NAPERVILLE --- The opening weeks of the 2025–26 CCIW men’s basketball season have already produced notable results across the league, highlighted by ranked matchups, efficient scoring stretches and strong interior production. 
 
Illinois Wesleyan and Carthage both opened with nationally relevant performances, while several other programs faced ranked opponents and delivered competitive outings that reinforced the league’s depth. Individual efforts have shaped many of these early results—double-doubles, high-scoring totals and important late-game plays are already defining the statistical landscape. As non-conference schedules continue, the first two weeks offer a clear preview of the balance, pace and consistency that each program will carry forward into the season.
 
Career Night Helps NPU's Vuckovic Secure CCIW Weekly Honors
North Park’s Mike Vuckovic was named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week on Monday after averaging 23.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in a pair of starts last week.
 
The junior guard from Hanover Park, Ill. added four assists, eight steals and a block across 71 minutes. He shot an even 50 percent from the field (18-for-36) and was nearly perfect at the line, converting 8 of 9 free throws.
 
Vuckovic erupted for a career-best 38 points last Wednesday in an 82-77 win over Alma. He finished 14-for-24 from the floor (58%), knocked down a pair of 3s, and went 8-for-9 at the stripe. Vuckovic pulled down eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, adding two assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
 
On Saturday against Wisconsin-La Crosse, Vuckovic logged nine points, six rebounds and six assists.
 
IWU's Cleveland Collects D3hoops.com Team of the Week Honors
Coming off a 2-0 opening weekend, Illinois Wesleyan University sophomore forward Noah Cleveland earned a spot on the D3hoops.com Team of the Week released Tuesday morning, Nov. 18. Cleveland is the 13th all-time national team of the week honoree in program history and the first since Matthew Leritz (Feb. 14, 2022).
 
Cleveland and the 16th-ranked Titans jumped out to a 2-0 start to the season after winning the fifth annual Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational, Nov. 14-15, inside the Shirk Center. The Green and White downed Illinois College, 71-67, in the season opener, Nov. 14. In the weekend's title game, IWU topped UW-Oshkosh, 75-68, Nov. 15. Cleveland was named the tournament's MVP.
 
The sophomore averaged 16.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game over the weekend. In his collegiate debut, Cleveland went for 16 points and 13 rebounds alongside three blocks and a steal. In the title game, he posted a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double with four blocks, a steal, and an assist. Fighting through double teams, and even an occasional triple team in the post, Cleveland converted 13-of-24 shots from the field to finish the weekend shooting 54.0 percent.
 
IWU Gets Steady Early Results Behind Interior Production
Illinois Wesleyan opened the season with a 3-0 record, securing the Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational title while producing balanced efforts on both ends of the floor. The Titans began with a 71-67 win over Illinois College last Friday and followed with a 75-68 victory against Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Saturday to capture the tournament championship. 
 
IWU extended its strong start by edging #11 Chicago, 72-69, on Tuesday. 
 
Noah Cleveland set an early tone by earning tournament MVP honors and posting back-to-back double-doubles, finishing with 16 points and 13 rebounds in the opener and adding 16 points and 14 rebounds against Oshkosh. Mason Funk joined Cleveland on the all-tournament team after matching his 16 points against UW-Oshkosh and scoring a team-high 17 points in the opener. Josh Fridman added timely perimeter scoring, including 15 points and a 9-for-9 free-throw performance in the win over UW-Oshkosh.
 
Carthage Start Supported by Efficiency on Both Ends
Carthage began its season 2-0 with a pair of road victories, defeating Saint Mary’s (Minn.) 98-75 on Nov. 8 and Alma 79-60 last Saturday. 
 
The Firebirds’ early profile reflects strong offensive efficiency and consistent interior production. Against Alma, Ryan Johnson led with 22 points and 13 rebounds, recording his first double-double of the season. Riley Brooks added another double-double in the same contest with 17 points and 10 rebounds. In the opener, AJ Johnson supplied perimeter scoring with 18 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting. Carthage ended the two-game stretch averaging 88.5 points per game and holding the league’s top scoring margin at +21.0.
 
Augie’s Three-Game Sweep Built on Defense and Balanced Scoring
Augustana opened its season with a 3-0 record, beginning with a 90-73 home win over Wisconsin Lutheran on Nov. 11. The Vikings then collected two road victories, defeating Bethel 87-53 last Sunday and edging Hamline 62-59 on Tuesday. 
 
