BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team will host Millikin University Saturday afternoon, Feb. 15, in a College Conference of illinois and Wisconsin contest inside the Shirk Center. The Senior Day contest is scheduled for a 4:15 p.m. tipoff and will see Tropical Smoothie Cafe serving five dollar smoothies throughout the day, while also sponsoring a "free smoothie for a year" giveaway.
    Illinois Wesleyan returns to action for the first time in a week looking to off the schneid. The Titans are 18-4 overall and 10-3 in league play after dropping their last two games. IWU most recently falling at Carthage College, 85-74, Feb. 8. Millikin also carries a skid into Saturday's showdown as the Big Blue have lost their last three games. Most recently, MU fell to Wheaton College, 86-78, Feb. 12.
    The game will be live streamed with Eric Stock and Joel Swanson on the call, while a radio broadcast and live stats will also be available. Links on can be found on the basketball schedule page of IWUsports.com.

SENIOR SEND OFF: The Titans will celebrate seniors Hakim Williams, Trey Bazzell, Shane Miller, Nick Roper, Harrison Wilmsen, and Marko Anderson prior to tipoff Saturday afternoon.
Over the past four years, the Green and White have amassed an 73-32 overall record and a 45-16 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin mark. IWU has won two CCIW Regular Season titles and made an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance in 2022.

COME ONE, COME ALL: The Titans have long been known for their strong community support, as evident by the regular crowds that visit the Shirk Center to cheer on IWU basketball. In fact, Illinois Wesleyan is averaging a crowd of 1332 over nine home games, the second-highest average across Division III. Additionally, IWU is one of four Division III programs averaging 1000+ fans alongside Hope (1670 per game), Calvin (1208 per game), & Trine (1200 per game).

LONG-STANDING RIVALRY: IWU and Millikin have met on 241 occasions, with the first match-up held in the 1909-10 season. The 241 total contests rank second in Division III men's basketball in most-played rivalries. The Titans hold a 162-79 advantage against the Big Blue all-time, including winning 33 of the last 36 meetings.
Five double-digit scorers led the Titans to a win in Decatur, Jan. 15, as the Green and White downed the Big Blue, 77-60. Mason Funk led the way with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Karlo Colak added 14 points off the bench.

HELPING HANDS: Senior Hakim Williams dished out a career-high 10 assists in IWU's win over Wheaton, Jan. 25, as the floor general became the 13th Titan to dole out double-digit assists. It is the 33rd time in program history that a player has notched 10+ helpers and is tied for 16th-most in a game all-time. Williams' 10 assists are the most since Luke Yoder tallied 10 against Redlands Dec. 19, 2023.
With four assists in a win at Elmhurst, Feb. 1, Williams surpassed 200 for his career. He is the 29th player in program history with 200+ assists. For his career, Williams has been credited with 207 helpers and ranks 29th all-time in program history. He is four assists behind Jason Jones mark of 211 dished out between 1987 and 1981.

TAKE WHAT'S FREE: Illinois Wesleyan's aggressive offensive play and willingness to attack the rim has led to a lot of trips to the free throw line this season. In fact, IWU is averaging 24.7 free throws per contest, the 15th-most across Division III. More importantly however, the Titans are 16th nationally with 17.3 free throws made per contest. The scary part? Illinois Wesleyan has the opportunity to improve the second ranking, as the Titans are converting 70.0 percent of their free throws - a mark that sits seventh in the CCIW and 207th nationally. IWU is 9-1 when making 70-percent-or-better of its free throw tries this season.

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' 200 appearances in the weekly poll are eighth-most all-time as well as the most in the CCIW. The Titans are currently ranked No. 13 in the poll as of Feb. 10.

HARD TO COME BY: Through 22 games this season, Illinois Wesleyan has established itself as one of the stingiest defenses in all of Division III. The Titans are ranked 19th nationally in field goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to 38.7 percent. IWU is allowing just 68.6 points per game, a mark which is slotted 89th-best across Division III.

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 750 Titan basketball games between both the men and women. The men hold a 315-68 record on their home floor (.822 win pct.).

BENCH BOSS: In his 18th season leading his alma mater, Ron Rose has compiled a 343-162 overall record. His career mark includes 185 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.

WHO NEEDS WINDEX?: There's no need to clean the glass when the Titans are taking the court, as IWU has established itself as one of the best rebounding teams in the country. The Green and White hold a +9.9 rebounding margin, 11th-best nationally, and have averaged 42.73 rebounds per game (17th nationally). Illinois Wesleyan is also ranked in the top-50 in offensive rebounding, averaging 13.59 boards on the offensive end per contest, a mark that is 37th across Division III.

ON THE HORIZON: The Titans will finish out the home portion of the regular season Wednesday, Feb. 19, against North Park University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside the Shirk Center.