A look at Kansas’ other MIAA teams
Men
Emporia State
Coach: Shaun Vandiver, sixth season, 65-77
2015-16: 13-16, 10-12 MIAA
Outlook: The Hornets were predicted to finish 11th in the preseason MIAA coaches poll, the lowest of any Kansas team. Emporia State is hopeful for this year’s team, as five seniors that have a lot of playing experience will try and lead the charge this season. Sophomore Brandon Hall finished third in scoring last season and will be the top returning scorer.
Fort Hays State
Coach: Mark Johnson, 16th season, 304-138
2015-16: 20-11, 13-9 MIAA
Outlook: The Tigers were tabbed to finish third in the preseason MIAA coaches poll. Senior All-MIAA selection Rob Davis (16.7 points) will be the only returning starter from last year’s team that reached the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time under Mark Johnson.
Pittsburg State
Coach: Kevin Muff, seventh season, 92-80
2015-16: 16-13, 11-11 MIAA
Outlook: The Gorillas are picked eighth in the preseason MIAA coaches poll. Pittsburg State returns three players that started in 13 or more games last season. They’re led by senior guard Josiah Gustafson (15.4 points) and junior guard Dakota Jones (11.7 points). The Gorillas tied for fifth place in the MIAA last season.
Women
Emporia State
Coach: Jory Collins, seventh season, 153-42
2015-16: 28-6, 17-5 MIAA
Outlook: The Hornets are tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the MIAA, receiving 12 first-place votes. This is the fourth straight year that the Hornets have been the preseason favorites to win the conference. They’ll return three starters from last year’s team that finished 28-6 and a NCAA D-II tournament appearance. They’ll be led by All-American Kelly Moten and Hillsboro product Addie Lackey, a sophomore.
Fort Hays State
Coach: Tony Hobson, ninth season, 157-77
2015-16: 25-6, 18-4 MIAA
Outlook: The Tigers are picked fourth in the preseason MIAA poll, the fourth time that they’ve been picked to finish in the top four of the conference. Fort Hays will return seven players from last year’s squad, including two starters. The Tigers reached the NCAA Central Regional for the second straight time last season. Jill Faxon will return for her senior season after earning All-American honors last year, averaging more than 12 points and six boards.
Washburn
Coach: Ron McHenry, 17th season, 389-110
2015-16: 15-14, 11-11 MIAA
Outlook: The Ichabods will try to get back on pace after going just above .500 last season. Washburn is picked to finish third in the MIAA after going 11-11 in conference play last year. Washburn will have an experienced team, returning seven seniors. Derby native Alyxis Bowens will look to lead the Ichabods in scoring again this year after averaging 11.5 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Men
Emporia State
Coach: Shaun Vandiver, sixth season, 65-77
2015-16: 13-16, 10-12 MIAA
Outlook: The Hornets were predicted to finish 11th in the preseason MIAA coaches poll, the lowest of any Kansas team. Emporia State is hopeful for this year’s team, as five seniors that have a lot of playing experience will try and lead the charge this season. Sophomore Brandon Hall finished third in scoring last season and will be the top returning scorer.
Fort Hays State
Coach: Mark Johnson, 16th season, 304-138
2015-16: 20-11, 13-9 MIAA
Outlook: The Tigers were tabbed to finish third in the preseason MIAA coaches poll. Senior All-MIAA selection Rob Davis (16.7 points) will be the only returning starter from last year’s team that reached the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time under Mark Johnson.
Pittsburg State
Coach: Kevin Muff, seventh season, 92-80
2015-16: 16-13, 11-11 MIAA
Outlook: The Gorillas are picked eighth in the preseason MIAA coaches poll. Pittsburg State returns three players that started in 13 or more games last season. They’re led by senior guard Josiah Gustafson (15.4 points) and junior guard Dakota Jones (11.7 points). The Gorillas tied for fifth place in the MIAA last season.
Women
Emporia State
Coach: Jory Collins, seventh season, 153-42
2015-16: 28-6, 17-5 MIAA
Outlook: The Hornets are tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the MIAA, receiving 12 first-place votes. This is the fourth straight year that the Hornets have been the preseason favorites to win the conference. They’ll return three starters from last year’s team that finished 28-6 and a NCAA D-II tournament appearance. They’ll be led by All-American Kelly Moten and Hillsboro product Addie Lackey, a sophomore.
Fort Hays State
Coach: Tony Hobson, ninth season, 157-77
2015-16: 25-6, 18-4 MIAA
Outlook: The Tigers are picked fourth in the preseason MIAA poll, the fourth time that they’ve been picked to finish in the top four of the conference. Fort Hays will return seven players from last year’s squad, including two starters. The Tigers reached the NCAA Central Regional for the second straight time last season. Jill Faxon will return for her senior season after earning All-American honors last year, averaging more than 12 points and six boards.
Washburn
Coach: Ron McHenry, 17th season, 389-110
2015-16: 15-14, 11-11 MIAA
Outlook: The Ichabods will try to get back on pace after going just above .500 last season. Washburn is picked to finish third in the MIAA after going 11-11 in conference play last year. Washburn will have an experienced team, returning seven seniors. Derby native Alyxis Bowens will look to lead the Ichabods in scoring again this year after averaging 11.5 points and 5.4 rebounds.
This story was originally published November 3, 2016 at 10:28 PM with the headline "A look at Kansas’ other MIAA teams."