By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Northwest Missouri State, the 2021 NCAA Division II National Champion and MIAA regular-season champion, was picked first in the 2021-22 MIAA preseason men’s basketball coaches and media polls, with Washburn garnering the No. 2 spot in both polls after winning the MIAA postseason tournament and advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Northwest received 13 of 14 votes in the coaches poll for a total of 169 points while Washburn, 20-7 last season, received the remaining first-place vote and 157 points.
All-America point guard Tyler Geiman returns to lead Washburn's men's basketball team, which was picked No. 2 in the MIAA preseason polls. [File photo]
Central Oklahoma was picked third in the poll while Missouri Southern was selected fourth and NCAA tournament qualifier Missouri Western fifth.
Fort Hays State, Rogers State, Pittsburg State, Emporia State and Lincoln rounded out the top 10 in the coaches poll, followed by Central Missouri, Nebraska-Kearney, Northeastern State and Newman.
Northwest Missouri also dominated the media poll, receiving all nine first-place votes and 126 points.
Washburn was picked second with 116 points followed by Missouri Western, Missouri Southern and Central Oklahoma to round out the top five.
Fort Hays State was voted sixth, followed by Emporia State, Rogers State, Pittsburg State, Lincoln, Central Missouri, Nebraska-Kearney, Northeastern State and Newman.
2021-22 MIAA PRESEASON MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
1. Northwest Missouri (13) ...169 points
2. Washburn (1) ... 157 points
3. Central Oklahoma ... 141 points
4. Missouri Southern ... 125 points
5. Missouri Western ... 115 points
6. Fort Hays State ... 112 points
7. Rogers State ... 88 points
8. Pittsburg State ... 86 points
9. Emporia State ... 78 points
10. Lincoln ... 60 points
11. Central Missouri ... 59 points
12. Nebraska Kearney ... 39 points
13. Northeastern State ... 31 points
14. Newman ... 14 points
2021-22 MIAA PRESEASON MEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL
1. Northwest Missouri (9) ...126 points
2. Washburn ... 116 points
3. Missouri Western ... 99 points
4. Missouri Southern ... 90 points
5. Central Oklahoma ... 86 points
6. Fort Hays State ... 74 points
7. Emporia State ... 73 points
8. Rogers State ... 63 points
9. Pittsburg State ... 61 points
10. Lincoln ... 60 points
11. Central Missouri ... 38 points
12. Nebraska Kearney ... 28 points
13. Northeastern State ... 16 points
14. Newman ... 15 points
