The Evangel University men’s basketball team was picked to finish eighth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Coaches’ Preseason Poll released Wednesday.
Evangel earned 79 points as William Penn was selected to win the league with eight first-place votes and 163 total points. MidAmerica Nazarene was picked second with six first-place votes and 162 total points after a Fab Four appearance a year ago.
Central Methodist earned 127 points and was picked third, followed by Peru State with 120 points and Benedictine rounds out the top five with 119 points. Grand View earned 92 points and was tabbed sixth with Missouri Valley picked seventh ahead of the Crusaders by the league’s coaches.
The 2016-17 season tips off for the Evangel men November 8, 2016 against College of the Ozarks at the Ashcroft Center. The Crusaders and Bobcats will again meet twice as part of the Highway 65 Series Shootout Presented by Rib Crib. Evangel will open the conference season on November 12 at Peru State before returning home Nov. 16 again Avila.
The top 10 finishers will qualify for the Heart Men’s Basketball tournament with seeds, 7-10 playing first round games on Tuesday, February 28 at campus sites. The championship game will be played at the highest remaining seed one week later on Tuesday, March 7.
The 80th Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship will be played March 15-21, 2017 at venerable Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City.
2016-17 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. William Penn (8) 163
2. MidAmerica Nazarene (6) 162
3. Central Methodist 127
4. Peru State 120
5. Benedictine 119
6. Grand View 92
7. Missouri Valley 81
8. Evangel 79
9. Baker 78
10. Graceland 75
11. Mount Mercy 72
12. Culver-Stockton 47
13. Avila 39
14. Clarke 20
