NAPERVILLE — The 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Basketball Championship will conclude at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill., where semifinal and championship games are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, following Tuesday’s quarterfinal round at campus sites.
 
Illinois Wesleyan (21-4, 13-3 CCIW) earned the No. 1 seed and the right to host the final two rounds at the Shirk Center, while Carthage (18-7, 12-4 CCIW) earned the No. 2 seed. Both programs have received quarterfinal byes and will begin postseason play in the semifinal round.
 
Quarterfinal play will begin Tuesday with No. 6 Carroll traveling to No. 3 Elmhurst for a 7 p.m. tipoff and No. 5 Wheaton playing at No. 4 North Park at 7 p.m. The tournament field was finalized following a regular season in which No. 13-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University secured its 34th all-time conference regular-season title.
 
The Carroll-Elmhurst season series was split, with Carroll winning the first meeting, 92-61, on Jan. 14, and Elmhurst taking the second meeting, 81-69, on Feb. 18. Wheaton and North Park also split their regular-season series, with Wheaton winning 94-85 on Jan. 24 and North Park winning the rematch, 95-92, on Feb. 14.
 
Fans unable to attend in person can follow all games live on the CCIW Network. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors (65+), students, and children ages 6 and older. Children ages 5 and under, along with current CCIW students with a valid conference ID, will be admitted free. Conference passes will not be accepted for postseason contests.
 
No. 1 Illinois Wesleyan Titans (21-4, 13-3 CCIW)
Illinois Wesleyan enters the tournament on a six-game winning streak after clinching the regular-season title outright with a 75-56 win over Augustana. The Titans lead the conference in scoring defense (65.6 points allowed per game) and field goal percentage defense (.387). Noah Cleveland leads the league in rebounding (11.3 RPG), while Mason Funk leads the conference in blocks (2.60 BPG). In tournament history, the Titans have won two titles, including the 2025 and 2021 championships.
 
No. 2 Carthage Firebirds (18-7, 12-4 CCIW)
Carthage enters the postseason with the conference’s best assist/turnover ratio (1.49) and a top-25 national ranking. The Firebirds lead the CCIW in three-point field goal defense (.278) and rank second in both scoring defense and rebounding. Riley Brooks averages 17.4 points per game and Ryan Johnson averages 9.6 rebounds per game. In tournament history, Carthage owns one championship (2010). Teams with the #2 seed hold a 23-11 all-time record as a top-two seed in the event.
 
No. 3 Elmhurst Bluejays (17-8, 10-6 CCIW)
Elmhurst leads the conference in three-pointers made (9.4 per game) and enters the tournament after a 10-6 CCIW campaign. Dominic Trelenberg leads the Bluejays in scoring at 18.1 points per game, while Vinnie Adjahoungbeta provides a double-double threat in the paint. Elmhurst also finished the regular season second in the conference in free-throw percentage (.745). In tournament history, Elmhurst is a three-time champion (2020, 2022, 2024), including a title won as the No. 3 seed in 2022.
 
No. 4 North Park Vikings (15-10, 8-8 CCIW)
North Park enters postseason play with the conference’s highest-scoring offense at 85.4 points per game. The Vikings lead the CCIW in assists (17.2 APG) and rank second in field goal percentage. Mike Vuckovic (19.6 PPG) and Kolden Vanlandingham (16.3 PPG) lead the backcourt, with Vanlandingham also leading the conference in assists (4.9 APG). In tournament history, North Park won the 2023 championship. Teams with the #4 seed carry a 16-17 all-time record in the tournament.
 
No. 5 Wheaton Thunder (13-12, 7-9 CCIW)
Wheaton enters the tournament with the conference’s top field goal percentage (.482). Soren Richardson leads the CCIW in scoring at 21.8 points per game, while Devin Martin ranks second in the conference in assists (4.8 APG). The Thunder open postseason play in a quarterfinal rematch against North Park after splitting the regular-season series. In tournament history, Wheaton is a two-time champion (2009, 2014) and has appeared in the tournament final four times.
 
No. 6 Carroll Pioneers (12-13, 7-9 CCIW)
Carroll enters the championship as the No. 6 seed and leads the conference in steals (8.6 per game). Michael McNabb ranks second in the CCIW in scoring at 20.8 points per game, while Lamar Smith leads the league in field goal percentage (.608). The Pioneers open tournament play at Elmhurst after a 31-point win over the Bluejays in the first meeting this season. In tournament history, Carroll is seeking its first CCIW tournament title.