The Mules received three first-place votes in the coaches poll and tallied 180 points. The 2011-12 co-champion Washburn garnered 11 first place votes and 188 points to take the top spot. The other co-champion from the 2011-12 season, Northwest Missouri, received one first place vote and 170 points to come in third. Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State tied for the fourth spot with 137 points.
The Mules tallied 243 points in the media poll to place second. Washburn was the top pick in the media poll as well garnering 17 of 18 first place votes and 267 points. Northwest Missouri was third with 236 points followed by Missouri Southern, one first place vote and 204 points, and Pittsburg State with 173 points to round out the top five.
The Mules were 19-8 a year ago and finished in a three-way tie for first in the MIAA at 15-5. UCM returns four starters from last season’s squad and has eight seniors back this season. The Mules open the season on Nov. 3 with an exhibition game at Austin Peay at 7:30 p.m. in Clarksville, Tenn. The regular season tips-off on Saturday, Nov. 10 against Webster at 3:30 p.m. at the UCM Multipurpose Building.
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