Things looking up at Elmhurst

It is rare to truly watch the growth of a college basketball team. Typically, the mistakes of underclassmen are covered up by the strengths of the team's veteran leaders. Elmhurst's men's basketball team, however, has grown together. Now it is starting to show.

Just two years removed from a six-win season, the Bluejays are 11-2 and ready to fight through the CCIW.

"From where we were at this point two years ago to now, I think they are just happy to be in the mix and have a good team," coach John Baines said.

Baines is in his second year with Elmhurst. Last year he took a team made up primarily of freshmen and sophomores and won 14 games. The jump from six to 14 wins was one of the biggest improvements in the country. This year Baines said he hopes to continue the growth.

Now that the young team has learned his system, Baines said the players are ready to compete. Despite the fact that the CCIW is always difficult and consistently has multiple teams in the national rankings, Baines said his team has postseason goals.

"We put ourselves in a position where if we have a good conference season we can earn a NCAA birth," Baines said.

The Bluejays will be put to the test this year. They lost 58-56 against Augustana, ranked No. 2 in the country, on Wednesday and have highly ranked Illinois Wesleyan and North Central waiting later in the season.

North Central:

The Cardinals' women's basketball team continues its magical run through the 2014-15 season. Still undefeated, now 13-0, North Central is ranked for the first time since 1999.

"I can't even put into words how special it's been to this point," coach Michelle Roof said. "The players have worked hard and been so resilient. We never would have been able to predict this."

Getting to this point hasn't been easy for the Cardinals. It took a double-digit comeback against Illinois Wesleyan to get their first CCIW win of the season. Roof said the team came in a little nervous.

Following their 59-56 win over the Titans, Roof said there was a sense of release among the players. It took time for them to find their rhythm and fight against the pace Illinois Wesleyan had set, Roof said.

With the win in hand, the team looks ahead to a daunting CCIW schedule. That does nothing to slow the confidence of her team, Roof said. With the growing success Roof said her team can still play better, but she is enjoying their respect.

"I'm just excited for these kids, these players," Roof said. "To get the recognition they've had, they deserve it, they've earned it. I'm just excited that they are getting some recognition for the hard work they put in."