Men's Basketball | 10/6/2025 10:48:00 AM
October 6, 2025 – The MIAA released their 2025-26 Men's Basketball Preseason Polls, and the Hornets were picked ninth by the media and tenth by the coaches entering year two under head coach
Tom Billeter.
The Hornets went 11-18 last season in year one under Billeter, with an 8-11 record in MIAA action, which included six losses by five or fewer points.
Chris Harris is the leading returning scorer for Emporia State, averaging 7.3 and 36.5% shooting from three last season. Other notable returners for Emporia State include
Dallas Bear,
Devin Conley and
Justin Mack.
Emporia State will open the season along with the Lady Hornets in St. Joseph, Mo. on November 14-15 with games against NSIC opponents Wayne State (Neb.) and St. Cloud State. The home opener for Emporia State will be on November 19 against William Jewell and the first MIAA game for the Hornets will be on the road against Northwest Missouri on December 4.
Washburn topped both polls with Fort Hays State, Rogers State, Pittsburg State rounding out the top four by the media. Rogers State, Central Oklahoma, and Fort Hays State rounded out the four in the coaches poll.
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
