NAPERVILLE, Ill. - With the start of the 2025-26 men's basketball season just weeks away, the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin released its annual preseason poll Thursday, Oct. 23. The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team, the reigning CCIW Tournament Champions, ranked second with 57 points and one first-place vote.
Returning many pieces from last season's CCIW Regular Season Championship squad, Carthage topped the poll with 64 points and all eight available first-place votes. The Titans were a consensus number two with 57 points, while Elmhurst's 41 points rounded out the top-three.
In fourth with 37 points, Wheaton topped a bunched middle of the pack. North Park (35), Augustana (33), and North Central (31) were slotted fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively. Millikin was voted eighth with 16 points, while Carroll was ninth (10).
Illinois Wesleyan kicks off the 2025-26 campaign as host to the Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational, Nov. 14-15, inside the Shirk Center. IWU will tangle with Illinois College at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in its season opener, while University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Maryville College (Tenn.) will square off in the 5 p.m. contest. The winners will play in the weekend's title game, Nov. 15, following the conclusion of the consolation final.
2025-26 CCIW Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Carthage (8 first-place votes), 64 points
2. Illinois Wesleyan (1 first-place vote), 57 points
3. Elmhurst, 41 points
4. Wheaton, 37 points
5. North Park, 35 points
6. Augustana, 33 points
7. North Central, 31 points
8. Millikin, 16 points
9. Carroll, 10 points
