McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team is set to face Carthage College in a significant College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) matchup at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The game is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, with tipoff at 4:15 p.m., following the women's game against the Firebirds.

The Titans approach this game after a victory over Elmhurst University, ranked 21st, on February 7. This win has placed them at the top of the conference standings with an 11-2 record in CCIW play and an overall record of 15-7. Carthage holds a similar overall record but stands at 9-4 in conference games after defeating North Park University on February 7.

Live stats and streaming will be available for those who wish to follow the game remotely. Eric Stock and Joel Swanson will provide commentary on WESN.

"With just three games until conference tournament play begins, there is still much to be decided as the Titans travel to Carthage this Saturday," states the release. Illinois Wesleyan currently leads the CCIW standings by one and a half games over Elmhurst.

Defensively, Illinois Wesleyan has been strong this season, limiting opponents to a field goal percentage of 38.8%. "In fact, IWU is limiting opponents to a field goal percentage of 38.8, the 25th-best nationally," according to the release.

Junior Nick Roper has emerged as a key player for Illinois Wesleyan, consistently scoring in double figures in recent games. He recently achieved a career-high score of 25 points against Elmhurst.

Marko Anderson contributes significantly through his rebounding efforts despite limited playing time. "Anderson leads the Titans in rebounding with 6.2 rebounds per game," notes the release.

The rivalry between Illinois Wesleyan and Carthage dates back decades, with IWU holding a historical lead but having lost three out of their last four meetings until their recent victory on January 13.

Illinois Wesleyan's success appears linked to their ability to minimize turnovers; they hold a strong record when committing fewer than fifteen turnovers per game.

Looking ahead, Illinois Wesleyan will face North Park University on February 14 in Chicago.