KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Central Missouri Mules basketball team was picked 11th in both the 2021-22 MIAA preseason coaches' and media polls, MIAA commissioner Mike Racy announced Tuesday, Oct. 12, at MIAA Basketball Media Day at the College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City.

The Mules received 59 points in the preseason coaches' poll and 38 points in the media poll.

Defending NCAA Division II National Champion and MIAA Champion Northwest Missouri State was voted the unanimous preseason favorite in the coaches' poll with 13 first-place votes and 169 points and was the top choice in the media poll with nine first-place votes and 126 points.

Washburn was second in both polls with one first-place vote and 157 points in the coaches' poll and 116 points in the media poll, while Central Oklahoma was third in the coaches' poll with 141 points and Missouri Western was third in the media poll with 99 points, rounding out the top-three in each poll.

The full polls can be found below.

The 2021-22 Mules return four of five starters from last season's team, including 2020-21 All-MIAA Honorable Mention selection Cameron Hunter (G).

Central Missouri is scheduled to host Grand View University (Iowa) at the UCM Multipurpose Building for its 2021-22 season opener Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.

2021-22 MIAA Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (13) - 169 points
2. Washburn (1) – 157 points
3. Central Oklahoma – 141 points
4. Missouri Southern – 125 points
5. Missouri Western – 115 points
6. Fort Hays State – 112 points
7. Rogers State – 88 points
8. Pittsburg State – 86 points
9. Emporia State – 78 points
10. Lincoln – 60 points
11. Central Missouri – 59 points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 39 points
13. Northeastern State – 31 points
14. Newman – 14 points   
Coaches Are Not Allowed to Vote for Their Own Team

2021-2022 MIAA Men's Basketball Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (9) – 126 points
2. Washburn – 116 points
3. Missouri Western – 99 points
4. Missouri Southern – 90 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 86 points
6. Fort Hays State – 74 points
7. Emporia State – 73 points
8. Rogers State – 63 points
9. Pittsburg State – 61 points
10. Lincoln – 60 points
11. Central Missouri – 38 points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 28 points
13. Northeastern State – 16 points
14. Newman – 15 points