The Illinois Wesleyan University men’s basketball team moved up to seventh place in the final D3hoops.com top-25 poll of the 2025-26 season, announced on April 6. The Titans earned 475 points after completing a season with a 26-5 record and advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2022.
This ranking reflects a strong year for Illinois Wesleyan, which won both the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) regular season and tournament championships. The team’s performance resulted in its highest win total since 2014. The Titans belong to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, according to the official website.
Several players received individual honors this season. Mason Funk and Noah Cleveland were named D3hoops.com All-Americans, with Cleveland also recognized as National Rookie of the Year by D3hoops.com. Cleveland was selected as CCIW’s Most Outstanding Player and joined Funk on the All-CCIW First Team, while Karlo Colak made Second Team All-CCIW. Head coach Ron Rose and his staff were voted CCIW’s Coaching Staff of the Year.
Off the court, four players tied for a national lead by earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections: Funk, Colak, Jackson Niego, and Casen Lawrence. Brady Kuehl received CCIW’s Elite 26 Award; David Williams was named IWU’s recipient of the RESPECT Award.
The Titans play their home games on campus in Bloomington, Illinois according to the official website. The program uses green and white colors and is nicknamed “Titans” according to its official website. They participate in intercollegiate athletics according to their official site.
Historically, Illinois Wesleyan has captured NCAA Division III national championships in both 1997 and 2001 according to its official website. Looking ahead from this successful campaign, observers will watch how returning talent builds upon these achievements next season.
