KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After capturing the 2025-26 MIAA regular season and tournament championships and hosting the NCAA Central Regional for the second year in a row while recording at least 30 wins in the same time span, the Washburn Ichabods have been selected as the favorite to win the 2026-27 MIAA men's basketball title according to both the league's coaches and media polls released Tuesday during MIAA Basketball Media Day at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City.
 
Washburn received 12 of 14 first-place votes and 168 points in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, finishing ahead of Central Missouri, which earned one first-place vote and 154 points. Missouri Western was selected third with 123 points, followed by Missouri Southern, which also received a first-place vote, at 120 points.
 
Arkansas-Fort Smith was picked fifth with 114 points, followed by Rogers State (111), Pittsburg State (104), Fort Hays State (103), Central Oklahoma (90), Northwest Missouri (59), Nebraska Kearney (43), Emporia State (36), Northeastern State (35) and Newman (14).
 
The Ichabods were an even more decisive choice among members of the media, collecting all 30 first-place votes and 392 points in the MIAA Preseason Media Poll.
 
Rogers State was selected second with 326 points, followed closely by Central Missouri with 322 points. Missouri Western ranked fourth with 293 points while Fort Hays State (253) narrowly edged Arkansas-Fort Smith (252) for fifth. Missouri Southern was seventh with 241 points followed by Pittsburg State (206), Central Oklahoma (193), Northwest Missouri (155), Nebraska Kearney (101), Northeastern State (86), Emporia State (79) and Newman (41).
 
The preseason recognition comes after another outstanding campaign for the Ichabods. Washburn posted a 31-4 record during the 2025-26 season, winning the MIAA regular season championship and the conference tournament as well, and finished No. 3 in the final NABC Top 25 Coaches Poll.
 
Washburn will open the 2026-27 season Nov. 7-8 at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Lakeland, Fla. for the second consecutive season, facing Point Loma on Nov. 7 and West Liberty on Nov. 8 before returning to Kansas City for the Central Region Challenge Nov. 13-14 at Municipal Auditorium against Minnesota State Moorhead and Minnesota State Mankato. The Ichabods' home opener is scheduled for Nov. 24 when Southwestern College visits Lee Arena.
 
The Ichabods will begin MIAA play on Dec. 2 at Northwest Missouri before traveling to Missouri Western on Dec. 5 in the only regular season meetings with the Bearcats and Griffons this season.
 
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