KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State, who sat tied atop the standings last season, enters the season as the coaches pick to win the league and also the league’s top pick in the media poll. In the coaches poll FHSU sits atop the league despite receiving one less first place vote than NWMSU who sits just four points behind them. Five different teams grabbed at least one first place vote in the 2013-14 coaches poll with six drawing first place nods in the media poll.

Northwest Missouri, who played in the MIAA Tournament Championship game, got nine first place votes and sits second in the media poll. Central Missouri, who also tied for first place in 2012-13, is is just two points ahead of Northeastern State, who received a first place vote, in the coaches poll. The two teams are divided by just five points in the media poll as each received first place votes. Central Oklahoma received a first place vote and sits fifth in the coaches poll while Washburn got a first place vote in the media and were picked fifth. Missouri Southern also tallied a first place vote and is sixth in the coaches poll with UCO being picked sixth by the media. Washburn is seventh in the coaches poll, while Pittsburg State was picked seventh by the media and eighth by the coaches.

In the media poll Lindenwood is eighth by just one point over Missouri Southern who received a first place vote. Emporia State is ninth in the coaches poll just two points ahead of a Lindenwood and sit 10th in the media poll. In the coaches poll Missouri Western is ahead of Southwest Baptist for 11th and 12th place. In the media poll the teams flip-flop as the Bearcats hold the 11 spot by just one points. In both polls Nebraska-Kearney has been picked 13th with Lincoln slated to finish in 14th place.

The MIAA slate of game is scheduled to get underway for many teams around the league on December 5, 2013.

2013-14 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Fort Hays State (5)           153
2. Northwest Missouri (6)     149
3. Central Missouri               129
4. Northeastern State (1)     127
5. Central Oklahoma (1)       113
6. Missouri Southern (1)       104
7. Washburn                         101
8. Pittsburg State                   93
9. Emporia State                    83
10. Lindenwood                     81
11. Missouri Western             54
12. Southwest Baptist            46
13. Nebraska-Kearney           26
14. Lincoln                             15

2013-14 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Fort Hays State (13)         353
2. Northwest Missouri (9)     330
3. Central Missouri (2)          301
4. Northeastern State (1)     296
5. Washburn (1)                   265
6. Central Oklahoma            234
7. Pittsburg State                 204
8. Lindenwood                    195
9. Missouri Southern (1)     194
10. Emporia State               164
11. Southwest Baptist         103
12. Missouri Western          102
13. Nebraska-Kearney          64
14. Lincoln                             30

— MIAA Media Relations —