have the call on the Titan radio broadcast. Links on how to follow along can be found on the men's basketball schedule page of IWUsports.com.

MATCHUPS WITH THE MAROONS: IWU has met up with Chicago annually since 1997, with the exception of the 2020-21 season, and holds a 23-8 edge in the all-time series. The Titans are currently on a seven-game win streak against the Maroons, and have won 11 of the last 12 matchups. UC's last win over IWU came Dec. 14, 2015, where Chicago defeated Illinois Wesleyan, 74-57, in the Windy City.
    Last season, the Titans overcame a halftime deficit with a strong second half to down the Maroons, 75-69. IWU scored 44 points in the second half to erase Chicago's 33-31 halftime edge. Harrison Wilmsen went for 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, while Ryan Sroka and Luke Yoder added 14 and 10 points, respectively.

PUT ON FOR THEIR CITY: The senior duo of Nick Roper and Harrison Wilmsen were named the Gorlok Classic All-Tournament team, Nov. 23, after leading Illinois Wesleyan to wins over Westminster and Webster in their hometown of St. Louis, Mo. Roper averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game over the weekend, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. Wilmsen added 10 points and six rebounds per contest.

HOT START: Illinois Wesleyan's 5-0 start to the season marks the best by the program since the 2021-22 campaign, when IWU won its first six games.

NOTHING COMES EASY: The Titans have stymied the opposition defensively though five games this season, putting Illinois Wesleyan among the best across Division III. IWU is limiting opponents to a field goal percentage of 34.0, eighth-best nationally, while IWU is holding opponents to 62.2 points per game. The Green and White's scoring defense tops the CCIW and ranks 33rd in all of Division III.

WE'LL TAKE THAT: The Green and White racked up a program record 17 steals as IWU forced Westminster into 22 turnovers Friday, Nov. 22. IWU's effort broke the record of 14 set against Puget Sound back on Dec. 29, 2005. Hakim Williams led the effort with a game-high four steals, while Nick Roper and Mason Funk added three apiece.
    Additionally, it is the second time this season Illinois Wesleyan has turned an opponent over 20+ times (UW-Stout, 21), while it was the most since Feb. 16, 2021 when IWU forced Millikin to cough up the ball 22 times.

POLLING STATION:  Illinois Wesleyan is one of 28 programs that have appeared in at least 100 D3hoops.com Top-25 rankings. In fact, the Titans 191 appearances in the weekly poll are eighth-most all-time as well as the most in the CCIW. The Titans are currently ranked No. 4 in the poll, their highest ranking since week seven of the 2021-22 season when IWU was slotted No. 2.

BENCH BOSS: In his 18th season leading his alma mater, Ron Rose has compiled a 330-158 overall record. His career mark includes 171 CCIW wins, the most of any active head coach in the conference.
The Titans won the 2013, 2014, 2022, and 2024 CCIW titles outright and shared the 2018 regular season championship with Augustana. Illinois Wesleyan claimed the 2021 CCIW Championship in a COVID-shortened season as well as the regular season title last season.

ON THE HORIZON: Illinois Wesleyan turns its attention to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play after the holiday break. The Titans will host Carthage College Wednesday night, Dec. 4, in a 7 p.m. tipoff inside the Shirk Center.