NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The reigning College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Regular Season Champion Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team was predicted to defend its title as the Titans topped the league's annual preseason coaches poll announced Friday, Oct. 25. 

The Green and White garnered five of nine first-place votes to earn the top spot in the poll with 61 points. IWU just slightly edged out Carthage, which ranked second with four first-place nods and 60 points. Elmhurst rounded out the top-three with 46 points. 

Augustana (40), North Central (32), and Carroll (31) were slotted fourth through sixth, respectively, while Millikin and North Park tied for seventh with 19 points apiece. Wheaton ranked ninth with 16 points.

Illinois Wesleyan, which posted a 19-8 season a year ago, won the 2024-25 CCIW Regular Season title with a 14-2 record. IWU returns three All-CCIW honorees in Nick Roper, Harrison Wilmsen, and Hakim Williams, along with a solid core that contributed to last season's success. 

The Titans, led by five-time CCIW Coach of the Year Ron Rose, will take part in exhibition games at DePaul University and Butler University, Oct. 27-30, before officially tipping off the season as host of the Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational, Nov. 8-9.

2024-25 CCIW Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Illinois Wesleyan (5 first-place votes), 61 points
2. Carthage (4 first-place vote), 60 points
3. Elmhurst, 46 points
4. Augustana, 40 points
5. North Central, 32 points
6. Carroll, 31 points
T7. Millikin, 19 points
T7. North Park, 19 points
9. Wheaton, 16 points