DEFENDING CHAMPION WHEATON GAINS FAVORITE'S ROLE IN PRE-SEASON VOTE OF COLLEGE CONFERENCE OF ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN COACHES IN MEN'S BASKETBALL

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois - Defending champion Wheaton has been thrust into the favorite's role in the 1999-2000 men's basketball race according to a vote of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin men's basketball coaches, it was announced today.

The Crusaders of veteran head coach Bill Harris garnered 46 points to narrowly edge Illinois Wesleyan, which checked in with 45 points. Elmhurst was in third with 31 points while Carthage was right behind the Bluejays in fourth with 30 points. North Park was fifth with 26, Millikin had 21 points in sixth while Augustana was seventh with 12 points and North Central grabbed nine points in eighth.

Wheaton picked up four first place votes while Illinois Wesleyan had three and Carthage one.

Last year Wheaton won the CCIW title for the eighth time in school history with an 11-3 league record, one game ahead of Illinois Wesleyan which was second with a 10-4 mark. Elmhurst and Millikin tied for third at 8-6 while Carthage, Augustana and North Park tied for fifth at 6-8 and North Central was eighth at 1-13.

Wheaton finished the year 20-7 and Illinois Wesleyan was 17-9 as both clubs made the NCAA Division III national tournament.The pre-season coaches poll is conducted each year with the coaches voting for the other seven league teams. The coaches are not allowed to vote for their own clubs.

1999-2000 CCIW PRE SEASON COACHES POLL

1998-99 FINAL CCIW STANDINGS