McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team is set to face off against Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) in a top-10 non-conference matchup on Thursday, December 19, at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Illinois. The Titans, currently ranked ninth with an 8-1 record, recently defeated Elmhurst University with a score of 86-68. Meanwhile, the second-ranked Bears have maintained an undefeated 9-0 streak this season.

"The greatest non-conference rivalry in Division III men's basketball" will be renewed as these two teams meet for the 45th time since their first encounter in the 1933-34 season. Illinois Wesleyan holds a slight lead in the series with a 24-20 advantage and aims to secure another victory against WashU after last season's impressive win of 76-50.

This upcoming game presents contrasting styles between the teams. Illinois Wesleyan is known for its strong defense, ranking ninth nationally in field goal percentage defense, while WashU boasts one of the top offenses across Division III with a field goal percentage of 51.4 percent.

Illinois Wesleyan has relied heavily on its senior players this season, including Nick Roper who leads the team with an average of 14.9 points per game. Freshman Josh Fridman has also emerged as a key player after being promoted to the starting lineup and delivering solid performances.

The Titans are led by head coach Ron Rose, who has compiled a record of 332 wins over his tenure at his alma mater. Under his leadership, Illinois Wesleyan has claimed multiple conference titles and remains competitive within Division III basketball.

Looking ahead, Illinois Wesleyan will participate in the Cru Classic hosted by the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor later this month.