Top-notch college basketball is right under our noses
It's developing into a special season for men's college basketball.
The most exciting part is it's happening right here in our own backyard.
The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin is enjoying an amazing run of success led by the nation's top-ranked Division III team - Wheaton College.
The Thunder entered the week with a 15-0 record and hold the No. 1 ranking, according to d3hoops.com. One of three CCIW schools in the top 25, they're about to fall from the top spot after Wednesday's 1-point home loss to conference rival Carthage.
Joining No. 15 Augustana and No. 19 Elmhurst, Carthage has an excellent chance of becoming the fourth ranked CCIW team next week. Illinois Wesleyan and Millikin, meanwhile, have made poll appearances this season.
With talent abounding, competing in the CCIW has the ease of skipping blindfolded through a mine field.
"This league has four or five teams that can win it all," said Wheaton coach Bill Harris, who's in his 18th year at the helm of the program.
That's the shame of the situation. Only the CCIW champion is assured a postseason spot, and there aren't enough at-large bids to go around.
No matter how strong the records may be, not all of the CCIW powers will reach the NCAA Division III tournament. Seven of the eight teams are at least four games over .500, meaning there will be some disappointment when the selection committee sends out invites in early March.
Even Wheaton has shown recent vulnerability, starting last week when All-America Kent Raymond went down with an ankle injury. As Carthage headed to town on Wednesday and Elmhurst waited in the wings for Saturday's showdown, the challenges grow with every game.
"There are so many teams ranked," said Wheaton sophomore Andrew Jahns, a Wheaton North graduate. "It's going to be a grind every night, physically and mentally. We've just got to keep figuring out how to come out on top."
Jahns represents another exciting element of CCIW hoops this season. The local talent feeding the teams is a major part of the league's success.
Jahns and Timothy Christian's Jake Carwell start for the Thunder, while fellow Wheaton North grad Steve Pierotti is a freshman. Carthage's Sean Fendley, a York graduate, ranks among CCIW scoring leaders, and Glenbard East's Cody Hilton also contributes. Benet product Brett Chamernik is one of Illinois Wesleyan's top players.
Neuqua Valley's Mike Avallone gets minutes at Augustana. Waubonsie Valley's Dominique King, Fenton's Josh Corso and Glenbard North's Brian Evans and Brett Hulett contribute at North Central.
The list is too long to include everyone, but there are plenty more out there. The top-shelf competition becomes much more fun to watch when you look out at the familiar faces.
"It's fun to be in the hometown," Jahns said. "We get some great crowds, we have great fans. I knew the talent that was here, but I never dreamed we'd be this good."
For all the dreams about playing in the ACC, Big East or Pac-10, our own backyard continues to present wonderful opportunities for area prep athletes.
Even in the dead of winter, the grass remains awfully green right here in the heart of the CCIW.
kschmit@dailyherald.com