Fort Hays State and Central Missouri split the top spot on the men’s side, and the Washburn and Emporia State women both got a piece of No. 1 in the MIAA basketball preseason polls, released Wednesday by the conference office as part of Virtual Media Day.

Fort Hays State got the nod in the men’s coaches poll, while Central Missouri took the top spot in the men’s media poll. On the women’s side, it was a close call between Washburn and Emporia State. Washburn took the No. 1 spot in the coaches poll by one point, and the two schools tied for the top spot in the media poll.

Fort Hays State received 113 points and six first-place votes in the men’s coaches poll, edging Central Missouri (105 points, three first-place votes). Nebraska-Omaha followed in third with 102 points and two first-place votes, while Missouri Southern and Washburn tied for the fourth spot with 85 points. Southern received one first-place vote.

Central Missouri and Fort Hays State were flip-flopped in the men’s media poll, with UCM receiving 190 points and 10 first-place votes and FHSU getting five first-place votes and 186 points. Nebraska-Omaha was No. 3 with 157 points and two first-place votes, followed by Washburn at No. 4 with 148 points.

In the women’s coaches poll, it couldn’t have been much closer as Washburn took home 110 points and four first-place votes and Emporia State received 109 points and five first-place votes. Central Missouri was not far behind with 107 points and two first-place votes. Northwest Missouri was voted No. 4, receiving the other first place vote and 89 total points.

Emporia State and Washburn tied at 179 points in the women’s media poll, with Washburn getting nine first-place votes and Emporia State receiving five. Central Missouri was third with one first-place vote and 158 points, and Pittsburg State was fourth with 129 points.

Story courtesy of the MIAA. Click here for the poll results.