BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - With just seven days remaining in the regular season, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team travels to Tarble Arena for another important College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin game against Carthage College. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. and will follow the IWU women's basketball team's game against the Firebirds.
The Titans enter the weekend off a 79-67 victory over 21st-ranked Elmhurst University Wednesday night, Feb. 7. The key win has IWU sitting on top in the conference race with and 11-2 CCIW mark. The Green and White's record stands at 15-7 overall. Meanwhile, Carthage finds itself in the thick of the CCIW race. The Firebirds hold a 15-7 overall record, including a 9-4 CCIW record. Carthage got back on track with a 76-62 triumph against preseason league favorite, North Park University, Feb. 7.
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 the game can be found on the men's basketball schedule page of iwusports.com.
VIEWS FROM THE TOP: With the Titan's win against Elmhurst, Illinois Wesleyan extended their lead in the CCIW regular season standings with an 11-2 conference mark. Illinois Wesleyan is a game and a half ahead of Elmhurst, who holds a 10-4 CCIW record, while Carthage is a couple games back at 9-4. With just three games until conference tournament play begins, there is still much to be decided as the Titans travel to Carthage this Saturday, Feb. 10 before traveling to North Park on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Additionally, chaos is quickly ensuing below the top three spots in the CCIW. Carroll sits in the fourth place spot at 6-7 in CCIW play, while Millikin sits in the ninth spot at 4-9. Only two games separate six teams, so the next week will prove to be crucial for seeding purposes and determining who makes the CCIW tournament.
DIALED IN ON DEFENSE: The Titans have been one of the top defensive teams in Division III this season. In fact, IWU is limiting opponents to a field goal percentage of 38.8, the 25th-best nationally. The Green and White is giving up just 64.5 points per game (29th nationally).
6 FEET, 8 INCHES OF ROPE: Junior Nick Roper has established himself as one of the elite, all-around scorers in the CCIW. His unique skill set on the offensive end has proved difficult to guard, as Roper has scored in double figures in six out of the Titan's last eight games. In the Titan's last time out, Roper scored a career-high 25 points to give the Green and White a big win over rival Elmhurst. He has posted five 20-point games this season, four of which have come at home in CCIW play (vs. Carroll, vs. Millikin, vs. Augie, & vs. Elmhurst).
CALL HIM RODMAN: One of the hardest working players in the CCIW, Marko Anderson may not stuff the stat sheet in the scoring column, but he makes up for it and then some with his efforts in the rebounding column. Averaging just 16 minutes per game in league play, Anderson leads the Titans in rebounding with 6.2 rebounds per game. His 2.6 offensive rebounds per game are good for second in the CCIW.
In the Titans' most recent win against Elmhurst, Anderson recorded nine total rebounds, seven of those coming on the offensive end in the first half. Doing his best Dennis Rodman impression, Anderson scored only two points in the game, a hook shot coming at the 13:35 mark in the second half.
CLASHES WITH CARTHAGE: Illinois Wesleyan and Carthage share a rivalry that dates back to the 1946-47 season. IWU owns a 108-30 lead in the 138-game history between the two conference foes, but Carthage has claimed the past three of the past four meetings.
The Titans snapped a three-game losing skid against the Firebirds, Jan. 13, inside the Shirk Center as IWU pulled away for a 71-63 victory. Ryan Sroka and Harrison Wilmsen led the way with 17 points apiece, while Nick Roper (10) and Marko Anderson (13) pulled in double-digit rebounds.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN W AND L: Illinois Wesleyan's record can be boiled down to its ability to take care of the ball. Through 22 games, IWU holds a 12-1 record when committing fewer than 15 turnovers. Conversely, when racking up 15-or-more miscues, Illinois Wesleyan is 3-6
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 254 of IWU's 735 points scored at home this season, good for 34.6 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 94-of-167 (56.3 percent) from the floor and 17-of-37 (45.9 percent) from three-point range. In 10 home games, Roper leads the team with 14.1 points per contest, while Wilmsen is second with 11.3 points per game.
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 is tied for the conference lead with 1.8 steals per game and is second in blocks per contest at 1.1. Elsewhere, he is 14th in rebounding (5.3 rpg) and tied for 17th in assists (1.9 apg).
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.
ON THE HORIZON: The Titans travel to Chicago, Ill. for a love-filled rematch with CCIW rival North Park on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Holmgren Athletic Complex.