Jake Willems led the team against Hamline with 18 points and six steals, helping secure the narrow road win. Off the bench, Andre Klaver added scoring depth with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting in the victory at Bethel. In the season opener, forward Ray Maurchie posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Augustana finished the week leading the conference in steals per game (13.3) and ranked second in scoring defense (61.6 points allowed).
 
Elmhurst’s Early Returns Driven by Interior Work and Timely Shooting
Elmhurst opened the season 3-0, earning a 71-66 home win over Hope on Nov. 12 before posting a 75-50 victory at Wisconsin Lutheran last Saturday and a 71-67 home win over MSOE on Wednesday. 
 
The Bluejays saw multiple early contributors. Dominic Trelenberg scored a game-high 26 points, including six three-pointers, in the win over MSOE, and added a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double at Wisconsin Lutheran. Forward Aidyn Boone established interior consistency with double-doubles in two games, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds against Hope and later adding 13 points and 11 rebounds against MSOE. Freshman guard Luke Smith delivered an effective debut with 14 points, three made threes, and contributions across the box score in the opener.
 
Competitive Performances and Steady Guard Production From Carroll
Carroll completed the first two weeks at 2-2, opening with a 90-78 road loss to #5 WashU on Nov. 7 before securing a 63-61 win over Beloit on Nov. 12. The Pioneers added a 96-69 victory against Wisconsin-Superior last Friday and closed the stretch with an 88-80 loss at 18th-ranked Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday.
 
Sophomore guard Michael McNabb was a central offensive figure, scoring 22 points at WashU, delivering the late layup that sealed the win over Beloit and finishing with 27 points against UW-Platteville. Senior forward Lamar Smith added 20 points versus WashU and 19 points with eight rebounds at Platteville. Sophomore guard Peyton McKenna contributed perimeter scoring with 17 points on five made three-pointers in the loss at Platteville.
 
Unbeaten Millikin Start Highlighted by Consistent Scoring
Millikin opened the season with a 4-0 record, beginning with a 71-55 win at Monmouth on Nov. 8 before defeating Concordia Chicago 76-62 at home on Nov. 12. The Big Blue added a 74-61 road win at Earlham last Saturday and a 75-66 home win over Illinois College on Tuesday. 
 
Junior guard Lane Thomann led Millikin throughout the unbeaten stretch, averaging 22.5 points per game, including 28 points at Monmouth and 27 points at Earlham. Ian Winkler provided balanced scoring in the win over Illinois College, finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Senior guard Nate Straughter added reliable backcourt production, scoring 17 points against Concordia Chicago—including a 6-for-6 mark at the free-throw line—and 16 points versus Illinois College.
 
North Park’s High-Output Scoring and Strong Interior Support
North Park moved to 2-1 over its opening three games, starting with a 93-87 win at Lake Forest on Nov. 8 and an 82-77 comeback victory at Alma on Nov. 12. The Vikings dropped their home opener to  #7 Wisconsin-La Crosse, 80-67, last Saturday. 
 
Mike Vuckovic led the offense with a career-high 38 points on 14-of-24 shooting in the win at Alma. Forward Kolden Vanlandingham provided interior production with 11 rebounds at Alma and a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double against UW-La Crosse. Center Julian Campbell opened the year with 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting—including three made threes—at Lake Forest.
 
NCC’s Competitive Early Games Guided by Perimeter Scoring
North Central opened the season 0-2, falling 65-55 at home to Aurora on Nov. 12 before a narrow 66-60 overtime road loss to 18th-ranked Wisconsin-Platteville on Wednesday. 
 
Tyler Swierczek posted 23 points—including five three-pointers—in the opener and added the game-tying shot that forced overtime at Platteville. Alejandro Diaz led the Cardinals in the second game with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Forward James Bullock Jr. contributed across both matchups, including 13 points and seven rebounds against UW-Platteville.
 
High-Pace Offense Anchors Wheaton’s Strong Start
Wheaton opened the year with a 3-1 record, beginning with a 99-95 road win at Concordia Wisconsin on Nov. 8 and a 93-89 home win over Lake Forest on Nov. 12. The Thunder’s lone loss came in a 76-75 finish at Hope last Saturday before they responded with a 95-80 home win over Benedictine on Tuesday. 
 
Kyan VanderWoude led Wheaton in two contests, beginning with a career-high 26 points in the opener and adding 28 points against Benedictine. Soren Richardson guided the team with 27 points versus Lake Forest, shooting 8-of-14 from the field and 8-of-9 from the line. Carson Grier recorded a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double against Hope and followed with 15 points and five rebounds in the win over Benedictine.