Ottawa won its sixth straight game, defeating McPherson College 85-82 on Nov. 23 in McPherson. OU shot 51.6 percent from the floor, 35.3 percent from the floor, and 61.9 percent from the free throw line in the victory.

The Braves are 7-1 to open the season. This is the first time since 2021-22 that OU has started the season 7-1. OU finished that year with record of 21-11 and a fourth place finish in the KCAC.

OU receiving votes NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll. It is the first time that Ottawa has made an appearance in the poll since Oct, 14, 2020.

Ottawa is averaging 88.3 points, 46.5 rebounds, and 16.6 assists per game. The Braves are shooting 46.4 percent from the floor, 31.1 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 72.4 percent from the free throw line.

Jayden Hibbitt leads OU in scoring (16.9), Keith Robinson is Ottawa's leader in rebounding (8.6), Deondre Buggage is the team's leader in assists (3.3), Alex Riddick leads the Braves in blocks (1.0), and Najee Jones is OU's leader in steals (2.6) per game.

Both the Braves and Moundbuilders are ranked 36th in the NAIA in points allowed (68.1). They are also two of the best rebounding teams in the NAIA. Ottawa is ranked fourth in rebounds per game (46.5) and Southwestern is ranked third (48.0). They both hold opponents to under 40 percent shooting from the floor. OU is ranked ninth in the NAIA in opponent field goal percentage (.384) and SWC is ranked 24th (.398).

OU is ranked 23rd in points per game (88.3), 17th in field goals made per game (33.3), eighth in field goals attempted per game (71.6), 23rd in offensive rebounds per game (14.0), fourth in defensive rebounds per game (32.5), fourth in total rebounds per game (46.5), 16th in rebound margin per game (10.5), 39th in assists per game (16.6), 40th in steals per game (9.3), and 36th in points allowed per game (68.1).

Ottawa is 2-0 on the road this season, averaging 82 points per game and shooting 48.8 percent from the floor, 32.6 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 67.6 percent from the free throw line. Opponents are scoring 79.5 points per game and shooting 43.4 percent from the floor, 41.5 percent from behind the 3-pt line, and 70.4 percent from the free throw line.

Wednesday is the 140th meeting between Ottawa University and Southwestern College. Southwestern leads the series, 83-56 and SWC is 4-1 in the last five games between the two teams. The two teams only played in one game last season due to KCAC scheduling, instead of the usual two. Southwestern, then ranked no. 6 in the NAIA, defeated OU 95-75 in Wilson Field House on Jan. 13, 2024. Ottawa has lost three straight to Southwestern in Stewart Field House. OU's last victory over Southwestern in Winfield was on Nov. 18, 2019. Ottawa defeated, then no. 13, Southwestern 92-90. The first ever meeting between the two teams took place on Feb. 9, 1907 in Ottawa. The Braves won the game, 60-14.

Southwestern College is 6-2 overall and 1-2 in the KCAC. The Moundbuilders broke their two game losing streak on Nov. 25 with a 101-67 victory over Haskell Indian Nations University in Winfield. SWC's two losses prior to that win was at Bethel (76-73) on Nov. 20 and in Winfield against the University of Saint Mary (81-72) on Nov. 23.

Wyatt Bell leads Southwestern in scoring (18.8), Zach Hidalgo is the team's leader in rebounding (14.0), Evan Barber is SWC's leader in assists (3.8), Hidalgo is the Moundbuilders' leader in blocks (1.1) per game, and Evan Barber leads SWC in steals (1.0) per game.

Southwestern is ranked seventh in the NAIA in 3-pt field goals made per game (11.5), 12th in 3-pt field goals attempted per game (29.4), 23rd in 3-pt field goal percentage (.391), fifth in offensive rebounds per game (15.6), sixth in defensive rebounds per game (32.4), third in total rebounds per game ( 48), and first in rebound margin per game (21.1).

In the Moundbuilders' four home games, they are scoring 85 points per game and shooting 47.3 percent from the floor.

Southwestern is scoring 85 points per game and shooting 46 percent from the floor in their six victories. In their two losses, SWC averaging 72.5 points per game and shooting 42.4 percent from the floor.