KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northeastern State was picked 13th in the coaches poll and 12th in the media poll in the 2026-27 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association men's basketball preseason rankings released Tuesday at its annual Media Day in downtown Kansas City.

The RiverHawks received 35 points from the league's coaches and 86 points in the media poll.

Washburn was selected as the preseason favorite in both polls, earning 12 first-place votes in the coaches poll and 30 in the media poll. Central Missouri was second in both rankings.

Missouri Western was third in the coaches poll and fourth in the media poll, while Missouri Southern was fourth and seventh, respectively. Rogers State was sixth in the coaches poll and second in the media poll.

Northeastern State was picked one spot behind Emporia State in the coaches poll and one spot behind Nebraska Kearney in the media poll.

The RiverHawks open the regular season Nov. 13-14 with the Central Region Challenge at Union High School in Tulsa.

Northeastern State begins MIAA play Nov. 27 against Northwest Missouri at the NSU Event Center.

The MIAA Basketball Championships are scheduled for March 4-7 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.

MEN'S PRESEASON MEDIA POLL:
1. Washburn [30] – 392 points
2. Rogers State – 326 points
3. Central Missouri – 322 points
4. Missouri Western – 293 points
5. Fort Hays State – 253 points
6. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 252 points
7. Missouri Southern – 241 points
8. Pittsburg State – 206 points
9. Central Oklahoma – 193 points
10. Northwest Missouri – 155 points
11. Nebraska Kearney – 101 points
12. Northeastern State – 86 points
13. Emporia State – 79 points
14. Newman – 41 points
[#] - First Place Votes

MEN'S PRESEASON COACHES POLL:
1. Washburn [12] – 168 points
2. Central Missouri [1] – 154 points
3. Missouri Western – 123 points
4. Missouri Southern [1] – 120 points
5. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 114 points
6. Rogers State – 111 points
7. Pittsburg State – 104 points
8. Fort Hays State – 103 points
9. Central Oklahoma – 90 points
10. Northwest Missouri – 59 points
11. Nebraska Kearney – 43 points
12. Emporia State – 36 points
13. Northeastern State – 35 points
14. Newman – 14 points
[#] - First Place Votes