The perennial Division Two powerhouse from Maryville, the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats, are the pick by both the media and coaches to repeat as champion in the MIAA, although the ‘Cats are expected to be heavily challenged by a number of teams, most notably the Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS) Tigers in the regular season race.
In a poll rarity, more coaches (five) picked the Tigers to win the MIAA title than the Bearcats (4), but in the overall points race, Northwest edged Fort Hays, 103-102. Central Missouri, with two first place votes and 96 points, finished third in the coaches poll, followed by Pittsburg State (81 points), Central Oklahoma and Emporia State (both 67), Washburn (63), and Lindenwood (46).
Northwest Missouri State’s biggest rival, the nearby Missouri Western Griffons (St. Joseph, MO) were picked ninth in the coaches poll, earning 40 points, trailed by Nebraska-Kearney, Northeastern State, and Missouri Southern.
The media poll was nearly as tight as the coaches poll, although Northwest Missouri State earned both the top number of first-place votes (14) and points (382). Fort Hays was right on the heels of Rich Wright’s team with 13 first-place votes and 375 points, while Central Missouri holds down the third spot with six first-place votes and 349 points, while fourth-place Pittsburg State did pick up the remaining first-place media tally and 311 points. Emporia State (243) is fifth in the media poll, followed by Central Oklahoma (229), Washburn (223), Missouri Western (171), Lindenwood (160), Nebraska-Kearney (98), Northeastern State (66), and Missouri Southern (45).
Opening night in the MIAA will be Thursday, August 30th, with all 12 teams in action. The 7 o’clock kickoffs will find Missouri Western at Northwest Missouri State, Central Missouri at Fort Hays, and Central Oklahoma at Pittsburg State in the marquee games of opening night. Other games to be played that evening will be Emporia State at Northeastern State (Tahlequah, OK), Washburn at Lindenwood (St. Charles, MO), and Missouri Southern at Nebraska-Kearney.
