Men's Basketball | 10/6/2026 9:00:00 AM

October 6, 2026 - The MIAA released their 2026-27 Men's Basketball Preseason Polls, and the Hornets were picked 12th in the coaches poll and 13th in the media poll.

The Hornets went 9-19 last season with a 5-14 mark in the MIAA in the second season under head coach Tom Billeter. Chris Harris is the leading returning scorer for Emporia State as he averaged 12.0 points per game. Harris is one of two returners that averaged double-digits last season, as Treyvon Taylor averaged 10.0 points on his own. Other notable returners include Dallas Bear, Jack Weigus and Olafur Styrmisson.

Emporia State will open the season at the Hillyard Tipoff Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. as they take on NSIC foes Minnesota-Duluth on Friday, November 13 and Bemidji State on Saturday, November 14. The Hornets' home opener is slated for Tuesday, November 17 as they host Kansas Christian College. The MIAA slate opens in early December with a trip to Joplin, Mo. on Thursday, December 3 to take on Missouri Southern.

Washburn topped both polls with Central Missouri, Missouri Western and Missouri Southern rounding out the top four of the coaches poll while the Mules and Lions each picked up one first-place vote. In the media poll, Rogers State slotted in behind the Ichabods while Central Missouri and Missouri Western were picked third and fourth. 

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

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