The MIAA released their preseason basketball coaches and media polls. Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist were 1-2 in both polls. After a trip to the Elite 8 last year, Kim Anderson’s Mules were picked to win the league in the media poll, while the Bearcats from Bolivar were picked to win in the coaches poll.
Southwest Baptist received seven first place votes and 97 points in the coaches poll, followed by UCM with four first place votes and 92 total points. In the media poll, Central Missouri had 12 first place votes and 272 total points to edge Southwest Baptist, which received 14 first place votes and 268 total points.
Last year, the Mules made it to Division II’s Elite Eight and head coach Kim Anderson says the league is much improved. Mules coach Kim Anderson on the polls. SBU’s coach Jeff Guiot brings back one of the top players in the MIAA with Doniphan, MO. native Matt Rodgers who was last year’s MIAA MVP and an All-American. SBU coach Jeff Guiot on the polls.
In the women’s polls, Central Missouri was picked 4th, the best of any of the six Missouri school in the 11 team conference. Click here for the coach and media polls for men’s and women’s basketball in the MIAA.