In a game that features two teams trending in opposite directions, the Wilmington College men's basketball team hosts Otterbein 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fred Raizk Arena in Hermann Court.
The Fightin' Quakers have won four straight, while the Cardinals have dropped six in a row.
However, Otterbein (2-11 overall, 1-5 OAC) has talent that isn't indicative its record.
"I think they have some skilled guards," said Wilmington head coach K.C. Hunt. "Jake Bischoff is one of the best pure scorers in the league. They are a young basketball team trying to find its way, but as always every team in this league is really dangerous if you don't respect them and if you're not ready to go."
A sophomore guard, Bischoff is third in the league in scoring with 17.3 points per game. He has reached double figures in every game this season, and has scored at least 20 points on four occasions. He is shooting well beyond the arc, making 45 percent (34-of-75) of his shots. His conversion rate is sixth in the OAC. Bischoff is also second on the team in rebounding, hauling in 3.8 boards per game.
"Bischoff is a guy that can create his own shot, both off the bounce all the way to the basket and as well as his mid-range game," said Hunt. "He is a complete player. We are going to have to do a great job of playing team defense on him, and I think the key for us will be can we rebound the ball. If we rebound the ball, we will put ourselves in a good position."
Freshman guard Jake Phillis is second on the team with 14.2 points, shooting 40 percent (57-of-142) from the field. He has reached double figures in all but two games this season, including a career-high 28 points against Hamline. The 28-point effort capped a three-game run in which Phillis scored at least 20 points.
On the boards, freshman Grant Fenner is leading the Cardinals with 4.1 rebounds per game. He is also third on the team with 9.1 points.
Wilmington knows it can't take the youthful Otterbein team, a group in which four of its top scorers are either freshmen or sophomores, for granted.
"We are taking this one game at a time," said Hunt. "If you start thinking that you are good, that is when you get beat. SO we are really talking about having a mental focus, preparing to have a great week. First up on Wednesday is Otterbein. They are a talented group of guys, they just haven't put it together yet. Obviously, youth and inexperience will give you problems; especially with the number of veteran groups out there. We can't underestimate their talent. They have some guys that can really play. It's going to be up to us to make sure we are bringing our 'A' game tomorrow. It's going to be fun to be in front of our home crowd now that the students are back on campus."