By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University men's basketball was tapped for a sixth-place finish in the MIAA Coaches poll and seventh in the MIAA media poll announced Tuesday at the College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
Andrew Orr is a top returner for Washburn men's basketball after earning third-team All-MIAA honors last season. [File photo/TSN]
Hayden product Levi Braun is a returning starter for Washburn University after hitting 61 3-pointers last season. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn will open its 2023-24 season at the Central Regional Challenge in historic Municipal Auditorium on Nov. 11, facing Sioux Falls followed by Minnesota State Moorhead the following day.
In the coaches poll, the Ichabods tallied 106 total points.
Northwest Missouri received 11 first-place votes for 166 points, followed by Emporia State with 151 points.
Fort Hays State was third with 147 points, with Central Oklahoma (138 points) and Missouri Southern (120 points) ahead of the Ichabods.
In the media poll, Washburn was seventh with 162 points behind Northwest Missouri (291), Central Oklahoma (260), Emporia State (252), Fort Hays State (229), Missouri Southern (193) and Lincoln (163).
Washburn was 14-15 last season and returns starters including 6-foot-8 junior Andrew Orr, a third-team All-MIAA pick who averaged 13.9 points and 5.9 rebounds a year ago.
Also back are former Hayden standout Levi Bruan (8.6 points per game, 61 3-pointers) and Michael Keegan (8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds per game) from last year's starting five.
The Ichabods have eight other returners back from last year, including Jarmell Johnson (7.9 points, 3.5 rebounds), Brady Christiansen (4.9 points, 6.6 rebounds) and Jordan Vincent (4.0 points, 1.1 rebounds),.
Washburn has five newcomers on the roster, including Washburn Rural product Jack Bachelor, Benedictine transfer Sam Ungashick, former Basehor-Linwood star Tyson Ruud, Bradley Lightbourne and Brayden Shorter.
Tthe Ichabods return 67 percent of their scoring, 80 percent of their rebounds, 67 percent of their field goals, 60 percent of their 3-pointers with 50 percent of their assists and 62 percent of their steals from a year ago.
MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
1. Northwest Missouri [11] – 166 points
2. Emporia State [1] – 151 points
3. Fort Hays State [1] – 147 points
4. Central Oklahoma [1] – 138 points
5. Missouri Southern – 120 points
6. Washburn – 106 points
7. Missouri Western – 92 points
8. Rogers State – 88 points
9. Northeastern State – 60 points
10. Central Missouri – 59 points
11. Pittsburg State – 55 points
12. Lincoln – 46 points
13. Newman – 24 points
14. Nebraska Kearney – 22 points
MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL
1. Northwest Missouri [19] – 291 points
2. Central Oklahoma [2] – 260 points
3. Emporia State – 252 points
4. Fort Hays State – 229 points
5. Missouri Southern – 193 points
6. Lincoln – 163 points
7. Washburn – 162 points
8. Missouri Western – 141 points
9. Rogers State – 138 points
10. Central Missouri – 110 points
11. Pittsburg State – 96 points
12. Northeastern State – 87 points
13. Newman – 47 points
14. Nebraska Kearney – 36 points
