KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Mules basketball was voted seventh in both the 2025-26 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll and Media Polls, the conference office announced Monday, Oct. 6, at the annual MIAA Basketball Media Day at the College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
The Mules received 102 points in the preseason coaches' poll and 186 points in the preseason media poll.
Washburn was voted the preseason favorite in both polls with 169 points and 13 first-place votes in the coaches' poll, while receiving 346 points and 23 first-place votes in the media poll.
Following the Ichabods in the coaches' poll is Rogers State (141 points, one first-place vote), Central Oklahoma (137 points), Fort Hays State (137 points), and rounding out the top-five is Pittsburg State (127 points).
In the media poll, Fort Hays State earns the second spot with 297 points, including one first-place vote, while Rogers State (286 points, one first-place vote), Pittsburg State (280 points), and Central Oklahoma (229 points) round out the top five. The full polls are listed below.
UCM welcomes back four players from last year's squad, including MIAA Freshman of the Year
Kyran Tilley,
Jake Fritz,
Noah Martin, and
Kyree Polk. The Mules posted an overall record of 15-15 while advancing to the MIAA Basketball Championship Quarterfinals for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
The Mules begin the 2025-26 campaign on Friday, Nov. 7, as they take on Colorado School of Mines in the opening game of the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic at noon inside Alterowitz Gymnasium in Billings, Mont.
2025-26 MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
1. Washburn [13] – 169 points
2. Rogers State [1] – 141 points
3. Central Oklahoma – 137 points
4. Fort Hays State – 134 points
5. Pittsburg State – 127 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 106 points
7. Central Missouri – 102 points
8. Missouri Western – 79 points
9. Northeastern State – 62 points
10. Emporia State – 59 points
11. Newman – 52 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 41 points
13. Missouri Southern – 35 points
14. Northwest Missouri – 30 points
[#] - First Place Votes
2025-26 MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL
1. Washburn [23] – 346 points
2. Fort Hays State [1] – 297 points
3. Rogers State [1] – 286 points
4. Pittsburg State – 280 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 229 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 211 points
7. Central Missouri – 186 points
8. Missouri Western – 169 points
9. Emporia State – 159 points
10. Northeastern State – 132 points
11. Northwest Missouri – 108 points
12. Newman – 93 points
13. Missouri Southern – 69 points
14. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 59 points
[#] - First Place Votes
