Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – Fresh off its first Midwest Conference title in seven years, Monmouth College has been picked to win the league again in 2025-26 as the MWC Preseason Coaches Poll was announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Monmouth College topped this season’s preseason poll with 60 points and seven first-place votes. Last season, the Fighting Scots won their first regular season crown since the 2017-18 season with a 14-2 Midwest Conference record. Todd Skrivseth’s squad won the regular season title by three games over Grinnell, though the Pioneers beat fourth-seeded Lake Forest in the MWC Tournament Final to claim the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Grinnell fell at top-seeded UW-Platteville, 125-97, in the opening round.
Grinnell College secured second place with 56 points and received one first-place vote. Last season, the Pioneers finished second in the standings with an 11-5 record against league opponents and a 20-8 overall record. Grinnell’s last MWC title came during the 2008-09 season.
The top five is rounded out by Illinois College (52 points, one first-place vote) in third place, followed by Lake Forest College (40 points) and Ripon College (33 points).
The poll concludes with Lawrence University (27 points), Cornell College (24 points), Beloit College (22 points) and Knox College (10 points).
Six league teams will tip off the 2025-26 campaign on Friday, November 7, against non-conference opponents. MWC play begins on Tuesday, November 25 when Knox heads to Illinois College and Beloit visits Grinnell.
The 2026 MWC Men’s Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28. The season-ending event will feature the league’s top four teams from the final standings, competing for the tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all nine league teams can be found below.
2025-26 MWC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Monmouth College (7) – 60 points
2. Grinnell College (1) – 56 points
3. Illinois College (1) – 52 points
4. Lake Forest College - 40 points
5. Ripon College – 33 points
6. Lawrence University – 27 points
7. Cornell College – 24 points
8. Beloit College – 22 points
9. Knox College – 10 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Josh Hinz (7th Season)
2024-25: 9-16 (overall); 4-12 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Dave Schlabaugh (9th Season)
2024-25: 15-10 (overall); 8-8 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: David Arseneault Jr. (8th Season)
2024-25: 20-8 (overall); 11-5 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Gabe Garcia (Junior, Guard); Kai Te Huki (Junior, Forward)
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Steve Schweer (8th Season)
2024-25: 17-9 (overall); 10-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Corey Harvey (2nd Season)
2024-25: 4-21 (overall); 2-14 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Matt Griggs (2nd Season)
2024-25: 14-13 (overall); 10-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Alex Forowycz (Senior, Wing)
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Casey Korn (5th Season)
2024-25: 6-19 (overall); 4-12 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Todd Skrivseth (15th Season)
2024-25: 20-6 (overall); 14-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Zay Brown (Sophomore, Guard,
2025 MWC Newcomer of the Year, 2025 MWC Player of the Year)
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Kenny Finco (3rd Season)
2024-25: 12-13 (overall); 9-7 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: N/A