Lake Forest Gets the Nod to Repeat in MWC
Tight race predicted for tourney spots 

LAKE FOREST, IL -- Lake Forest College, the 1999-2000 Midwest Conference champions after a 16-0 finish to the regular season, was picked to finish first once again in a pre-season poll of all ten MWC coaches. 

The Foresters finished six points ahead of the MWC Tournament champion Ripon College.

Lake Forest and Ripon were solid favorites to qualify for the 2001 MWC Tournament according to the coaches' selections, while Lawrence University came in a distant third. A tight contest is predicted in places four through seven with the advantage given to Monmouth College (IL) in fourth. Monmouth is separated by just two points from fifth-place St. Norbert College, seven points from sixth-place Illinois College, and eight points from seventh-place Knox College.

Rounding out the ten league teams were Beloit, Carrroll College (WI) and Grinnell College. 

MWC play opens up on Dec. 2 with three conference games on the ticket, highlighted by league-champion Lake Forest hosting Grinnell at 1:00.