League coaches pick Newman to finish 11th; Media 10th
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Coming into their first season in a new conference, Newman University Men's Basketball team was picked to finish eleventh in the 2019 MIAA Conference coaches poll and tenth in the preseason media poll, announced Wednesday morning by Commissioner Mike Racy at the MIAA Basketball Media Day.
Newman picked up 61 points from league coaches, just three ahead of Missouri Western State University. Northwest Missouri State are the preseason favorites after going 38-0 and winning the 2018-2019 Division II National Championship last year.
The Jets have three starters returning from last year including their leading scorer
Marshawn Blackmon (14.9 PPG). Newman brings in an older team this year than from a season ago, including eight juniors and six seniors.
Newman opens the 2019 season vs. Henderson State and Southern Arkansas in the Great American Conference Classic on November 8th and 9th in Dallas, Texas.
Men's Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri - 169 points (13)
2. Missouri Southern - 157 points (1)
3. Washburn - 131 points
4. Fort Hays State - 124 points
5. Northeastern State - 99 points
6. Central Missouri - 96 points
7. Lincoln - 93 points
8. Pittsburg State - 92 points
9. Rogers State - 68 points
10. Emporia State - 66 points
11. Newman - 61 points
12. Missouri Western - 58 points
13. Central Oklahoma - 44 points
14. Nebraska Kearney - 16 points
Men's Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri - 279 points (19)
2. Missouri Southern - 259 points (1)
3. Washburn - 238 points
4. Fort Hays State - 198 points
5. Pittsburg State - 183 points
6. Lincoln - 156 points
7. Central Missouri - 140 points
8. Emporia State - 123 points
9. Missouri Western - 120 points
10. Newman - 103 points
11. Rogers State - 102 points
12. Northeastern State - 88 points
13. Nebraska Kearney - 64 points
14. Central Oklahoma- 46 points
