By Joey McWilliams
OVERLAND PARK – Northwest Missouri is once a preseason favorite in the MIAA. But the rankings were close.
The Bearcats edged defending champion Fort Hays State by one point in the coaches’ poll, though FHSU received five first-place votes to NWMSU’s four.
In the media poll, Northwest and Fort Hays State were separated at No. 1 and No. 2 by seven points and with NWMSU receiving 14 first-place votes and FHSU receiving 13.
The top four were the same in both polls with Central Missouri at No. 3 and Pittsburg State at No. 4
The complete list of both polls is below:
MIAA Coaches Poll
Northwest Missouri (4) – 103
Fort Hays State (5) – 102
Central Missouri (2) – 96
Pittsburg State – 81
Central Oklahoma – 67
Emporia State – 67
Washburn – 63
Lindenwood – 46
Missouri Western – 40
Nebraska Kearney – 30
Northeastern State – 19
Missouri Southern – 12
MIAA Media Poll
Northwest Missouri (14) – 382
Fort Hays State (13) – 375
Central Missouri (6) – 349
Pittsburg State (1) – 311
Emporia State – 243
Central Oklahoma – 229
Washburn – 223
Missouri Western – 171
Lindenwood – 160
Nebraska Kearney – 98
Northeastern State – 66
Missouri Southern – 45