NAPERVILLE, Illinois – Two programs within the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) are experiencing upward momentum as the NCAA Division III women’s basketball season approaches its final stretch. Carroll University and Illinois Wesleyan University both improved their positions in the latest national rankings released this week, signaling strong performances as conference play intensifies.
Carroll University, currently boasting a 20-4 overall record and a 14-1 mark within the CCIW, jumped two spots to No. 13 in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, earning 326 points. The Pioneers have secured a 12-game winning streak, punctuated by recent victories including a decisive 64-42 road win against North Park University on Wednesday and an 84-46 triumph over Millikin University on Saturday. Their success hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), where Carroll also climbed one position to No. 20 in their latest poll.
Illinois Wesleyan University is also on the rise, ascending three positions to No. 15 in the D3hoops.com poll with 243 points. The Titans simultaneously moved up two spots to No. 17 in the WBCA coaches’ poll. With an 18-5 overall record and a 13-1 conference record, Illinois Wesleyan secured a 64-52 CCIW win over Carthage last Wednesday, contributing to their improved ranking.
The CCIW’s gains come as NYU continues to dominate the national landscape, maintaining the No. 1 position in both the D3hoops.com and WBCA polls. NYU received 20 first-place votes in the D3hoops.com poll and held the unanimous top spot in the WBCA rankings. The top five in the D3hoops.com poll currently consist of NYU, Scranton, Johns Hopkins, Washington & Lee, and Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The WBCA’s top five mirrors much of this, featuring NYU, Scranton, Johns Hopkins, Washington & Lee, and Smith.
Both Carroll and Illinois Wesleyan face crucial contests as the regular season nears its conclusion. Illinois Wesleyan is scheduled to host Wheaton on Wednesday, , at 7 p.m. At the Shirk Center. Carroll will conclude its regular-season home schedule on Saturday against Carthage at 2 p.m. These games will be pivotal in determining their seeding and positioning heading into potential postseason play.
The CCIW, founded in 1946, comprises nine institutions: Augustana College, Carroll University, Carthage College, Elmhurst University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Millikin University, North Central College, North Park University, and Wheaton College. The conference’s representation in the national rankings underscores the growing competitiveness and quality of women’s basketball within the CCIW.
The success of Carroll and Illinois Wesleyan is particularly noteworthy given the challenging nature of Division III athletics, where student-athletes balance rigorous academic demands with competitive sports. The ability of these programs to consistently perform at a high level speaks to the dedication of their players, coaches, and institutions.
The upcoming games for both teams are expected to draw significant attention, not only from conference rivals but also from national observers tracking the D3hoops.com and WBCA polls. The outcomes will likely have implications for both teams’ postseason aspirations and could further solidify the CCIW’s reputation as a breeding ground for talented Division III women’s basketball programs.
Fans can follow CCIW athletics on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook for updates, scores, and news throughout the remainder of the season.
