Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney basketball teams have been picked to finish third/fourth (women) and 12th (men) in the 2022-23 MIAA preseason coaches' and media polls.
Both polls were released in conjunction with "Media Day" in Kansas City. Head coaches from all 14 schools were in attendance along with a few student-athletes. The event took place at the College Basketball Experience and was hosted by Seigfreid Bingham. For comments from head coaches Carrie Eighmey and Kevin Lofton visit the The MIAA Network.
On the women's side, both polls had Missouri Southern State as the favorite with Fort Hays State second. The MSSU Lions were a surprise team last winter, going 24-7, and are led by 2022 MIAA Freshman and MIAA Player of the Year Lacy Stokes.
In the coaches' poll (head coaches cannot vote for their own team), UNK tallied 144 points and two first place votes to trail the Lions (159; six) and the rival Tigers (151; three). The media poll saw UNK ranked fourth with 216 points and behind MSSU (249; 13), Hays (234; four) and Central Missouri (218; three).
Three-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State is number one on the men's side with Central Oklahoma the definitive number two. Northwest went 34-5 last winter but must replace current Houston Rockets guard and D2 Player of the Year Trevor Hudgins.
Northwest tallied 167 points (11 first place) in the coaches' poll with UCO at 158 (three). Fort Hays came in third (137) with UNK tallying 36 points to come in ahead of both Lincoln and Newman. The media poll was similar; Northwest one (216; 14 of 18 first place) and UCO (243; four) two with the Lopers (67) and ahead of NU and LU.
Loper Team Information
2021-22 Women's Record: 24-8 (17-5 MIAA) … NCAA 2nd Round; MIAA Tour. Semis
Returning Starters: F Elisa Backes (5th), F Klaire Kirsch (5th); G Trinity Law (Jr.); C Brooke Carlson (5th); F Maegan Holt (5th) … Holt had 20 starts, Carlson 17
Lost Starter: PG Haley Simental
Returning 2022 All-MIAA Players: Backes, Carlson and Kirsch
Overall Returners: 12 (Ten letterwinners and two redshirts)
Newcomers: Six (One transfer and five freshmen)
2022-23 Opener: Nov. 5 (Sat.) vs. Southern Nazarene (Okla.) in Kansas City
2022-23 Public Exhibition: Oct. 28 (Fri.) @ Iowa
2021-22 Men's Record: 11-17 (7-15 MIAA)
Returning Starters: F Darrian Nebeker (5th); F Sean Murphy (So.); G Sean Evans (So.)
Lost Starters: PG David Simental; F Austin Luger
Overall Returners: Eight (six letterwinners plus two redshirts)
Newcomers: Eight (Three transfers and five freshmen)
2022-23 Opener: Nov. 11 (Fri.) vs. Bemidji State in Duluth, Minn.
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