KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Northeastern State men's basketball is picked to finish ninth out of 14 possible teams, according to the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday.

The RiverHawks earned 60 points in the poll, finishing the 2022-23 season with a 12-15 overall mark and tied for ninth in the MIAA standings at 9-13.  

Northwest Missouri received the majority first-place votes in the coaches poll with 11 for a total of 166 points.  Emporia State is runner-up in the poll with 151 points and a first-place nod.  Fort Hays State is third with 147 points and a first-place tally, Central Oklahoma came in fourth with 138 points with the remaining first-place vote, and Missouri Southern had 120 points to round out the top five. 

Washburn was fifth with Missouri Western and Rogers State ahead of Northeastern State.  Central Missouri is a point behind NSU in tenth followed by Pittsburg State, Lincoln, Newman, and Nebraska-Kearney.

In the media poll, Northwest Missouri was in the top spot with 19 first-place votes and 291 points.  Central Oklahoma had the remaining two first-place votes and 260 points. Emporia State, Fort Hays State, and Missouri Southern rounded out the rest of the top five. 

Lincoln was sixth followed by Washburn, Missouri Western, and Rogers State.  Central Missouri and Pittsburg State were ahead of NSU in the media poll which had them at 12th place.   Newman and Nebraska-Kearney closed out the remaining two teams.

The RiverHawks open their season on Nov. 10, facing Northwestern Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. in Tahlequah.

2023 MIAA Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri [11] – 166 points
2. Emporia State [1] – 151 points
3. Fort Hays State [1] – 147 points
4. Central Oklahoma [1] – 138 points
5. Missouri Southern – 120 points
6. Washburn – 106 points
7. Missouri Western – 92 points
8. Rogers State – 88 points
9. Northeastern State – 60 points
10. Central Missouri – 59 points
11. Pittsburg State – 55 points
12. Lincoln – 46 points
13. Newman – 24 points
14. Nebraska Kearney – 22 points

2023 MIAA Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri [19] – 291 points
2. Central Oklahoma [2] – 260 points
3. Emporia State – 252 points 
4. Fort Hays State – 229 points
5. Missouri Southern – 193 points
6. Lincoln – 163 points
7. Washburn – 162 points
8. Missouri Western – 141 points
9. Rogers State – 138 points
10. Central Missouri – 110 points
11. Pittsburg State – 96 points
12. Northeastern State – 87 points
13. Newman – 47 points
14. Nebraska Kearney – 36 points