Men’s Basketball Coaches Pick North Central in Preseason Poll

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – North Central was predicted to win the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) title in men’s basketball according to a poll conducted by the CCIW men’s basketball coaches which was released by the conference office Wednesday.

North Central won the poll with 47 points including five first place votes. Last year’s champion Augustana was predicted to finish second with 42 points including two first place votes. Elmhurst finished third with 34 points, while Wheaton was fourth with 33 points including one first place vote.

Illinois Wesleyan (28), Millikin (18), Carthage (15) and North Park (7) rounded out the preseason poll.

All voting in the men’s basketball poll was conducted by the eight head coaches in the CCIW. Each coach voted for the seven other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points were assigned in reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second, etc.). Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

The CCIW men’s basketball season begins on Nov. 17 as Augustana hosts St. Norbert. On Nov. 18 Elmhurst travels to Simpson while Millikin travels to MacMurray. Illinois Wesleyan will take part in the UW-Whitewater Tournament, while North Central and Wheaton hosts its own tournaments. North Park travels to the Mt. St. Joseph Tournament, while Carthage faces Grinnell on the road Nov. 21.