KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Defending MIAA Champion Missouri Southern was selected No. 1 in both the MIAA coaches and media preseason men’s basketball polls, released Wednesday by the conference office as part of MIAA Men’s Basketball Virtual Media Day.

In the coaches poll, the Lions received seven first-place votes and 97 total points to grab the No. 1 spot.Central Missourireceived the other four first-place votes and 92 points to come in at No. 2.FortHaysStatewas voted No. 3 with 70 points, followed closely by Washburn at No. 4 with 68 points.

MissouriSouthern garnered 11 first-place votes and 141 points to earn the No. 1 spot in the media poll. Central Missouri comes in at No. 2 with one first-place vote and 117 points, followed byFortHaysStateat No. 3 with 114 points and Washburn at No. 4 with 112 points.Northwest Missourireceived one first-place vote and totaled 77 points to share the No. 5 spot with Missouri Western.

Following are the complete men’s basketball coaches and media polls. For MIAA Men’s Basketball Virtual Media Day, visit https://themiaa.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/virtualmediaday/virtualmediaday.

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

1. MissouriSouthern (7) – 97 pts.
2. Central Missouri (4) – 92 pts.
3.FortHaysState – 70 pts.
4. Washburn – 68 pts.
T5.Northwest Missouri– 64 pts.
T5.PittsburgState– 64 pts.
7.MissouriWestern – 44 pts.
8. Southwest Baptist – 40 pts.
9.EmporiaState– 36 pts.
10. Truman – 20 pts.
11. Lincoln – 10 pts.

2011-12 MIAA MEN’S BASKETBALL 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.