KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northeastern State was picked to finish ninth in the coaches poll and 10th in the media poll as the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association released its 2025-26 men's basketball preseason rankings Friday at the league's annual Media Day.

The RiverHawks earned 62 points in the coaches poll and 132 points in the media poll. Washburn, the defending MIAA regular-season champion, was the preseason favorite in both polls.

The MIAA tipped off the 2025-26 NCAA Division II basketball season Friday at the College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City. All 28 MIAA head coaches met with media members during the league's Media Day, which was streamed live on The MIAA Network.

Northeastern State finished last season 14-15 overall and 8-11 in conference play.

Rogers State finished second in the coaches poll and third in the media poll. Fort Hays State, last year's MIAA tournament champion, placed third in the coaches rankings and second in the media vote.

Both coaches and media voters also had Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State among their top five.

The 2025-26 season officially begins Oct. 31 with MIAA programs competing in D2CCA Tip-Off Classics. The MIAA Basketball Championships return March 4-8 at Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City.

2025-26 MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
Washburn (13) – 169
Rogers State (1) – 141
Central Oklahoma – 137
Fort Hays State – 134
Pittsburg State – 127
Nebraska Kearney – 106
Central Missouri – 102
Missouri Western – 79
Northeastern State – 62
Emporia State – 59
Newman – 52
Arkansas-Fort Smith – 41
Missouri Southern – 35
Northwest Missouri – 30

2025-26 MIAA Men's Basketball Media Poll
Washburn (23) – 346
Fort Hays State (1) – 297
Rogers State (1) – 286
Pittsburg State – 280
Central Oklahoma – 229
Nebraska Kearney – 211
Central Missouri – 186
Missouri Western – 169
Emporia State – 159
Northeastern State – 132
Northwest Missouri – 108
Newman – 93
Missouri Southern – 69
Arkansas-Fort Smith – 59