(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)The Missouri Southern men's basketball program has been picked to finish second in the MIAA preseason coaches poll that was announced today as part of the MIAA Virtual Media Day.
Southern finished third in the MIAA regular season standings last year, falling 78-76 to Northwest Missouri in the 2020 MIAA Tournament Championship game.
The Lions had qualified for the NCAA Tournament and were slated to take on Northern State before the season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Southern finished 23-8 a season ago.
The Lions have just five players return from last year's team. Back from last season is All-MIAA, All-Region and All-American Cam Martin. Martin was a finalist for the Bevo Francis Small College Basketball Player of the Year Award after averaging 24.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting 58 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free throw line. He set the MSSU single-game scoring record with 54 points at Missouri Western and became the only player in Lions' history to score 700 or more points in a season twice.
Winston Dessesow and Kyle Younge saw action in the backcourt for the Lions while Christian Bundy returned from an injury to show some signs of his breakout freshman campaign. Stan Scott was an addition that provided depth and size at guard. Martin Macenis and Tyriqe Jackson both practiced with the Lions last season but utilized a redshirt season and have all four years of eligibility remaining.
RJ Smith is a transfer from Sam Houston State that brings size (6-5/215) to the lineup, as well as experience. Smith started in all 31 games a season ago for the Bearkats and averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds. Yagizhan Selcuk (pronounced YAH - gee) comes to Southern from Division I Montana where he played in 11 games as a sophomore, averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds.
Northwest Missouri was a unanimous pick to finish first again this season receiving 169 points and 13 first-place votes. The Lions were second with 147 points and one first-place vote, followed by Washburn at No. 3, Rogers State at No. 4 and Missouri Western at No. 5. Central Oklahoma was sixth followed by Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State at seven. Lincoln, Nebraska-Kearney, Central Missouri, Emporia State, Northeastern State and Newman round out the coaches poll. The entire poll can be found below.
Southern will open up the 2020-21 season with a trip to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma on November 19 at 7:30 pm. The Lions' home opener is set for December 3 at 7:30 pm against Northeastern State.
Fans can watch the MSSU portion of MIAA Virtual Media Day today by logging on to www.themiaanetwork.com. Southern's portion will start at 1:15 pm.
2020-2021 MIAA Men's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (13) - 169 points
2. Missouri Southern (1) - 147 points
3. Washburn - 140 points
4. Rogers State - 123 points
5. Missouri Western - 122 points
6. Central Oklahoma - 106 points
T7. Fort Hays State - 75 points
T7. Pittsburg State - 75 points
9. Lincoln - 67 points
10. Nebraska Kearney - 64 points
11. Central Missouri - 60 points
12. Emporia State - 56 points
13. Northeastern State - 55 points
14. Newman - 17 points
*Coaches Cannot Vote For Their Own Team
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