Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
 
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Blueboys of Illinois College were picked to finish first in the 2023-34 Midwest Conference (MWC) Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll, announced Monday afternoon.
 
The defending MWC Champion, Illinois College, received eight first-place votes and 64 points to lead all teams. Last season, the Blueboys went 15-1 in conference play (25-3 overall) to win their program’s first regular season title and second MWC Tournament crown. 
 
The Cornell College Rams picked up the final first-place vote and 57 points to finish second in the poll.
 
In third place, the Red Hawks of Ripon College garnered 46 points to edge out the Fighting Scots of Monmouth College in fourth place with 45 points.
 
The poll rounds out with Lake Forest College in fifth place (37), followed by Lawrence University (24), Grinnell College (22), Beloit College (16), and Knox College (13).
 
The 2023-24 campaign tips off on Wednesday, November 8, with seven of the nine league teams in non-conference action. Grinnell will host Lake Forest on Saturday, November 25, to kick off league play. 
 
The 2024 MWC Men’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Friday, February 23, through Saturday, February 24, 2024. The top four teams in the final standings will qualify, and the winner will be named tournament champion and receive the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. 
 
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all nine league teams can be found below:

2023-24 MWC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Illinois College (8) - 64 points
2. Cornell College (1) - 57 points
3. Ripon College - 46 points
4. Monmouth College - 45 points
5. Lake Forest College - 37 points
6. Lawrence University - 24 points
7. Grinnell College - 22 points
8. Beloit College - 16 points
9. Knox College - 13 points

() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Josh Hinz (5^th Season)
2022-23: 7-18 (overall); 3-13 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A

Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Dave Schlabaugh (7^th Season)
2022-23: 15-12 (overall); 12-4 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: David Arseneault Jr. (6^th Season)
2022-23: 8-16 (overall); 4-12 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Illinois College Blue Boys
Head Coach: Steve Schweer (6^th Season)
2022-23: 25-3 (overall); 15-1 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Nestor Daboin (Sr, Forward), Jake Mazrimas (Grad, Forward), Buzz Ritzel (Jr, Guard)
 
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Ben Davis (5^th Season)
2022-23: 6-19 (overall); 4-12 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Ryan Davis (3^rd Season)
2022-23: 11-14 (overall); 8-8 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A

Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Casey Korn (3^rd Season)
2022-23: 9-16 (overall); 6-10 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A

Monmouth College Scots
Head Coach: Todd Skrivseth (13^th Season)
2022-23: 14-12 (overall); 10-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: David Williams (Sr, Guard, 2022-23 Newcomer of the Year)

Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Kenny Finco (1^st Season)
2022-23: 14-12 (overall); 10-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A