Maureen Harty Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
Maureen Harty Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
Carthage has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men’s basketball title for the 2025-26 season, according to a coaches’ poll released by the league office. The Firebirds, who were last season’s outright CCIW champions, received eight first-place votes and a total of 64 points—the highest possible in the poll.
This marks the first time since the 2010-11 season that Carthage has been chosen as the preseason favorite. The team is aiming for back-to-back league titles for the first time since achieving consecutive championships in 2001-02 and 2002-03. In addition to their conference recognition, Carthage was ranked eighth nationally in a D3hoops.com preseason poll published on Wednesday.
Illinois Wesleyan earned one first-place vote and finished second in the coaches’ poll with 57 points. The Titans won last season’s CCIW Tournament and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. They also appeared at #16 in this week’s D3hoops.com national rankings.
Elmhurst was projected to finish third with 41 points, followed by Wheaton (37), North Park (35), Augustana (33), North Central (31), Millikin (16), and Carroll (10).
The upcoming men’s basketball season is set to begin on November 7, with conference games starting December 3.
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