PSU Men's Basketball Picked Fourth, Fifth in Preseason Polls - KOAM TV 7

PSU Men's Basketball Picked Fourth, Fifth in MIAA Preseason Polls

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Pitt State men's basketball team was picked fourth by the MIAA coaches and fifth by the regional media in the 2012-13 MIAA Preseason Polls released Tuesday (Oct. 23).

The Gorillas, who return four players with starting experience from a 2011-12 squad which posted a 17-14 record and reached the finals of the MIAA Postseason Tournament, received 137 points from the conference coaches to finish in a tie for fourth place in the preseason poll.

Washburn garnered 11 first-place votes and 188 points to earn the preseason No. 1 ranking in the coaches poll. The Ichabods were followed by Central Missouri (three 1st-place votes, 180 points, NW Missouri State (one 1st-place vote, 170 points), Pitt State and Fort Hays State (137 points).

In the media poll, the Gorillas received 173 points to finish fifth behind Washburn (17 1st-place votes, 267 points), Central Missouri (243 points), NW Missouri State (236 points) and Missouri Southern (one 1st-place vote, 204 points).

Pitt State will open the 2012-13 campaign Nov. 5 when the Gorillas travel to Wichita, Kan., to face NCAA Division I Wichita State University in an exhibition game. Pitt State makes its regular season debut by hosting Baker on Nov. 13 at John Lance Arena. 

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