Lincoln men's hoops picked fourth in preseason poll

The Lincoln men's basketball team, which returns 10 players from last season's squad, has been picked fourth in the MIAA's preseason coaches poll, the league announced Wednesday.

The Blue Tigers, who won 16 games and advanced to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament last season, received 123 points in the poll.

Northwest Missouri is the unanimous preseason favorite, receiving 13 first-place votes and 169 total points. Washburn received the other first-place vote, as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams, and claimed second with 147 points while Fort Hays State was chosen third with 129 points.

Missouri Southern (111 points) was selected fifth, Nebraska-Kearney (104) was chosen sixth and Central Oklahoma (94) was picked seventh. Pittsburg State (93) edged Central Missouri (92) for eighth by one point, and Lindenwood claimed 10th with 72 points. Emporia State (55), Missouri Western (45), Northeastern State (22) and Southwest Baptist (18) round out the poll.

Lincoln opens the season Nov. 11 against Mary at the SBU Classic in Bolivar. Lincoln's first home game will be Nov. 26, when the Blue Tigers host Truman State.