MIAA Press ReleaseKANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team was picked first in the 2015-16 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll which was released by the conference office on Wednesday. Northwest received nine of the possible 13 first place votes to top the poll. Coaches cannot vote for their own institution.
Northwest returns three starters off last season's team that went 25-7 overall and captured the outright MIAA regular season title with a 15-4 record. For the second straight season, the Bearcat advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. First team All-MIAA performer
Justin Pitts was also named the MIAA Freshman of the Year. Senior guard
Conner Crooker earned second team All-MIAA honors while
Zach Schneider was an All-MIAA honorable mention performer. Head coach
Ben McCollum was named the MIAA's Co-Coach of the Year with Kevin Muff of Pittsburg State.
The Bearcats begin the 2015-16 season on Friday, Nov. 13, against Upper Iowa in St. Joseph, Mo., at 5:30 p.m. The first home action for Northwest will be on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7:30 p.m., against Central Methodist University. Ticket information for Bearcat basketball can be found
HERE.
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| 2015-16 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (9) 164
2. Central Missouri (1) 143
3. Nebraska-Kearney (1) 141
4. Missouri Southern (2) 140
5. Pittsburg State (1) 134
6. Fort Hays State 101
7. Lindenwood 91
8. Central Oklahoma 77
T9. Washburn 72
T9. Missouri Western 72
11. Emporia State 58
12. Southwest Baptist 38
13. Northeastern State 29
14. Lincoln 14 |
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