Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College women's basketball team has been projected to finish in a tie for fourth place in the 2025–26 Midwest Conference (MWC) Preseason Coaches' Poll. The poll, released by the league office on Wednesday, shows Illinois College and Grinnell College each earning 39 points among the nine conference teams.

Last season, Illinois College posted a 10-15 overall record and went 7-9 in MWC play under head coach Jennifer McCormick, who enters her tenth year with the program. Senior forward Jayln Patterson, an All-Conference honoree, returns to lead a roster that includes several experienced players as they look to qualify for the conference tournament.

Ripon College was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the MWC title for an eighth straight year, collecting seven first-place votes and totaling 62 points. Cornell College received one first-place vote and finished second in the poll with 53 points, while Lawrence University also garnered one first-place vote and came third with 52 points.

Illinois College will begin its new season on Friday, November 7. The team starts conference play at home against Knox College on Tuesday, November 25 at Sherman Gymnasium.

The top four teams from regular-season play will compete in the 2026 MWC Women's Basketball Tournament scheduled for February 27-28. The tournament winner earns an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament.