MIAA coaches poll: Griffons third, Bearcats 10th heading into 2026-27

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KQTV) -- With the regular season just weeks away, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association has released its 2026-27 men’s basketball preseason coaches poll.

The Missouri Western men are picked to finish third in the league. Brooks McKowen enters his second season as the Griffons’ head coach. MoWest went 21-12 last season with a 12-7 record in conference play.

Northwest Missouri State was picked to finish 10th in the preseason coaches poll. Matt Keeley enters his third season as the Bearcats’ head coach. Northwest finished 15-16 overall and 8-11 in MIAA play last season.

Here is the full MIAA Coaches Poll:

1. Washburn
2. Rogers State
3. Central Missouri
4. Missouri Western
5. Fort Hays State
6. Arkansas-Fort Smith
7. Missouri Southern
8. Pittsburg State
9. Central Oklahoma
10. Northwest Missouri
11. Nebraska Kearney
12. Northeastern State
13. Emporia State
14. Newman

Here is the MIAA Media Poll:

1. Washburn
2. Central Missouri
3. Missouri Western
4. Missouri Southern
5. Arkansas-Fort Smith
6. Rogers State
7. Pittsburg State
8. Fort Hays State
9. Central Oklahoma
10. Northwest Missouri
11. Nebraska Kearney
12. Emporia State
13. Northeastern State
14. Newman