The Central Missouri Mules basketball team celebrates their MIAA championship.

The Central Missouri Mules basketball team celebrates their 2013-14 MIAA championship.

The defending national champion Mules basketball team was picked to finish first in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll released by the league office on Thursday morning. The Mules enter the season having won three straight MIAA regular season championships.

Central Missouri received 10 first place votes and totaled 151 points to claim the top spot in the poll while Fort Hays State garnered two first place nods and 145 points to come in second. Washburn received one first place vote and 137 points for third, Northwest Missouri had one top vote and 129 points to come in fourth and Missouri Southern rounded out the top five with 120 points.

The Mules were 30-5 a season ago winning the fourth national championship in program history, the first since 1984, and they captured a share of their third straight MIAA regular season crown. UCM returns eight letterwinners and two starters off of last year’s squad.
2014-15 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Central Missouri (10) – 151

2. Fort Hays State (2) – 145

3. Washburn (1) – 137

4. Northwest Missouri (1) – 129

5. Missouri Southern – 120

6. Central Oklahoma – 110

7. Nebraska-Kearney – 103

8. Emporia State – 82

9. Lindenwood – 79

10. Pittsburg State – 73

11. Missouri Western – 53

12. Northeastern State – 39

13. Southwest Baptist – 29

14. Lincoln – 15