KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team was ranked sixth in the 2016-17 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Pre-Season Poll which was released on Tuesday. The Bearcats received 270 votes after finishing 27-6 last season, winning the MIAA’s regular season and tournament titles. West Liberty (W.Va.) was first in the poll with 394 votes.

For the third straight year, the Bearcats reached the NCAA’s Central Regional Championship game. Northwest returns four starters off last year’s squad including MIAA Player of the Year Justin Pitts. Ben McCollum enters his eighth season at the helm, compiling a 141-70 career mark. The Bearcats were picked first in the 2016-17 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

Washburn was only other MIAA team to receive votes, getting eight in the initial poll. Northwest begins the season on Friday, Nov. 11, against Upper Iowa in St. Joseph, Mo., at 3 p.m. The home opener for the Bearcats will be on Thursday, Nov. 17, against defending NCAA champion Augustana at 7 p.m. The Vikings were ranked No. 18 in the poll.

— Northwest Athletics —