KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northeastern State was picked ninth in the coaches poll and eighth in the media poll in the 2026-27 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association women's basketball preseason rankings released Tuesday at its annual Media Day in downtown Kansas City.
The RiverHawks received 91 points from the league's coaches and 201 points in the media poll.
Central Missouri was selected as the preseason favorite in both polls, earning 10 first-place votes in the coaches poll and 16 in the media poll. Fort Hays State and Missouri Southern followed in both rankings.
Northeastern State was one spot behind Nebraska Kearney in the coaches poll and one spot behind Missouri Western in the media poll. Emporia State was picked 10th by the coaches and ninth by the media.
NSU opens the regular season Oct. 30 against Tampa in Canyon, Texas, before facing New Mexico Highlands on Oct. 31. The RiverHawks open their home schedule Nov. 13 against Southwestern Oklahoma at the NSU Event Center as part of the MIAA/GAC Challenge.
The RiverHawks will open MIAA play Nov. 27 at home against Northwest Missouri, followed by a Nov. 29 matchup with Missouri Western.
The MIAA Basketball Championships are scheduled for March 4-7 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
WOMEN'S PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Missouri [10] –
163 points
2. Fort Hays State [1] –
147 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] –
143 points
4. Northwest Missouri –
120 points
5. Washburn [1] –
113 points
6. Pittsburg State –
108 points
7. Missouri Western [1] –
107 points
8. Nebraska Kearney –
93 points
9. Northeastern State –
91 points
10. Emporia State –
56 points
11. Central Oklahoma –
53 points
12. Rogers State –
35 points
13. Arkansas-Fort Smith –
28 points
14. Newman –
17 points
[#] - First Place Votes
WOMEN'S PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Central Missouri [16] – 372
points
2. Fort Hays State [13] – 355
points
3. Missouri Southern – 325
points
4. Washburn [1] –
298 points
5. Pittsburg State –
281 points
6. Northwest Missouri –
245 points
7. Missouri Western –
204 points
8. Northeastern State – 201
points
9. Emporia State –
171 points
10. Nebraska Kearney –
149 points
11. Central Oklahoma –
122 points
12. Rogers State –
109 points
13. Arkansas-Fort Smith –
75 points
14. Newman –
33 points
[#] - First Place Votes
