By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For the first time since the 2012 season the Washburn University men's basketball team has been tapped for the No. 1 spot in the MIAA Preseason Coaches and Media polls released Monday by the league office before the start of the MIAA Basketball Media Day in Kansas City, Mo.
Washburn men's basketball has been tapped for the No. 1 spot in both MIAA preseason polls after winning an NCAA regional title and reaching the national semifinals last season. [File photo/TSN]In the MIAA Coaches Poll, Washburn received 13 of 14 first-place votes, tallying 169 points and finishing ahead of Rogers State, which had one first-place vote and 141 total points.
In the MIAA media poll, the Ichabods received 23 of 25 first-place votes from the media for 346 total points. Fort Hays State had one first-place vote and 297 points and Rogers State had a first-place vote and 286 total points.
The Ichabods are coming off an NCAA Final Four appearance, an NCAA Central Regional Championship and an MIAA regular season title with a 30-4 overall record after going 17-2 in MIAA play.
Rogers State received its best preseason rankings since joining the MIAA in 2019 after ending last season 23-10 overall and 13-6 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State, the defending MIAA tournament champion, finished 22-10 overall and 12-7 in the MIAA last season.
Fort Hays State, the defending MIAA tournament champion, finished 22-10 overall and 12-7 in the MIAA last season.
Both MIAA coaches and media members also included Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State in their top five.
Washburn will open the 2025-26 season at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic facing Augusta on Nov. 1 and Dallas Baptist the following day in Lakeland, Fla.
Both WU opponents played in the NCAA Tournament last season, with Augusta playing in its regional quarterfinals and Dallas Baptist reaching the NCAA National Semifinals joining the Ichabods last season in Evansville, Ind.
2025-26 MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL COACHES POLL
1. Washburn [13] – 169 points
2. Rogers State [1] – 141 points
3. Central Oklahoma – 137 points
4. Fort Hays State – 134 points
5. Pittsburg State – 127 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 106 points
7. Central Missouri – 102 points
8. Missouri Western – 79 points
9. Northeastern State – 62 points
10. Emporia State – 59 points
11. Newman – 52 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 41 points
13. Missouri Southern – 35 points
14. Northwest Missouri – 30 points
[#] - First Place Votes
2025-26 MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL MEDIA POLL
1. Washburn [23] – 346 points
2. Fort Hays State [1] – 297 points
3. Rogers State [1] – 286 points
4. Pittsburg State – 280 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 229 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 211 points
7. Central Missouri – 186 points
8. Missouri Western – 169 points
9. Emporia State – 159 points
10. Northeastern State – 132 points
11. Northwest Missouri – 108 points
12. Newman – 93 points
13. Missouri Southern – 69 points
14. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 59 points
[#] - First Place Votes
