Illinois Wesleyan Titans Set to Host Sweet 16 Game

Eighth-ranked IWU faces No. 11 Endicott in Division III tournament matchup

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Illinois Wesleyan Titans, ranked 8th in Division III, will host the 11th-ranked Endicott Gulls in the Sweet 16 round of the national tournament on Friday. The Titans enter the game on a 10-game winning streak, having won 19 of their last 20 games, while the high-scoring Gulls average 85 points per game.

Why it matters

Illinois Wesleyan's deep tournament run showcases the strength of their program, which is making its second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. The matchup between IWU's stifling defense and Endicott's high-powered offense promises an exciting clash of styles in the Division III tournament.

The details

The Titans (25-4) earned their spot in the Sweet 16 by defeating Heidelberg and John Carroll in the previous rounds, both at home. IWU head coach Ron Rose noted that while his team has played well, there is still room for growth, which he finds exciting. The Gulls (28-1) enter the game as one of the nation's highest scoring teams, averaging 85 points per game, in contrast to IWU's 74.5 points per game average.

  • The Sweet 16 game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • Illinois Wesleyan is making its second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.

The players

Illinois Wesleyan Titans

The Illinois Wesleyan Titans are the 8th-ranked Division III men's basketball team, making their second straight Sweet 16 appearance.

Endicott Gulls

The Endicott Gulls are the 11th-ranked Division III men's basketball team, known for their high-powered offense that averages 85 points per game.

Ron Rose

The head coach of the Illinois Wesleyan Titans, who noted that his team has played well but still has room for growth.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've played some really good basketball but I think there's some growth left in us. That's exciting.”

— Ron Rose, Head Coach, Illinois Wesleyan Titans

What’s next

The winner of the Illinois Wesleyan vs. Endicott Sweet 16 matchup will advance to the Elite 8 round of the Division III national tournament.

The takeaway

Illinois Wesleyan's deep tournament run and matchup against high-scoring Endicott showcases the strength of their program and the exciting clash of styles in the Division III tournament.