D3Hoops.com Releases men's and women's top 25

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- D3Hoops.com, a website devoted to the coverage of NCAA Division III basketball, released its top 25 national rankings for both the men and women this week as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) had three teams earn a spot in the rankings.

On the women's side, defending conference champion Wheaton placed fifth with 469 points. The Thunder finished 25-5 last season and advanced to the NCAA Sectional. They placed 11th in the final top 25 poll last season.

For the men, both North Central and Augustana placed in the top 25 in the 19th and 24th spots respectively. Illinois Wesleyan at No. 29 (63 votes), Wheaton at No. 36 (35 votes) and Elmhurst at No. 45 (16 votes) each earned a spot in the "others receiving votes" category.

Augustana finished 23-6 a year ago, won the regular season conference title and advanced to the NCAA Sectional. North Central achieved a 22-6 record, won the CCIW Men's Basketball Tournament and lost in the first round of the NCAA's. North Central finished 19th in the final 2005-06 rankings, while Augustana was 11th.

The CCIW basketball season begins Nov. 17.