NAPERVILLE – Millikin, the three-time defending College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s basketball champion, has been picked to claim a fourth consecutive crown, according to a preseason poll conducted by league head coaches earlier this month. The Big Blue received eight first-place votes and the maximum 64 points in the poll.

2023-24 CCIW Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll

1. Millikin (8)	64
2. Illinois Wesleyan	54
3. Carroll (1)	52
4. Wheaton	43
5. Augustana	35
6. Carthage	26
7. North Park	24
8. Elmhurst	14
9. North Central	12

The Big Blue went 15-1 last season, claiming their first outright CCIW regular-season title since 2004. MU also won the CCIW Tournament, its second tournament title in the last three seasons.
 
Illinois Wesleyan was voted second in the 2023-24 coaches’ poll with 54 points. Carroll, which finished second last season and collected the final first-place vote, slotted in the third spot with 52 points.
 
Wheaton (43 points), Augustana (35 points) and Carthage (26 points) made up the middle third of the ballot. Augustana is one year removed from advancing to the CCIW Tournament championship game for the first time.
 
North Park (24 points), Elmhurst (14 points) and North Central (12 points) rounded the poll.
 
The 2023-24 regular season officially tips off with three contests on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The league schedule begins three weeks later Wednesday, Nov. 29. The league’s 21st annual postseason tournament is scheduled to begin with a pair of quarterfinal matchups on Tuesday, Feb. 20.