RIPON, Wisconsin – Just over 48 hours away from the start of the 2024-25 campaign, the Ripon men's basketball program was projected to finish fourth in the Midwest Conference as the MWC Preseason Coaches Poll was released on Wednesday afternoon.
Illinois College, after winning both the regular season and tournament titles each of the last two seasons, has been picked to win the league again in 2024-25. Grinnell College, who lost in the MWC Tournament final to the Blueboys last year, has been selected to finish second once again.
The full poll is listed below.
Ripon brings back five regular starters from last season –
Kolby Williams,
Cameron Ford,
Cade Tackmier,
Luke Meinholz and
Dominic Galati – while six freshmen and two transfers join the fold this season. All told, 16 Red Hawks return from the 2023-24 squad. The Red Hawks finished fourth in the Midwest Conference regular season standings last year, and lost a 72-68 heartbreak at Illinois College in the Midwest Conference Tournament semifinals.
Ripon begins its season on Friday (November 8) as the Red Hawks travel to Virginia Beach, Virginia for a matchup against Virginia Wesleyan at 4 p.m. CT. The first home game for Ripon is scheduled for Wednesday (November 20) at 7 p.m. against St. Norbert.
2024 Midwest Conference Preseason Poll
1. Illinois College (6 first-place votes) - 62 points
2. Grinnell College (3) - 58 points
3. Beloit College - 50 points
4. Ripon College - 44 points
5. Monmouth College - 31 points
6. Cornell College - 28 points
7. Lake Forest College - 26 points
8. Lawrence University - 15 points
9. Knox College - 10 points
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