The Braves started the 2024-25 season 1-0 with an 82-52 victory over Jarvis Christian University on Friday night in Wilson Field House. Ottawa shot 40.3 percent from the floor, 18.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 75.9 percent from the free throw line. The Braves led 15-12 in points off turnovers, had a 38-26 advantage in points in the paint, led 15-9 in second-chance scoring, and OU's bench outscored Jarvis Christian's 34-10.

This season, Ottawa is averaging 82 points, 54 rebounds, and 17 assists per game. OU is shooting 40.3 percent from the floor, 18.8 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 75.9 percent from the free throw line.

Keith Robinson leads OU in scoring, averaging 24 points per game. Robinson and Sam Williams leads OU in rebounding, averaging nine rebounds per game apiece. Najee Jones is the Braves' leader in assists (5), Alex Riddick is OU's leader in blocks (2) per game, and Jones leads OU in steals (4) per game.

The Braves are ranked 32nd in the NAIA in points per game (82), 44th in field goals made per game (27), 24th in field goals attempted per game (67), 46th in 3-pt field goals made per game (6), eighth in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (32), seventh in free throws made per game (22), 12th in free throws attempted per game (29), 22nd in free throw percentage (75.9), 11th in offensive rebounds per game (17), fourth in defensive rebounds per game (37), fifth in total rebounds per game (54), 25th in rebound margin per game (13), 19th in assists per game (17), seventh in opponents assists per game (6), 27th in turnovers per game (12), 37th in opponents' turnovers per game (15), 38th in steals per game (9), 19th in opponents' steals per game (5), 39th in blocks per game (2), 29th in opponents' blocks per game (2), eighth in points allowed per game (52), fourth in opponent free throw attempts (14.3), and 18th in free throws total-attempts (22-29).

Monday will be the 206th meeting between Ottawa University and Baker University. Baker leads the series, 107-98, but the Braves are on a six game winning streak against the Wildcats. OU won last season's contest in Baldwin City, 85-80 on Nov. 1. OU has won three straight games against Baker in Wilson Field House. The last time OU fell to Baker in Wilson Field House was on Nov. 1, 2016. Baker won the game, 78-64.

Monday's night's game against Ottawa University is Baker University's first game of the season. The Wildcats finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 23-10 and a Heart mark of 18-6. Baker finished second in the Heart last season behind MidAmerica Nazarene University. Baker qualified for the 2023-24 NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament. The Wildcats won the first round 74-71 over Nelson University, then named Southwestern Assembles of God University. Baker played Evangel University in the second round, falling 90-68.

Baker is ranked no. 19 in the NAIA and was picked to win the Heart in the 2024-25 Heart Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll, receiving 12 first place votes and 144 points.  Baker has not won a regular season Heart title since 1989 when they shared it with Tarkio College (Mo.).

In 2023-24, Baker averaged 80.2 points, 39.5 rebounds, and 13.8 assists per game. The Wildcats shot 47.5 percent from the floor, 34.4 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 68.2 percent from the free throw line.

Baker returns First Team All-Heart selections Noah Rigatuso and Quentin Harvey, and Second Team selection Ty Henry. Harvey led Baker in scoring last season, averaging 17.3 points per game. Noah Rigatuso led Baker in rebounding, averaging 6.1 rebounds per game.

In 2023-24, Baker was ranked 33rd in the NAIA in points (2,645), 48th in field goals made per game (29.8), 49th in field goal percentage (47.5%), 26th in defensive rebounds per game (28.9), 39th in total rebounds per game (39.5), 46th in rebound margin per game (4.7), 33rd in opponents' turnovers per game (15), 37th in steals per game (8.6), and 34th in opponent field goal percentage (41.5%).