The Missouri Western men’s basketball team were tabbed seventh in the MIAA preseason coaches poll and tied for 5th in the media poll which were announced today, Wednesday, October 26, 2011 by the league office.

Western received 44 points in the coaches poll trailing Missouri Southern with 97, Central Missouri with 92, Fort Hays State with 70, Washburn with 68 and Northwest and Pittsburg State with 64. The Lions received seven first place votes while Central Missouri received four. Southwest Baptist garnered 40 points while Emporia State, Truman and Lincoln received 36, 20 and 10 points respectively.

In the media poll, the Griffons were picked to tie for fifth with Northwest Missouri State, both of whom receiving 77 points. The Bearcats also received one first place vote. Missouri Southern came in first with 141 points and 11 first place votes while Central Missouri came in second with 117 points and one first place vote. Fort Hays State and Washburn came in third and fourth with 114 and 112 points respectively.

Pittsburg State and Emporia State came in seventh and eighth with 72 and 56 points while Southwest Baptist (53 pts.), Truman State (26 pts.) and Lincoln (13pts.) rounded out the ninth thru eleventh spots.

Western is coming off a 12-16 season and went 10-12 in MIAA play. Western played in their third straight MIAA Conference Tournament a season ago.

Western will open up their season with an exhibition contest against Livin the Dream on Thursday, November 4 in the MWSU Fieldhouse. Game time is set for 7:30 pm.  The Griffons will open up regular season play on Saturday, November 12 when they host Fontbonne University at 7:30 pm in the MIWSU Fieldhouse. With a victory the head coach Tom Smith will earn his 600th career victory.

2011-12 MIAA MEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
(First-place votes in parentheses)

1. Missouri Southern (7) – 97 pts.
2. Central Missouri (4) – 92 pts.
3. Fort Hays State – 70 pts.
4. Washburn – 68 pts.
T5. Northwest Missouri – 64 pts.
T5. Pittsburg State – 64 pts.
7. Missouri Western – 44 pts.
8. Southwest Baptist – 40 pts.
9. Emporia State – 36 pts.
10. Truman – 20 pts.
11. Lincoln – 10 pts.

2011-12 MIAA MEN’SBASKETBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Missouri Southern (11) – 141 pts.
2. Central Missouri (1) – 117 pts.
3. Fort Hays State – 114 pts.
4. Washburn – 112 pts.
T5. Northwest Missouri (1) – 77 pts.
T5. Missouri Western – 77 pts.
7. Pittsburg State – 72 pts.
8. Emporia State – 56 pts.
9. Southwest Baptist – 53 pts.
10. Truman – 26 pts.
11. Lincoln – 13 pts.

— MWSU Sports Information