Missouri Western Griffons
Finishing the season 13-18 last year, the Griffons women’s team looks to take the next step forward for seventh year head coach Rob Edmisson as they bring back four returning starters from a season ago that was injury filled. Look for Brittany Atkins to lead the charge as the Griffons look to get back into the conversations of teams to defeat Central Missouri for top spot in the MIAA.
2017 was a season to forget for the men’s basketball team as they finished the year 6-21 and 4-15 in conference play. That will all change now as the Griffons have brought in first year head coach Sundance Wicks to help guide a team that has only one returning starter. Lavon Hightower will lead the charge as the Griffons look to bring back winning ways to St Joe.
The MIAA basketball season is right around the corner after the completion of Media Day that was held inside The College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City, MO on Tuesday. UClick TV’s Jason Ketz had the chance to talk with several coaches from around the area about what it’s like competing, coaching, and recruiting in the most demanding conference in all of Division II.
On the men’s side, the preseason favorite is one that you’ll have multiple answers for. The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats were selected to finish first by the members of the media, but the Missouri Southern Lions were picked by the coaches. Washburn, Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma round out the top five as teams that have the ability to overtake the Bearcats and Lions for supreme in the MIAA.
On the women’s side, the defending national champion Central Missouri Jennies were the consensus selection for both media and coaches’ polls as they begin the season nationally ranked once again. Fort Hays State, Emporia State and Washburn round out the top 4. Pittsburg State was predicted to finish fifth by the media while the coaches gave the honor to Central Oklahoma.
Certainly, a lot of great story-lines and expectations for what should be another intense and exciting year of MIAA basketball in 2018-2019. As in just a few short months these teams will gather for the conference tournament inside the historic Municipal Auditorium just a few blocks away from the site of Media Day.