The Ottawa University men's basketball team (1-0) will travel to Wichita, Kan., this weekend to compete in the Jack Kater Classic, hosted by Friends University at the Garvey Center. The Braves will face John Brown University (1-0) on Friday, Oct. 30, before taking on Haskell Indian Nations University (0-2) on Saturday, Oct. 31.Ottawa enters the weekend looking to build on its season-opening 97-80 victory over Hesston College on Tuesday, Oct. 27, inside Wilson Field House. The Braves had five players score in double figures and shot 50 percent from the field in the victory.

In the win over Hesston College on Wednesday, Ottawa shot 50 percent from the floor (34-for-68), 21.1 percent from behind the 3-point line (4-for-19), and 83.3 percent from the free throw line (25-for-30). Ottawa outrebounded Hesston 48-31, including a 20-13 advantage on the offensive glass. The Braves finished with 17 assists, eight steals, and two blocked shots. Ottawa scored 97 points in its season opener, ranking 20th in the NAIA in scoring average through games reported as of Oct. 29. The Braves ranked ninth nationally in offensive rebounds per game (20.0) and free throw percentage (83.3 percent). Ottawa also ranked 20th nationally in rebounds per game (48.0) and rebounding margin (+17.0). The Braves were selected to finish 10th in the 2026-27 KCAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Braves' Statistical Leaders: Jackson Harding Scored 19 points against Hesston, tying for the team lead. Shot 5-for-11 from the field and 2-for-3 from behind the 3-point line. Connected on seven of eight free throw attempts. Finished with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Seb Khan: Scored 19 points in his first collegiate start. Shot 8-for-9 from the floor, 1-for-1 from behind the arc, and 2-for-2 at the free throw line. Grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists. Played a team-high 32 minutes. Aiden Olmestead: Finished with 14 points off the bench. Shot 5-for-10 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Added three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block. Josiah Pattinson: Scored 12 points and pulled down three rebounds. Finished 6-for-9 at the free throw line. Added two assists and one steal.

Seb Khan Makes History in Season Opener: Freshman point guard Seb Khan made history in Ottawa's season-opening victory over Hesston College on Oct. 27. Khan became the first freshman to start at point guard for the Braves in a season opener in the last 25 years. He is the first freshman to start a game at point guard since Isaac Johnston, who made his first collegatie start on Jan. 8, 2009, against Bethany College inside Wilson Field House. Johnston finished with six points in 24 minutes. In his first career start, Khan helped lead Ottawa to a 97-80 victory over Hesston, scoring 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the field. He also grabbed eight rebounds and finished with four assists in 32 minutes of action.

Scouting John Brown University (1-0): John Brown opened its 2026-27 season with a 107-58 victory over Ecclesia College on Oct. 24. The Golden Eagles shot 44.6 percent from the field (41-for-92), 15.6 percent from behind the 3-point line (5-for-32), and 69 percent from the free throw line (20-for-29). John Brown outrebounded Ecclesia 57-44, including 27 offensive rebounds. The Golden Eagles finished with 21 assists, 17 steals, and six blocked shots. John Brown forced Ecclesia into 31 turnovers while committing only 10. The Golden Eagles rank fifth in the NAIA in scoring average (107.0), third in rebounds per game (57.0), and first in offensive rebounds per game (27.0). John Brown also ranks fourth nationally in steals per game (17.0) and ninth in blocked shots per game (6.0).

Fred Rogers III: Leads the Golden Eagles with 17 points per game, shooting 77.8 percent from the floor. Jack Ullom: Averages 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, shooting 63.6 percent from the field. Ma'aiki Dauda: Finished with 12 points in the season opener. Jay Baxter: Scored nine points, grabbed seven rebounds, and recorded five steals. Patrick Odingo: Added nine points and three steals.

Ottawa vs. John Brown – Series History: `John Brown leads the all-time series 1-0. The Braves and Golden Eagles have met just once in program history. The only previous meeting took place on Nov. 25, 1966, in Siloam Springs, Ark. John Brown defeated Ottawa 89-81. Friday's contest will be the first meeting between the programs in nearly 60 years. Ottawa will look to earn its first victory over John Brown and even the all-time series at 1-1.

Scouting Haskell Indian Nations University: Haskell enters the Jack Kater Classic with an 0-2 overall record. The Fighting Indians opened the season with an 84-78 loss at Baker University on Oct. 22. Haskell fell 79-61 at Benedictine College on Oct. 27. Haskell averages 69.5 points per game while allowing 81.5 points per contest. The Fighting Indians shoot 37.6 percent from the field (50-for-133), 27.8 percent from behind the 3-point line (15-for-54), and 70.6 percent from the free throw line (24-for-34). Haskell averages 37.5 rebounds, 11 assists, and 7.5 steals per game. The Fighting Indians are averaging 14.5 offensive rebounds per contest. Opponents are shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from behind the arc against Haskell.

Haskell Statistical Leaders: Parker Baumann: Leads the Fighting Indians with 23.5 points per game, shooting 40 percent from behind the 3-point line and averaging 7.5 rebounds. Zi White Woman: Averages 14.5 points and a team-high eight rebounds per contest, shooting 61.9 percent from the field. Preston Olney: Averages 9.5 points and 2.5 assists per game. Cordell Funmaker: Averages six points per game and shoots 60 percent from the floor. Kelan Payne: Averages four points and a team-high three steals per game.

Ottawa vs. Haskell – Series History: Ottawa leads the all-time series 51-14. The Braves and Fighting Indians first met on March 2, 1916, with Ottawa earning a 34-25 victory. The two programs have a series history spanning more than 110 years. Ottawa has won the last eight meetings, including a 103-81 victory on Oct. 28, 2025, inside Wilson Field House. The Braves have scored at least 80 points in each of the last four meetings.  Ottawa's last loss to Haskell came on Nov. 12, 2016, when the Fighting Indians defeated the Braves 87-72 at a neutral site. Ottawa has won 15 of the last 16 meetings, including the 2019 victory awarded by forfeit. The Braves have scored at least 100 points against Haskell four times, including a 105-89 triple-overtime victory on Nov. 6, 2004.

About the Jack Kater Classic: The Jack Kater Classic honors former Friends University coach Jack Kater, who established a successful coaching legacy during his tenure at Friends from 1969 to 1979. Kater led the Friends men's basketball program to four Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference championships during the 1969-70, 1970-71, 1974-75, and 1976-77 seasons. In addition to his basketball success, Kater guided the Friends men's golf program to three consecutive KCAC championships from 1977 through 1979. Throughout his coaching career, Kater experienced success in several sports, including basketball, track, football, softball, and golf. The Jack Kater Classic is hosted at the Garvey Center on the campus of Friends University in Wichita, Kan.