KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Washburn men’s basketball team was picked third in the MIAA preseason coaches poll receiving a first-place vote as released by the MIAA office earlier today. Washburn opens the season with an exhibition game at the University of Kansas on Nov. 3 in Lawrence.

The Ichabods received 137 points and one first-place vote and trailed only defending national champion Central Missouri who had 10 first-place votes and 151 points and Fort Hays State who had two first-pace votes and 145 total points. Northwest Missouri followed the Ichabods with a first-place vote and 129 points. Missouri Southern (120 points), Central Oklahoma (110) and Nebraska-Kearney (103) were fifth, sixth and seventh. Emporia State was eighth with 82 points followed by Lindenwood with 79 points, Pittsburg State with 73, Missouri Western with 53 and Northeastern State with 39 points was 12th. Southwest Baptist with 29 points and Lincoln with 15 points rounded out the poll.

The Ichabods return three starters off of last season’s team which went 17-10 and 9-9 in the MIAA finishing in a tie for sixth in the conference standings. Leading the returners is senior forward Alex North who averaged a double double with 16.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while leading the Ichabods with 50 3-pointers en route to second team all- MIAA honors. Senior guard Kyle Wiggins was an honorable mention all-MIAA pick after averaging 15 points and four assists per game. Also returning is senior guar Korey Fisher, who started 15 games and averaged 7.0 points a game and senior forward Stephon Dranewho started 10 games and averaged 6.0 points per contest.

Coming back from a wrist after only playing four games is redshirt junior Christian Ulsakerwho was averaging 13.0 points and 3.8 rebounds a game before breaking a bone in his wrist.

The Ichabods will have several transfers who will be in the mix including senio Algie Key, a transfer from Alabama who played in 32 games for the Crimson Tide after averaging 17.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game earning All-American honors at Barton County as a sophomore. A pair of transfers from Fort Scott Community College in Prince Samuels and Kevin House will also see time in the lineup this season. Samuels averaged 15.8 points and 6.3 rebounds a game as a sophomore and House averaged 17 points and 7.7 assists per game as a sophmore. Both players were all-Jayhawk selections. Turon Parker avareged 1.8 points and 3.5 assists per game as a sophomore at Barton County and was a squadmember along with Key at Barton.

2014-15 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Central Missouri (10) 151

2. Fort Hays State (2) 145

3. Washburn (1) 137

4. Northwest Missouri (1) 129

5. Missouri Southern 120

6. Central Oklahoma 110

7. Nebraska-Kearney 103

8. Emporia State 82

9. Lindenwood 79

10. Pittsburg State 73

11. Missouri Western 53

12. Northeastern State 39

13. Southwest Baptist 29

14. Lincoln 15