Fort Hays State men’s basketball has been selected fourth and sixth in the MIAA Preseason Polls, released as part of MIAA Virtual Men’s Basketball Media Day on Tuesday, October 23. The Tigers tied for fourth in voting in the coaches poll and tied for sixth in voting in the media poll. Fort Hays State finished 19-9 overall last year and fifth in the MIAA standings at 12-8.
There was a three-way tie for the regular season championship in the MIAA last year and those teams top each preseason poll this year, which includes Washburn, Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri State picked in that order in both polls. Washburn was the conference tournament champion.
In the coaches poll, the Tigers tied for fourth in voting with Pittsburg State, each with 137 voting points. Behind them in sixth is Missouri Southern, which finished fourth in the conference last year. Pittsburg State was seventh in the MIAA last year, but came on strong at the end of the year finishing as the conference tournament runner-up.
In the media poll, the top four teams hold form from last year’s regular season standings, while Pittsburg State is picked alone in fifth, just two voting points ahead of Fort Hays State and Lindenwood, which are tied for sixth. Lindenwood is in transition to NCAA Division II but has been highly successful at the NAIA level.
Central Oklahoma, also a conference newcomer this year, is picked seventh in the coaches poll and ninth in the media poll. The Bronchos played host to the Division II South Central Regional a couple of years ago as the region’s top seed in 2010-11. They knocked FHSU from the NCAA Tournament that year in the regional semifinals, so the Bronchos are not a stranger to success in recent years.
Fort Hays State has finished fifth or higher in the MIAA regular season standings in each of the last four years. The Tigers do not have any returning starters from last year’s team back. Lance Russell is the top scorer and rebounder back from last year’s squad and Ben Conguista returns in 2012-13 after sitting out last year with an injury. Congiusta was a strong contributor to the team that finished second in the MIAA in 2010-11 and won the conference tournament championship. FHSU has 10 newcomers to the team this year and just four returners.
Below are the complete preseason polls…
2012-13 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Washburn (11) 188
2. Central Missouri (3) 180
3. Northwest Missouri (1) 170
T4. Fort Hays State 137
T4. Pittsburg State 137
6. Missouri Southern 131
7. Central Oklahoma 119
8. Lindenwood 107
9. Southwest Baptist 89
10. Emporia State 73
11. Nebraska-Kearney 70
12. Missouri Western 65
13. Truman 54
14. Northeastern State 39
15. Lincoln 16
2012-13 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Washburn (17) 267
2. Central Missouri 243
3. Northwest Missouri 236
4. Missouri Southern (1) 204
5. Pittsburg State 173
T6. Fort Hays State 171
T6. Lindenwood 171
8. Southwest Baptist 146
9. Central Oklahoma 132
10. Emporia State 96
11. Nebraska-Kearney 94
12. Truman 89
13. Missouri Western 74
14. Northeastern State 43
15. Lincoln 21