KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) announced its preseason polls Tuesday during the 2026 MIAA Basketball Media Day. Rogers State men's basketball was picked to finish sixth in the coaches' poll and second in the media poll.
The Hillcats received 111 points in the coaches' poll, placing them just behind Arkansas-Fort Smith with 114 points and Missouri Southern with 120 points. Last season, Rogers State finished third in the conference standings and was the runner-up at the MIAA Tournament. Defending champion Washburn led the coaches' poll with 168 points, including 12 first-place votes, followed by Central Missouri with 154 points and Missouri Western with 123 points.
In the MIAA Basketball Preseason Media Poll, Rogers State accumulated 326 points, securing the second spot ahead of Central Missouri (322 points), Missouri Western (293 points) and Fort Hays State (253 points). Washburn also topped the media poll with 392 points and all 30 first-place votes.
Head coach Justin Barkley, along with seniors Damondre McKnight, Tim Jordan Jr., Drew Lewis, Stephon Thomas, Kaleb Bickel and Daivion Boleware, will represent Rogers State at The College Basketball Experience in Kansas City on Tuesday morning. Coach Barkley is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. MIAA fans can watch all the action live, free of charge, exclusively on The MIAA Network.
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
