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Bethany
Coach: Clair Oleen, 20th season
2011-12: 9-18 overall, 7-11 KCAC
Outlook: Senior guard Trey Beachum is the Swedes’ top returning scorer at 13.6 points. The Swedes’ finished seventh in the KCAC last season after back-to-back seasons finishing in the top three.
Bethel
Coach: Alonzo Jamison, 4-23 in one season
2011-12: 4-23, 4-14
Outlook: The Threshers have 15 new players. Bethel hasn’t finished above eighth place since 2006-07, when the Threshers finished sixth.
Friends
Coach: Dale Faber, 148-127 in nine seasons
2011-12: 13-18, 8-10
Outlook: The Falcons need to replace a pair of All-KCAC guards, Reggie Britton and Brett Steven. Friends was picked sixth in both preseason polls.
McPherson
Coach: Tim Swartzendruber, 88-41 in four seasons
2011-12: 33-4, 16-2
Outlook: The Bulldogs went to the NAIA Division II semifinals last season and have qualified for the national tournament the last three years. Junior guard Samson Shivers is a preseason All-KCAC pick and broke single-season school records last season for three-pointers attempted (246) and made (87).
Southwestern
Coach: Matt O’Brien, 38-40 in three seasons
2011-12: 19-11, 9-9
Outlook: Senior forward Koury Clayton, a Wichita East product, led the Moundbuilders with 6.4 rebounds. Southwestern’s tallest player is 6-7 freshman forward Breno Schmidt.
Sterling
Coach: Dean Jaderston, 98-83 in six seasons
2011-12: 17-14, 12-6
Outlook: Jaderston has won two KCAC titles in his first six seasons. Senior forward Adam Brown averaged 13.5 points and is a preseason All-KCAC pick.
Tabor
Coach: Micah Ratzlaff, 84-92 in six seasons
2011-12: 15-16, 10-8
Outlook: Goddard product Ryan Chippeaux led the KCAC with 10 double-doubles last season. The 6-7 senior forward averaged 11.9 points and was second in the KCAC with 7.7 rebounds.
WOMEN
Bethany
Coach: Jim Campion, 28-79 in four seasons
2011-12: 4-25, 1-17 KCAC
Outlook: The Swedes return all five starters off a team that won one league game. Senior guard-forward Tasha Wagoner averaged 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds and is a preseason All-KCAC selection.
Bethel
Coach: Mark Fox, 87-111 in seven seasons
2011-12: 11-15, 7-11
Outlook: After back-to-back fourth-place finishes, the Threshers dipped to seventh in the KCAC. Bethel was picked to finish last in both polls.
Friends
Coach: RaeAnne Booth, 40-23 in two seasons
2011-12: 24-10, 16-2
Outlook: Booth won a KCAC title in her second season, but returns only one starter. The Falcons are ranked No. 20 in NAIA Division II.
McPherson
Coach: Cy Rolfs, 21-36 in two seasons
2011-12: 14-15, 9-9
Outlook: Sophomore Brittany Pittas was the KCAC freshman of the year and is one of three returning starters. Pittas was second on the team with 11.7 points and hit 46 of 147 three-pointers.
Southwestern
Coach: Dave Denly, 206-122 in 11 seasons
2011-12: 23-9, 15-3
Outlook: All-KCAC forward Zefiryn Bryan, a 6-foot junior, averaged 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. The Moundbuilders are ranked No. 16 in NAIA Division II.
Sterling
Coach: Lonnie Kruse, 682-210 in 31 seasons
2011-12: 18-13, 10-8
Outlook: Sophomore forward Lori Dauer was an All-KCAC freshman team selection. The Warriors’ eight losses in the KCAC last season matched their total losses in league play the previous five seasons.
Tabor
Coach: Shawn Reed, 7-21 in one season
2011-12: 7-21, 5-13
Outlook: The Bluejays went 1-13 over a two-month stretch, but finished 4-3. Senior guard Katlyn Mary (12.8 points) was All-KCAC and a unanimous preseason pick.
