The Illinois Wesleyan men’s basketball team tips off their 2025-26 season with their annual Jack Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.
Without preseason exhibition games on the schedule, the Invitational will be the first time the Titans take the court against another team — in the United States at least.
In the offseason, the team played three games in Spain and Portugal. The trip allowed the new team to build chemistry on and off the court.
“We’re super excited to finally be playing someone other than ourselves,” said sophomore guard Josh Fridman.
Fridman is one of five returning players and his stellar play last season earned him D3hoops.com National Rookie of the Year honors. Fridman was also the second Titan to ever be named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year.
Among the other returning players are juniors Jaxson Niego and Mason Funk and seniors Karlo Colak and Nathan Boldt, who all saw regular playing time last season.
After graduating six seniors, Marko Anderson, Trey Bazzell, Shane Miller, Nick Roper, Hakim Williams and Harrison Wilmsen, it’s time to see which players will step up to take their leadership roles. But head coach Ron Rose is confident in his team.
“We will miss their leadership and experience, but I am confident we have players prepared to step into new and expanded roles,” Rose said.
Rose said those five returning players, as well as this year’s seniors, will be expected to guide the team throughout the early part of the season.
Colak, a senior guard, had an impressive postseason in 2025, and scored the game winning shot against Saint John’s University to send IWU to the Sweet 16 last March. He said he’s trying to come out just as strong as he finished last season.
“I try to play with the same level of effort and intensity that I had in the postseason last year,” Colak said, “If I can match that every time I step on the court, I believe I can have a really exciting senior year.”
Colak said the team’s key to success will come from every player’s complete commitment to the team. Coming off of last season’s NCAA run and a 24-6 record, fans have a lot to look forward to this season. The Titans also landed 16th in D3hoops.com’s Top 25 and secured second in the CCIW preseason rankings.
“We are excited to get the season started,” Rose said, “After a month and a half of practice, starting playing games is highly anticipated and needed.
“This group has come a long way and has grown in each practice since the beginning,” Rose said.
The Titans face Illinois College for their home-opener on Nov. 14.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. The winner of the two teams’ matchup will play in the Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational Championship on Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. against the winner of UW-Oshkosh and Maryville (Tenn.)
The loser plays the respective loser in the consolation final at 2 p.m.
