KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Griffon Men's Basketball was picked third by the MIAA coaches and fourth by the leagues' media in the preseason polls put out by the conference Monday morning.

n his inaugural season at MoWest, head coach Brooks McKowen led the Griffs to a 21-12 record, including a 12-7 mark in the MIAA. It was the first 20-win season for men's basketball since 2003 and it marked a return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2021 and just the third time since 2010.

Men's Basketball returns seven players from last year's team, including starters Gavin Hershberger and William Kiburis. Other key returners include now sophomores Trey McKowen and Bode Goodman. The Griffons also signed eight new players - four freshmen and four transfers.

Kiburis is the lead returning scorer and rebounder for MoWest. Starting 29 games last season, Kiburis averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds per game. He also had a team best 44 steals and shot an outstanding 57.4% from the field.

Hershberger, who started all 33 games, is the lead returning three-point threat. The redshirt junior connected on 53 three-pointers last season while averaging 8.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

McKowen and Goodman, who played all 33 games last season as true freshmen, step into their sophomore campaigns after solid showings. McKowen is the lead returning free throw shooter, making 78.6% at the stripe last season while averaging 6.3 points per game. He also accounted for 32 steals.

Goodman averaged 6.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game while shooting 40% from the field. Men's basketball opens their season on Monday, November 9 at Quincy. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
 
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

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